omg, That blows! I am so sorry, I hate hearing about good money being spent on hair, especially when you're unhappy w/the results...I know someone who may be moving near where you live. She's a friend of mine, doesn't charge and knows her shit. She did a foil for me a couple months ago and is doing my highlights tomorrow night for free. My roots are growing in (wouldn't want the hair to get *too* healthy now, lol...). If she moves over there I'll give you her number.
Sometimes those schools are a better bet. I went to the Greenwood Academy of Hair in Seattle and those girls did a way better job than people who have been doing hair for years. I think it's because of the pressure of having the work inspected after every cut/color.