Just playing the other side of the fence for fun here...and for the sake of debate.

National Deed Service - the company that sends out mailers offering to retrieve a home owners certified copy of their deed of convenyce for them at prices ranging from $59 to $89.

Their letter references a government web-site that suggests that homeowners should keep a copy of that deed in a safe place.  This is true, that the government web-site does suggest that.

They present themselves in a way that you almost believe they are a government agency with their Washington, D.C. address but they do say they are not.  Creative advertisement? Yes.

They give a disclaimer at the bottom of their letter that your deed can be obtained for less money or even free from government agencies (recorder's office).  Most of us have disclaimers on our searches.  They don't have to  that they are charging the homeowners more than if they did it themselves.  Point - you don't feel like fertilizing or weeding your yard so you hire Chem-lawn or another local company to do that for you.  They charge more than if you would do it yourself, IF you know how to do it yourself.  How many of us started out right away with all the knowledge we need to do abstracting before someone taught us and we stepped one foot inside the courthouse?  Home owners are paying for that knowledge and that service. 
     Also how much money and time would it take the average homeowner to get a copy of their deed?  First, there is the hour or two to take off work to drive to your county courthouse ($20-$40).  Second, find a parking space, St. Louis City and St. Louis County (good luck).  Then pay for parking, ranging $1.00 to $5.00.  Time to find the Recorder's Office.  Ok, found the Recorder's Office, I will give credit to the more rural Recorder's and Assessors Offices, they are much more friendlier and more helpful.  St. Louis City on the other hand, and I am sure some other metro areas, will be lucky if they will call 9-11 if you collapse from a heart attack.  They more likely to call housekeeping to clean you up like a mess.
    Granted the homeowner should have received a copy of their deed shortly after closing, but if they did not or misplaced it, is it really National Deed Services fault?
     So, for debate sake (so keep the name calling and the insults to yourself), are they really charging an outrageous fee if it is really a service, knowledge and a product that person is buying?

Just another thought provoking conversation.

Jay