Certified mail is a pain, but honestly, it’s the only thing that’s ever gotten a real response for my clients when things go sideways. Email is fine for routine stuff, but if you’re dealing with something major—like a payment dispute or escrow issue—you want that paper trail. The cost stings, yeah, but it’s nothing compared to the headache if you need proof later.
Calling every day? I’ve tried it. Sometimes you get lucky and catch someone who actually cares, but most of the time you’re just spinning your wheels and repeating yourself. Plus, there’s no record unless you’re logging every call and who you spoke to... which gets old fast.
If it’s something small, sure, stick with email or phone. But for anything that could come back to bite you, certified mail is worth it. Think of it as insurance—annoying to pay for, but you’ll be glad you did if things go south.
I’ve tried it.
Couldn’t agree more about certified mail being “insurance.” I’ve been burned before when a phone call just didn’t cut it—no proof, no progress. It’s a hassle, but when things get messy, that paper trail really does save you.
Honestly, I get the whole certified mail thing and I know it works for a lot of folks, but I’ve had mixed luck with it. When my servicer messed up my escrow account last year, I started off by sending emails instead—mostly because I wanted everything in writing but didn’t want to deal with the post office. Turned out, their customer service actually responded faster to email than to the letter I sent later (which they claimed took weeks to process). Maybe I just got lucky or maybe some companies are better about digital records now?
I do see the value in old-school paper trails, especially when stuff really hits the fan. But sometimes, those online portals and email threads can be just as good for proof—and way less hassle. Guess it depends on who you’re dealing with...
