Mark..

This is one time I tend to agree with David...don't be too hasty just yet about leaving the industry.  This time of year is tough...and if you are like the rest of us - it has been for the past few months.  Fire refines steel - makes it stronger and long lasting. 

More than individuals out there, I feel more threatened by data retrieval companies (Data Trace for example) than I do by others who are small companies or self employed like myself.  For us, as individuals, there is more than enough work to go around without backstabbing or price cutting.  What these large companies are doing tho is packaging their product with underwriter committments to their agents - at a very small fee compared to past fees. I am not an attorney, nor do I pretend to understand the complexities involved in these so-called "joint ventures" etc that are taking place.  But, I feel in my heart - which is what really guides my life - that there is something inherantly wrong and it is more than just ethically. 

I use databases in addition to the courthouses - but I have done so for 20 plus years.  They were local operations then, and available only thru subscription.  I don't care about accessing a database in California or Texas.  I am not interested in providing "thin" title searches across the country.  These databases aren't marketing to us, not really.  They just want their foot in the door across the country.  They think they are justifiied....but I think situations like ChoicePoint, etc are proving that in the long run - we, the local abstractors, will survive.  Our services will become more valuable and profitable - especially with experience backing it.  Because of the fraud taking place in the industry - old time chain picking and examination may just find its way back into the title world.  

Fire is responsible for the finest swords in the world.  We've experienced the fire-   

....just an opinion.

Ellen