Where do you live? The salon's in the city here (Sydney) charge that much, but the ones out here closer to home (western sydney) charge a few hundred less. My friend paid $300, that was for the latino straightening, cut and colour.

If you have the money, I'd definitely recommend it. She literally gets up in the morning, washes it (you do need to use a special keratin based shampoo I think) gives it a quick dry with the hairdryer and she's out the door. She can even let it air dry if she's just at home - UNHEARD of for her.