I feel 3D printers are going to fall into a distribution pattern very similar to “relatives/friends who can set up a wifi network”, circa 2000. It will be common enough that everyone should be able to find someone to make something on their behalf, but I don’t think it will ever hit the market penetration that we saw with 2D printers (at least in this current incarnation of the technology).
You can always check 3Dhubs.com for people in your neighborhood with a printer (usually their rates are cheaper than going through Shapeways), or your local library or makerspace for some really cheap rates.
But shapeways is good too!
