The mexicans told me they were raising prices because of gas this year, too. I ended up finding a couple of good ol' boys, cheaper than I paid originally, that are also better at grass patterns. Sometimes stuff just works out for the better? But on that same note, I fail to see why you were paying someone to begin with when you don't mind cutting the grass yourself. I know for a fact Im too lazy and sure as fuck don't want to spend a day each week fucking with lawn equipment to just stop paying someone else to do it.