Got a call from a seller asking for our fees because they are "shopping" for the title company to do their real estate transaction title insurance and escrow closing. We were highly recommended to them for our outstanding customer service and quality of work.
     We gave them our normal fees, which are very competitive and  most fees are not set by me they are regulated by other parties, so there is little that will differ among title companies, but  they said we were $15.00 higher than the other title company that a real estate agent wanted them to use (their in house title  LLC).
and the agents were applying pressure so the buyers and sellers were afraid not to use that  title comany.
 So for a few bucks, less than $50, they go with the other company.
The worst  part is when I get the phone calls from them and they question procedures about the transaction from  the other  title company that is doing the closing.
They tell me we have always been so helpful so could I help them - they have questions about the closing.
Really?
I very politely tell them I can not answer their questions since I am not doing the closing and advise them to call the title company involved. "They're not very helpful or won't return my calls" they say!
There is a difference  - it's more than a couple of bucks.
Taking care of buyers and sellers so that they know they matter to us is what we do and no one does it better.
Selling and buying real estate involves a lot of money. Commissions, seller  credits, can run into the thousands. The title and escrow company is the watch dog of everything, bringing it all together, insuring the title  and handling all the funds.
It doesn't get much more important than that.
Sometimes I just want to tell them  ... but .... sometimes, I'll admitt I just want to scream " DON"T DO IT... YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE !"
I don't.