I agree whole heartedly with all of you on the payment issue. However, Metro Atlanta is a very competitive market. There are many title examiners in my area that will do the work and accept a fall-thru up to a certain percentage. (Maybe I should get them all to join SOT!) Unfortuantly, I have to stay competitive in my market. Most of the time examiners raise their fees to cover the difference. For example, I see that in some parts of the country people do current owner searces for as little as $50.00. We charge $85.00 + additional for copies and if we have to go 30 miles or more from our home base we add on a mileage charge. If that is not the atmosphere in SC;  I'm sure you would be able to work out an acceptable arrangement with US Land Title to do the work on your terms. I will say that whatever deal you strike with them, they will stick to it. They are not unreasonable and they seem to value quality work over lower prices. (They came to us from one of my lower priced competitors). 

The owner and CEO of US Land Title, Reta Hampton, is from Columbia SC and was a professor at one of the local paralegal schools there. I'm sure that she has some connections/personal references in the area. Good luck.