David,

You are correct.  I am wrong.  You should take no responsibility for seeing that another abstractor was listed on the order or that you took it upon yourself to drive 200 + miles to provide the service before calling and verifying if this order came to you in error so as to not waste your time or your companies time.

I am also wrong for suggesting that OTHER THINGS BESIDES AN INCORRECT ABSTRACTOR LISTED ON THE ORDER, SUCH AS AN INCORRECT COUNTY, ETC., SHOULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE DRIVING 200 + MILES (what would have happened if you drove 110 miles only to find out that the property was on a county line and that clerk's office was 75 miles closer to your office, thus you drove all that way for no reason?).

How can you not get my two posts?  How on earth can you suggest that because I don't simply agree that you should get paid for YOUR ERROR IN QC, that I am unqualified to suggest an SOP for your consideration that is proven in the business world.  REMEMBER DAVID, ABSTRACTING IS A BUSINESS.

Okay, here it goes.  You should be paid full price, plus gas, plus copies, plus any other expenses you incurred.  The client should have NEVER sent you the order in error, thus, they need to pay up now!  Furthermore, they should probably be put on a "bad client" list for doing such an awful job of GIVING ABSTRACTORS BUSINESS IN THE WORST CORRECTIVE MARKET WE HAVE SEEN IN DECADES.  

Take responsibility for EVERY aspect of your business, NOT just accounts payable/receivable.  That is how business is run.

J.T. Shoemaker, not an attorney but a former abstractor (8 years) and holder of a Masters Degree in Business Management.