Digital BW, The Print

Q1) should I purchase the R2400 or find a reliable online provider of 
Epson 9800 prints such as www.westcoastimaging.com or one of the others?

Q2) If I find a good online place is the 9800 that much better than the 
R2400?

Q3) can't I just get their 9800 profiled and send a few test prints 
untill my computer at home matches what they mail me back?...and then 
from that point forward I basically have a 9800 for all my B&W prints?

Q4) I don't do a tremendous volume of B&W right now so I don't know if 
it's cost effective.  Then again, maybe I don't do a lot of B&W because 
I don't own a B&W printer.