When someone requests the use of escrow, they are wanting to use someone who they trust is not going to scam them.
Oh the irony!

I guess QS doesn't consider stealing an extra few percentage points for
doing nothing to be scamming.
There is no way around the escrow fee in this situation. As I previously mentioned, there is zero difference between someone saying they will sell 2 BTC @ bitstamp +1% with the other person paying for escrow then someone saying they will sell 2 BTC @ bitstamp with them paying for escrow. Even if the escrow was free, it would be expected that one party tip the escrow, and the same principle would apply as above.
Even though you have no agreement to my above point, I have previously stated that I would be willing to refund any escrow fee that anyone has paid if they request such, so even your nullified point is moot.