Hi Lisa.  I read the forums every day yet often don't have time to post. Today is slow. 
I have never even thought of asking for pre-payment. 
I also have never not been paid. 
I do current owner/three fam/doc retrievals and recordings, some foreclosures through a larger company. Same as most people on the forum.  Just a small one-county operation.
The companies and  the situations I have with them are not no-pay yet. I'm trying to get something in place for the future, so I'm not waiting 75 days to get paid for an "emergency" search. I was so eager to help that I never thought of looking through Secretary of State records, etc.  Thank you so much for your time and information!
I appreciate your insight.
Kim