Posted by Teresa CA on 8/10/05 11:00pm
Msg #58223

Ethics Question

Background- I did a signing for a SS on Monday. I do not have a contract with them. They got my name off of Notary Rotary. The lender and I hit it off really well. There were some circumstances over a total of five days that caused me to have to be in touch with him quite a few times. The circumstances caused me to really go "above and beyond" as far as being available and getting the docs to a drop off location.

Question- The lender has indicated that he has several more signings in this area coming up. He said that because I was so "helpful," he would like to request that I do all of his future signings in my area. I am wondering in this circumstance (not having any sort of contract with the SS), is it unethical to inquire about not using the SS and just contacting me directly? If this is something that is on the up and up, how much do you charge? I know that the SS gets a portion of what the lender pays (but I don't know how much). So do you ask him for the same fee that you got when the SS set up the deal? Or do you ask for a little more because there is no SS?

Isn't this the kind of situation that most notaries hope for? I just want to make sure before I mention it to him. Any advice is appreciated.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/10/05 11:07pm
Msg #58227

If he hasn't suggested working with him direct, then I would not broach the subject.
He can request you through the signing service - or if, as is often the case, it is the title company that obtains the notary he can request your services through them.

On the other hand, if he or the title company approach you to work with them direct, go for it!

Reply by Teresa CA on 8/10/05 11:09pm
Msg #58229

Thanks Sylvia. I don't want to mess it up so I appreciate the feedback. I will leave well enough alone! Have a great evening!

Reply by Mike/NJ on 8/11/05 9:24am
Msg #58267

I agree, this is how I got my foot in the door with some TC's. If they called you and liked your work just say thank you and hope they call you directly next time.

Reply by Glenn, CA on 8/11/05 2:08am
Msg #58239

I have an amount that I quote everyone regardless if they are a SS, lender or title company. If a ss wants to offer less, then I make a decision if I want to work for that or not (most ss think I am too high). I don't give them a quote unless they ask me first, or it looks like I am not going to get a firm number. Many ss want to pay less, but the lenders and title companies typically offer more without any quote from me, so I work for them at that price. I have a few lenders and title companies that I work for all the time and the conversation goes something like this " Glenn, we have a signing for you" and I answer " Send it, I'll take care of it." The fee is already known. (I adjust it once or twice a year as costs change) The key is you gotta be consistant. Your business will build by word of mouth that you are fair and get the job done correctly the first time. The lenders and title compaines talk and you don't want to have your prices too different between them. I have done very little in the way of signing up with ss and just have ads on a couple of the major boards and now I find myself passing on work as I am too busy. But it can take a while to build. Each January 1, I evaluate what I am charging and determine if I have to raise my basic quote or not.

I don't solicit ss clients. ss talk also and that could be bad for business. However if one of their clients calls me direct I will do the job .

Reply by Anon on 8/11/05 7:56am
Msg #58248

He may be testing your ethics. "Honesty is always the best policy." He may have a contract with the SS. Give him the option as to which way he wants to go.

Reply by Teresa CA on 8/11/05 9:00am
Msg #58257

Thank you to all three of you who answered. I will keep things as they are. Have a great day!