Posted by lawsonrw_MI on 11/23/04 4:33pm
Msg #11935

Was I Wrong?

Alright, the Signing Service called me at about 4pm Monday to schedule a signing at 9am the following morning. I call the borrower to verify the address and appointment time, and introduce myself as well as cover the things that he needed to have in order prior to my arrival. At that time, he informs me that he understood the signing was to take place at 6pm. (No Problem for me). I call the SS and inform them what the borrower said, and they verified that the time had just been changed, no biggie.

I was told to expect the package sometime early the following date. My contact at the SS was not available on Tuesday, so I had to speak with a very pleasant woman who had taken over the management of this transaction. Keep in mind, the signing is at 6pm, the latest I will wait to reschedule is 1 hour before the signing. So 5pm rolls around and still no email! I call the SS to find out what's going on and when I should expect them, after receiving an indefinite answer I call the borrower to inform him of the situation. I only wanted to be proper in notifying the borrower of the situation, but he became irrate and said he would call the Title company to cancel because the loan was supposed to close a week prior, and this was the third or fourth time it would be "rescheduled."

So I wait a short while and call the SS to see whats going on because I still have not heard anything from them, even as I type this message. They say it's still on and the Title company has not notified them of a cancellation, however if the borrower said he wants to cancel then it is cancelled. I however didn't get a clear "CANCELLATION" from the borrower, he was kind of babbling and talking very low, but I thought I heard cancellation, that is why I wanted to verify with the SS.

So my question is, did I do anything wrong, why is that wrong, and what can I do in the future to avoid making that mistake or handle the situation differently?

Lawson

Reply by Ang in AL on 11/23/04 5:17pm
Msg #11941

You were not wrong, it happens alot. The one thing lacking in this whole process is communication. In most transactions all a customer or client wants is to get a phone call and alot of the mortgage lenders are afraid of losing their deal and they really don't keep the lines of communication flowing therefore everyone is hanging waiting on the other to let them know what to do. I always think it is a good idea to communicate to the best of your ability to the people you are working for and with. Good job and Good luck!

Reply by mike/ca on 11/23/04 5:42pm
Msg #11944

no your not wrong, had a signing the other day, when i called the borrower he informed me he had not even agreed to the signing.

Reply by BrendaTX on 11/23/04 6:10pm
Msg #11946

I think you did fine!

If you had not called, the borrower would have still called you (if you leave them your number like I do) and would have still been irate.

If it's cancelled, it's cancelled.

I like to make my employing companies happy, but the folks in homes across town who are waiting for me part of my community. It's good to try to keep them happy as well!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/23/04 6:31pm
Msg #11947

I'm guessing this was an Ameriquest loan? Sounds like their standard operating procedure.

The only thing I would suggest in the future is that you call the title company directly if you're waiting for late e-docs. I find it's much easier to deal directly with the source rather than filter the conversation through the signing service. And it creates less confusion. Then you just call the signing service with whatever the end result is.

If this was an Ameriquest loan I would definitely say don't sweat it. They pull crap like this constantly. If you can reschedule, great, but don't knock yourself out trying to accomodate them. They seem to think that all of us notaries have nothing better to do than sit around all day and wait for them to get it together so we can head to the signing with no notice.

I just had two signings today that I ultimately cancelled because of this. One was at 3, by 4:00 they still had no idea exactly when the docs would be ready. The second one I got the call around 3:15 for a 5:00 signing. I got called about 20 minutes later to say that the borrower couldnt' do it at 5, but they weren't sure when he could do it. Although I actually have some free time tonight and could have squeezed them in I decided at 4:00 that I really didn't feel like going through this crap yet again so I called both Ameriquest reps and told them that I wouldn't be able to do the signings. I then called the SS and told them that I was giving back the signings because it was already 4:00 and I didn't have an appointment time for either one. They understood and said that they didn't blame me.

Reply by BrendaTX on 11/23/04 8:05pm
Msg #11955

CaliNotary said: "I'm guessing this was an Ameriquest loan? Sounds like their standard operating procedure.

The only thing I would suggest in the future is that you call the title company directly if you're waiting for late e-docs. I find it's much easier to deal directly with the source rather than filter the conversation through the signing service. And it creates less confusion. Then you just call the signing service with whatever the end result is."

Good advice, C.

Actually, two of my very favorite SSs want me to call the title company with any questions. My after hours emergency number is the title company person on call.

I tell ya, there's something to be said for SSs that "apparently" have a standing contract directly with the title company. The pay is less - agreed - but at least you can get to the heart of the matter without anyone thinking you've tried to go around and solicit their client.

As in the case above, after thinking it through, I realized if I were in that spot, I probably would have gotten impatient by 4 PM and would have called the Title Co and faxed something to the Title company. (In a couple of cases, I have gone directly to the lender but it was for the SSs I mention above.)

However, when I do that, I learned from experience to include a little blurb which I add to the bottom of my fax/email/communication that says

"This communication is for the purposes stated herein and not to be considered a solicitation for direct contractual employment. If you are pleased with my work and would like to use me in the future for assignments, please contact Gumby & Pokey Notary Signing Services."

Reply by Jon on 11/24/04 12:25am
Msg #11973

Do you have contact info for Gumby & Pokey Notary Signing Services?? I did a search and can't find them listed anywhere.

Reply by BrendaTX on 11/24/04 1:26am
Msg #11975

Jon said: "Do you have contact info for Gumby & Pokey Notary Signing Services?? I did a search and can't find them listed anywhere"

Darn! I did not mean to give up my favorite SS name. But, since it's out there, their number is 1-800-NOT-FAST

Try a search on their motto: "We're slow as molasses and we'll gum up your docs."


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http://www.coolfunnypictures.com/LaughingCat.html

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Reply by Bob-Chicago on 11/24/04 11:41pm
Msg #12002

Clicked on the link

You should try to get out a little more-way too much time in front of a monitor
Happy T-Day