Carol:  I am a vendor manager (with a twist) and also an abstractor.  I do not charge "no find" fees in MOST Michigan Counties.  I understand the Fed Ex analogy, but what about a post office analogy?  If the address is wrong -- and the post office has something on file -- it is forwarded to the new address FOR FREE.  To me, not charging no finds is an easy way to keep the client happy with no pain on my part or the part of the abstractor.  All of my abstractors are independent and they know that if X order isn't in their county, they will tell me and I will automatically forward to the NEW county (unless I know the client specifically does not want me to do work there).  They know that down the road, the same thing will happen on the other end and the'll get an order that another abstractor as not found in their county.  (Please see my post re how to find the correct county later in this string.)

HOWEVER, I DO charge "no finds" in the upper penninsula because many times our abstractors have to travel HUNDREDS of miles to get where they're going and the workload is slim. 

I truly do understand your point of view, but I believe not charging a fee is worth a whole lot in good will.

Alix
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