Other's Names Changed
Voicemail received: Hey Jon, this is Will W., you did a survey for me and Bob B. a couple of years ago and I'm trying to get new insurance and they're looking for a plat. Please give me a call back 555-555-5555. Thank you.
My thoughts: First, what has a plat to do with getting insurance. I've never heard that one before. Then, Will W. Bob B., I don't recognize either of those names.
So when I get back to the office, before returning the call, I have a quick look and see that neither Will W. or Bob B. is in my logs as a client. So that means it probably wasn't "couple of years ago".
I return the call.
Me: Hi, I'm returning a call about a survey. I've had a look and don't find either you or Bob B. listed as a client in my logs and I don't recall either of your names within the past couple of years. Can you refresh my memory. Do you have a more specific date or even a specific location.
Caller: Yes. I have a copy of the deed here and it says June 9th, 2005. It is located at the end of Said Street. There is no recorded plat {not a recording state} at the courthouse, and they said to contact you.
Me: {Pull up the tax records online} Ok. I know which property you are talking about, but I did not survey that for you or Bob B. I actually surveyed that three years before Bob B. purchased from the people who purchased it from the people who I did the survey for. Those people received several signed and stamped copies of the survey along with a sheet of directions on how to record the survey at the clerk's office if they decided to do so - although not required in our county.
Caller: {Not even remotely abashed at a false claim that I surveyed a property for him or the person he bought from} Well, is there any way I can get a copy of it. I've got the deed and I tried to draw it up, but couldn't. Then I tried to get it drawn up over at {regional university}. They told me it needed to be done by a licensed surveyor. If I had the plat, I could find the corners. I have a engineering degree from regional university {no, you have an engineering technology degree, not that there is anything wrong with that as I have the same degree. But, combined with much of the rest of the discussion, I see that you play a little fast and loose with stating things correctly} and I can probably borrow a transit from them {oh boy, that doesn't sound like it could remotely cause any problems}.
Me: In your initial call, you indicated you needed the plat for insurance purposes. How does that come into play with what you have just described to me?
Caller: Oh, I am going to be opening a gun range and to get insured, they need a plat so they can see how the shop and range sit on the property.
Me: The survey I did will not show any of those things as there weren't any buildings on the property when I surveyed it 18 years ago.
Basically the same Ring.Ring I've posted before. But it still amazes me that every once in a while I get someone contacting me who thinks I've surveyed "for them" just because they bought a property I once surveyed as much as 20 years ago.