Posted by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 9:17am
Msg #148201

Advice on increasing fee...

I agreed to a fee for a Saturday signing at a location 1 1/2 hrs from me. The borrower was a divorced woman doing a refi. I arrived early, she was 15 minutes late (lender notified her that day of the signing time). I asked when her ex-husband was coming to sign a few docs (Mortgage, Quit Claim, etc). She said she wasn't told he should be there. She called him to let him know this and he told her he would come at the designated time (6:00 p.m.) when he was to drop off the kids. I left a message with the SS, but, got no response. I decided to wait 2 hours for the husbands arrival. He arrived right at 6:00 p.m. and signed the few docs (took less than 5 minutes).

When agreeing to fees I try to average $50 an hour (I get more if I can). I left my office at 1:00 p.m. and didn't get home until 8:00 p.m. My question is, am I justified in asking for a fee adjustment?

Reply by VERONICA DESCHANEAU on 9/24/06 9:39am
Msg #148203

Justified? - Yes
Will you get it? - probably not...but maybe so if it is a reputable company

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 10:30am
Msg #148213

Reputable company who uses me a lot.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 9/24/06 9:43am
Msg #148205

Usually a good idea to review dox and ask bwr if.....

all necessary parties will be present, with proper ID, and,
if necessary, reqd funds and ID copies death certs, etc.

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 10:32am
Msg #148214

Re: Usually a good idea to review dox and ask bwr if.....

You're right, but could not reach the borrower to verify.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 9/24/06 9:58am
Msg #148208

Re: Absolutely ask but as Veronica states you may not get it

but asking never hurts......geesh putting in 7 hours for one signing, a rediculous amount of time my friend....

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 10:41am
Msg #148218

Re: Absolutely ask but as Veronica states you may not get it

I understand. The ex-husband was an idiot!!

Reply by sue_pa on 9/24/06 10:46am
Msg #148221

Re: Absolutely ask but as Veronica states you may not get it

General rule should be if all parties aren't present at the appointed time you leave and no one signs anything. That said, if she called him when you got there and he said he would come right over and be there in xxx minutes, I'd go ahead and start the wife's part. Your decision to wait until husband showed up was your choice. Often times, when told I'm leaving and you'll reschedule another day, that gets someone in motion. If the guy stated up front that he wouldn't be there until hours later, I'd have been home on my couch by the time he got there.

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 12:00pm
Msg #148237

Re: Absolutely ask but as Veronica states you may not get it

Good points, thanks.

Reply by Roger_OH on 9/24/06 11:25am
Msg #148228

Hey Nick...

I guess my first question would be why would you go that far (especially on a Saturday when #1 Ohio State is playing!)? If you were planning on $50 hour, and you had 3 hours round trip and an hour to sign, that's only $200. I definitely would not have made that lengthy of a trip without being able to contact the BO beforehand, too many things can go wrong where you end up with just a trip fee (especially on a weekend); what if husband hadn't been available?

If it's a really good company you like, they MIGHT appreciate your time for the extra 2 hours, but don't count on it. But for only $200 and the time involved, I would have initially tried to refer it to another notary that was closer. Where are you in Ohio?

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/24/06 12:00pm
Msg #148236

Re: Hey Nick...

The fee was $300 and I figured I'd be home by 6 pm, that'd get $60 an hour. I'm between Lancaster and Logan.

As for the Buckeyes....GO BLUE!!

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/24/06 2:04pm
Msg #148245

Just curious, you Ohio folks...

How many MILES do you cover in 1 1/2 hours of driving in Ohio?

Reply by Ilona_OH on 9/24/06 2:26pm
Msg #148248

Same as everywhere--it depends if it is city or freeeway! n/m

Reply by Brenda/CA on 9/24/06 2:51pm
Msg #148252

Re: Same as everywhere--it depends if it is city or freeeway!

I am in Northern, CA and depending on the time of day, 1 1/2 hours of driving could take me 20 miles, at one time, or 50-60 miles at another time, and this is on the freeway.

Reply by Gary_CA on 9/24/06 4:34pm
Msg #148269

I wouldn't even ask...

Your choice to stay.
A good client you don't want to lose.
You say you'd like to add 2 hours ($100) but in fact you're only $50 short of your goal.
Every freelancer in every business has jobs go sideways now and then.

I say you eat the $50 on this job with a client you want to keep and set yourself a goal to add $75 of junk fees spread out over all the clients you don't particularly care about over the next month.

Make it a game, kinda like my Dodgers being behind San Diego and getting 4 HR's in the ninth. You're down 50 points, if you can squeeze out 50 you'll be tied, any more and you win.

Reply by VickiWA on 9/24/06 5:43pm
Msg #148270

Gary, Exactly what I was thinking. n/m

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/25/06 8:58am
Msg #148333

Re: I wouldn't even ask...

Thanks Gary, nice way to put it. Like your Dodgers, always have. Right now it's nail biting time for my Tigers.

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/25/06 8:56am
Msg #148332

Re: Same as everywhere--it depends if it is city or freeeway

If I have the chance to drive on highways I'll do 75-80 mph. However, I cover areas that are mainly 2 lanes.

Reply by Nick_OH on 9/25/06 8:55am
Msg #148331

Re: Just curious, you Ohio folks...

this trip was 72 miles one way. Not many super highways around here.

Reply by Roger_OH on 9/25/06 10:17am
Msg #148348

Yo Nick...

Email me your contact info and I'll put you into my referral bank for that area.

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/25/06 10:34am
Msg #148350

72 miles in the Ozarks of AR would take me 2 1/2 hrs.

Except that I'd turn it down because they are unwilling to pay for that much TIME.