Posted by kmnotary_CA on 11/20/04 1:54am
Msg #11743

just when you thought you had seen all

Tonight I had a signing that topped even my worst one. I went out into the Desert, up into the hills, and had to use a flashlight to find the house. When I got there, they put me far away from them with no table or anything, as they said they are not set up for people. I told them I couldn't work like this as I needed to see the docs they were signing, and make sure all was singed and notarized. I really wonder if they thought I would just sit on the couch waiting for them to sign all. After I took their ID's, I spent the rest of the hour and a half standing between them making sure the docs were correctly signed.

She even stopped at one point, and said she had to take a break. I swear I didn't even want to chit chat at all as I was afraid they would talk more and we would never be done. As you all have said, you never know what scenerio you will have. But, it keeps the job interesting.

Reply by HisHughness on 11/20/04 9:15am
Msg #11754

I don't remember who the poster was, but a couple of months ago he or she noted that Target was selling folding, portable picnic tables that seat four for $20. The poster carried it in his car trunk. I immediately bought one and have carried it since. It came in handy when I encountered a similar situation.

Reply by kmnotary_CA on 11/20/04 5:01pm
Msg #11773

Thanks for the good advice, I will look around and see if I can find something similar.

Reply by Brenda J Khan on 11/20/04 10:15am
Msg #11758

Thoughts of the Texas chainsaw massacre movie came to mind while I was reading your post! If they offer you tea, just say NO!!

Seriously though, I have run across a few signings where no table was available as well and found that a small folding TV tray is very handy to carry as well. I have also conducted signings in the cargo/trunk space of my van while standing, which makes for very fast signings, prior to investing under $20- for a single nice wooden folding TV tray.

Hugh's post about a folding picnic table is a good one but not for me since I am a plus size woman and images of being stuck in a self-folding picnic table yelling "Help I've fallen and can't get up!" as the picnic table is clamped around my ankles leaving me hog tied on the ground with the docs being whisped around on the ground everywhere comes to mind!

Carrying an extra folding table of some sort is good advice! BK-FL

Reply by calipat on 11/20/04 2:46pm
Msg #11771

I actually sat in the backseat of a car once with an older couple sitting outside. Woman on a chair and man on a step ladder. They did provide a table it was windy, but it all worked out. They were one of the nicest people ever, besides the sitting in the car with my legs hanging everything went good. Was a good story to tell..... my kids laughed about it. I am sure I will always remember it, until something stranger comes along.

Reply by kmnotary_CA on 11/20/04 5:04pm
Msg #11774

They did offer me something to drink, don't know if it was tea I politely refused though as I didn't want to stay longer than necessary. The TV tray idea sounds good too, as a last resort. Just hope I don't have to sit in the back of a car with my legs hanging out.......

Reply by Ceci, CA on 11/20/04 8:10pm
Msg #11779

I guess when you are driving to and walking into some unknown territory, you never know exactly what to expect. Sometimes it can be a very nice surprise or a very strange, unpleasant situation. The majority of borrowers I have encountered have been very pleasant, except this one family who could not control their anger because they were upset with the interest rate. The son talked and acted like he was ready to hit someone. The loan officer ended up redrawing the docs and asked me to take the docs back to them. I simply declined. Once was enough with such people.

Reply by StoneFox_ca on 11/22/04 1:27am
Msg #11820

With all the scary things that happen these days, honestly (especially for women) it's hard to imagine not being a little scared at the idea of going by yourself to some stranger's house, particularly around evening time :(

Reply by BrendaTX on 11/22/04 5:26am
Msg #11821

You are a cool person, Brenda!

Like me, you know, if you can't laugh at yourself, ....well...everyone else will anyhow. Might as well laugh along with the crowd. Very funny!

------------------
Brenda J. Khan said: "Thoughts of the Texas chainsaw massacre movie came to mind while I was reading your post! If they offer you tea, just say NO!!

Seriously though, I have run across a few signings where no table was available as well and found that a small folding TV tray is very handy to carry as well. I have also conducted signings in the cargo/trunk space of my van while standing, which makes for very fast signings, prior to investing under $20- for a single nice wooden folding TV tray.

Hugh's post about a folding picnic table is a good one but not for me since I am a plus size woman and images of being stuck in a self-folding picnic table yelling "Help I've fallen and can't get up!" as the picnic table is clamped around my ankles leaving me hog tied on the ground with the docs being whisped around on the ground everywhere comes to mind!

Carrying an extra folding table of some sort is good advice! BK-FL"

Reply by BrendaTX on 11/22/04 5:33am
Msg #11822

Alternative Signing Tables

Hugh's suggested the picnic/folding table.
Brenda J Khan suggested the TV Tray.

In such situations, I am partial to sitting on the floor and using my favorite thing for writing at home when I am on the sofa: a lap desk.

I engaged the "signing lap desk" after my first time of having an ill borrower in a special chair and his wife sitting in another one. I sat on the floor between them and did the signing. It was a very large package - had a piggy back. Now I keep a small lap desk with me and planned to purchase another so I'd have two. But, now, I am thinking about adding the TV Tray and lap desk #2 to the trunk. I am afraid I'd bungle the picnic table scenario.

Reply by Mortgage Closers of San Antonio - Kenneth C Whitton Jr on 11/22/04 7:05am
Msg #11828

Re: Alternative Signing Tables

Okay, that is an excellent idea. Honestly, I had never thought of doing that. I have had to deal with the floor a couple of times, usually having a coffee table available. I had a bed-ridden signer once, and I used a clipboard to facilitate her signing of forms.

Speaking of that signer, can you believe they had not renewed her TDL or taken her to get an ID card, but she had a current SAM'S card?!?!?

Reply by Andrea Franzen on 11/23/04 12:33pm
Msg #11926

The signings I hate are when you arrive and one or more of the windows are boarded, weeds knee high, and the overwhelming smell of amonia coming from neglected kitty liter boxes! ewwwww

Andie

Reply by ERNA_CA on 3/2/05 1:39pm
Msg #23287

You must be from around here. The flash light gave it away lol. There are some places here in the desert that are scary.