Hi DrSpain,
1. It really depends on location and the type of dentist / orthodontist you are seeing. We pay a lot for the location, the rent, equipment etc., and at the end of the day, if you are comfortable with the person treating you, and you know that he or she will do a good job, then go for it. My take is that a cheap dentist is never the best, as if they cheapen the treatment too much, something has to give. It may be the materials, the equipment, or something you don't know about.
Cost-wise, I do charge cheaper, and I do a lot of Damon Clear cases, and I am also an orthodontist, but I'm from Singapore ;)
2. To say that something doesn't do it absolutely is only a half-truth. Whilst it is true that I don't subscribe to a lot of marketing hype of said company, I do think that it is possible to round off the arch with any system. Of course, a fixed appliance (i.e. braces) does it better, as there is more control over the teeth, as the braces are physically attached to the teeth. However, there are physical limits to arch expansion / widening, and there are physical limits, after which, you either have to accept a compromise, or to combine your treatment with jaw surgery. Having said that, if your treatment is complex, and requires a lot of fanciful dental movements to be done, it would be better to do it with braces, rather than tray aligners.