I don't know about anyone else, but I have already been through this
"cut your rate or we can't use you" before.  Several times over the
many years I have been searching.  My experience has been, let them
go.  Most times after a few months, (sometimes only a few weeks) the
orders start coming again with my original fee on it.  They know who
does a good job, who cares about them as a customer, and who will
work as hard as they can to get them the product they need in a timely
manner, and not have to worry about missed mortgages or judgments.
Since the refi boom ended, I have noticed about 5-6 different people
who just aren't around anymore, trying to search and asking all the
other abstractors in the courthouse  how to find everything.  I have also
noticed some search companies offering "classes" on how to search. 
Don't they realize that they are training people on how to replace them?
Thats the part I don't get.  The competition is tough enough!
As always, just my 2 cents!