So I am wanting to have some frets replaced and or leveled on my 20 year old RICs, but do not know what is involved in that. One shop told me 20 bucks a fret, no big deal, then another told me 400-700 dollars because they would then have to refinish
the fret board if not the entire neck, if not the entire guitar?! What is the truth on this ?

Refretting a RIC instrument can be an issue depending on age, since in the past conversion varnish was used, and now a different finish is used. Also, yes, on many models, the fretboard is also finished, and that can be difficult to refinish and blend with the neck if you want the original look retained in the refret. Finally, RIC fretwire is proprietary.