NEW YORK – Many small businesses have come to rely on their fast delivery and same-day services to build relationships with their customers. However, some businesses and their customers are "becoming casualties of higher gas prices," reports the Associated Press.

The news source writes that some smaller companies have cut back on the frequency their delivery vans and trucks make to just one trip a day, which means customers on the receiving end are forced to either wait longer or take their business elsewhere.

"It's a painful turn, especially when deliveries, a component of customer service, are also a fundamental part of a business itself," writes the AP.

Raleigh, North Carolina, florist shop owner Karen Ross told the news source that she has limited deliveries to customers in several nearby cities to help ease the gasoline price burden.

"We used to go in the morning and afternoon. People were just used to that, being able to call and have morning delivery,'' said Ross, adding that her vans are only delivering to cities outside of Raleigh in the afternoon. She commented that most customers understand the situation, but those who need an early delivery are taking business elsewhere.

The AP writes that many small businesses have been coping with higher fuel prices not just for their own deliveries, but also for shipments of products and materials they need to conduct business. And the impact isn't just on profits. Store owners say that later and fewer deliveries, as well as added delivery charges, are "chipping away" at their ability to provide exemplary customer service.

"We are known for last-minute deliveries," said Le Gourmet Gift Basket Inc. owner Cynthia McKay, explaining, that a majority of her business involves "dropping everything" and getting the baskets out to customers.