Posted: 3/22/2013 6:13:54 AM EDT
| I've got a few stories to tell. Disgraced mega church pastors, government officials, even a secret service agent. |
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Quoted: How common is junk service? (All: This is where the service is just thrown in the garbage rather than being served properly) I've never done this because its criminal. If I can't get you after a few attempts I swear out an affidavit of diligence and bill the client. |
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Quoted: Has anyone physically attacked you for serving them? What's the funniest way you've ever served someone? No assaults and no threats, yet. If I'm dealing with a known volitale person then I may open carry and wear an audio/video recorder. Funniest way was at Christmas time a couple years ago. The guy wouldn't open his door so I let it go for two weeks and let him think I wasn't after him anymore. I put on a suit, my girlfriend wore a snazzy dress and went to his residence Christmas party he advertised on Facebook. He opened the door thinking we were guests and I handed him a Christmas gift bag containing the summons. Merry Christmas!
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Has anyone physically attacked you for serving them? What's the funniest way you've ever served someone? No assaults and no threats, yet. If I'm dealing with a known volitale person then I may open carry and wear an audio/video recorder. Funniest way was at Christmas time a couple years ago. The guy wouldn't open his door so I let it go for two weeks and let him think I wasn't after him anymore. I put on a suit, my girlfriend wore a snazzy dress and went to his residence Christmas party he advertised on Facebook. He opened the door thinking we were guests and I handed him a Christmas gift bag containing the summons. Merry Christmas! That's great! 
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Has anyone physically attacked you for serving them? What's the funniest way you've ever served someone? No assaults and no threats, yet. If I'm dealing with a known volitale person then I may open carry and wear an audio/video recorder. Funniest way was at Christmas time a couple years ago. The guy wouldn't open his door so I let it go for two weeks and let him think I wasn't after him anymore. I put on a suit, my girlfriend wore a snazzy dress and went to his residence Christmas party he advertised on Facebook. He opened the door thinking we were guests and I handed him a Christmas gift bag containing the summons. Merry Christmas! wow, now that is dedication |
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I used to do it part time for a guy my mom worked for. I found it fun because most of it was involving shady deals with all the dishonest real estate people and fly by night contractors in the Poconos of Ne PA, which is about 99.9%.
It was easy. When I wanted to find someone, I would dress up in a suit, go directly to their competition who were also all sleazebags, ask if they knew where "so-and-so" is and they would ask why. I would just say in the most deadpan voice with a straight face, "Under the law, I can not discuss it with you. I need to see this person directly." Every time, their faces would light up with a big evil smile and lead me directly to them. I always found it funny how lowlifes know the patterns and hiding spots of other lowlifes. ....and then, of course, the next time would be at the office I just visited to find the first guy. It was a funny circle.
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What limits are there on what you can do? Legal limits on hours you can knock, etc.
I had a year in which I got served several times. Was dealing on an issue with the IRS - they said I owed them $20k, I said they owed me $5k, so every time they sent me a letter it was followed up with service. (Ended up they wrote me a check for $4k, lots of hassle though.) One time the service guy banged on the door at 630a on a Sunday morning. Now, I wake up early, so I was already up and in my home office. Immediately could tell he was there to serve me. He had a clipboard and a box, like he was making some kind of delivery. I told him to cut the crap and tell me he was there to serve me. He did and I took the papers. A few months later he was back, this time at night. He started in like he had a package for me, then he recognized me and dropped the schtick, which I appreciated. But I still feel bad for other people he's waking up at 630a on a Sunday. I am not often in bed at 630a on a Sunday, but if I had been, and this fuckstick woke me up, no way would I have taken his summons. |
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Quoted: How many times have you thrown paperwork on a doorstep and left? A few states allow for the posting of service, New York is one. My state does not. I've only done this with out of state papers that allow posting after X number of attempts. My state has case law allowing me to drop the papers at the door if they won't open the door but I can verify that the person on the other side is a resident. |
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Quoted: Is pineapple express really that much better? http://t.qkme.me/366cke.jpg |
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Quoted: How often do you have to serve someone who knows they're going to be served and then goes about actively trying to avoid you? To what lengths will they go to avoid you? I've been sitting on a house where the guy knows I'm after him.... he calls Zifty deliver shit to him by opening the garage door, Zifty pulls in, door closes, delivery is done, garage door opens, delivery guy leaves. Defendant never leaves his residence. I had a small town city council person avoiding service. I just waited for the next city council meeting and served her there, in session, in public. If you act like an adult and call me after I leave my card at your front door then I won't have to serve you in public and embarass you in front of the whole assembly. |
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Quoted: whats it like to know McD`s workers and democrats are more liked than you  I served the natural gas guy that cuts off your gas service when you don't pay the bill. He actually said the same thing to me.... "People don't like me but I'm sure they HATE you!" He was a nice guy and understood I was just doing my job. |
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Quoted: Quoted: whats it like to know McD`s workers and democrats are more liked than you I served the natural gas guy that cuts off your gas service when you don't pay the bill. He actually said the same thing to me.... "People don't like me but I'm sure they HATE you!" He was a nice guy and understood I was just doing my job. many many moons ago I did your job,I didn`t like guns pointed at me... |
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The only restrictions on when/where I can serve someone is if they are a witness that has been subpoenaed to testify at a trial and are en route to/from court. I'm not allowed to serve them under that circumstance. Secured or gated buildings like high rise apartment towers are a little different. The law requires that security, building manager, etc must admit me during "reasonable hours and for a reasonable period of time" to serve someone. If the defendant has an irregular schedule and the only time I can get him is at 3am then so be it. I haven't had to do this, yet. I have had a few building managers flat out refuse to admit me regardless of the court order in my hand. Every single time this happens I call the Sheriff, they come out, politely chew the manager for not following the law, and compel them to allow my entry. Every time. Quoted: What limits are there on what you can do? Legal limits on hours you can knock, etc. I had a year in which I got served several times. Was dealing on an issue with the IRS - they said I owed them $20k, I said they owed me $5k, so every time they sent me a letter it was followed up with service. (Ended up they wrote me a check for $4k, lots of hassle though.) One time the service guy banged on the door at 630a on a Sunday morning. Now, I wake up early, so I was already up and in my home office. Immediately could tell he was there to serve me. He had a clipboard and a box, like he was making some kind of delivery. I told him to cut the crap and tell me he was there to serve me. He did and I took the papers. A few months later he was back, this time at night. He started in like he had a package for me, then he recognized me and dropped the schtick, which I appreciated. But I still feel bad for other people he's waking up at 630a on a Sunday. I am not often in bed at 630a on a Sunday, but if I had been, and this fuckstick woke me up, no way would I have taken his summons. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: whats it like to know McD`s workers and democrats are more liked than you I served the natural gas guy that cuts off your gas service when you don't pay the bill. He actually said the same thing to me.... "People don't like me but I'm sure they HATE you!" He was a nice guy and understood I was just doing my job. many many moons ago I did your job,I didn`t like guns pointed at me... Hasn't happened yet. I CCW at work and have considered getting some ultra light level III body armor. Situational awareness and simply being respectful is 99% of staying safe. I'm ruthlessly efficient but I'm not a jerk about it. Respect gets you a long way. |
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Has anyone physically attacked you for serving them? What's the funniest way you've ever served someone? No assaults and no threats, yet. If I'm dealing with a known volitale person then I may open carry and wear an audio/video recorder. Funniest way was at Christmas time a couple years ago. The guy wouldn't open his door so I let it go for two weeks and let him think I wasn't after him anymore. I put on a suit, my girlfriend wore a snazzy dress and went to his residence Christmas party he advertised on Facebook. He opened the door thinking we were guests and I handed him a Christmas gift bag containing the summons. Merry Christmas! wow, now that is dedication No that called doin your job, and a good one at that!! Nice.... |
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Quoted: Good score on the username BTW, And how did you get into this job? I was in college and an attorney friend needed someone to serve a subpoena at the last minute. In my state subpoenas can be served by any person who is not a felon and is over the age of 18 and has no interest (financial or related to by blood or marriage) in the case. I then started doing it for extra cash which then turned into full time and me going through the process of getting certified and appointed by the courts. |
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Quoted: Seems like a very interesting gig. I don't need specifics, but hows the pay/job market for what you do? Job security is great in the middle of this recession and also because the state and courts have made obtaining an order of appointment more difficult thus keeping the amateurs out of the business. The pay is great for part time hours. I bill clients $65+ per defendant plus mileage and $35/hr for "stalking" or stake out time. The hardest part is obtaining and keeping regular clients. Networks matter.
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I've done some process service. My mom runs a PI, security and process service business. Most of the clients are lawyers that we also do investigations for.
None of my jobs have been remarkable. My mom has served numerous Washington Redskins. There was one time where she could've filed assault charges on a guy. It was just a minor shove or something like it. The police did show up. Plenty of cases where the person getting served says they're going to call the police. She just calls them herself.
Once my step-dad was serving a guy who sort of tried to run him over with a car or something. Police got involved and said my step-dad would've been within his right to shoot the guy. Step-dad used to be BNDD and cop, so it didn't phase him and he really didn't think it was necessary to shoot him. The only major restrictions we have in VA is no service on Sundays. |
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Quoted: I've done some process service. My mom runs a PI, security and process service business. Most of the clients are lawyers that we also do investigations for. None of my jobs have been remarkable. My mom has served numerous Washington Redskins. There was one time where she could've filed assault charges on a guy. It was just a minor shove or something like it. The police did show up. Plenty of cases where the person getting served says they're going to call the police. She just calls them herself. Once my step-dad was serving a guy who sort of tried to run him over with a car or something. Police got involved and said my step-dad would've been within his right to shoot the guy. Step-dad used to be BNDD and cop, so it didn't phase him and he really didn't think it was necessary to shoot him. The only major restrictions we have in VA is no service on Sundays. Ditto for Florida, New York, and South Carolina but for SC the rule is no service coming/going from church. |
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Has anyone physically attacked you for serving them? What's the funniest way you've ever served someone? No assaults and no threats, yet. If I'm dealing with a known volitale person then I may open carry and wear an audio/video recorder. Funniest way was at Christmas time a couple years ago. The guy wouldn't open his door so I let it go for two weeks and let him think I wasn't after him anymore. I put on a suit, my girlfriend wore a snazzy dress and went to his residence Christmas party he advertised on Facebook. He opened the door thinking we were guests and I handed him a Christmas gift bag containing the summons. Merry Christmas! wow, now that is dedication No that called doin your job, and a good one at that!! Nice.... If I were a process server, I'd be trying to think up fun ways to do my job. That sounds like one. 
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I own a licensed detective agency in Oklahoma with 7 investigators on staff. We've hung some paper from time to time but there's no money in it around here.
The funniest one I ever saw was one of our female investigators was trying to serve the president of one of the largest hospitals in Tulsa. The guy was a real butt-whiff and tried to make it as hard on her as possible. He lived in a gated community with a security guard posted at the gate so she couldn't get him at home. When he got to work each morning, he drove his Mercedes past another guard into underground parking at the hospital. He had a pit-bull for a secretary who wouldn't let anyone near him at his office unless he was expecting you. ...Long story short, the investigator goes into his office, sobbing and crying real tears...some sob story about just started working that day at the hospital, got lost and ended up in the wrong parking garage and then tried to turn around to get out and backed her car into someone's $100k Mercedes. The prez came out of his office screaming at her. She said I've got good news and bad news: your car is fine, and you are served. |
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I own a licensed detective agency in Oklahoma with 7 investigators on staff. We've hung some paper from time to time but there's no money in it around here. The funniest one I ever saw was one of our female investigators was trying to serve the president of one of the largest hospitals in Tulsa. The guy was a real butt-whiff and tried to make it as hard on her as possible. He lived in a gated community with a security guard posted at the gate so she couldn't get him at home. When he got to work each morning, he drove his Mercedes past another guard into underground parking at the hospital. He had a pit-bull for a secretary who wouldn't let anyone near him at his office unless he was expecting you. ...Long story short, the investigator goes into his office, sobbing and crying real tears...some sob story about just started working that day at the hospital, got lost and ended up in the wrong parking garage and then tried to turn around to get out and backed her car into someone's $100k Mercedes. The prez came out of his office screaming at her. She said I've got good news and bad news: your car is fine, and you are served.  
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Quoted: Quoted: I own a licensed detective agency in Oklahoma with 7 investigators on staff. We've hung some paper from time to time but there's no money in it around here. The funniest one I ever saw was one of our female investigators was trying to serve the president of one of the largest hospitals in Tulsa. The guy was a real butt-whiff and tried to make it as hard on her as possible. He lived in a gated community with a security guard posted at the gate so she couldn't get him at home. When he got to work each morning, he drove his Mercedes past another guard into underground parking at the hospital. He had a pit-bull for a secretary who wouldn't let anyone near him at his office unless he was expecting you. ...Long story short, the investigator goes into his office, sobbing and crying real tears...some sob story about just started working that day at the hospital, got lost and ended up in the wrong parking garage and then tried to turn around to get out and backed her car into someone's $100k Mercedes. The prez came out of his office screaming at her. She said I've got good news and bad news: your car is fine, and you are served.   I served a case today with a PI who didn't have the necessary court appointment in my county... he said in cases where someone just will not come out of their house he has a tow truck driver on call to back up to people's driveways with the rear end alert going nice and loud...... people will come flying out of their houses thinking their car was being repo'd. He pays $100 flat rate to the tow truck driver to just show up and act for 5 minutes. Nobody's car is towed, of course. It's just a fake out.
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Quoted: So what's the megachurch story?  Although (and because) everything I do is a matter of public record when I file an affidavit of service, I'd rather not air dirty laundry on a public forum. Some megachurch pastor(s) from my area had some alledged "issues" going on in his/her private life that became part of public scandal. You can use your imagination. I won't confirm or deny anything. I've also served hip hop recording "artists" over similar personal issues. The "artist" was really a gentleman about getting served, too, cursing at and spitting on the plaintiff in front of their kindergarten aged child. Parent of the year drives an exotic, expensive car but alledgedly can't attend to his private obligations.
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| I'm a bad man. Yesterday, I staked out in front of a mechanic's house who has been ducking the sheriff. I knew about what time he would be arriving home so I arrived early, popped the hood to my car, and waited with an empty antifreeze bottle while looking into my engine bay. Guy gets home, asks me if I need any help. I ask him if I can fill up jug from hose. He says yes. I say thanks, I'm FBHO. He says no problem, I'm guy. Shake hands. Thanks for the water, guy, this summons and complaint is for you. Had the summons in my back pocket. He mad. |
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I'm a bad man. Yesterday, I staked out in front of a mechanic's house who has been ducking the sheriff. I knew about what time he would be arriving home so I arrived early, popped the hood to my car, and waited with an empty antifreeze bottle while looking into my engine bay. Guy gets home, asks me if I need any help. I ask him if I can fill up jug from hose. He says yes. I say thanks, I'm FBHO. He says no problem, I'm guy. Shake hands. Thanks for the water, guy, this summons and complaint is for you. Had the summons in my back pocket. He mad.
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Quoted: Ever use any costumes or have to get especially creative? No costumes other than dressing for the situation. See christmas story above. I served someone at the Bronner Brothers Hair Care Products Convention. If you don't know Bronner Bros, they make hair products for African-American hair needs. It was interesting being the only white guy in the convention hall who wasn't a cop or a gay hairstylist. I have had defendants catching a connecting flight in the airport before. The client bought me the cheapest plane ticket they could find so that I would have a legit reason to get inside security at the airport. I served the defendant (interstate child custody battle) at her gate in the airport. I didn't bother getting on my flight, I went home.
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Ever use any costumes or have to get especially creative? No costumes other than dressing for the situation. See christmas story above. I served someone at the Bronner Brothers Hair Care Products Convention. If you don't know Bronner Bros, they make hair products for African-American hair needs. It was interesting being the only white guy in the convention hall who wasn't a cop or a gay hairstylist. I have had defendants catching a connecting flight in the airport before. The client bought me the cheapest plane ticket they could find so that I would have a legit reason to get inside security at the airport. I served the defendant (interstate child custody battle) at her gate in the airport. I didn't bother getting on my flight, I went home. Now you're on the TSA list buddy.
I almost had to deal with one of you recently. Fortunately my STBX wife's hatred for me is trumped by her love of our children. Papers were "served" to my atty. ETA: nice job on the username. |