Wendi:
You are so right with some of the VM's. I won't provide a cell phone # for that reason. Additionally, reception in the courthouse is never quite good.  And, your competition may hear who your client is.  Additionally, I got into this as an independent to be free from bosses breathing down my neck, as well as some personal issues.  However, these companies feel they can dictate how our business should be run.  So, you are not alone.  I actually told a client after several months of working for them to find another searcher because of the constant calls preventing me from my work.  I even received computer generated updates via fax during the night and weekends.  They waste more money doing that.  While servicing the client is important, so is running our business with professionalism. As you are all aware, some of these companies are less than professional.