Posted by Leon_CO on 4/1/06 7:43pm
Msg #110324

Accepting the job without prior knowledge of the company

I hate to refuse anyone who needs a loan closed. Yesterday I got a call from a company that I had never heard of. They asked if I was available. I looked at my schedule and I had that time slot open. Instinctively I said, 'yes I can do it.'

There are certain companies whose names stick out, and I know not to work with. But you can't know about every company. After I got off the phone I had an awful feeling. "What did I just get myself into? I don't even know who these people are." I did a search on NotRot and saw some positive comments. I began to feel better about the decision.

Have any of you been in a similar situation where you accepted a job and didn't even know who the company was? (Hopefully it turned out good for you.)

By the way, the woman I spoke to was very pleasant to work with, and I wouldn't mind working with this company again. If you ever get a call from Carmen at CMD Mobile Notary, don't hesitate to take the assignment.

Good luck.

Reply by CaliNotary on 4/1/06 7:48pm
Msg #110325

You might want to get paid before you enthusiastically start recommending a company to others. Lots of deadbeat companies are sweet as spun sugar when they're trying to get you to do a job for them.

But of course we accept jobs without knowing the company. It would be pretty foolish not to. If it's a company I'm not familiar with I'll say yes, then check the boards for comments. Unless I see something that gives me good reason NOT to do the signing I'll do it. No risk, no reward.

Reply by Leon_CO on 4/1/06 7:56pm
Msg #110327

"No risk, no reward."

I agree. That's the attitude I have. And yes, I should wait until I get paid before giving recommendations. But the prevailing sentiment on this board was positive about this company.

Reply by Kristie Mirano on 4/1/06 9:00pm
Msg #110337

How did the signing go? You said you would work for her again. Is that just because she was nice on the phone or was this an overall positive experience. I have done signings for people that were extremely nice on the phone, but when it comes to getting paid, well, that's another story. Could you provide us with some more detail?

Reply by Sher/AZ on 4/1/06 9:57pm
Msg #110350

Leon, I think you missed my post about another "nice company" earlier today (add anudder one to the NO-NO list) This woman was just as sweet as pie also, but I'm now being totally ignored by this "nice woman & her company" having given them plenty of time & reminders about their obligation, they now ignore my e-mails and phone calls. Hmmm, who do you suppose profited from my services & equipment??. I think it's premature of you to say "don't hesitate to accept an assignment from Carmen at CMD Mobile Notary" unless you were paid "cash up front ", you seem to be overly confident of a company who hasn't paid up for your services performed yesterday?? Fortunately there's a lot of Excellent companies out there who do pay their SA's , otherwise we'd all be looking for another line of work.

Reply by Stringer_CA on 4/1/06 11:44pm
Msg #110354

I've worked for this company and they paid me on time. Mike was very pleasant. Looking forward to working with him again.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 4/1/06 11:57pm
Msg #110355

I have workded for this company, they met my fee, and paid timely. I would work for them again.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 4/2/06 5:47am
Msg #110374

Before I started signing, I read the collective boards (complete, unabridged edition!) for 4 mos, and went 'live' with the assumption that being paid was going to be an area fraught with risks & issues. Each new client sent me into Research Mode ...

Now, I operate under a completely different perspective due to my own experiences. Aside from the handful of companies that are notorious for non-payment, I work for anyone with whom an agreeable arrangement is made - because I HAVE NEVER, EVER BEEN STIFFED. Of COURSE this doesn't mean I won't be, and since I am certainly nobody special - I would LOVE to figure out why I don't have any payment issues whatsoever???

I don't carry around any sense of forboding about it, I don't 'worry' if I never heard of the person/company, and even if I do eventually have to experience the frustration of non-payment - I will STILL have received opportunity to put my name out there to the rest of the parties involved.

Some of the most valuable contacts and some of the highest paying jobs I've had came from INDIVIDUALS - not companies - the kind of situations where others might have saw "high risk" of non-payment. I know my value, and my fees are business decisions that result in a PROFIT, not a DEFICIT - that has an effect on the type of client I contract with, which surely is contributing to my 100% rate of being paid. I love the idea of karma, and it would be a warm fuzzy to think I've just got SO much positive karma that I couldn't possibly get stiffed - but, well, logic flies in the face of that. I just do not know why I have zero issues on this.

But I do use it to keep the karma positive anyway ... just in case =)

Reply by Sign/SealCO on 4/2/06 8:52am
Msg #110377

Re: they don't know you either n/m

Reply by cyndi_ca on 4/2/06 10:19am
Msg #110388

Re: Leon

I too have worked for this company and they were great, met my fees and paid very timely. No risk no reward. We all take chances just as they do. Worth the risk for me.

Reply by Leon_CO on 4/2/06 11:02am
Msg #110391

Cyndi, I'm sure you're right.

Right now I'm in a position where I am literally working for no pay. I started not too long ago and all of the expenses to do this are coming out of my pocket. It's as if I'm paying the companies to work for them.

I'm sure I'll have a more positive outlook when/if all of the checks start coming in. What good is it to be a signing agent when you're homeless?

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 4/2/06 3:03pm
Msg #110415

Leon,
I have done closings for this company and they are one of the good SS. They pay on time and a decent fee. I'll take all I can get from them!