Posted by Magic Lady CA on 8/23/05 7:22pm
Msg #61236

Missed signings

So frustrating today. I had two signings. During my signings, I turn off my cell phone. (Well, duh!) Both times, when I was finished, I had been called by an agency looking to place a signing and each had been placed before I got back to them. Don't you just hate that?????????????

Reply by J in CA on 8/23/05 7:44pm
Msg #61243

At least they left messages. What drives me nuts is when I just miss the call by seconds, and they don't leave a message!

Reply by JPS_CA on 8/23/05 7:54pm
Msg #61245

Why do you turn off your cell? SS tells all the time to turn them off. But we are not SS employees, we are independent contractors, as one I have gotten so many calls during signings. I know is not very professional to do that, but hey whos is going to pay me for the missed signings.

Reply by Marie_MD on 8/23/05 10:08pm
Msg #61284

the signer are always taking call during signings too!!!

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/24/05 12:01am
Msg #61306

I agree with JPS! Answer your cell at a borrower's home. The way things work in our industry is "you don't answer your cell, the signing is gone and the company dials the next notary on the list."

Almost no one leaves a call back number and if they do the most time you have is 5 minutes to return the call and most of the time the signing has already been assigned to another notary even if you call back in the 5 minutes.
This is the way our profession works, like it or not!!

It takes about 1 minute to accept most loan-signng appointments. Keep your cell phone on all the time. If your family calls and its not an emergency "hang up immediately and don't say goodbye."

I wouldn't personally accept more than 2 calls in a borrowers home.

Reply by Ted_MI on 8/23/05 7:56pm
Msg #61246

Hi ML CA,

I know there is a divergent perspective on this, but I never turn my cell phone off during signings. And yes, I have received calls during the course of signings. I am just very honest with borrowers and say heh this (the cell phone) is our lifeline. And if we don't answer the phone, the hiring entity will call somebody else. So far I have found that the borrowers have been very understanding. I try to limit the calls' duration and often times if I am near the end of the signing I will say "heh can I call you back in fifteen/twenty minutes?" That has seemed to work alright too.

Reply by Brijoe_WA on 8/23/05 7:59pm
Msg #61249

I to answer all calls I get during signings if the # looks like a SS, TC etc. and have never had a complaint. The calls are genrally very short when they are calling to schedule. I dont answer if it is friends or family calling obviously.

Reply by ANONYMOUS on 8/23/05 7:59pm
Msg #61248

PUT YOUR PHONE ON VIBRATE

Reply by Me on 8/23/05 8:12pm
Msg #61252

How do you discuss your fees over the phone with signing co. when you are with a borrower??

Reply by BLE on 8/23/05 8:30pm
Msg #61254

I never turn my phone off, either.

Reply by MB_AZ on 8/23/05 8:37pm
Msg #61255

I had to respond to this one...I think it is totally unprofessional to answer your cell phone when you are in a signing. You are not being paid to disrupt the signing to talk on your cell phone. The borrowers, of course, will not say anything but it is disrespectful to them and is unprofessional by the Notary.

Reply by Me on 8/23/05 8:41pm
Msg #61256

Thats what I think too. You can always leave a voicemail that your in a closing and call them back.

Reply by BLE on 8/23/05 8:44pm
Msg #61257

Re: Missed signings-Response

Professionalism doesn't pay my bills. I am not being paid to pass up business. I don't feel sorry if I must occassionally answer my phone during a closing any more than any other business professional who must interrupt a meeting to take a call.

Reply by MB_AZ on 8/23/05 8:45pm
Msg #61258

Re: Missed signings-Response

Yes professionalism does pay your bills. I'm sorry when I hear another SA say that.

Reply by calipat/ca on 8/23/05 8:58pm
Msg #61259

I don't think it is unprofessional to answer your phone while at a signing. Unprofessional to answer and talk to friends and family..... yes. I have been in atty's offices 3 times in my life and every time I am there they always take calls. They have a sec'y and still take some of their calls. I feel as long as we know it might be a SS or TC then why not just say excuse me I have to answer this call. Borrower's will not say anything and honestly I don't think they would give it a second thought after you left.
I was a credible witness to my friends mom and the notary answered her phone talked for about 2 mins to her husband about a dinner date then finished it off with I love you honey. That was truly unprofessional, but my friends parents did not give it a second thought.
Most people know the cell phone is your business phone as long as you treat the call as a business call I see no problem answering it. If it is a company I have never worked with and fees need to be discussed I always say I will call you back in 15-20 mins. They have always waited for me to call back.

Reply by BLE on 8/23/05 9:02pm
Msg #61262

Re: My point exactly

Well said.

Reply by Brijoe_WA on 8/23/05 9:30pm
Msg #61268

The same way I always discuss fees. I just ask what their fee is and if it isnt what i agree i let them know what mine is.

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/23/05 9:43pm
Msg #61273

I do excuse myself to answer calls during a signing. If it's from a regular client I just need to know the time/place b/c they know my fee. If it's a new client and their fee is less than normal I will ask for the difference while at the table with borrowers.

Reply by Magic Lady CA on 8/23/05 8:58pm
Msg #61260

Interesting response from all, I do thank you. I will still leave my phone off during signings, it is on vibrate, but I do not answer it. I just wouldn't appreciate it if I were the borrower. I pride myself in service as there is just so little of it today. Even tellers at the bank carry on coversations with their co-workers while you are standing at their window, not even giving you the courtesy of eye contact or hello.

I like the idea of changing your message to reflect you are in a signing and will call the SS right back. I might give that one a try. That is what I do when I am out of town for a few days, and it saves the SS from leaving a detailed message and hoping you will be getting back to them. Just that service thing again.

Anyway, thanks much guys, really appreciate the info..........

Reply by MB_AZ on 8/23/05 9:02pm
Msg #61263

Good choice. You ARE a true professional!

Reply by Nancy in Florida on 8/23/05 11:42pm
Msg #61299

When I first started doing loan signings I did follow the rules some SS require and turn off my cell phone during a closing. UNTIL I had a message from an SS that I missed that would have given me 5 builder closings all in one day at the builder's local office, no edocs, packages were already there, just show up and sign and this SS pays well and on time!! After that I never turn off my cell!

Reply by Nancy in Florida on 8/23/05 11:59pm
Msg #61304

Re: One more thing

I used to be a Real Estate Paralegal in NY and closings in NY were like an event, Bank Attorney (or paralegal that is who I usually represented) Borrower, Sellers and their attorneys, a title closer and possibly one or two realtors. Needless to say everyone had cell phones and everyone answered them during the closing, Attorneys were the worst and the Title Closers, many of whom were Independent Contractors and like us received calls on their cells for assignments, they were always getting calls for work on their cell phones. I am not saying it is right but with the invention of cell phone it has become common place and many people do not even give it a second thought if a cell phone is answered.

Also, I really don't understand how many of you can keep your phones off and if you leave it on vibrate do you check to see who is calling? The reason I ask is because so many times I have been called on my cell for the signing I am doing at that moment, many times it is the LO checking to be sure everything is going okay (if it was an iffy deal) and some of the builder closings that I do the Title Co will call because they might need to discuss something with me concern the loan itself.

Reply by Roger/OH on 8/24/05 12:06am
Msg #61307

Re: Part of running your business...

Sometimes I may do up to 10 signings in a day; that's a lot of time to be unavailable to my companies. Calls are my living, and I do take them at the table, just as borrowers take theirs. I always do so politely and discreetly, and rarely take more than about 30 seconds. Borrowers are usually looking at docs anyway. It's business, plain and simple, and my borrowers understand that. Never been an issue.

Reply by Brian/CA on 8/24/05 12:43am
Msg #61312

I had two signings two, both times I got calls to do signings. Bprrowers very helpful, told me reception is better by the window.

Reply by NorCalDar on 8/24/05 1:14am
Msg #61314

I also own and operate a Laser Engraving business. As a one man shop, I occasionally get calls while I have a customer in my showroom. In the engraving business, just like the SA business, if I don't answer the phone, most customers just look for the next listing in the phone book. Personal calls are never taken/tolorated in either venue. My family and friends know I use my business and cell line exclusively for business so don't EVER call my on either unless it's business or emergency.

Common sense should prevail. I have never had anyone leave my showroom when I had to answer the phone. I always let the caller know I am with a customer, get their phone number, and return the call promptly. If I get a call during a signing, I give an indicatin of my availablility and let the Title Co. know I am in a closing. Takes 10 to 15 seconds max. They have always waited for me to call back. And I make sure to do so as soon as I get into my car from the signing.

Don't leave money on the table. Take the call in a professinal manner.

Reply by Amy on 8/24/05 12:59pm
Msg #61385

I am intersted in a job. Currently I am doing scheduling and billing for a notary in New Jersey. Maybe we could work something out. Right now I answer phones and take care of his calendar from my home. I thought possibly if I found a notary locally I couldn't help with printing out documents, etc. If you had someone to take your calls you wouldn't miss the calls for future signings and that would make you busier and then you would need help printing docs, etc. Anyway, let me know if this is anything you might be intersted in.