I have a similar problem in NJ. We have people who have mailing addresses in my county but the property is actually located in an adjoining county. We don't charge anything when the property is not in our county but it does waste time. And, of course, its always the same clients who just can't seem to ask the owner what county his property is in. The good clients know enough to check. I once had a client give me a very tough time because it had taken me 24 hours to inform them that they had ordered their search in the wrong county. It was not due for 3 days but I was supposed to drop everything when I received the order so they would not be inconvenienced.

Someone mentioned those "abstractor contracts" they want you to sign. Someone here in my county has been asked more than once for permission to do a credit check against the searcher before they give her any work. I could not believe that. Seems it would make more sense for me to do a credit check on a client before they do one on me!

I usually refuse to sign these agreements because I have found that those companies are usually a pain to deal with in every aspect of our relationship. They pay slow, they demand quicker service than is feasible and always have questions. I also refuse to give clients cell phone numbers and home information. I, or an employee, am available during regular business hours and I do not want to hear from my clients on the weekend or in the evening.

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