I am so sorry that happened to you...but I hesitate to accept the fact that the sole reason you went out of business was because of "online companies".   I am sure there is more to it than just that simple fact.  I know, as an old timer, that the technology is moving along so rapidly it is difficult to comprehend.  BUT....

Times they are a changin'...and we must too if we want to keep abreast.  Different parts of the country are developing in different ways.  There are companies who are reaching across the entire country - with a database that is slowly acquiring public records from anywhere and everywhere.   And part of the economics of our country is free enterprise.  Even if they weren't scamming the local officials of different counties into allowing them access to copying records - they could purchase those same records like any other entity and compile their own databases.  It is being done in some counties...and takes longer...but sooner or later, most public records of this country will  be in just a few databases that market and sell the information. Two out of three counties, that we do research in, are "online".  And those online records ARE THE VERY SAME ONES THAT INDEPENDENTS RESEARCH WHEN THEY PHYSICALLY GO TO THE COUNTY.  The Court records may be different in some cases; but public record information is online. I would truly like to understand how anyone.....ANYONE....in the State of Missouri can explain to me how they can claim that online records are worse...less qualitative....erroneous...than those in the Recorder's office.  Please.  After twenty plus years....I really want to understand where that train of thought comes from. 

If you are talking online title plant facilities...the ones who ship the documents overseas to India or China...do data entry and then resell the information to consumers (us)over here...those online facilities are privately held.  They market themselves, and even they have weaknesses and problems.  As a competitor, it is to my benefit to learn those weaknesses and market my strengths.  That is how I compete.  Believe me, I know. It works.  You can compete.  It calls for hanging tough...making it through the slim times. 

Personally - I utilize IT ALL.  As much information as possible.  But, aside from online researching - the BOTTOM line is this.  You have to know what to look for, where to look for it, and if you don't know where to look for it - find out who to contact to find out where to look.  You have to know all the redflag signals....the subtle little things that title examining is really all about.  And when dealing with computerized examination - it means learning a whole new language for researching.  And being able to think in an abstract way. Unless and until you have all that experience, you cannot really sit in judgment on companies who do utilitze online facilities to research for title purposes. Granted - a lot of companies and individuals are finding out that experience REALLY does make a difference.  And I am not talking 2-3 years experience in mass counties across a state.  Every county is different...and has different idiosyncrasies.  Certainly, this would be even more true for different States.

Again....I really am sorry about your company..

Ellen M Malloy