I've been around for 10 years and I've seen fees drop or at worst, stay the same. The only positive is many companies pay quicker than they used to as 90 was the standard, not the exception way back when. I'm sure there are others who've been around longer who can talk about the fees that dropped long before I came along. It's the nature of the business. Companies being shopped are cheap and don't want to pay a lot for it and there are enough vying for their business that they don't have to. So it hurts everyone.
As for the mileage, if you get paid for it by a MSC, you technically can't claim it with the IRS. If you ask for a bonus that is equivalent to the mileage rate, then that might be a loophole but if you specifically ask for mileage to be reimbursed, then the IRS is not going to knowingly reimburse you for your reimbursed reimbursement.
foxfyreutk Wrote:
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> I have been shopping for almost two years and,
> even in that short time, I've seen a lot of
> changes; primarily, fees going down, delays in
> reimbursement, and certification requirements.
> Well, the times they are a changin' and I am
> changing with them. I have now decided to request
> the IRS rate of 50.5 cents per mile (rounded up to
> the nearest dollar) for round trips exceeding 30
> miles. Still requesting just gas money for 20 - 30
> mi rt. If someone else gets the job because they
> didn't charge, I'm ok with that. My acceptable
> range is about 100 miles.
>
> Will see how it goes. I may have to reduce the
> mileage rate (slightly). The IRS rate seems
> reasonable when I calculate car payment, gas,
> ties, maintenance, and wear and tear (repair
> fund).
>
> If MSC's can change their policies, then I can,
> too, as long as I'm willing to accept the
> consequences. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions.
> What do others charge for BV/photo verifications
> far from home? Or, if not, why not?