Posted by sh so ca notary on 10/8/04 2:41pm
Msg #9576

Message boards.........

I recently found the message boards, and I have to say that there's a lot of very good information on it. There are times that someone doesn't respond to the question just ridicules
the author. Doesn't it take a lot of time to send negative feedback. After all, everybody was new at this one time or another. I guess I'm a little naive and believe that the only stupid question there is, is the one that wasn't asked. By in large the information is great. I just don't understand how people can go through and answer the messages so quickly. I takes me a while to get through. Am I doing something wrong? Do I not have to hit the back button everytime to read the next responds or subject? So many people know each other, is that just by "chatting" on this board? I see some names on here over and over, and also on the GMN board. When do you find time to work?

Well someone might see this and have a field day "bashing me". But I'm just trying to learn and understand, broaden my horizons (ha ha). Thank you, for all the information.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/8/04 4:37pm
Msg #9580

Well, IMHO there may not be stupid questions, but there are lazy questions. If somebody asks a specific question about something related to this job I'll do my best to answer it if somebody else hasn't. But when somebody comes to the board and posts something general like "how do I become a signing agent" it's clear to me that they haven't even bothered to read the board or do any research themselves. So my answers to those types of questions are usually (choose one) rude, bitchy, curt, blunt, exasperated. This is a great place to learn about the details of doing this job, but there is a lot of basic information that is quite readily and easily available to people without having to ask about it on this board. Especially when the question is asked for the 500th time.

As for reading the board quickly, I'm sure we all have our different methods of doing it. There are several options for viewing the messages. Personally, I'm partial to the linear view because it's easy for me to see which messages are new and it's easier to see responses to older threads that might not be on the first or second page of the threaded view.

Reply by HisHughness on 10/8/04 5:07pm
Msg #9582

CaliNotary explained:

***So my answers to those types of questions are usually (choose one) rude, bitchy, curt, blunt, exasperated.***

You omitted querulous, grumpy, testy (my choice for Cali), grouchy, surly, crusty, brusque (on his better days), cantankerous, peevish, curmudgeonly, sour, petulant, uncivil, churlish, irritable, abrupt, irascible (on his bad days), short, acerbic, caustic, crotchety, crabby, and bellicose (on his worse days).

Cali is a man of many dimensions.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/8/04 5:09pm
Msg #9583

"Cali is a man of many dimensions."

So true. I run the gamut from A to B and back again.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 10/8/04 7:14pm
Msg #9587

I see you too like to read works by Englishmen .... Peter Mark Roget (the son of a minister and physician too, to be exact.

Reply by Happy in Fl on 10/13/04 5:40pm
Msg #9787

During the Required Classes one has to attend in preparation for the Florida Real Estate Brokers Licensing Exam.- the school has a person come to class- mid session- and offers fingerprinting on site- each finger on both hands- then all four fingers together- etc. on the state required fingerprint form- collects $8 a person- well if their are 50 to 70 people in the class-- do the math- thats quite a chunk of change for about an hour or so work. Those prints must attend your application after satisfactory completion of the course- and the FDLE checks & verifies your background for improprieties in your application..and if all is okay- you get the privilege of taking the State exam. I didn't enquire if that person was a Notary or not- or if she was required to be-- but heres a thought for someone to explore as added business opportunity.

Reply by Julie-MI on 10/8/04 10:20pm
Msg #9595

Hugh, you forgot one: Ornery

Not to imply this description to CaliNotary, but those of us that can be ornery or terse in our responses.

Reply by a-newbie, CA on 10/12/04 12:36am
Msg #9675

Hugh,
Curmudgeonly! I truly enjoy that word. I'm sure it's been said, but you have a fabulous vocabulary. Your posts are always entertaining for that reason. Not to mention rather helpful too! Thank you

Reply by CarolynCO on 10/8/04 7:15pm
Msg #9588

Yes, we are all or were all newbies at one time. The negative feedback you refer to is when the same questions are asked over and over -- to be successful at signing or at anything, you have to be willing to put the effort out to help yourself first. As with any forum, relationships are built. As for finding time to work - I don't think anyone is reading/posting 24-7. Once you've read the posts beginning with the very first one, it doesn't take long to simply read new posts/replies and post a response.

Reply by Roger/OH on 10/8/04 8:41pm
Msg #9590

Tip for newbies

A lot of the negative comments directed at some newbies occur when the poster doesn't display any semblance of basic notary law or practice, such as not knowing the difference between an acknowledgement and a jurat. These are the people that were sucked into the "part-time work, full-time income", and "Learn to be a Notary Signing Agent in just one day!!" propaganda of NNA, and now that they have a commission, want INSTANT results without having a clue about the history, sanctity or responsibilities of the office of Notary Public, one that dates back over two thousand years. They only know you have to be a notary to be a signing agent, and exhibit an "I'm a signing agent first, and a notary second" attitude on the boards, and come to the boards with some sense of entitlement since they now have a commission. When reality strikes that they're NOT getting 5 signings a day their
first week, the "What am I doing wrong?" questions begin. Legitimate questions always will be responded to here; it's those expecting a free ride that are irritating.

Reply by Jullie-MI on 10/8/04 9:59pm
Msg #9594

Re: Tip for newbies

Bravo, Roger!

PS Does this mean you won't give me your favorite title company list? ha ha!

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 10/10/04 1:44pm
Msg #9631

I can appreciate your comments. I have a question for you perhaps you will know the answer.
When creating one's profile on Notary Rotary, they ask if one does fingerprinting. My question is- do they mean thumbprint as in when siging a doc or overall fingerprinting? Your thoughts?

Reply by Ted_MI on 10/10/04 3:43pm
Msg #9633

Hi,

My perspective is that they are referring to placing thumbprints in one's notarial journal. That is how I construed it. I could be wrong, however.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/10/04 3:55pm
Msg #9635

I'm pretty sure it's not referring to thumbprints, but actual fingerprinting services.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/10/04 6:58pm
Msg #9638

I agree - they mean fingerprinting, not thumbprints.
Quite a few signing agents do fingerprinting.

Reply by Susan on 10/11/04 9:44am
Msg #9646

Thank you CaliNotary.

Reply by Happy in Fl on 10/13/04 5:52pm
Msg #9788

Re: Fingerprinting

My message above should have been placed here- didn't realize that a reply can be inserted in the middle of a thread- I learn something new everyday.

Reply by Susan on 10/11/04 9:43am
Msg #9645

Thank you Ted.