Posted by Chris_OR on 2/1/08 4:38pm
Msg #233649

Agency short list: considering fees, ease, and order volume?

Hi,

I'd like to get some opinions as to which two or three signing services currently have the best mix of paying fair fees, ease to work with, and volume of work. I have of course revisited the great resources we have here such as "Signing Central" and used the search function here in the forum .

For me, the current leader for fair fees, ease to work with, and volume of work is NREIS but I would like to get some fresh input and other opinions based on the above criteria.

Which few Agencies get your top vote these days considering fees, ease, and order volume?

Thanks!
Chris in Oregon

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/1/08 4:50pm
Msg #233652

Well this is a novel approach

to getting people to hand over their best clients to you.

And assuming that's NOT your goal, then I'll just say it's pretty darn dumb of you to be offering it to others in a good market. In today's market it's downright moronic!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/08 5:04pm
Msg #233657

Heh..my firs thought was "hmm..sneaky.." n/m

Reply by Chris_OR on 2/1/08 5:22pm
Msg #233663

Re: Well this is a novel approach

Hi CaliNotary,
Most of the Agencies have a national presence and I doubt that many here would consider a Notary in Washington, County Oregon as a competitor. I found it actually helped me to partner with other local Signing Agents. I very often cross refer calls that are farther than I want to drive but are close to where a diffrent Notary lives. Same for orders at times or days I don't want. These same Notaries send work my way as well. Result? Less long drives and more local orders! I've even placed shared color Newspaper ads with other local notaries to share advertising costs and get us more business.

Our clients appreciate it as they don't have to keep hunting and it has resulted in increased income for me and the Notaries I work with in the area. Big win-win.

The forum focus on who to avoid, who does not pay, who is hard to work with is very helpful and I think a focus on the best-of-class would be helpful to many as well.

So, Anyone else interested in fleshing out a short shared list of best based on $, ease, and volume?

Along those lines - My 1st post should have also mentioned TCC Notary Services in Lake Forest, CA. Very easy to work with, pays 70% of what he collects and I usually get the checks in 15 days or less.

Thanks,
Chris in Oregon

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/1/08 5:35pm
Msg #233666

Re: Well this is a novel approach

"I doubt that many here would consider a Notary in Washington, County Oregon as a competitor. "

Hmm what about the other 98 notaries that come up in a search in your zip code?
You don't think they would consider you competition??

Reply by Les_CO on 2/4/08 10:26am
Msg #233969

Re: Well this is a novel approach

I for one don’t consider notaries in other areas my competition. As for the notaries in the greater Denver, I pretty much know my competition, the good, professional, knowledgeable, experienced notaries… the others I don’t care about. I’m fairly sure that they know of, have worked for the companies I mentioned, and many others. I for one am not afraid of my competition, when I’m busy, or for some reason can’t take an assignment, I refer the client to one of them, (no monetary arraignment) and in similar circumstances they refer me. We’re all in the same boat, trying not to drown, not pushing one another overboard, just rowing together. Maybe they should try this in Detroit.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 2/4/08 12:01pm
Msg #233987

Re: Well this is a novel approach

Dito Les. Just from reading posts and talking among one another through e-mail and/or phone, we know who is good and knows their stuff and who the lowballers are. If it's a regular company and I can't do it, I'll refer them them to one of four people (only one of whom I've actually met in person) -- because I'd rather give the order to someone that I know won't cut my throat and also knows their stuff. If it's a low ball signing to begin with, then I refer those calls to the people that I know do the low ball signings -- which, btw, is none of the previous four referrals.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/4/08 12:50pm
Msg #233995

Re: Well this is a novel approach

EXACTLY!!!! And my long time clients appreciate me referring someone to them that I would hire myself.

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/1/08 6:08pm
Msg #233673

Re: Well this is a novel approach

"I doubt that many here would consider a Notary in Washington, County Oregon as a competitor."

Well, no, it's obvious I don't consider you a competitor as I'm in Los Angeles. However, I really don't want to be listing my best companies on this board for the other 1169 notaries in a 20 mile radius of me to see. How many of them are going to immediately try to sign up with these companies when I tell them how great the company is? Why would I want an additional 50 or 100 notaries in the databases I'm trying to get work out of?

That's really not completely obvious to you?

Reply by Demore on 2/1/08 8:16pm
Msg #233692

Re: Well this is a novel approach

Very good answer! I would have the same reaction as you did. I would not be giving my sources of income to anyone either. Good for you!
Like you-- I have a few things that I do not share when comes to business. I work pretty hard and everything that I do caring a high price with it. So be it!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/2/08 12:25am
Msg #233744

Re: Well this is a novel approach

You've just made me feel very fortunately, Cali. My list of local competitors (of course, just those registered HERE) is down to a "mere" 727. Point very well put.

Reply by LisaWI on 2/1/08 4:52pm
Msg #233653

Re: Where are these companies??

I dont have a clue. Is there such an animal these days? They all seem to be either closing their doors, their volume is down or they are lowering their fees. Read it here daily.

Reply by Vince/KS on 2/1/08 5:18pm
Msg #233660

Well, despite its 1 1/2 star rating, Sox may be a bit of a

problem.

Does that help?

Reply by Les_CO on 2/1/08 6:01pm
Msg #233671

Well… for what it’s worth, Negretes is good (a bit touchy about this board) not great volume, but knowledgeable, and easy to work with.
Also Exclusive Settlement Services, in PA. And Performance Title, MIS and Search 2 Close, in OH, and Cornerstone in AR and some others
And may I mention the people that use to be at Mercury. Susan, Beckie, and Alicia, (Mercury ‘merged’ into LFC, and they were “riffed”) have started a new company (in January). <firstpreferencesigningllc.com> A SS, but also connected with a full service title company. These ladies KNOW what they are doing. They are not big, and have little volume, and are squeezed daily to “get cheaper notaries,” but they actually try and get us more money (larger fees = better notaries= fewer problems) AND they are HONEST! They are not on signing central here. Some of you may have worked for them? I’m biased, because I have known, and worked with them for years, and really want them and others like them, to make it.

Reply by Chris_OR on 2/1/08 6:24pm
Msg #233678

Thanks for the great reply Les!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/2/08 12:36am
Msg #233747

All those folks may not be thanking her come Monday when they get bombarded with calls...

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/2/08 12:38am
Msg #233748

I would have included NREIS in that list before they slashed their fees by $50 per signing. I hope the cost of living in your neighborhood is much less than here, because once you factor in taxes and all your overhead, I would call their fees something other than "fair".

Reply by Chris_OR on 2/2/08 1:43am
Msg #233753

Re: Agency short list: considering fees, ease, and order vol

My rate is much better than that, so no complaints from me. There have been only a few times when I did not get an order because I held out for a higher fee, but well worth it as I too have no interest in an a e-doc refi with fax-backs for under a hundred.

Reply by MichiganAl on 2/2/08 6:56am
Msg #233759

Anyone who answers this is a fool n/m