Jonathan
I have seen several abstractors in Maryland courthouses lay their search orders on the counter and go pull books. You can't help but see the search. We all share the same land records room and counters to place our files/briefcases on. I also think that anyone that nieve to sit work orders for 15 other abstractors to see may deserve to have their feathers ruffled by having another abstractor call and solicit their clients.
They should know better, I would never do that. I do not even take the order to the courthouse with me.

I have had the same thing happen to me, the client says "we are slow" and I'll see someone doing their work. I don't worry about it, take on any client's I want and go on.