Melody, The one thing you may not be taking into account is the effect on your E&O insurance.  Read your application carefully, there are limitations to consider if you are using someone else, and billing on your paper.  Why not just send the work to someone and hope they reciprocate?  If there are questions about the search, you will have to call the examiner and then call back the client.  Wouldn't the client be better served if they could call direct?  I've referred hundreds of jobs over the years, and recieved hundreds back, it hasn't always been tit for tat, but so be it.  The important thing is to give the best service to the client possible.  Doug