Posted by Tamara on 9/23/04 12:51pm
Msg #8678

E-docs

Can anyone tell me if e-docs are a good thing to except. I was told by a gal who has been in the business along time, to never say you would take an e-doc. The only 2 calls I have had have been for e-docs. So now I am thinking maybe I should. Any advice one way or the other??? Thanks

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/23/04 1:08pm
Msg #8681

I accept edocs. You need a laser printer with PCL 5 or 6 drivers, so you can accept all the forms they send the edocs in (some will send pdf, but others use document delivery services where you will need the right HP drivers to be able to print them out)

I rarely accept edocs from signing agencies as they often won't meet my edoc fee.

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 1:32pm
Msg #8685

What do you two charge for e-docs???

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 9/24/04 1:22am
Msg #8785

I think E-docs will be 90% of the loan signing business industry by the end of 2005 . I posted a couple of days ago on this board concerning docs. arriving at my door. WELL!
"I said it had been a few weeks or so since I received a FEDEX etc. loan package."

Last Friday I opened the front door to walk the dogs (cocker spaniels) and there was a package I saw through the screen and I actually thought it was a "new telephone book." I don't think the UPS/FEDEX have dropped off a package in approx. 3 months.

Any comments on my I.Q. please keep to yourself!! Cheers

Reply by Dotti_CA on 9/23/04 1:14pm
Msg #8682

Tamara, about 75% of my business comes via edocs. If you want to grow your business, you should plan at some point in time to accept them. Edocs do require an investment of a laser printer so if you don't already have one, you'll need to get one. Good luck.

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 1:30pm
Msg #8684

I do have a laser printer and was told by a class intructor that is was the right one to get. But can you tell me how they do it, do they send it to your e-mail address and you just print them out???? I have a company wanting me to do this today....but I feel stupid, since I have never done it. Help!!

Reply by Dotti_CA on 9/23/04 1:43pm
Msg #8687

I always ask how the documents will be coming. In some cases they will come as a pdf document in an email. Others will include web site links in their confirmation to you. If you have a printer that is capable, just take it slow and follow the instructions provided by the link. First time edocs are nerve-wracking...don't forget to print 2 sets. Don't be afraid to ask upfront questions of the agency that contacts you. You'll do fine....good luck. PS, I've seen charges for $25 and up (in addition to the signing fee) for edocs. By the way, where are you located??

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 1:49pm
Msg #8690

Thanks so much!!! Not only will it be my 1st e-doc it will be my 1st siging too...so nerve wracking is a good phrase at this point!!!

I am in Laguna Niguel Calif.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/23/04 1:48pm
Msg #8688

Advice for new notaries

Above the menu of posts, click the "First" button. Go all the way to the very first post in June 2003, "Welcome to the General Discussion Forum." Read all the way to the last post today. You will find your answer many times over in the intervening messages, along with far better information about being a signing agent than you ever got in your certification course.

Reply by Nd_WA on 9/23/04 2:47pm
Msg #8694

Tamara,

Since this is your first and it edoc. I think it will be helpful if you could give a list of things like:
1. Make/model of your printer.
2. Type of internet connection.
3. Name of the company that called.

At the least, you will get the neccessary advice to ease those cracking nerves.

Good luck

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 2:57pm
Msg #8695

Good Idea.....I have the Epson Stylus CX5400 DuraBrite Printer.
I have AOL for internet and the company is Tico Title in Nevada.

One problem I think I have is that I am not sure if it will print legal size?????? I'm thinking that is a problem...

Thanks again for all the help out there!!!!!

t

Reply by CarolynCO on 9/23/04 3:31pm
Msg #8700

Tamara said: "I have the Epson Stylus CX5400 DuraBrite Printer.
I have AOL for internet "

I'm not sure if Espon is HP/PCL compliant. As for your AOL, are you using dial up or do you have DSL or cable? Dial up could be a problem because of timing out.

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 3:44pm
Msg #8703

I have dial up....and I was told that this was the printer to get by a person who runs a class for signers.....How do I find out for sure???? Here go the nerves again....hehe

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/23/04 4:40pm
Msg #8711

You don't have a laser printer, you have an inkjet printer. Between that and the fact that you are on dialup you should NOT be accepting edocs at this time. Get a PCL 5 or 6 compliant laser printer and DSL or cable internet access before you even consider the question again.

If you are somehow able to get these docs downloaded and printed you need to make a second copy on a photocopier. You can use the inkjet version as the borrower's copy but DO NOT have them sign that set.

If a person running a signing class told you that a color inkjet printer is the right one for doing edoc signings, he or she has no business teaching a class like that. I'd be very suspect of anything else you were taught, it's now your job to independently verify pretty much everything you learned in that class.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 9/23/04 4:45pm
Msg #8712

Tamara... The Epson Stylus CX5400 is not a laser printer... it is an inkjet printer. To do edocs, you must have a laser printer that supports PCL 5e or 6. Inkjets do not support that level of PCL. Most don't even support PCL4.

Most every printer will print legal size paper. It may not have a separate tray, but the size will be handled without any problem. Of course, that is really immaterial, since the printer isn't a laser in the first place.

AOL dial-up is okay, most of the time. However, there are times when the files can be really big (over 6Mb) and with a dial-up, it could take a very long time to download. And, you may get disconnect during the process.

To do edocs, you really need three important items:
1 - Laser printer that supports PCL5e or higher
2 - DSL/Cable (high-speed) internet connection
3 - Email mailbox that will hold at least 10Mb, 25Mb recommended.

Paul/FL

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 5:06pm
Msg #8714

I hate being so new at something.....thanks for all your help out there. You have no idea how much I appreciate this....really!!!! The saying "live n learn" really is coming into play here for me.....

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 9/23/04 5:15pm
Msg #8716

It's okay to be new. You got to start somewhere at sometime. However, I would certainly get back to your notary instructor and tell him/her that lenders will not accept loan documents that are printed on inkjet printers. Besides that, document delivery services and warehouses typically provide documents in PCL printer format, which only laser printers can handle. I am sorry that you were led astray. It is unfortunate that this happens all too frequently, especially by a few, who think they have all the answers. It is also unfortunate, that some of those who spew forth with untruths and bad advice, do not listen when their information is shown to be in error. They just continue providing "bum dope" to the unsuspecting. (I'm sorry for the soapbox spiel, but this type of malicious teaching really gets under my skin.)

Reply by CarolynCO on 9/23/04 4:05pm
Msg #8705

Tamara asked: "Can anyone tell me if e-docs are a good thing to except"

If you take Hugh's advice and begin reading with post #1, you will likely come to the conclusion that all docs will eventually be e-docs. *Accepting* them depends on a number of things -- having a PCL5, PCL5E or PLC6 laser printer, having a DSL or cable internet connection -- dial up is waaaaaaay too slow and will likely timeout, your tolerance for pain and aggravation ...

Now on the other hand, I received an overnight UPS this morning -- on my doorstep at exactly 8:00 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. signing -- everything had already done -- no fuss and no muss for me and all I had to do was show up at the borrowers with the package. However, I don't get many overnight packages.

Reply by lorraine2 on 9/23/04 5:26pm
Msg #8718

Tamara since you've found that you're not really quite set-up for e-docs yet, you might consider an alternative...for just in case you need to print e-docs. Find out if there is a kinkos near you, if so, you can access high speed internet from them for 20 cents per minute. Have the doc's sent to an email address that you can access directly...like yahoo...download the doc's to a zip disk and then have kinkos print out...it'll probably cost you about $15 which includes both sets. Be aware they do have a document delivery system, but it is a good deal more expense (more like 50 cents a page versus 8 cents)...that's why I suggest the zip disk. This of course is not something you would want to do all the time, but as a quick alternative until you can get set up properly...may be something to consider. This may also serve as a viable alternative for when your on the run and are not close enough to your computer/printer at home - or if your equipment is having technical difficulties. P.S. before you buy an expensive fax machine or toner supplies...check out some of Sylvia's past posts regarding same. It might save you some money...I wish I had seen them before I shopped.

Reply by Tamara on 9/23/04 5:53pm
Msg #8722

I do have a kinkos close by....good to know!!!

Ok, I have been told that beacuse the Epsun Stylus is a Dura Bright and you use the dura bright ink that I should be able to use for e-docs????? Please clear up for good, I don't want to have to buy 1 more printer if I really don't have too......this one is new and I was told would work....DuraBright, does that make a difference???? Anyone????? I am a pain I know...but as someone stated I need all answers to questins confirmed more than once....
Just so I know for sure and 100%!!!!!

Thanks again to you all!!!

Reply by Gerry Ashton on 9/23/04 6:15pm
Msg #8726

A person accepting an original real estate document will naturally want it to last. The lender will be keeping the original mortgage; in the case of a survey plat, the land office will be keeping it. The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/gsc/pubrec/infospec/land.htm) says that it will not accept inkjet plats because HP says inkjet on mylar has an estimated life of only 20 years.

It is possible that your printer may be better, but the lender has no easy way to know if your printer is better or not. Another problem that happens with some inkjets is the ink runs when it gets wet.

Reply by Nd_WA on 9/23/04 10:25pm
Msg #8760

Re: Alternative-Tamera

You might also post a request to see if anyone in your area is willing to help with printing the doc and go over it with you. Make an offer to split/pay that person the fee.

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/23/04 11:07pm
Msg #8767

Re: Alternative-Tamera

Andy,
You're just too darned logical.
I always enjoy hearing from you.

Brenda

Reply by Nd_WA on 9/24/04 1:48am
Msg #8789

Re: Alternative-BrendaTX

Was that a complement? Thanks, I enjoy reading your many posts as well.

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/24/04 7:19am
Msg #8793

Re: Alternative-BrendaTX

Yes, that was a compliment!

Reply by Jon on 9/24/04 12:01am
Msg #8773

Epson claims that the dura-bright ink will not run if it gets wet. The bottom line is that all companies that print docs use a laser because it fuses the toner to the paper as opposed to having ink just on the surface. The least expensive laser printer with PCL compliance that I have found is the Brother 5140. It retails for about $199, but you can find it cheaper online. I have never had a problem with my 5040 and feel confident about recommending it.

Reply by Jon on 9/24/04 12:03am
Msg #8774

PS Re: E-docs

You will save alot of money in the long run by having a laser also. The yield is not very much for most ink printers. My Brother has a high capacity cartridge that yields 6500 pages.

Reply by Tamara on 9/24/04 12:37pm
Msg #8812

Re: PS Re: E-docs

Thanks again to you all.....I have learned alot and learned a lesson!!!