Can you substantiate any of that?

I can!

I have now spoken with 4 DARs in Arizona. All of them are retired FAA
inspectors. The lowest quote I got was $450 plus expenses. For what
should be an hour or two of work.

Bending over and grabbing the ankles,

2NO (somewhere on I-10 east of Willcox, Gollywomper II in tow)