Posted by Brenda_CO on 8/29/05 7:37pm
Msg #62527

business card

I always include a business card in the return docs in the event there is a problem...then they can reach me. For example, today I received a call from the title company re my commission expiration. I had never considered that to be a problem with the SS that gave me the assignment (such as maybe advertising directly with Title). But, I was just using the "Search" feature for something and just kept reading, when I came across a posting from Negretes. He said that he would, as a signing service, never use the notary again if she put a card in the return paperwork.

Does anyone else send their cards with the return package?

Reply by Robert J. Desch Jr. on 8/29/05 7:56pm
Msg #62530

I do the same thing.

Reply by SDgirl_CA on 8/29/05 8:25pm
Msg #62533

I do too!

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/29/05 10:20pm
Msg #62542

I can understand the SS point of view. If you've signed an agreement not to solicit their customers (title companies, etc) , including your business card, in my opinion, is soliciting.

Reply by Paul2_FL on 8/29/05 10:34pm
Msg #62544

I guess you could consider this an ethics question. If you have a signed a contract with an SS and within the contract it specifically states that you are not to solicit the Lender or TC, then I believe you are in breach of contract by supplying your business card. However, if there is no such verbiage in the contract then you have every right to do so.
Two questions pop in mind though...
1) What is your purpose for supplying it?
2) Has it helped in any way?
If you are supplying it to strictly help with the closing (questions the lender/TC may have regarding the returned package) then IMHO you are not soliciting. On the other hand, if you are looking to work directly with the Lender/TC on future business and cut out the SS then this IMHO is unethical.
It would be interesting to hear whether or not putting your business card in the package has actually helped anyone.

Reply by Kath_CA on 8/29/05 11:21pm
Msg #62545

Considered the business card myself, but ethically it could be considered soliciting. I simply include my business phone number. I figure that should suffice. Have never been called, and to date, always been paid.

Reply by Brenda_CO on 8/30/05 9:47am
Msg #62585

As a matter of fact, I believe including a card in the last package I sent did help the transaction. Gave them a number to call....the person from the TC called to say the lender had a problem with the fact that my commission expiry date was not incorporated into the seal. Instead, I had written "my commission expires and the date". The Colorado notary law states that the commission expiration date could either be handwritten or a separate stamp stating same. I faxed a copy of that text along with the website address and a copy of my commission. She called me back and said that worked fine with the lender. So.....I just ordered myself an expiration stamp. I had one with my first term, but just never got one for this term.

Reply by Glenn_CA on 8/30/05 9:53am
Msg #62587

I aggree. If there is a question on the signing, then the TC does not go to a lot of trouble to find your phone number so I include one in every package. If a lender or TC calls me direct and I have a contract with a SS not to solicit, then I very politely tell them that I need to be scheduled through _______ signing service.

Reply by Deb_CO on 8/30/05 2:49pm
Msg #62647

RE: Notary Stamp

Brenda, I disagree with our notary stamp not including the expiration date--it can. As long as the date is outside the BORDER of our seal (the info contained therein is the State of Colorado, our name, and the words Notary Public), it is fine. I have confirmed this with the SOS, and I have had stamps made locally for years (Pepperdine's and Kauffmans) and they were all made this way. I have never had a stamp rejected and never had any problems with recorders anywhere.

The law:
"Under or near such notary's official signature on every notary certificate, a notary public shall rubber stamp or emboss clearly and legibly such notary's official seal. The official notary seal shall contain only the outline of the seal, the name of the notary, exactly as such notary writes his or her official signature, the words "STATE OF COLORADO", and the words "NOTARY PUBLIC".
(3) Under or near such notary's official signature on every notary certificate, a notary public shall write or stamp "my commission expires (commission expiration date)".

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 8/30/05 10:41am
Msg #62601

I always enclose a business card with loan docs. That way the person processing the loan knows who to call if they have questions regarding the loan signing - which has happened. If the lendor and/or title company are happy with our work they can request us directly through the signing service the next time a signing is in our area. We see this frequently. When we do fax backs to companies I always have a one liner included on my cover page that says, "Please request us when you have another signing in our area." Even though we are just outside of Boise, Idaho, we are still considered remote. So there are not as many jobs here as in other areas. We just don't have the population. So it is important to market ourselves on a regular basis. I want our company name to come to mind when they have a job here in Southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon.

Reply by Iris_WA on 8/30/05 12:12pm
Msg #62615

To avoid any chance your actions might be misconstrued...

if you like to enclose your business card with the docs to the TC or Lender, why not just add a handwritten note on that particular card saying something like "To contract our services again, please contact "X Signing Service." That should avoid any chance your action might be confused with soliciting their business.

Reply by NPBayAreaCA on 8/30/05 8:35pm
Msg #62740

What about a Thank You card?

I've been toying with the idea of sending a thank you card with a note about calling me with constructive criticism regarding the docs. I say this because it seems the SAs don't even review the docs.