no bending involved. we were asked to re make that pipe. 2 hours labor to re fabricate the hot side isn't unreasonable. For things like that you should bring the parts by a shop to get a reasonable quote not just describing the issue on the phone.
Who knows maybe it can be done for $40, 2 hours was simply an estimate based on something we haven't seen in person.
wouldn't you rather get an estimate of $180 and have it cost 40-60 than get an estimate of $60 and have to pay $180?
P.S. that's an invitation to swing by for us to check it out for ya and see what we can do !!