|
That is another good point, LuVonda. I only have one court (my local one) that automatically sends out bond discharges. While they don't require it, I keep them supplied with self-addressed-stamped-envelopes. It builds better relationships with them if they only have to reach out and pick one of these up versus pulling up my information and printing one out, then going to the postage meter to stamp it. (Just a little hint on some of the simple things that work.)
No matter how much I stress to my bondees that it is their responsibility to get the discharge to me when the case is done, I have very few who do this. I usually have to mail them to the courts with a SASE to get them back, sometimes several times before I get it.
Getting bond discharges is becoming an issue in some courts. One county will not do them by mail, you have to go to the courthouse and get them. Since it is 3 hours away, that is a real hassle. Another charges $0.75 apiece for them. Some will sign and send back if I turn one and a SASE in with the bond. The court policies change all the time, so it is impossible to keep up with them all.
Another thing I do (not required in my county) to build relations is to print off a stack of bond forms with my information, made out for my county and the other's that I commonly post for and leave them at the jail here. This way all the jailer has to do is fill in the defendant information, bond amount, and return court date. They don't have to look up the court address or anything else. I put in the power number, sign, and we're done. It helps them, and saves all of us time.
Some of the counties make the bond agent fill out the whole bond form, some do it for us and we just fill in our information and sign. My county does local bonds, during court hours, at the courthouse. After hours, or out of county, are done at the jail. Having these forms available is just one way I make it convenient for the local jailers and they really appreciate it.
I review all of the bonds before I sign them, and sometimes I fill in missing information, or find a mistake that I very politely, respectfully, and helpfully, point out so it can be corrected. This is more common at the jail than at the courthouse, but it happens sometimes.
Our state does not allow us give anyone in LE or the courts anything what-so-ever of value. I have worked very hard to build relationships by always being friendly, treating everyone with the utmost respect, and doing things however they want them done. I have made friends out of some who "hate everyone". The first time I got a smile out of one of these, I almost fainted. I don't socialize with them (other than occassionally one or two) outside the jail or courthouse, but we have an easy and very good working relationship. I don't back down when I am right, but I also don't approach things in a confrontational manner.
I do not have some of the competition that most of you do. I am the only local bond agent, so this helps tremendously. The last one moved away a few years ago, but she never did the business that I do because she was "too" careful and didn't recruit as I do. Others travel 40-50 miles to write bonds here. The bond agent that I previously wrote for did about one-third of the bonds. Another, who we still do BE for, did the other two-thirds. When I started bonding, I already knew many people from other businesses I am in here. That got me some business from those who knew me, but most of what I get is because I go the extra mile with everyone I deal with. Our jail allows us to post business cards or other advertising next to the payphones. My card is there with several others, but there is also an 8 1/2x11 flyer with my name and number posted as a local agent. Does this get me business? You had better believe it does.
Have I worked my rear-end off with LE to gain their trust? Again, you had better believe it. Do I get business from them? YES, I do. I do not abuse their trust, I follow the letter of the law and treat them with the utmost respect. Whether I agree with LE's actions, tactics, or the guilt or innocence of those I bond, they all get the respect they deserve based on my experiences and relationships with them.
I don't pull any punches with anyone. I tell my bondees and their cosigners that I don't care if they are guilty or innocent. My only concern is that they go to court, everytime they have to, until I get the bond discharged. Because of my trust and reputation with my local court, I feel guilty on the few times I have to "tech" out on a bond when they mess up. I will still try to locate and notify LE of their locations.
Repeat offenders, I tell that they deserve to do time or attend classes, etc, depending on the charge. My only concern is that they go to court. They know that if they don't, I will be right behind them to put them back in jail. I don't do every bond I am called on. It is my option to write it or not, depending on the cosigner, collateral, or just personal feelings. In the two years I have been writing bonds, I have had to pay only one out of my pocket. We picked the guy up 3 days later, and I got my money back from the court within a week. Yes, I am careful with my bonds, but I trust their records, personal knowledge of them or the cosigner, or my gut feelings on most of them. I did bail enforcement work with my hubby for a couple of years before I started writing bonds, and the experience and knowledge of "what information was verifiable and required" has proven invaluable to the bonds I write.
These are just personal actions and experiences, and you can take them, use them, or not. I have made my business a success from what I practiced and learned. These may or may not work in your AO. Everything depends on your competition, what works and what doesn't in you AO. It is the "little things" that make you different, wherever you are. You have to determine what those are in your AO, and do what is necessary to succeed. My experiences work in my AO. Find what works in your's and go with it.
_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO
Proud Member of the AB Reject Club
|
OR hope that the boss likes you enough to pay the $$$$$$
