Quote:
Can you charge anything over the 10 percent?
North Carolina is 15% if I am not mistaken.
Virginia is 10% and we can add fees if in the contract and they are acceptable... I add a small fee for any bond under 5k... usually $25... some companies charge more, some none. I also have minimum that I charge... $150 ... so if the bond is under $1500... I still charge the $150... I will not leave my office for less than $150... if other bondsmen want to do it for a straight 10%... let them have it... I am not in business to lose money. It is also against current DCJS law to cut a bond fee for less than the 10% set . New law since July 2011.
There is now a sign posted in most of the clerks offices throughout my AO that reads:
"Due to increased cost, there will be a 4% charge if a credit card is used to pay fines"... that used be illegal but if the courts can do it... so can I.... I also charge a fee but I tell the client about it up front, so there is no hidden fee involved. I, and probably no other bondsman can "eat" these fees... everyone charges, so I need to also... "cost of doing business".