[tricia3]

Hi everyone,
This message has been prompted by an ungrateful adoptee that has "abused" their search angel.
Search angels do not usually charge for helping, thus the title "angel". But we incur costs while helping others (parking, gas, copies of documents, etc) not to mention our time, that we freely give. I have never asked to be reimbursed for any of this, and believe me I've spent hundreds of dollars doing this for people. I've spent money on postage to mail things, and the person does not even let you know they recieved them.
But when someone you're helping does not have the decency to respond to e-mails and to learn of the info that we have dug up, it is very frustrating.
Not to mention a simple "thank you" goes a long way.
Everyone gets upset when someone wants money, but you guys have to realize, this is not easy work. I spend hours in the courthouse digging, dealing with ill mannered clerks that don't want to help. Some of us even maintain databases: THESE ARE NOT FREE!!!!

So, please if you are working with a search angel, remember that we do this because we want to help, not because we are obligated to.