Figured Id chime in on this one as this is a very sticky issue with me. I have only had a few lab prints made in the last 2 years. Basically I got tired of storing all the prints. I have my film processed and cut only, by a local pro lab, then scan the film using a Nikon 4000ED. Every once in a while I get in a hurry and give my film over to a 1hr place, and I have NEVER been pleased with the results. They always come back with damage like Misha described.
Once I decide the images I want to print, Ill print with an Epson 1270 for normal stuff, if I rely want the best quality and I print with an Olympus P-400 Dye Sub. The only problem that comes up is storing all the raw files at 68mg or so each. So to counter that I burn to DVD-R.
Finally the negs are saved in archival sleeves in archival storage boxes.
It may not be a perfect solution but it works for me, and in the long run by not having anything printed at the lab, I feel that it saves me money.