Good Evening Everyone,
I have to thank you all for your comments, suggestions and recommendations. I use to think that I could find just about anything on the net in a few minutes. Usually that has been the case. In this instance, I have spend a bit over a week, as I have had time in the evenings, and come up with just a few hits, but nothing like I usually am able to do.
On the topic of pricing, its all over the place - as you all indicated, it comes down to what someone is actually willing to pay. The evilbay offers are just that, something there waiting for someone to counter with something less but acceptable. Actual sales are again few and far between. Given the few actual sales, there is not a long history on evilbay since most of them have fallen off the bottom. They are also dependent on who just happens across the auction and if folks are either actually looking or have some knowledge on the lens (which is turning out to be very few). So, the actual sale prices run the full gamete.
The box arrived today, and the condition is dirty glass, but no separation or fungus/mold - which is good. The expensive lens contains 15 glass elements, and weighs in at 1,150g - the heaviest zoom Contax ever made (there are other telephoto primes that weigh in heavier still). The other lens is a 50mm, small and simple, hence the price difference. The servicing price for both lenses was off the same website, and the guy - essentially does everything "his way". Actually the price on the large lens was 575-900 but since this is the one with all the glass, I just assumed the worst case. Since this is the weekend, I have only been able to go on the information on the one website that does specialize in this. I need to call Monday, however - the suggestions about calling some other lens repair shops is a very valid one. Here in the Phoenix area, there are a couple - one in particular I had used before. I was going to try to swing by and take the lenses in to see what they think. If the lenses can be done with a relatively simple cleaning - obviously that is the way to go. I will probably email Eric and see if he would be game to even consider taking a look at the lenses. He has been kind enough to swap mounts for me on my other Contax lenses.
There is no way the $900 will happen. As ripit observed - way too much risk......
Anyway - its late and I am going to trundle off to bed. My head aches - 2 aspirin also sounds appropriate .....