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He operates the largest foreclosure law firm in Massachusetts - Mark Harmon - Leigh Attridge/MA
8/7/2011 9:05:51 AM (4567 views)
Re: He operates the largest foreclosure law firm in Massachusetts - Mark Harmon - Kym/NJ
8/11/2011 9:37:03 AM (5247 views)

A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - Kevin Ahern/CT
8/6/2011 11:39:07 AM (3403 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - Edward Huguenin/SC
8/6/2011 5:00:08 PM (5318 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - Leigh Attridge/MA
8/7/2011 9:07:16 AM (5259 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - George Booth/OH
8/7/2011 9:06:33 PM (5193 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - William Pattison /CA
8/8/2011 1:12:59 PM (5124 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - George Booth/OH
8/9/2011 7:49:27 AM (5090 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - Kevin Ahern/CT
8/9/2011 1:05:15 PM (5060 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - William Pattison /CA
8/9/2011 2:22:42 PM (5048 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - Kevin Ahern/CT
8/9/2011 5:16:20 PM (5551 views)
Re: A Novel Approach to Resolving the National Debt - William Pattison 
8/9/2011 2:29:27 PM (4982 views)

Abstract Warehouse - John Sauers/NY
8/5/2011 11:20:45 AM (3608 views)
Re: Abstract Warehouse - Nils Nelson/ME
8/5/2011 1:58:15 PM (5416 views)
Re: Abstract Warehouse - John Sauers/NY
8/8/2011 10:20:46 AM (5104 views)
Re: Abstract Warehouse - Kym/NJ
8/9/2011 12:41:33 PM (5082 views)

NALTEA Nashville Meet and Greet - Debi Merrill/TN
8/5/2011 10:14:17 AM (2559 views)

SJC Ruling provides boost for those in eviction - Leigh Attridge/MA
8/4/2011 3:00:04 PM (3690 views)




Software question - F P/VA
8/4/2011 7:48:24 AM (2989 views)
Re: Software question - Alix Ott/MI
8/8/2011 10:55:15 AM (4886 views)
Re: Software question - William Pattison /CA
8/8/2011 12:53:22 PM (4734 views)
Re: Software question - Bill Garrett/MS
8/8/2011 12:55:41 PM (4752 views)

Foreclosure in VA - michael rafferty/VA
8/3/2011 10:09:02 AM (2887 views)
Re: Foreclosure in VA - STEVE MEINECKE/TN
8/3/2011 11:30:52 AM (4749 views)
Re: Foreclosure in VA - James Hill/VA
8/6/2011 7:41:20 AM (4763 views)

Another Random Question - Brad Bradbury/PA
8/1/2011 8:39:51 PM (3311 views)
Re: Another Random Question - William Pattison /CA
8/2/2011 4:11:33 PM (5079 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Brad Bradbury/PA
8/2/2011 8:46:42 PM (4988 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Patrick Scott/IL
8/3/2011 1:23:33 AM (4904 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Robert Franco/OH
8/3/2011 10:57:31 AM (4812 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Brad Bradbury/PA
8/3/2011 11:29:49 AM (4893 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Patrick Scott/IL
8/3/2011 12:28:11 PM (4792 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Brad Bradbury/PA
8/3/2011 12:53:09 PM (4865 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Robert Franco/OH
8/4/2011 9:46:50 AM (4800 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Brad Bradbury/PA
8/4/2011 10:45:20 AM (4923 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Robert Franco/OH
8/3/2011 12:46:16 PM (4834 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Constance Foye/VA
8/23/2011 12:20:28 AM (4562 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Ron McPherson/IA
8/3/2011 10:52:32 AM (4797 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Sheila Sten/PA
8/4/2011 6:47:26 PM (4881 views)
Re: Another Random Question - Cheryl Hartzman/PA
8/8/2011 3:48:13 AM (4650 views)
Re: Another Random Question - William Pattison /CA
8/8/2011 1:06:22 PM (4620 views)
Re: Another Random Question - J. Newberry, Sr./WI
8/9/2011 12:42:59 PM (4593 views)

Random Question... - Branden Rodgers/OH
8/1/2011 4:29:33 PM (4298 views)
Re: Random Question... - James Powell/MI
8/2/2011 8:13:11 AM (4831 views)
Re: Random Question... - William Pattison /CA
8/2/2011 4:39:30 PM (4709 views)
Re: Random Question... - Bill Garrett/MS
8/8/2011 1:35:45 PM (4482 views)

This is not really about fishing..... - F P/VA
7/31/2011 7:45:20 PM (3179 views)
Two Words: Price Fixing - Scott Perry/PA
7/31/2011 9:32:49 PM (4821 views)
Re: This is not really about fishing..... - Kevin Ahern/CT
8/1/2011 8:19:17 AM (4735 views)
Re: This is not really about fishing..... - F P/VA
8/1/2011 10:50:30 AM (4569 views)

Paying for Title Insurance - Leigh Attridge/MA
7/31/2011 10:29:11 AM (3831 views)

Optional History Classes in Public Schools? - William Pattison /CA
7/29/2011 7:02:10 PM (4552 views)
Re: Optional History Classes in Public Schools? - George Booth/OH
8/2/2011 5:23:29 PM (4636 views)
Re: Optional History Classes in Public Schools? - Leigh Attridge/MA
8/3/2011 8:05:09 AM (4569 views)
Re: Optional History Classes in Public Schools? - William Pattison /CA
8/8/2011 12:49:31 PM (4460 views)

BOA Demolishing Homes - Leigh Attridge/MA
7/28/2011 6:42:24 PM (4206 views)
Re: BOA Demolishing Homes - William Pattison /CA
8/9/2011 2:41:51 PM (4479 views)

Software advice - Rebecca Cowart/MS
7/28/2011 3:49:41 PM (3123 views)
Re: Software advice - mason haas/NY
7/29/2011 11:23:41 AM (4979 views)
Re: Software advice - STEVE MEINECKE/TN
7/31/2011 1:32:27 PM (4923 views)
Re: Software advice - Rocky Morris/TN
8/1/2011 8:53:54 AM (4719 views)
Re: Software advice - Rocky Morris/TN
8/1/2011 8:52:42 AM (4619 views)
Re: Software advice - Michael Graves/FL
8/1/2011 9:30:41 AM (4628 views)
Re: Software advice - Bill Garrett/MS
8/1/2011 10:45:44 AM (4706 views)
Re: Software advice - Rebecca Cowart/MS
8/1/2011 8:02:48 PM (4798 views)

Guaranteed Payment System - Scott Aduddell/MO
7/27/2011 11:07:56 AM (3300 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Nils Nelson/ME
7/27/2011 11:59:06 AM (4865 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Kym/NJ
7/27/2011 1:21:25 PM (4801 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Nils Nelson/ME
7/27/2011 5:19:26 PM (4942 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Randolph/VT
7/27/2011 10:08:53 PM (4901 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Branden Rodgers/OH
7/28/2011 3:27:05 PM (4788 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Scott Aduddell/MO
7/28/2011 8:38:00 PM (4854 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Patrick Scott/IL
7/28/2011 11:45:07 PM (4864 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Scott Aduddell
8/1/2011 4:45:24 PM (4665 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Branden Rodgers/OH
8/1/2011 3:36:40 PM (4711 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Nils Nelson/ME
7/29/2011 10:43:01 AM (4865 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - William Pattison /CA
8/1/2011 11:47:23 AM (4613 views)

   Some of this depends on the client base.  There are 3 primary sorts of clients that we have and we do deal with each a bit differently when it comes to pay:

1.  The "man off the street" client is the homeowner, lawyer, historical association or other individual seeking a full title chain (usually for a zoning permit, or building permit, or simple history on a home).  This client is a 1-timer whose good will can bring in future business by referral.  However, getting the client request in email with a clear, explicit written agreement to pay is the first rule of business and has ever failed to garner payment, so despite frequent offers by people to "pay up front", I never find this necessary with the Common Man.

2.  The regular corporate client who offers repeat business through ongoing contracts.  I no longer offer this as an option, as these aggregate firms take $250 from a homeowner, farm the project out to us for $100, and yet expect to get $250 worth of work.  It cheats the homeowner out of quality.  BUT, when we did do this, we always rewrote their contracts to offer our terms, usually to have the contract rejected.  The few that accepted and signed did so, and did not like the retainer on deposit requirement, late penalties, and added fees for copies that they wanted for free.  I guess that RTFD was lost on them.  lol

 3.  Corporate clients who normally use vendor agreements still approach us because nobody else can or will do the research, so they are forced to pay our set rates, instead of their $100 fees.  This is always uncomfortable & unpleasant involving whining and crying on their part.  We have them prepay the research cost, and offer them doc copies at-cost.  Since we can inspect, digitally photograph and otherwise abstract Official Records at zero-cost at the county offices, we have no overhead for this and so copies are optional, and they can get them from other resources cheaper, sometimes.

 Solutions:

A.  Watermark your report pages and records copies with copyright and address.

B.  Get everything in writing by email including agreement to pay.  Get the client's name, address, email, phone, fax and contact agent name in the same email chain and include the email history as an Exhibit / addendum to your report.

C.  Check the abstractor forums:  wait 30 minutes before responding or tell the client that you'll call back in an hour.  This will give you time to check out their reputation for payment.  If they look bad, charge more and have them pay 50% up front, or refuse the job.  Really.  Are you so desperate that you want to work knowingly without pay coming?  

D.  Don't get in the middle of crappy vendor agreements;  charge your rates for your professional services, not somebody's "vendor" rate.  Remember, the only vendor search you will get is into old microfilm, microfiche, and books prior to 1985, because they can't get title cheaply online.  Why work hours for a $40 set rater with copies included when the deed is in 1932?

 E.  Have them give you a retainer worth a few searches that you can put on deposit in case of their payment default.  They are businesses with money, and your fee should not be contingent upon any "close of escrow" event;  they can pay you.  The homeowners and buyers are NOT your client;  they are theirs.  Your client is the firm that contacted you for a search.

 

 

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Re: Guaranteed Payment System - John Campbell/CA
2/6/2012 8:16:07 PM (3643 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Scott Perry/PA
2/8/2012 9:25:08 AM (3464 views)
Re: Guaranteed Payment System - Robert Franco/OH
2/8/2012 10:34:24 AM (3481 views)


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