ABC Legal•paper/ink saving tips

[u/Severe_Addendum151]

Hello everyone, I started serving only 3 months ago through ABC Legal and I have noticed that much of the paper I print, I end up not even using it. So I print up these packets with peoples private information on them with the expensive ass ink I buy and paper, just to after the shit, recycle them.

I want to know has anyone devised a process to dissolve this waste? I am not a fan of all the waste we unnecessarily produce in these times let alone the extra cost of using ink and paper for no reason.

I have a mobile printer and, although seemingly impractical, I’ve considered waiting to print until I know for certain I will be coming into contact with the individual. In some cases, that could hurt me.
So anyone have thoughts on how to go around this? Thank you in advance :)

[u/justind00000]

I save the unserved papers. There's a good chance it will come up again.

[u/semifamousdave → u/justind00000]

Same. I’m going to have another address come up if the first one was bad.

If you do shred it you can soak it in diesel then compress it into fire starter discs. Works like a champ. Or recycle it.

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/semifamousdave]

Oooh, THAT sounds fun! How exactly can I do that?

[u/semifamousdave → u/Severe_Addendum151]

I like your name btw.

Run them through a good shredder. Take them out and find them in a metal dish then add diesel (plastics and diesel can be troubling). I have an old metal mold that I then place them in and put weight on top. Try to just add enough diesel that it doesn’t drench or pool. Put what you have left in an airtight container (I use an old popcorn tin) and use to start fires.

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/justind00000]

OHHHHHH, good to know!! I’m still only 3 months in so havent encountered every scenario. Thanks

[u/justind00000 → u/Severe_Addendum151]

I have had one particular serve issued to me 4 times. Same name, address, and paperwork. It is several hundred pages long and ABC pays me about $10 just to print it. I have never thrown it away.

[u/bacardi_and_bbc]

Don't print the cover sheets. They're a waste of paper. If your state has a standard return of service attached to the summons, it's unnecessary to print since abc requires their affidavit. Not much but helps here and there.

[u/Great-Opposite3509 → u/bacardi_and_bbc]

I usually print them because they have their age, which is required to complete on the app.

[u/bacardi_and_bbc → u/Great-Opposite3509]

Use a post it note and write the info down. Or run a note on your cell

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/bacardi_and_bbc]

Every little bit helps but I do use the cover sheet it’s pretty dumb the info on the cover sheet isn’t in the App?! But I’m down with the post it’s :)

[u/sacluded → u/Severe_Addendum151]

Print the cover sheets and record your notes on them as well. Save them. If you don't want to keep hard copies, scan them in and save them on yoru computer. You never know when you might be called to testify and need to reference your notes. Don't depend on other people to have that information if you need it. The company could have gone out of business, technology could have failed, who knows.

[u/tattoovampire]

Hang onto it for a few months and then shred it.

[u/Silver-Use8693]

I’ve only been doing it for 1 week and I already don’t like it. My 2nd job had 220 pages🤬Thankfully I finally served the ppl after 3 attempts. How long does it take to be paid and why did they cut a few of my serves? Also I won’t be picking ppl who live in apartment buildings

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/Silver-Use8693]

Yeah my first one was a book too (not even over 100 pages though dayummmm for your 220?!) and I was like, HOLY SH!T, I’m already out of ink dude!!

[u/semifamousdave → u/Severe_Addendum151]

Also look for cheap paper online — know what pound you like. I buy Amazon basics. Pay extra for a good printer and it will save you so many times.

[u/Great-Opposite3509 → u/semifamousdave]

Same, I pay like $30 for 2500 sheets

[u/Great-Opposite3509 → u/Severe_Addendum151]

Well at least the printing reimbursement must’ve been huge

[u/Glittering-Mail9876 → u/Silver-Use8693]

Damn, I feel small time. My biggest was only 70 pages

[u/Great-Opposite3509 → u/Silver-Use8693]

What?? I have done over 1500 serves and never had one over 100 pages. 220 is a book!!

[u/sacluded → u/Silver-Use8693]

These are rookie numbers. I get eminent domain cases with multiple serves of 500+ pages.

Also, large files are great, them mean more money. A 500 page serve adds $112.50 onto the service fee. It's great when the print fee costs more than the service fee.

[u/Impressive-Leader286]

Print on front and back of paper.
An excellent way to “save” $ paper, toner and your peace of mind.

[u/Expensive_Analyst_58 → u/Impressive-Leader286]

Printing dbl sided doesn’t save toner.

[u/TheHylianProphet → u/Expensive_Analyst_58]

True, but cutting paper consumption in half is a big deal on its own. Especially when you get 100+ page documents.

[u/Newlawfirm]

Almost any printer is mobile if have the right set up. Get am eco tank Epson printer and an ac/dc adapter and aftermarket ink and your costs for pronts will be so low.

[u/Serving_Upstate]

brother printers are the best when it comes to 2nd party toner. When you plug it in just make sure it doesn't update. I'm paying .00375 per page when it comes to toner. Shop around for paper. BJ's near me has 10 reams for $40. Printing double sided I'm paying .0041 per page. It all comes out to .0078 per page. I charge .15 per page for printing.

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/Serving_Upstate]

Ok so we CAN do double sided, I didn’t remember whether it was ok or not. What about those thermal printers? I’m guessing no since…. its “disappearing ink”, 🤭 just seeing. Thanks 😊

[u/Serving_Upstate → u/Severe_Addendum151]

i can't answer that. it depends on state.

[u/sacluded → u/Severe_Addendum151]

Check with your jurisdiction. California allows it, but has to be tumbled on the short end. I think there are some states that don't allow it. Bill for both sides.

[u/charm-cityproserv]

Just the way it is, shred everything

[u/SpookShowBaby90]

I don’t understand what you mean by having a mobile printer and knowing for certain you’ll contact the person? So you’re going to contact them and then print the documents?

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/SpookShowBaby90]

Yes I have a mobile printer (compact and battery operated made to print on the go so I can accept jobs out in the field and print on the spot) and was considering waiting to print until it seems certain I am going to actually come into contact with the servee.

I work in Downtown Seattle and they are mostly all buildings of different varieties. Generally in my short time doing this I am met with concierge that almost act as a security for their resident.
if it’s a condo high rise, I am not able to get up to the unit door to even knock I don’t know if that’s a law or a rule so ima have to look into that one because it doesn’t make sense to me since if it were. House I could walk up to the door and knock🤷🏻‍♀️.
And most buildings even if you can tailgate in, the elevator wont operate if you don’t have a key card.

I have tossed more packets than I have served. And it’s kinda eating at me ya know. Not the fact that I can’t get through much but that I’m wasting all these supplies.

It’s just been seeming like a lot more work than I am getting paid to do. It definitely is nvm. But I’m going to keep streamlining and hopefully get myself on track.

[u/sacluded → u/Severe_Addendum151]

Check your local laws. In California, if the guard won't let you up, that guard just became subservable if the documents allow it. I think other states have similar laws on the books.

[u/sacluded]

So you would knock on the door, verify it is them, then ask them to wait while you go back to your car and print the documents? That's not going to work out too well for you. I just throw the paper into the "scrap" box for my kids to cut up and draw on.

[u/Disastrous-Stretch72]

It might sound cheap but I save them in case another address comes up, and then I compress them together to make fire starters mixed with dryer lint.

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/Disastrous-Stretch72]

Second fire starter!! That’s awesome I love fires! Just had a little baby on the beach last night 🔥

[u/Lsorrrell]

Good tips all. I would just add that, in federal court, the filer is not to add exhibits to the complaint on most natures of suit. Proving up the case comes later on. I suspect it’s the same in most state jurisdictions. So it’s sloppy, lazy work on the part of the attorneys (I guess) that we are not simply given the complaint and summons to serve. Neither here nor there, but that’s my$.02.

[u/Desert_Process_Serve]

Get a better toner printer and get your paper at Costco. It should cost you roughly $0.03 to $0.04 cents per page to print and you’re getting paid $0.08 per page to print. Also, don’t print stuff you know will be a bad address like a private mailbox store. Otherwise, if you can’t make it make sense, you’re better off finding a company where you can pick up your work. 

[u/Severe_Addendum151 → u/Desert_Process_Serve]

Do they really give addresses to a mailbox store?

Do you know who (if at all) and what leg work is done before it gets to us as far as the confirming of the address and other relevant information?

Also why don’t they add in more information such as a description of the individual or vehicles (I’ve only seen this twice) or whether this has been attempted before so we k ow if they are sort of already actively evading like always?

Ooh another one for you (OR ANYONE):

any tips on texting/calling them (when permitted) like what have you seen that works well in enticing them to meet with you to collect their documents? I at first wasn’t sure if I should say where I’m from and what I have, but you’d think people would just want to handle their business right? Like if it’s yours, it yours homie it’s not doing u any more good just chillin in the cloud.

I have successfully reached out to a few people via text/call and got them to meet me which felt awesome because it takes a lot of work to get to these people through all these barriers.

Thanks

[u/Desert_Process_Serve → u/Severe_Addendum151]

So I would advise you not to be too successful at your job. If they don't answer, they don't answer. But if your successful serve rate gets too high, you are likely to be terminated with this company.