All good points.  I remember a few years ago, here in my little corner of Ohio, all of us abstractors were close friends.  We shared information freely, got together for lunches, met up for drinks after work, etc.  Heck, we even helped each other with our searches when we got slammed.  It was just courtesy.

I have helped a couple of abstractors make the switch to independent.  I helped them create their forms, gave them advice how to get the business started, and used them to help us catch up after a few particularly busy times.  I am still good friends with them and we still help each other out, occassionally.  We would never dream of undercutting each other for a few dollars. 

That sentiment doesn't seem to exist anymore.  Things have gotten very "cut-throat" and there are a lot of new faces around that popped up out of nowhere.  It seems that everytime you kicked over a rock, a new abstractor crawled out. 

Unfortunately, there are many new abstractors that don't share that view and we have learned the hard way that we can't help, or trust, them.  It is sad, and not good for the industry. 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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