Tips for Local Court Researchers

It's been some time since I was performing searches at a local level (Cook County). But I remember it well.
The public access computers were on the 10th floor of the Daley Plaza (in downtown Chicago).
There the researchers would gather.
It was war. Competition was fierce.
It was pre-Windows. Paper was king.
What that meant was our clients would fax the work to us on their letterhead.
But beware of roaming eyes.
Peeking it wasn't. It was downright glaring - with my competition standing over my shoulder with a pen and piece of paper jotting names and telephone numbers of potential customers.
I had to cover, fold, twist, turn, hide the top of the list that had been sent me - fearing that a competitor would see the name of company sending me the work.
Sometimes it was frustrating. Sometimes it was bordering on lunacracy.
The things done. The stories told.
And now I get to read on a listserv of our Association that researchers are complaining or warning about 'low-balling' prices.
I do not know whether or not high or low pricing is justified in any one county.
That is the vendors' prerogative.
The vendor was complaining that the competition is lowering prices to where they themselves do not want them.
But maybe they are the ones that are overcharging.
The vendor should perform the job the best way they know how and let the results speak for themselves.
If all else fails maybe they are in the wrong business.