My last mountain wheelset was XT 6-bolt hubs, laced 3-cross 32 spoke with Singletracks, with skewers and shipping it cost $150.00 US dollars. There's no way I could have bought anything like that locally for the price.
I don't see why a shop would turn down labour work, if they have a skilled wheel builder, particularly in a slow time like the middle of winter. The shop's hourly rate for wheel building will almost certainly be double what the guy's actual salary is. Good profit margin there.
Hey, I bought the same wheelset - still going strong after 2 years of my hack-riding. Quote I got here for the same build at the time was around $300+tax.
Never had a shop turn down labour work, never asked for discount on labour. Asked for better deals on stuff, never got any from bigger shops. Always got good deals from Steve at Atomic (not mentioning the first-rate work) and that's why he will get all my business for as long as he wants. Online deals make sense - if I can get a brake setup for $220 online, compared to $600+ here, it's a no-brainer. I put all the stuff on myself, service it all myself - why would I pay so much more if I have a cheaper choice and for what? - that someone hands it to me over the counter? - oftentimes, I get the stuff faster from the US than from LBS, which often has to order it and get it in before they can hand it to me.