I always get my extra back...I have just started asking my LA'er to trim the quilt because I've had king size quilts that I can't trim on my little cutting table...I pay extra for them to trim them and they are done very close...I have also paid extra to have them sew my binding on the front (I hand stitch to back). I have only used a total of 4 LA'ers...2 in Wisconsin, 1 who always trimmed the quilts and returned the trimmings and the other who didn't trim unless asked (and charged extra) and returned the trimmings. I have now used 2 LA'ers in Arkansas with also the same results...I would definitely request my trimmings back....I usually don't bind with the extra but it does get used and the extra batting is ALWAYS used, ie mug rugs, coasters, etc.