If you rarely need wheels built, or if pre-built modern wheels are acceptable, then having the LBS build them for you or sell them to you makes sense. But if you are in collecting/flipping/wrenching mode buying a basic truing stand is worth it. I prefer clincher rims, so I have transfered three old tubular wheelsets into clinchers, and recently replaced all the spokes (rust) on another, all for the cost of spokes + my time and effort. I have several bikes to ride so there was no hurry to get the builds done. One nice thing about building wheels is that you can take your time and do it in stages, and not feel rushed, unless they are for your only bike! I used zinn's book for my builds very clear and easy to follow directions I thought.