Posted by Charm_AL on 12/16/04 2:12pm
Msg #13797

accepting an assignment

At Home Signings called me this morning to do a refi. The location is approx 45-47 miles north of me. I was told that they pay $50, for overnighted docs. I told them that this was quite a distance and asked for $85. She said she'll have to get approval but seemed to come across as that wouldn't be a problem. I'm waiting for a call back. I would hate to go down to $50. after stating my fee. Dilemma - do you turn these down? or put your tail between your legs and accept the quoted fee in this case?

Reply by Julie on 12/16/04 2:20pm
Msg #13798

Charm call and see if they agreed to your fee, then get the confirmation.

$50 for almost 100 miles round trip is NOT acceptable.

Don't wait for them to call you, find out now.

Reply by Charm_AL on 12/16/04 2:27pm
Msg #13800

Julie

they called while I was driving and I just got in and called them for the name of the town and that's when she said "I still don't have the approval yet for 85. I asked her to call me back today and she said ok. I was thinking $50. was too low, I did one a mile away for IREP for $75.00 because it was a same day appt.

Reply by Charlotte TX on 12/16/04 3:50pm
Msg #13806

Re: Julie

They always call me to go out for $50.00, I tell them my fee, they say "I'll see if I can get that approved and call me back," they never call back. Sorry I can sit here for $50.00.

Reply by Charm_AL on 12/16/04 4:10pm
Msg #13812

Charlotte

thanks, I'll be sure to post if they call back...it's 3:45pm here now...we'll see. I know that we are not saturated with notaries in this area and the ones that are doing signings are very experienced...I don't think they'll get a 'seasoned' SA to go out for that kind of money, in fact I'd be insulted. (She mentioned "I see that you are new" to which I replied "Yes, but I'm an experienced Mortage Broker and have knowledge of all docs and feel very comfortable doing signings!"
I wonder what they do if they can't find a notary to go do the signing?

Also...I contacted a friend whom is a mortage broker and told him of my services. I said I will do courier work in the area for a flat $65. (to pick up and deliver docs) and do signings for a flat $150., instead of him charging the borrowers $350.-400. for an attorney to close. Does this sound logical and is it right? Can he put in a closing cost for closing of $200. and make $50. and still save the borrower upwards of $150.? I'm confusing myself with a simple concept ;)

Reply by Charm_AL on 12/16/04 4:12pm
Msg #13814

Re: Charlotte

I do know how to spell dang it! Mortgage!

Reply by Cassandra - O.C. - Cali on 12/16/04 5:54pm
Msg #13835

Re: Charlotte

I think that is an excellent offer. Reasonable.
Good idea!

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/16/04 10:45pm
Msg #13861

Great!

Another self-policing spelling nazi. I love it!!!!

http://www.worth1000.com/emailthis.asp?entry=139864

Reply by Charlotte Tx on 12/16/04 10:52pm
Msg #13863

Re: Charlotte

Alrighty, Charm did you get an approved o.k. from them?? If you did get your amount then you are a sweet talker. Keep us informed.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/16/04 5:10pm
Msg #13827

$85 is too low for a signing that far away. $50 is an insult. Why on earth would you even consider giving up 3 hours of your day for $50?

I would suggest that anybody in here who doesn't have a rate list makes one immediately. If you have your rates set, you never have to second guess yourself about whether you've overcharged or undercharged.

My rate list is broken down by all of the cities in the counties that I cover. I have the city of Los Angeles broken down by zip code as it's a huge city. I used $1.25/mile as my base and based it on round trip. A city 30 miles from me is $1.25 x 30 x 2 = $75. I also made adjustments to these rates based on traffic conditions. Example, the city of West Hollywood is only 11 miles from me, but it requires that I either take freeways that are pretty much ALWAYS congested and moving at a snail's pace, or that I take the streets. Either way it takes me about 30 - 45 minutes to get there, therefore I've based my fee as if it were 30 miles from me.

I keep rate lists for 4 counties by my computer, in my car, and in my notary bag. When I get a call for a job it takes me a couple of seconds to quote my rate and I don't even have to think about it. They can either accept it or not. And I never second guess myself about whether I should have accepted a signing or not. My rates are fair and competitive and there would have to be a very good reason if I were to reduce them. About the only reason I can think of off of the top of my head would be back to back signings in similar locations that required much less travel time for me. And I wouldn't even offer, they'd have to ask me if I were to consider it.

As I was typing this post, I got a call from one of the companies that use me frequently. The woman had requested that I send her a copy of my rate list a couple of months ago. She just told me that aside from one other notary, my rate list was the most organized and comprehensive one she had and that it made her job much easier. Then she gave me 4 signings. So not only has my rate list made my life easier, it's made my name stick out in her mind and I'm probably one of the first people she thinks of when she has Los Angeles area signings.

I don't say that to brag, but just to show how a good rate list can be an excellent tool in more ways than one. It was a huge pain in the butt to put together, but it has made my job so much easier since the very beginning.

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/17/04 7:52am
Msg #13889

CaliNotary said: "I don't say that to brag, but just to show how a good rate list can be an excellent tool in more ways than one. It was a huge pain in the butt to put together, but it has made my job so much easier since the very beginning."

I totally agree, Cali. When you create a rate sheet, you don't have to argue with yourself over every signing. I also did mine by zip code.

There is a town in my area that has an outlying areas which will yield an extra 30 miles in some of the zip codes of delivery. I have my rate sheet online and keep it bookmarked. That works great for me--plus I keep a copy of the rate sheets in my notebook.