This post has been grating on me for a few days now- I do not see in any of the "fee reduction" posts where the companies that are requesting such actions on others part( the abstractors) that they are making some kind of sacrifice themselves of their pricing structure. This is like me wanting lobster and requesting the server to cut the price so that I may enjoy my meal all the more or going to the store and demanding that the price of bread be reduced to an acceptable level or I will abstain for making any more purchases from that store. It appears to be just a one sided demand that has no benefit for the one being demanded of other than a cut in profits with a boost in profits for the demanding company.
During the last re-fi boom I did not increase my prices or attempt to gouge the customers in anyway- I just did not think it was appropriate to do that at that time.Since then I have increased my prices to adjust for the drastic increases in doing business- ie; E&O, gas, rent, supplies, all of which were pretty stable until the Fed decided to raise the interest rates to offset inflation ( or was it to initiate what has turned out to be 'inflation" because everything now costs more to produce or purchase) Since then I have increased my prices  and I have not felt any repercussions from doing that- these prices are all fair and in line with the current fees being charged in the area for similar products, while I do believe I can provide a much better and more timely product than others, it is the client that has the final say anyway.
I say, have the companies that are requesting this "fee reduction" or reduction of the abstractors profits show how they have reduced their fees to help make it through these tough times. not to pass the alleged solution off on some one else or some other entity. It will be a short "strike" on our part to get their attention. When they need a title search, it will not come down to who can do it for 10% less, but who will even think about doing in the first place for these unscrupulous companies.
Steve Meinecke
IA/Titlefax
Woodbridge, Va