I think there are many excuses made as to why abstractors and signing agents do not get paid. I for one have never been stiffed except in the case of a bankruptcy. All it takes is the strength of character to assert your rights. The delinquent clients back down immediately when served with a summons. All you need is the guts to follow through.

In so far as requests for reduction of fees are concerned...my usual response is ..."In return for what?" The response on the other end of the phone is a rather flustered individual who is unable to come up with an answer. In the absence of anything in return the request becomes nothing
more than a thinly disguised threat to reduce or discontinue services. However, in view to today's costs of doing business , especially with gasoline prices, how much of a threat is there really?