News 12 at 6, April 23, 2008

AUGUSTA-- Gas prices are causing plenty of pain at the pump, but they are also causing you financial pain in other areas of your life. And that includes what some businesses are charging for their services.

Business owners all over the country are dealing with high fuel prices just like you. Their costs are going up and they often pass that along to you. But there are some who are trying to avoid that.

A-Cut Above's Danny Lewis makes his living cutting grass. But now he has to learn to cut something else, his costs.

"Our gasoline costs are up 17 percent." he said.

Gasoline he not only uses to fill up his trucks, but also, his mowers, edgers and other equipment. It's a cost increase that took Danny and his partner back to the drawing board.

"What we've done this year is reorganize our routes so that we can do more in a compact area and not travel far," he said.

The goal is to do everything possible to keep from raising costs which could cause some customers to jump ship. But that also means some new customers are being turned away.

"We've turned down business in the Clark Hill area. We've turned down four because it's too far to travel." he said.

Danny's not alone with this problem.

A recent survey on the website AngiesList.com says 85% of service providers say gas prices are affecting their bottom lines. And 60% are passing those costs on to you. Which many folks say is ok, as long as they are told.

"Consumers want it to be transparent. They want to know, if there is a fuel surcharge, they want it clearly outlined so they know what they are paying for." said Angie Hicks of www.angieslist.com.

If you're not being told, feel free to ask if there will be a surcharge. You could also try to arrange a time when the business has other jobs in your neighborhood to cut costs.
Also, shop around for prices. It could save you a bundle in the long run.