Posted by Elaine Sedlock on 2/1/08 1:00pm
Msg #233583

Guess I've gotta learn the hard way! No more compromising!

Got a call from Docuserv for a signing yesterday. Things were slow and it was "right down the street, simple, and no notarizations -- only signatures, a small number of docs to print, and only fax back signature pages." Yeah, right! 112 docs, faxed back 32 pages, and had to agree to a stupid contract in order to view them. called to tell them I wasn't comfortable with the contract and was told it wouldn't affect me because there would be no notarizations. I still didn't follow my gut (always gotta be such a softy)! Then I had to mail back the package on my dime! All for a whopping $50! At least I learned a little more about Reverse Mortgages (something I've never handled before). From now on even if people try to convince me something will be quick and easy my fees will remain the same!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/08 1:11pm
Msg #233586

Boy am I glad you're not in my neighborhood!! n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 2/1/08 1:12pm
Msg #233587

Learning a little more on RM's

Brenda has the best little e-book out there, at the best price I have seen.
ery comprehensive, geared for the notary's role specifically.
It is worth much more IMO than the cost.($9.95 I think)

http://texnotary.com/forsale/reverse_mortgage_notebook.htm

Reply by Elaine Sedlock on 2/1/08 1:19pm
Msg #233592

Mistarella, thx, and Linda, I hope no one else in my neighbo

rhood will ever do what I just did! My sincere apologies to anyone in my area for doing such a dumb thing!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/08 1:23pm
Msg #233594

Little though it may be, Elaine, I just hope you get your

money for the signing AND the shipping...Good Luck

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/1/08 1:13pm
Msg #233588

You paid to return pkg? Why would you do that? n/m

Reply by Elaine Sedlock on 2/1/08 1:16pm
Msg #233589

Re: You paid to return pkg? Why would you do that?

Well . . . like I think the honest answer would be stupidity! However, by the time I realized that was part of the agreement I had already agreed and decided to chalk it up to a lesson learned! NEVER AGAIN!!!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/08 1:18pm
Msg #233591

Do a search on Docuserv & DocuservUSA...Good Luck n/m

Reply by Elaine Sedlock on 2/1/08 1:23pm
Msg #233593

Re: Do a search on Docuserv & DocuservUSA...Good Luck

I know, I know! I did the search but only after I had taken the assignment. I got caught while I was on the road and knew I didn't have time to get to a computer before making a decision. Still, I admit, when I did the search I should've told them "NO WAY!" Oh well, live and learn.

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/1/08 4:26pm
Msg #233644

My mind is absolutely blown

"However, by the time I realized that was part of the agreement I had already agreed and decided to chalk it up to a lesson learned!"

So you did a signing for about $35 because you decided to "chalk it up to a lesson learned"?

I'm sorry, but people like you are EXACTLY why these scumball companies stay in business. You seriously were too afraid to call back after you realized they forgot to tell you the minor little detail that you would have to pay to return the package, simply because you had already said yes?

We wonder why these companies are slashing their fees to insulting levels. This is why, because there are so many wimpy signing agents out there who would rather bend over and get slammed hard than make a simple phone call and assert themselves.

I'm glad that you realized the incredible stupidity of what you did, but I'm still disgusted that you did it in the first place, and saying "d'oh!" about it afterwards doesn't make it any better. There is absolutely NO excuse for doing a $50 signing where you have to pay to return the docs afterwards and you shouldn't need to use your gut to tell you that, it should be screamingly obvious to anybody with an IQ over 60.

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/1/08 5:25pm
Msg #233665

Agree with Cali...

Tho' I'd word it nicer, I do appreciate the way with words that Cali has. You know, when any order gets soooo goofy & one-sided, you, as an Independent Contractor, most assuredly can tell them no way. You seriously need to develope some assertiveness. Lack of it makes you part of the problem. We need you to be part of the solution. OK? Good. You can do it. Just say NO!

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/1/08 11:33pm
Msg #233738

I'm with CaliNotary and Lee/AR. Shame on you. n/m

Reply by Trinity Mobile Notary and Signing Agency - Notary and Processing on 2/1/08 1:32pm
Msg #233600

112 pages IS $50!!!!!!! When will you get the money? Next month or later?

We have to learn to really stick to our gut feeling....We just had a meeting and we are going to cut out or not take on any new companies that dont agree with OUR payment time which is within 15days of signing. If they request ANY fax back copies it will be at their expense in writing ASAP....Not trying to be tough just fair.......

Reply by Elaine Sedlock on 2/1/08 1:47pm
Msg #233609

I agree Trinity, trust me, NO MORE! Probably won't be paid

for 45 days or more. I'm sure I won't be holding my breath waiting for my big fat check. I had a friend in my area who did a job for them and she had told me about signings that only took 10-15 minutes. I was hoping that's what this was gonna be since they said it was so simple. I tried to call my friend to ask her about her experience with Docuserv and couldn't reach her. I'm ultimately responsible for accepting it, but Docuserv should be ashamed for being so misleading. Enough about this -- just felt compelled to confess my crime to the Notrot forum. Confessions always help clear the air!

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/1/08 2:49pm
Msg #233628

Ok. Good confession. No chocolate for 45 minutes! n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/1/08 2:05pm
Msg #233617

Thanks for sharing, it helps us all learn. One thing I do when they start "describing" the signing saying how "simple" it all is, I ask them "WHAT is it?" so they will be forced to tell me if it's a RM application, 1st mortgage purchase or refi, etc. And I ask "is this a 1st mortgage ONLY, or does it have a HELOC with it?" And I dont' do any job where the agreed fee is not shown in the confirmation email.

Sometimes it's easy to get caught off guard when it's slow, then we're likely to take on jobs we would otherwise turn down. I usually make SS's understand, it's not what you pay but what I CHARGE. They can take it or leave it. There is the occassional exception but for the most part, like you, I will stick to my fees.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/1/08 11:36pm
Msg #233740

I'm with LKT/CA. Ask. FaxBacks? OK, add $x, please. n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/2/08 1:23pm
Msg #233817

Re: Guess I've gotta learn the hard way! No more compromisin

"Thanks for sharing, it helps us all learn."

Did you really need to be taught not to do a $50 signing where you have to pay to ship the docs back as well? I could have figured that one out on my own even if this board never existed.

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/3/08 2:16pm
Msg #233892

Re: Guess I've gotta learn the hard way! No more compromisin

<<<Did you really need to be taught not to do a $50 signing where you have to pay to ship the docs back as well? >>>

No, I've never accepted a signing less than 3 digits. The point is that Elaine second guessed her gut feeling and the lesson is to never compromise your fees - even after accepting a signing. You keep forgetting that many, many others aren't posting, yet they are reading....and LEARNING. I'm sure it was embarrassing for Elaine to admit she did a not so wise thing but her willingness to share and help someone else learn from it is a noble thing.

<<<I could have figured that one out on my own even if this board never existed.>>>

Well, goody goody for you.