Earlier quoted context omitted.
I go with a) every time. I would find anything else to be unprofessional. I don't "effectively suck", I disagree with them on the timing. I'll explain my reasoning, and if they cannot accept that, then it's out of my hands; they have chosen to cut corners.
Have seen companies fire people for that. Sometimes you can't afford that.
If a company chose to fire me for that, I would not want to work at that company anyhow.
I know this is somewhat naive; not everyone is in a position where they can pick and choose what companies they wish to work at. But still, such a company would be a terrible company to work at.