Simple question, funny answers

I was looking at a bike (bicycle) ad posted in the classifieds section. I had a query about bikes and so I decided to ask my colleagues.

Here is what I had written

I am interested in buying a bike (bicycle). The ad for it says that the read break cable needs to be replaced.

Could anyone give me an idea of how much it would cost me to get this break cable repaired?
Also, how much would one of those heavy locks (2 kg chain locks) cost? I believe the bike does not come with any locks so I’ll have to get them myself.

Apart from the more useful ones, I got these responses

• I personally don't buy bikes with external gears - they are greasy and dirty.
• break cable repair is about 500 euro's.
  If you bring your bike to me, we'll make a nice deal, i'll do it for 300.
• Go to the little repair shop in the underground bike storage just outside the train station. They will know.
  You may wanna ask them not to break your bike, but to fix the brake.
• forget about the repairs, having breaks only increases commute time.

For those interested in the answer, its between 10 and 20 Euros, depending upon the shop. If you have the necessary tools, you could buy the cable for 5-7 Eur and do the job yourself. But from experience, I believe its not that easy, particularly if the breaks are one of those drum breaks.