Posted by Monique on 3/25/04 6:45pm
Msg #1290

Problem Signers

How do you deal with problem signers? I just had a signing with a couple. The wife was a delight, who just happened to be a notary for 22 years. The husband however was another story. He started thumbing through my journal, reading everything he could - very slowly mind you. When I told him that #1 he was invading my previous signers privacy and #2 I had other obligations afterward, he became extremely indignant. He wanted someone who would be there to let him read each and every document. After that, he was very rude and indignant. He only signed documents, didn't even look at them. He told me he felt like I was putting him under duress because he was on a time limit. I explained to him that is not my
intention, but I do have other commitments and a business to run. I told him I could give them 2 hours of my time just so he had time to go through the docs. Nothing assuaged him. He said I was being contradictory because I told him I couldn't answer specific questions about the terms of his loan, but explained the the APR and how they come up with the percentage. In the end, I only read the titles of the docs to him as he signed. I have NEVER had this happen to me before. I didn't know what to do. Normally I can put people at ease, but nothing doing with this guy. How do I prevent this in the future?

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 3/25/04 8:28pm
Msg #1298

Maybe It's the Moon...

...but I had a problem signer today as well. After about the 4th time I asked him to do something (the 1st was to simply produce his driver license) he said I was being too demanding of him & he asked me to leave. I gladly picked up all my stuff & walked out the door. I called the lender from the borrower's driveway to inform them of the situation & they understood completely. The lenders & signing companies KNOW there are certain individuals who will not be cooperative & they're very understanding if you present the facts as they transpired. I don't know that there's ever anything you can do to prevent events like that from happening. Some people will never be satisified no matter how far backwards you bend.

Reply by Maryanne on 3/25/04 9:36pm
Msg #1299

Re: Maybe It's the Moon...

ME TOO!!! Had to meet them at a diner. As the husband walked in, he reeked of alcohol. The wife was a nice lady...as the husband sat down, he started with demands, which I stifled. All through the signing process, he continued to threaten to sue! And, then, said he would sue me too...whereby I replied..."As I've told you, I am not an attorney, I do not work for the bank or the title company, I am a Notary Public....here to witness you signing these documents....PERIOD".

Reply by Monique on 3/27/04 2:15pm
Msg #1310

Re: Maybe It's the Moon...

You know I was thinking the same thing. After he claimed he felt pressured because I had other commitments, I pulled out my cell phone to call the title company to inform them right then and there I couldn't complete. You could imagine my surprise when my cell phone was in my left hand and my antenna was in my right. You know he wasn't going to let me use the telephone to call this off because as he said, he needed this money. When I called the title company right afterward, they were totally understanding, and even offered me combat pay, which I gladly accepted. The funniest thing about the whole thing was after we were done his wife - a notary herself and a member of the NNA - and his daughter both asked me about how to become a loan signing agent. Wierd.

Reply by Cheryl on 3/29/04 3:26pm
Msg #1317

Re: Maybe It's the Moon...

I experienced similar problems. It would be nice if the title company and/or loan officer would explain to the borrower prior to the notary arriving that we are only there to witness signatures. When I phone borrowers to confirm appts. I stress that I will be there to witness the signature of loan documents, if they have questions during the loan signing, please feel free to contact the loan officer. It would also be great of the loan officer sent a copy of the loan documents to the borrower at least 1 day prior to the signing.

Last Friday -- I had a husband and wife arguing -- she didnt want to sign and he did. It was nasty, after an hour I packed my bags and stated I was leaving that they could call their loan officer to reschedule once they made an agreement. Then the wife decided to sign.