Posted by HisHughness on 9/17/04 2:23pm
Msg #8194

Avoid List

I don't know if anyone else is interested in this, but below is my "Avoid List," culled from companies with whom I have had bad experiences and from postings on this and other forums. I would be interested in seeing other participants' lists, also, if anyone is inclined to offer theirs.
Avoid List

24/7
Accusigning
Alden Enterprises
A-MTS
Close It
Elite Signings, IL (Kansas OK)
e-mobilenota;ry
Executive Closings
Freedom Mortgage
Global Dox
Harbor Signings Nationwide
LoanClosers.com
MortgageNotary.com
National Document Signing Service
National Notary Network
Notary America
Notary on the Run
Pinnacle Title
Sign on the X
Signature Plus
Speedy Closings
Thomas A. Sirianni, Inc.

Reply by Sue/AZ on 9/17/04 2:29pm
Msg #8195

Thanks for the list and I totally agree!

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 9/17/04 2:55pm
Msg #8202

Re: Avoid List - Thank you!

Thank you, Hugh! That is nice of you to share this. .. especially for newbies like me who are signing up with a lot of signing services. I have not signed with any of the ones you list.

Reply by SL/CA on 9/17/04 3:01pm
Msg #8204

what is the problem with Accusigning? Is this the one in loomis,ca.

also is this 24/7 or first choice 24/7?

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/17/04 3:10pm
Msg #8205

It's 24/7 National Notary Network. They've been the subject of quite a few threads on this group. Haven't heard of First Choice 24/7.

Reply by SL/CA on 9/17/04 3:14pm
Msg #8209

uh-oh, i did one for them for $75. fortunately it was literally right around the corner. they wanted me to do one for them the next day which would have been a lot more time. i turned it down after reading the posts about them. hopefully i'll get paid for that one. do you know what the problem is with Accusigning? are you referring to the one located in loomis ,ca?

Reply by Traci/CA on 9/17/04 11:44pm
Msg #8239

I did a job for Accusigning which was edocs.
They were very very pleasant to deal with and paid quickly. They did however forget to sign their check but I deposited in ATM anyway.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/18/04 1:00am
Msg #8244

You should eventually get paid. If you hound them a bit you might actually get it in about 2 months. If you leave it in their hands it's almost guaranteed to take even longer than that.

I hope you told them exactly why you refused the signing, that's something they really need to hear from the notaries repeatedly.

Reply by Brian Lynch on 9/17/04 3:12pm
Msg #8206

I would also add:

Notaries on the Move
English & Spanish Mobile Notary

Reply by Anonymous on 9/17/04 5:52pm
Msg #8219

Notaries On The Move is now Notaries Nationwide (fyi)

Reply by Anonymous on 9/18/04 2:06am
Msg #8245

I would like to add Absolute Solutions. Never have I had to fight with someone to get paid. The check is always in the mail, only to get it two weeks later.

Reply by Maria_NJ on 9/17/04 3:17pm
Msg #8211

Thanks for the list. I got an assignment from 24-7 that never happened because of lack of communication and mix-ups. What a nightmare

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/17/04 3:36pm
Msg #8215

I'm curious Hugh, by Pinnacle Title do you mean Pinnacle Real Estate Services??? I do 2-4 per month for Pinnacle and have never had a problem with payment. The lady's at Pinnacle are wonderfull to work with.

The rest of your list looks pretty accurate. What about Fox Signings? I got a call for a signing next week and accepted it not knowing it was for Fox Signings. Upon reviewing the confirmation, I saw that they required tons of fax backs and hand holding. I called the scheduler and told him that I don't do 20+ pages of fax backs for $50. He said, but it's a toll free fax #, I told him my time is not free. He said he would take me out of the database. With all of the negative postings I've seen re: Fox Signings slow pay, I'm glad they won't be calling me again.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/17/04 4:07pm
Msg #8216

The Pinnacle Title in my Avoid List is Pinnacle Title out of Kentucky. For anyone who has downloaded the list, I suggest you add that.

Thanks, Becccccccca, for pointing out the difference.

Reply by lynnboop on 9/17/04 7:34pm
Msg #8225

Oh no Hugh!!! I did a signing two weeks ago for Sirianni and they have called me for quite a few more that I have not been able to take due to scheduling conflicts. What is wrong with them?
I was pretty excited that they were going to pay 75.00 and it was one of my first signings.
Yesterday they called me to do a signing at 4:00 and it was like 2Pm already. I thought that was unthoughtful and really rushed. I think I may have answered my own question.
I hope they pay me soon. What should I expect? Come on Hugh I know you don't hold back. Give me the scoop.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/17/04 8:08pm
Msg #8229

I've never done a closing for Sirianni (geez, if I know anything it's that you don't take work from a lawyer unless you get the check up front!). However, you should do a search here and on GoMobileNotary for his name. Have you ever seen a possum on the side of the road in August two days after it's been run over by a semi? Have you ever seen the look on someone's face when THEY see that possum? That's the reaction that Thomas Sirianni's name evokes on the signing agent message boards.

Reply by lynnboop on 9/17/04 8:21pm
Msg #8231

Thanks Hugh for that wonderful and detailed description of a possum. GROSS!! But I get your point! I really appreciate your list. As always an asset to this forum.

Reply by CarolynCO on 9/17/04 10:06pm
Msg #8237

HisHughness said "(geez, if I know anything it's that you don't take work from a lawyer unless you get the check up front!). "

Unfortuantely, I've learned the hard way and through Small Claims that I can vouch for that. About six years ago, I was actually thinking of making my attorney clients fill out a profile before taking them on as clients.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/17/04 8:12pm
Msg #8230

You will get paid - eventually. I believe it takes about 3 months! I only did one for him.

Reply by Yvette on 9/17/04 9:28pm
Msg #8236

I did a signing for Sirrianni and never got paid. This was back in May,2004. They clain the title co. never paid them and the title co. said they were paid. They called me a few weeks ago to do a signing and i told them to overnight my check first and then fax the docs. Of course you know what their reaction was . Also, has anyone heard of LoneStar Notary in Texas. i di9d a signing for them in July and still have not been paid. I've left messages on their voice mail and faxed my bill. Still no response.

Reply by More on 9/17/04 10:42pm
Msg #8238

Good List, you can add (Gold Coast Document Service out of CA ), I did A closing for them in late june and it was a same day weekend and second trip out no fault of mind , and I have not been pay , I've called Gail several times and she says she is so behind on the invoices she haven't payed anyone. RIGHT

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 12:10am
Msg #8242

I've done one signing for Lone Star, back in December. They paid a little less than three months later. I've not been contacted by them since. They did, though, pay pretty good. Also, I differ from many people on these notary forums. I usually don't even notice whether I've been paid till a bill is 60 days old, and I don't start dunning heavily until it's about three months old. I would work for them again with no hesitation.

About the only people who've ever stiffed me were Alden Enterprises, and that was a disputed bill. BridgeSpan got to me for several hundred when they bankrupted, but they never delayed paying me up until the day they folded.

Reply by Kim G/ NY on 9/18/04 7:03am
Msg #8249

Good Morning Everyone,

Notary Roary has a wonderful list of Signing Companies and their ratings. (based on an average of individual opionions submitted by Notary Rotary users). As the "Newest Newbie"
I have printed the list and placed it in a 3 ring binder, along with some responses from this forumn. I cross off the company if I read negative information about on this forumn.

I am currently signing up with only the companies that have a 4 star rating or have been talked about, on this forumn, in a positve manner. In all of my forumn readings I've noticed that most of the "Bad/Non paying" companies are lower than a 4 star rating.

Based on my investment backround and experience, I don't even touch the B to C rated S&P companies. So, I am not taking any chances with the 1-3 star rated signing companies. They were rated that way for a reason. I'm not saying DON'T do business with them but to approach them cautiously. Again, this is just my opionion. : ) Have a great weekend! Kim G

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/18/04 8:00am
Msg #8251

Re: Avoid List - Yvette

I have only done one for Lone Star, and that was on May 23rd last year and I got my check on June 30th - a month later - you should have got paid by now!

The signing I did for them was for Atlantic Closings, and after I did that one I got called by Atlantic Closings directly, don;t know if it was a coincidence or not.

Reply by Eliz_CA on 9/18/04 10:34am
Msg #8260

Atlantic Closings

Is Atlantic Closings now TransUnion?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/18/04 11:00am
Msg #8261

Re: Atlantic Closings

Yes, they were bought out by Trans Union. And they told me it wouldn't change anything.
But, it did!!! They no longer paid the same fee, wanted to reduce the fee down to $50. So, I stopped getting work for them. But they did call me recently and I did 4 for them in July - and haven't received payment yet!!!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/18/04 11:02am
Msg #8262

Re: Atlantic Closings - PS

And they agreed to my fee on the 4 I did for them - and so they weren't for $50 either.
Anyone know what their payment policy is now??? Is this normal to wait this long for payment from them??

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 11:37am
Msg #8263

Re: Atlantic Closings - PS

I do a fair number for them. Pay date ranges from three weeks to two months. They've never balked at my fees; in fact, they're one of the better paying signing services, from my experience. They do do this Mickey Mouse thing with the $40 "investigation," which I refused.

Reply by sue on 9/18/04 11:44am
Msg #8264

Re: Atlantic Closings - PS

they're not a signing service. they are a title company and paid $150 until bought out by TU. Michael Foley, I miss you!!!

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 11:50am
Msg #8265

Re: Atlantic Closings - PS

You mean all this time I've been charging TransUnion signing service fees when they are a title company?

Reply by teri on 9/18/04 7:28pm
Msg #8317

Re: Atlantic Closings - PS

Yep---but they won't pay you title co fees....

Reply by sue on 9/18/04 12:05pm
Msg #8267

lynn, was this an AFS e-mailed loan? if so, it's a $200 order and you're only getting $75 - that would tell you something about this company too

Reply by lynnboop on 9/18/04 12:30pm
Msg #8269

I didn't take it.

Reply by teri on 9/18/04 7:24pm
Msg #8315

Read carefully the payment terms on your confirmation..payment is cut 30 days after the end of the month of the signing. So, if you do a signing on Sept 1 - the earliest the check is cut is October 31...and with mail you might see your check around Nov 10...Terribly slow pay - lots of follow up needed to ensure they meet the terms they post on their confirmation. Make sure you add the hassle factor to your quotes. But, they do pay

Reply by Dotti_CA on 9/17/04 8:50pm
Msg #8234

Thanks Hugh. I see some familiar names on the list...one or two still owe me money. This will come in very handy.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/18/04 8:06am
Msg #8252

On the old NASA board there was a "Hall of Shame" list, this is that list with additions that have been added over the years. I believe some of these companies are no longer in business, but the list hasn't been updated to remove them. As with any list, use your own judgment when contacted by any of these companies.

Alden - used to be Assured - see Assured
America West Signing Corp
Assured - closed their doors owing their notaries, then reopened as Alden!!
Axiom
Beacon Rock Signing
California Document Services
California Signing Service - used to be Notaries-R-Us
D&C Signing Services
Dacloanclosers.com - Non payment of notaries
DocSigner.com - this was started by Loan-Docs so is basically the same company - same method of
operation
Door To Door (asks to backdate - also very slow to pay)
Electronic Closing Services
E-Mobile Notary
E-Title
Elite - Cary, IL - uses the embezzlement excuse from August 2002 as an excuse.
Fidelity National Document Solutions
Fox Signings
Gold Coast Document Services
Hardcore Solutions
Independent Mortgage
Instafi - Bankrupt
KMC - closed, out of business, owes their notaries. May open under another name!@
Loanclose.com
Loan-Closers.com - No pay
Loan-Docs - this company was removed from the NASA listing because of their failure to pay and for
charging notaries to give them business
MM220 - removed from NASA - required notaries to join Notary-Services.com, which they also owned.
Millenium Signing Services, Houston, TX
Montgomery Home Title - will not pay if borrowers do not sign, borrowers use the RTC or for any reason that the loan does not fund. Titlemania are the same company with the same conditions for paying.
Moses In Motion
Mortgage Information Services - the one out of Miramar
MortgageNotary.com - Rude, unprofessional, very slow to pay (45-60 days) Always blames notary for problems and posts the notary's name on message boards. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY
Mortgage Pro's
National Document Signing
National Loan Closing Services LLC
National Signing Service - Indianapolis (Randy Katz)
Nations Direct - requires signed blank acknowledgment returned to them before they will pay
Nations Direct - a $30 signing company
Nationwide Document - Arizona
Nationwide Notaries - Escondido, CA
Nationwide Notary - Snohomish, WA and Mercer Island, WA
Notary America - very unprofessional. - no sign, will only pay a trip fee and not cover the cost of printing the e-docs.
NotaryPro.com - Low fee for no shows/no signs.
Option Plus
Pacific Docs - $25 for no signs, no shows etc.
Regional Closing Services - Bay City, MI (Randy Katz)
Quick Docs
Rocket Docs
Sign On Services
Sign on the X (rude, unprofessional, only pay $25 for no sign, no show, even though they bill their clients
full fee and get it.)
Signatures-R-Us
Signer Etc (Possibly out of business)
Speedy Closings ?NJ) - Not so speedy!
The Closing Specialists (TCS) - Utah
The Loan Docs
Thomas Sirianni
Titlemania - see Montgomery Home Title
Title Source - out of Tampa, Fl - same conditions as Titlemania/Montgomery Home Title
Trinity Document Service
20th Century
21st Century Documents
United Escrow and Closing - Las Vegas (Randy Katz)
USSignings - low fee for no show/no signs
Victory Notary Assn. - no pay! Unprofessional behavior. Claims they filed bankruptcy - but there is no record of them filing bankruptcy anywhere
Wilson Docs

Reply by Sweetpea on 9/18/04 9:42am
Msg #8254

Has anybody done any business with Residential Signatures out of Visalia, CA or Notary To You out of Rancho Murieta, CA? I have signings with both companies this weekend.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 10:10am
Msg #8258

Sylvia, I gotta say, any notary who would accept an assignment from a signing service called "Hardcore Solutions" deserves to get screwed.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/18/04 10:16am
Msg #8259

Got to agree with you Hugh!

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/18/04 2:55pm
Msg #8281

Residential Signatures....

I did 2 closings for them; one in April, one in May. They were last minute, one was 2 hours notice with edocs. She quoted me $50 plus $25 for email docs, I said no way. We went round and round until I told her that she needed me and the fee was $125 and I had to be paid within 14 days (this whole thing sounded fishy to me). She agreed. I can't remember her name but she is the owner. Oh yeah, JOSIE. I did the signings and waited 30 days for payment, giving her a chance to pay or hang herself. I called and got the same old line, "check has been mailed". Waited a week and called back. She said she mailed it, give it some time. I called back 2 weeks later, they said she was not available, she would call me back. I didn't hear from her. By this time it was July, I was freaking out. I told her I was calling the title company if she did not pay me. August 1st, I did call the title company. They said that they did not know that she was not paying her notaries until recently and she had several calls from all over the US within the last couple of months. She (the title company) began to use me directly. Mid August, I finally got the checks for the 2 closings from Residential Signatures. I will never, ever, do another signing for them.
I am tired of getting the run around. If I do a service and do it right, pay me. I am not that hard to work with. I will even go 60, sometimes 90 days, especially if they are companies that use me regularly. If I worked at Wal-Mart and they kept telling me that they mailed my check and I kept working there with no pay, I would be a fool. Why do signing companies treat us like morons? They have a constant flow of money coming in, just like I expect.
Don't get me started. ha ha

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 3:48pm
Msg #8291

Re: Residential Signatures....

Loretta warned, after half a page of irate comments:

***Don't get me started.***

Loretta, don't look like you need no crank.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/18/04 4:57pm
Msg #8300

Re: Residential Signatures....

My crank is stuck on "forward".

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/18/04 6:55pm
Msg #8313

Sylvia, I gotta say, any notary who would accept an assignment from a signing service called "Hardcore Solutions" deserves to get screwed.

Guess what. I did.

After exactly 30 days, I emailed the owner a past due notice.

A reply came from the owner that my check was in the mail, and, amazingly enough, a check arrived the next day.

I must lead a charmed life because my luck has been incredibly good with getting paid. The only invoice I am concerned about is one for a signing I did on 08/04/04 for Houston Notary Services - Kathy Minter.

This is my first time to disclose information about a hiring entity. But, I really think this one is going to be a problem to collect for several reasons I will not bore you with.

I called her on 09/07/04 and left a message to contact me if she wanted to tell me she paid at the end of 45 days or whatever. No response.

I sent a fax to advise her she was past due on 09/12/04 , advising her that I needed to know the exact date a payment would be mailed no later than 09/19/04 or I'd send a copy of the bill to the title company and lender on 09/20/04. That usually gets folks busy paying bills.

No response. I have the letters ready for the title company and lender ready to go.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 7:18pm
Msg #8314

Brenda, there is no "Houston Notary Services" on the Net, nor is there a Kathy Minter listed as either a notary or a signing agent on the net. The only Kathy Minter in Houston remotely connected with real estate is a Kathy Minter whose web site, www.kathyminter.com, is now defunct. Could you possibly have been roped in by a notary who couldn't do it herself, so she hired you?

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/18/04 7:36pm
Msg #8318

Hugh tells me:

"Brenda, there is no "Houston Notary Services" on the Net, nor is there a Kathy Minter listed as either a notary or a signing agent on the net. The only Kathy Minter in Houston remotely connected with real estate is a Kathy Minter whose web site, www.kathyminter.com, is now defunct. Could you possibly have been roped in by a notary who couldn't do it herself, so she hired you?"

Omigosh, Hugh, have I gotten off of my meds again? I swear that I can see a site at this link, but as you know, I have been known to hallucinate and have visions of grandeur.

http://www.houstonnotaryservices.com/KathyLMinter/start.html

Reply by HisHughness on 9/18/04 8:31pm
Msg #8323

Brenda pops off:

***Hugh tells me:

"Brenda, there is no "Houston Notary Services" on the Net, nor is there a Kathy Minter listed as either a notary or a signing agent on the net. The only Kathy Minter in Houston remotely connected with real estate is a Kathy Minter whose web site, www.kathyminter.com, is now defunct. Could you possibly have been roped in by a notary who couldn't do it herself, so she hired you?"

Omigosh, Hugh, have I gotten off of my meds again? I swear that I can see a site at this link, but as you know, I have been known to hallucinate and have visions of grandeur.

http://www.houstonnotaryservices.com/KathyLMinter/start.html***

SMART-MOUTHED UPPITY BROAD. I don't recall that you, too, could be sarcastic on this forum, especially at my expense. Where are your manners?

Reply by Theresa DREAD on 9/19/04 9:33pm
Msg #8403

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH ESCROW SIGNING SERVICES ALSO - IT TOOK THEM OVER 2 MONTHS TO PAY ME. NEVER AGAIN!!

Reply by dtt on 4/4/05 4:14am
Msg #29471

I have been struggling to get paid by Quick Docs. They paid me late, then it was with an NSF check, gave your 15 days to fix this with a money order or cashiers check, 24th day i received a regular check, no explanations, nothing. I am still waiting to find out if this check is good.

Reply by Art_MD on 4/4/05 7:06am
Msg #29472

Re: Add beacon-rock if they're still around !! N/M