Posted by chillyer on 4/5/05 2:10am
Msg #29685

Newbie Here! HELP!

Hello All!
I am a new notary. I was wondering if there was any advice that you all can give me about fees for services.

Thank you,
Carrie

Reply by Ernest_CT on 4/5/05 2:41am
Msg #29686

The advice for newbies is always the same.

First, include the two-letter abbreviation for your state when selecting an Author name. It will help people give you advice appropriate to your state.

Second, study your state's notary laws and manual / handbook. You need to know your state's rules cold.

Third, and maybe most important, read all the posts on this Forum. Yes, all the way back to the first one.

Don't believe the hype you may have heard from the companies offering classes. You're not going to make thousands of dollars during your first month as a notary. The perceived negativity of some posts here is just a dose of reality.

Don't expect the people with whom you will be competing to train you. If you want to do a ride-along, ask somebody at least 50 miles away from your home base.

Good luck!

Reply by Anonymous on 4/5/05 3:02pm
Msg #29760

Chillyer...Ernest forgot...

to mention that should you ask someone in your area to do a ride along or to be mentored you will be verbally beat with the verbal HUGHness stick to bloody pulp.

Might want to keep that as number one on your list of do's and don'ts.

Reply by Anon_CA on 4/5/05 3:18pm
Msg #29768

Re: Chillyer...Ernest forgot...

I asked two people in my area (CA) if I could go along to observe the process and was graciously obliged. I went along on three signings... then went solo. I am very grateful for their helpfulness as it sounds as though kind people are very rare in this business. I now consider myself forewarned!

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/5/05 6:41pm
Msg #29809

Bloody Pulp Fiction

Says Anonymous: *you will be verbally beat with the verbal HUGHness stick to bloody pulp.*

Words have no power over adults unless the adult allows the words to define them.

Reply by Sarah Whiteley on 4/5/05 8:58am
Msg #29696

Hi,
I guess it depends on your location and your services. I charge $100 per signing, but I'm full time with experiance. They will usually try to pay you 65 to 85. I will not take less then 100 and 75 for overnight docs and most companies will pay what you ask for.Some notaries will take what they offer, which I think is short changing themself. I would say about 8 out of 10 will pay what I want. I found the companies that pay less give you less ( you usually have to call more then once to get paid). And listen to the company name when they call. If its a title company you can charge a lot more. When I here its a title company I charge 175 and get it (because your cutting out the middle man).
Good Luck!!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/5/05 9:22am
Msg #29698

Sarah
You SHOULD be able to get more from title companies, and usually do. But, I had one title company call me today, Priority Title, wanting me to do a signing today with edocs.
I gave him my fee,and he said they can only pay $75 to $80. I suggested he find someone else. I don;t even work for signing companies with edocs for $75-$80.

Obviously someone in this area is accepting those low fees because they also called me the other day for a signing and I turned them down for the same reason. They must have got someone to do the signing.

Reply by Becca/FL on 4/5/05 2:05pm
Msg #29741

Please say it isn't so Sylvia

I hate to hear that. I know a PT EO that was taking $45 signings in our area. All I said was I WOULD NEVER!

At least we know our heads are in the right place!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/5/05 2:15pm
Msg #29746

Re: Please say it isn't so Sylvia

Wish I could say "it isn't so" but, unfortunately, it is so:(