> If they don't even try to convince you, you should probably stick with your business.
For someone invoking BATNA, I would hope you understood the concept of distributive bargaining.
Top universities get lots of good candidates. The lawn care business guy - he's just one of them. The school doesn't lose much if he doesn't go there, and thus he is not worth that much of the school's time.
If they don't even try to convince you, you should probably stick with your business.