I'm very new to machine quilting. Have only done a couple so far. I just finished a king size on my DSM. It was quite a struggle and I have the tendonitis in my elbow to show for it. I was on a time crunch so really didn't have much choice.
That said, I'm also in the process of completing quilts for a recently deceased friend. Those went to a longarmer (her SIL). I just picked up 3 of the 4 she's doing. She did a great job and I was quite impressed that the cost was not as horrible as I expected especially since she provided the batting for one of them. She did a great job.
I don't envision myself sending my own quilts out to be longarmed but if I did, I know where I'll be going!