I would say you are wasting your time and there's if you have no intention of getting them done by KwikFit. OK, you are finding out what needs doing but you could also get the same advice from a trusted independent garage who would tell you what needed doing before they carried out the work. Doing it this way stops you from wasting an hour or two waiting for KwikFit to get back to you and then having to find another garage to do the work for you.
I agree advice should be taken by those you trust and that is why the OP posted this thread asking for advice on how he should move forward without paying KwikFit prices. Several of us have given him the advice he sought and named trusted independent garages but you have become fixated on KwikFit and Halford's for some reason.
As for KwikFit and Halfords still being in business, I mentioned above that people are frightened to deal with small garages and are willing to pay through their noses for the services the larger garage groups provide.
As for independent garages ripping customers off, that is why you ask people to recommend them to you, you would do the same when asking for a builder, plumber, electrician, etc.