Posted by WoodyCA on 8/23/05 5:59pm
Msg #61206

Economics 101

Thought I'd pop in and see how things are going in the Notary world. Let's see...Business is slow. Gas prices are high. ($3.00 in NorCal and heading to $5.00) NNA continues to flood the state with newbies. SS's are getting away with paying $30 & $40 for a loan signing that once paid $75 to $100. And given the number of dead beat SS's out there, a notary is lucky to get paid at all. What a great business. Singings stopped being profitable a long time ago. For me it never was more than a part time thing & I'll never go back to it. Thank God I have another business. I'm amazed anyone thinks they can make it as a SA. But hey there's a sucker born every minute. So good luck newbies - you're gonna need it. Have fun out there.

Reply by Susie/CA on 8/23/05 6:23pm
Msg #61220

Wow . . that was harsh . . but there is a lot of truth in it. You can really feel the pinch this month! We all have to share the crumbs . . there are fewer and fewer refi's & HELOC's and more and more SA's.

Yep your right all the companies (including title co.'s mind you) are hearing about the glut of notaries (talk about saturation!) and they are seeing that they don't have to pay as much as before and they still get the job done all the while their pockets (SS's & Title's) are getting thicker. Thankfully I have a job as well, my daughter helps me keep my clients happy during the day and I do them after work, weekends, days off and nights.

Reply by Brijoe_WA on 8/23/05 6:33pm
Msg #61224

I have been doing this for a long time...started as part time and have been full time for a while. I have no complaints.....in fact this month was a record breaker. Woody...maybe you just dont know how to market yourself in this business.

Reply by DellaCa on 8/23/05 6:55pm
Msg #61228

Re: Mine was also a very good month N/M

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/23/05 7:19pm
Msg #61234

Good Month here ,also

very busy until the 15th, then nothing until yesterday, now a full plate again.

Reply by Amanda/VA on 8/23/05 11:42pm
Msg #61300

Re: Mine was also a very good month N/M

This is also my best month ever

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/23/05 9:57pm
Msg #61280

This is a business, if you don't treat it like one then you're gonna struggle.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 8/23/05 10:10pm
Msg #61286

Re: Economics 101-Woody

Thanks for dropping in and raining on the parade Woody! Good job at telling it like it is.

Keep up the good work, please. Don't be a stranger. Now that all the experts are tired and disgusted of "encouraging" newbies and the subsequent destruction of this board by Mr./Ms. Anonymous, we welcome the voice of reason/sarcasm.

It's far more interesting than "whats the difference between a jurat and ack"? Or, "how do I become successful"? Carry on - PLEASE.

Reply by TrayKy on 8/23/05 10:48pm
Msg #61294

Re: Economics 101-Woody

I had Economics 101. I don't remember it being so gloomy but to each his own. I am not to judge Woody. I wish him well in whatever his endevors are now. We all know the score right now. We read this board and sometimes get bored (punch line). Anyway, I may sound like cheezy but life is what you make of it. I don't take this business lightly and hope others don't either. I hope the rash of dry spells and newbie questions and anonymous posting goes away so we can really exchange info again.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/24/05 6:33am
Msg #61320

Re: Economics 101 - Woody

"I'm amazed anyone thinks they can make it as a SA. But hey there's a sucker born every minute."

Well, sorry to rain on your parade, but I have been doing this full time for 5 years and am doing very well. I make enough to put food on the table, pay the bills and take a Caribbean cruise every year. My husband was able to quit work without any worries on how the bills are going to get paid. (He didn't quit work voluntarily, the hurricanes helped him along, plus a fall from a ladder, but at his age it is difficult to find work, so I told him not to worry, we are doing fine).

Sure gas prices are up, but I haven't noticed a slow down in the business. I am still turning down lots of work.

Reply by VTnotary on 8/24/05 10:58am
Msg #61345

hmmm... here in Vermont, there are only a handful of SAs. I tend to charge more than I really should for most signings -- won't leave the house for less than $60. Of course, the state's total population is less than most cities