Wow, tremendous response, (way to go SOT!) and obviously yet another issue that we're all dealing with.  Our solution with this particular customer is not to rock the boat as they are one of  our largest and therefore it would be biting off our nose to spite our faces to argue with them about it.  The only reason I really made the post was to vent about it, because it certainly pisses me off! I can't think of any other industry that is dictated to by the client as much as abstractors are.  I wouldn't mind if I could expect to  be paid for it. As much as I personally would like to tell them to take a hike, I am a mere peon and not so empowered.  I did talk with my big brother last night, he's in manufacturing, and his response was much the same as you all's had been - if they aren't going to pay, he's not interested in doing business with them.  I would love to take that position, but it's not my decision.  So at least I got a chance to vent and to hear back from you all that we're not alone.  Solution?  I don't think there is one other than making darn sure that the terms of your relationship with each customer are not only clearly understood by both of you but are in WRITING!!  In the words of Samual Mayer, a verbal contract ain't worth the paper it's written on.