Loretta,

First, let me just say, I too get very frustrated over the "nickle and dime" fees my title company, Statewide Settlement, Inc. must pay to do business.  However, the key words are......'to do business'.  ALL companies are faced with difficult challenges just to open their doors.  However, if they choose to venture into the world of entrepreneurship, they must be prepared for that business phrase...."cost of doing business (CDB)". 

You and I have "costs' of doing business" or "overhead".  In order to provide the service we market or promise our client base, we, at some point, must adhere to the CDB.  Whether it is a third party service provider in XYZ county to handle our recordings so we do not have to drive fifty miles to do so, or, our Staples bill that always seems to pop up at the most inopportune times.

Robert, too, has CDB.  Payroll, insurance, supplies and most important of all.....LABOR!!!  Without subscription fees/dues or advertising dollars, how does Robert stand to gain via compensation? 

It is almost like offering free recordings for ALL searches you provide.  All of a sudden, my company uses you for ALL of our searches.  That may equate to 300 per month.  Of the 300, 40% close.  Can you imagine doing over 100 recordings per month for FREE....???.. After a while, you would need to be compensated.  Gas, supplies, and of course, TIME.

I am gonna sign off now.  I wanted to consider this some more before I posted my comment(s), however, these few thoughts popped into my head, thus, I wanted to get them out ASAP.

Finally, I bought an enhanced listing on Saturday (ironically) and paid my $99.00 annual fee about one hour ago.  To me, just another CDB.  And a small one at that....JT