Disappointed with service and price. My clients had a very short "cash" escrow. Unfortunately buyer's check for earnest deposit was mailed but did not get to escrow (US Mail's fault, not buyers). No problem, buyer's wrote a replacement check and Title picked it up and personally delivered it. However, even knowing it was a very short escrow, Pickford Escrow refused to send the buyers their escrow package until earnest deposit received. They did not tell the buyers their escrow instructions would not be sent to them, although they had the contact information, they just sat on them until the earnest check was received. "It's our policy to not send it" Kelly Pacheco told me. (The earnest deposit has nothing to do with the escrow company's obligation to do their job.) Therefore, 5 days before closing and the buyers just this afternoon received escrow instructions!
Also, the disclosure presented by the broker regarding escrow fees is supposed to disclose what the fees are. It does not ~ it is VERY broad, quoting a huge range of fees. Without timely escrow instructions, and vague disclosure, buyers have no way of knowing what their fees will be! I called on their behalf to inquire, and when questioned about the fees for the buyer, Pickford said it's $250 + $2 per thou, plus $80 Archive fee, which is higher than almost any other escrow company. I sent an email requesting the fees be lowered to match other company's fees ~ was told today no negotiation or exceptions, their fees are set. Ridiculous. If you don't disclose precise fees, and by law fees ARE negotiable, how do they justify saying no negotiation or exceptions? Buyers are not happy at their lack of promptness with paperwork and inflexibility regarding fees. They may pursue a formal complaint. In any case, If I have my choice, I will not choose Pickford Escrow in the future. Buyers beware. read more
