Please help. Problem with large, long-time customer over prices

Originally Posted by FLORIDASALVAGE

That's what I'm going to have to do. I can survive without them, but it sure hurts to see them go. My bigger fear is this problem repeating itself with multiple big customers. I can't take that kind of hit on too many bread and butter customers. I do find new customers often, but not of that caliber. The economy is rough and the competition is rougher, lol. Thanks for all of the help and responses. This seems to be a great community.

But the other yard cannot afford to take the hit (higher price paid) if the competition is as tight as you say, their probably getting your price at the shredder. Most yards will not "bite the bullet" just to hang onto a customer. You could be right on them "short scaling" their customers.
But that does not mean that you can afford to tighten your belt any more on a bluff.