is this a bad deal?

[Maidith]

I actually quoted the guy quite a bit more ... and I never heard from him again. Good riddance, I guess.

That's what happens to 80% of the inquiries I get.
But that also means that the other 20% inquiries turn into decent, normal-paying jobs I am happy to do.

If you want to be a professional illustrator you better get used to saying no.