Wow! I'm so amazed at how much cheaper LA services are in other parts of the country. Around here they charge $0.03/sqin + $3/bobbin + $20/hr for any non LA services (backing, pressing, grooming, trimming, etc) + batting ... and that's the cheapest price, using a moderate density panto with Signature thread. So for a 90x100" quilt, providing your own batting & handling all prep work yourself, it runs $280 and up for a panto. Fortunately, there are places around me that rent out time on LA & mid-arm machines and that is much more cost effective if I can't get it quilted on my DSM.
I will say, though, that the work they do is really beautiful. If I had the money & didn't love quilting so much myself, I'd definitely use one of my local LA'ers over the mail-in services that are so inexpensive. The difference in the quality of workmanship is easily noticeable when I see people at my guild meetings show quilts from the mail in vs some of our local LA'ers.