Unfortunately this is not going to change until the abstractors unite into an organization that has some teeth, and they are able to bite back. The biggest problem is getting them to do anything at all...especially if it involves an expenditure of money to improve their situation. Unfortunately it is necessary to spend money in order to make money. "Wishin' and
hopin' " ain't gonna do it. The current trend of complaining and hoping  for things to improve will eventually result in the demise of many small abstracting businesses. It is truly a shame because they are needed, but allow themselves to be brow beaten into submission by the VM's. Much of the problem that the abstractors are experiencing is the result of their own doing, and results from accepting work on any terms suggested or imposed by a client (e.g. volume discounts in return for promises of volume of work that never appears or shortly thereafter disappears and extended terms of payment for your services).

They need to organize and to take some legally affirmative and aggresive action to improve their lot in life (e.g. refuse to bow to VM pressure, organize a strike, whatever it takes legally).  If as the posts below indicate that the state and federal governments are finally waking up to the problems of publication of  information on line, there may be some limitation to the outsourcing of work to the third world which may require the VM's to rely on the experience of abstractors again.

If the opportunity presents itself, do not make the same mistake of selling yourself short a second time. You have worth...sell it at the competitive market price.Get your price. At least require a written representation of the turn around date for payment on your search order if the client is unwilling to sign your contract. It is evidence of the oral agreement for prompt payment, and is enforceable against them. Establish credit limitations for new clients with unknown credit histories. Do not allow a VM to dictate to you how to run your business.

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