It's the same argument I made on this forum 15+ years ago when eApeIT turned into a nightmare. Why should the appraiser fee be lower to accommodate a margin for profit by AMCs.
THEY must work with us. Not vice versa.
I can see doing a desktop in San Fernando, San Diego, or Sacramento for $250 dollars if there was enough volume to keep me in the same general neighborhoods on a regular, consistent basis. It's enough time to set up and archive a proper work file, describe the property, analyze the data and complete a report to SR1 and SR2.
$150.... no way. And rural areas are just not suited for this for any fee.