12 ft pair of thick speakers cables?? Can they be cut downt to a 6 ft pair??

"Are there outside services companies that will do it for a reasonable price??. "

Try Acoustic Zen first, and if they can't call The Cable Company.

"Do banana plugs or spades seriously degrade sound quality of speaker cable??   Or, is that just an audiophile's "old wives tale" ??"

Just use contact cleaner every so often and you'll have no issues.

"The 12 foot pair is awkward and difficult to place, and WILL NOT stay put on "Porcelain  Cable Elevators"   "

You can use zip ties to hold them in place.

 I read on Mapleshade Audio list of audio tweaks that speaker cables should be 10 feet or longer. The 10 foot plus cable supposedly sounds way better than cable less than 10 feet.  You can go to the Mapleshade audio website for more information.

and maybe a tweak of the pocketbook as well?