Also keep in mind that those public servants you listed are government employees and work shifts so that someone is always available. We are sole proprietors for the most part and can't be expected to be at the public's beck and call 24/7, even if we advertise that we can be. Everyone knows that it will cost more to have the plumber come out on Sunday...
As we all know, there are many options available to the general public any weekday during business hours to walk into a storefront to get something notarized. Providing a mobile service - OR a service beyond normal business hours - is above and beyond, and shouldn't be something we're obligated to do, any more than we're obligated to accept any particular real estate related signing appointment, regardless of scope of work, etc.
Same goes for the fee we charge. If I'm having a work-at-home day, going out to an appointment means getting cleaned up, made-up (at least minimally), stopping whatever else I'm doing (even if it's just kicking back) and getting into the car. If that's the case, it will only happen if it's worth my while.
So I don't have a hard and fast rule about surcharges, but I have been charging a modest additional fee for weekend or very late evening GNW signings (unless it's on my way home and at my convenience). How many signatures there are is another factor. If it's several, it then depends on whether or not - and how far - I'm traveling. I also might consider other factors like do I think the person is very budget conscious and how much do I want some extra spending $$ that month . So sometimes I give people a break, especially young people on a budget, military, seniors on a fixed income, etc.
|