I am even wondering if I am only doing a couple of hundred prints/year, am I better off using a printing company?
My answer is that it depends. It sounds like you are making prints for yourself and to give to friends, and not to sell?
A lot comes down to how picky you are regarding the quality of the print. Are you looking for ultimate quality or just good enough?
A photo printer at home is not the most economic way to make prints. But it does give you a great deal of control over final results and it is very convenient compared to going to a brick and mortar shop. With a color managed workflow you can make excellent prints. But you have to stock the paper(s) and sizes you like. Not to mention ink cartridges that, per milliliter, can cost as much as fine brandy.
I have seen some good prints made at American consumer shops, but most stock limited paper choices and sizes. There are specialty shops that do high quality work but also charge accordingly.
Paul