Wait, did the shop actually explain why the stick works that way? Because a torque stick doesn't "absorb the hit" in the way you're describing. It's a spring steel bar that twists at a set rate, so once it reaches its rated torque it stops turning the socket any further. The impact keeps hammering but the stick can't transfer more twist past its limit. That's the whole reason it lands in a range and not a single number like 80. The flex is what limits it, not what soaks up the shock. Also worth knowing, sticks are only good for the size and rating stamped on them, so a 100 ft lb stick on a truck with 140 spec lugs will leave you under torqued and you won't feel it by hand. Check them by marking a line down the side and seeing if it snaps back straight after a few uses. If it stays twisted or the paint cracks at the square drive, toss it.

Ever try shooting in slot canyons without any meter at all? I did that once in Page and my highlights were toast, the light bounces around so much in there that your eyes play tricks on you. A meter would've saved me a whole afternoon of editing, so yeah, the $250 sounds fair if it kills that guesswork.