Young folks have that attitude that they can change the world, do it better...quicker...cheaper..yada yada.
Go easy on him guys...he will learn how the real world operates soon enough.
If the guy had the feeling you were sizing him up, he won't be obliging your request any time soon. Had you a different attitude, maybe a little less of telling him how to run his shop better, he might have taken you on.

If he has three years backlog, he must be doing something right. My Dad waited over two years from a family friend that does it part time in his basement...He paid the guy a bonus by the way. Great mount.