Nov. 17--Gas prices have plummeted to almost a two-year low in South Florida, but many companies are still tacking fuel surcharges onto their customers' bills.

Business owners say they're sticking with the extra charges, for now, to recoup money lost in the recent economic downturn and because they're afraid prices at the pump won't stay so low.

Leonard S. Stern Plumbing in Coral Gables raised its fuel surcharge to $8 from $5 this summer to cope with soaring costs. As of Wednesday, the surcharge was likely to "stay status quo," manager Howard Stamen said.

"We're going to reevaluate things this week, but we're already starting to notice gas stations raising their prices, and we think that might continue now that the election is over," Stamen said.

South Florida gas prices are at their lowest point since February 2007, according to AAA.

A gallon of regular gas averaged $2.27 in Broward and $2.34 in Miami-Dade on Thursday, down considerably from respective highs of $4.15 and $4.16 in July. Diesel gas, the fuel of choice for many delivery companies that use trucks, was at $3.15 a gallon in Broward and $3.11 in Miami-Dade, down from peaks of $4.99 and $4.93 this summer.

Despite the price drops, fuel surcharges remain.

Customers who order a pizza delivery from The Big Cheese in South Miami will pay a $2.50 charge, up from $2 a year ago. The money goes directly to the delivery drivers, who must pay for their own gas.

"It's not something we profit from," general manager Eddy Chamorro said. "We're just trying to keep everyone happy."

National florist ProFlowers charges a $1.93 courier fuel fee on top of its $9.99 delivery cost -- and it has no plans to lift the surcharge.

"If gas prices continue to go down, we will continue to see if it's necessary" to keep the surcharge, ProFlowers spokesman Brent Harney said.

Casablanca Fish Market charges a $7 flat rate for seafood deliveries from its shop on the Miami River to local restaurants, but manager Tania Sanches said that fee has not changed since the company's inception -- and it won't change now.

'NOT CHARGING'

"We are not charging extra for high gas prices," Sanches said.

Cruise companies, airlines, taxis and national delivery services have begun to eliminate or reduce the amount they had been charging to make up for high gas prices.

Miami-Dade County taxi drivers earlier this month stopped charging a per-trip fuel fee that went into effect in June, allowing them to charge passengers an extra $1 to $3 depending on the average weekly price of gas.