Posted by SLP_VA on 12/10/05 8:26am
Msg #81623

What Did I Do Wrong?

Last Friday, I was called around 9:30am to facilitate a 1pm closing. I advised TC that I could not facilitate because I had a 12:30 closing. TC asked what time could I be available - I stated probably around 2pm. The TC stated he would call the BWR & see if they were willing to change the time and IF so, would call me right back. I also advised TC that I would need the docs no later than 12pm because I had to leave for my 12:30 closing that was not far from where I was traveling. If BWR was ok with the 2pm closing, I would have to go right after the 12:30 closing.

An hour went by and no phone call back or email.

2 hours later, I received another call from for a closing at 2:30. I accepted because I had not heard back from this other TC and assumed since he had not called me back, the borrower was not able to change the time from 1pm to 2pm and he had found another SA.

Well..when I left my 12:30 appointment, I noticed a message on my phone. I checked it and TC had left me a message at approx 12:30 stating he had emailed me the docs and borrower was able to do closing at 2pm.

TC was called and was told that I could not facilitate this closing as I never heard back and never received any kind of confirmation whatsoever on if this was a go or not. Since TC never called me back as stated at 9:30am, how was I to assume that closing was a go with no phone call or emal confirmation. TC was upset and called me unprofessional and stated he would talk with the owner on how she wanted to handle this matter.

Did I do something wrong here? What could I have done differently? Keep in mind that I was in a closing when TC called me back and had a 2:30 closing to go to after that as well as other scheduled closings for that day. No way I could have fit it in as I was squeezing it in at 2pm when I received the call at 9:30am.

To top it all off, I received a call from the TC on Tuesday wanting to know if I had sent the docs back because the lender stated they had never received them..????? I nicely informed the guy from TC that this was the closing that I could not facilitate because I had never received a confirming phone call back.

Any advice would be helpful. I've been beating myself up over this and do not want this to ruin my reputation as I am very good and professional at what I do. This is the 1st problem I've had with a TC since I started notary signings.

TIA

Reply by NM_CO on 12/10/05 8:32am
Msg #81624

I think you did everything you could. It really is their fault if they are not going to keep you posted. Did you try to contact them again after that hour went by with no phone call or email?

Reply by SLP_VA on 12/10/05 8:35am
Msg #81625

No because the guy at the TC stated he would call me back IF the borrower was able to change the time. When I didn't receive a call back, I assumed they were not able to change it. I guess in the future, I will call back just to cover myself.

Thanks NM_CO.

Reply by NM_CO on 12/10/05 8:37am
Msg #81626

Then I wouldn't worry too much because tc's and ss's DO have a habit of never calling you back if they "don't need you" so I can see what you mean and understand why you didn't call if he stated that. That's their problem. He should have called you back a little earlier and kept you informed. They cannot expect you to just be dangled by a carrot unless something does get confirmed. And even then, they're pushing it.

Reply by Beth/MD on 12/10/05 9:08am
Msg #81630

Re: What Did I Do Wrong? Nothing SLP

You handled it right. Let's face it. Some TCs and SSs think they're royalty and us SAs are the mere servants! Don't worry about it.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/10/05 9:51am
Msg #81636

Re: What Did I Do Wrong? Nothing SLP

Totally agree Beth. *Some* not all SSs and TCs think treat us as though we are their *employee* -- which we are not. We are business owners and as such, have several clients. A deadline was given that e-mails must be received by noon, and there was no contact made until 1/2 hour after that deadline.

Reply by cmd_NH on 12/10/05 9:51am
Msg #81637

Re: What Did I Do Wrong? Nothing SLP

You did what you could. I might have called back, but lets face it....you're sometimes paying for the call (no 800 #) for nothing.... The right thing would have been for the TC to call back and keep you informed. Not many of us can sit next to the phone for hours waiting for a call back. Some of them think we have nothing to do but wait for their particular call. Jeez! Other appointments and Oh My Gosh, even having a LIFE might be going on.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/10/05 10:16am
Msg #81655

Re: What Did I Do Wrong? Nothing SLP

Wednesday I had back-to-back signings and the bad weather was not helping me keep on schedule. One signing that should have taken 45 minutes took over 3 hours -- which is a story all in itself.

I had earlier accepted a signing for 6:00 p.m. SS was to call me when the edocs were sent. Never received a call. Rushed home between signings to print off docs for later signings. 6:00 signing docs were there in 4 different e-mails. This was a new SS that I didn't realize requires *call when you get edocs* *call when you print edocs* *call when you arrive at Borrowers* *call after you leave Borrowers* - I was insulted by these required phone calls and didn't have the time or the inclination to make the calls and sure I will be docked, but it is a company, because of these required calls, I don't intend to work for again. I don't know how I accomplished it, but I did make it to this particular signing right on time. Five minutes into the signing I get a call from the TC saying they had just sent me revised 1003's and were hoping they could reach me before I began the signing. They also were insulted that I wouldn't leave the signing and go home to get the revised docs and then go back to the signing for docs that they sent five minutes before the scheduled signing -- but then again we are not supposed to be late for signings.

Reply by Teddog_CO on 12/10/05 10:07am
Msg #81643

You did nothing wrong. "I'll call you back if buyer can make it?" Well if we all had $5 bucks for every time we've been told that we could retire. lol You are not a mind reader, so if they never called you back that's a demerit for them. We are far to busy for those games. Do you or do you not want to confirm an appointment. If you do, have a confirmation to me in the next 15 mins. That's, that. When we get another call we take it, that's kinda what we do! lol

Don't give it a second thought. It will not be the last time you here that , just make sure you tell them to call you back in the next 20/mins. because if you get another call you have to book it.

Have a Great Week-end!

Teddog

Reply by Teddog_CO on 12/10/05 10:15am
Msg #81651

Oops! should be "last time you hear that"not here! LOL

Reply by Calnotary on 12/10/05 10:19am
Msg #81659

Exactly! Ted, give me a call in the next 10 or 15 minutes because if I got another call I wont be
able to do it.

Yesterday I was going to do a purchase loan, at 7:45PM from a TC; good pay and I declined
2 signings from a good SS. At 6PM I got a call from the title saying that the docs were ready,
"no wait a minute, the loan was cancelled" the girl told me. Hey what can you do?

Reply by SLP_VA on 12/10/05 10:26am
Msg #81664

Thank you all for your comments and advice! I feel much better now about the situation. I just thought I was missing something and/or if I should have handled it a different way.

Much appreciation!

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 12/10/05 12:32pm
Msg #81688

You did nothing wrong but I would've called TC before you left the house and let them know that since you hadn't heard back from them that they will need to find another signing agent.

Reply by Teddog_CO on 12/10/05 10:29am
Msg #81665

Calnotary

Just bang your head in a wall, step on your own feet and repeat "why me !" then just move along. lol Just part of the business, it really pays to have a sense of humor when you have a day like that. I just "love" those off again, on again appt's or aka: The loan from Hell! lol

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/10/05 8:15pm
Msg #81774

I find it a little worrisome

That I see so many of these types of "did I do anything wrong?" posts on this board. More often than not, they're a story about the TC/lender/SS having ridiculous expectations for us and the signing agent is worried because they weren't able to jump through every hoop put in front of them.

If you're going to be self employed, you need to stick by your convictions and not second guess yourself. You gave an edoc cutoff time and not only was it not met, but they didn't even bother to confirm the signing with you, yet you're beating yourself up over it? In what universe could something like this be your fault? And why even bother to give a cutoff time if you're not going to view it as a cutoff time even in your own mind?

If they could not meet YOUR requirements or standards of how you run YOUR business, then it's their own damn fault if the signing doesn't get done. It's not a one way street, they need to abide by our rules as much as we need to abide by theirs. An employee can worry about getting in trouble for something like this. A business owner shouldn't, but there are far too many people on this board who clearly still have an employee mentality. We don't need to be grateful for the work we get and worried about unreasonable demands, we need to know that we're providing a quality service and that they've made the right choice in hiring us.

And you shouldn't need to poll for our opinions after the fact because they're meaningless; however you choose to run your business is the right way and you need complete faith in your own ability to make the correct judgement calls, especially in situations where it's so completely obvious who's at fault.

Stand proud with your decisions, learn from your mistakes, vent your frustrations on this board, but DON'T second guess yourself just because somebody isn't 100% happy with your decision.

Reply by Janet Berger on 12/10/05 10:37pm
Msg #81794

Wise words, once again, CaliNotary... nm

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/11/05 11:44pm
Msg #81884

Great post, Cali...

*but DON'T second guess yourself just because somebody isn't 100% happy with your decision.*

Hmmm...Cali, I think that you've found your calling. Perhaps you can upstage Dr. Laura and become the Notary's Voice of Reason...or maybe you can be the next Anthony Robbinsand re-program a few minds to be more confident and sure of themselves.

This mentality of "am I wrong??" prevails because of the bullies on the other end of the phone who know how to manipulate new people.

You have to set your priorities in life and in your business. When you feel pressured, just decide what's highest on your list of priorities and go with it. If you have trouble doing this, try taking a course through Franklin-Covey - their "What matters most?" Series. (Unless CaliNotary decides to set up classes to help us all remember to keep our spines strong.)

Remember there are a lot of hotheads in our business. They are brats. Ignore them and do what is right.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/12/05 2:07am
Msg #81892

Re: Great post, Cali...

Thanks Brenda.

It just amazes me how many wimps there are in the world today. If you're going to run a business you need to be tough and decisive, not have a panic attack because somebody might get mad at you. You can't please everybody in life and remain true to yourself at the same time, and you certainly can't be a successful signing agent if you're not willing to stand your ground against the sometimes ridiculous expectations of the people in the industry.

With the gazillion notaries that are around now maybe there is an audience for a Dr. Laura type figure. While I don't agree with a lot of her views, I certainly respect her ability to strip away the crap and get to the real issues. And lord knows the money in this industry seems to be coming from creating and training the notaries, not actually doing the signings anymore.

I wonder how hard it is to get a podcast on iTunes? I guess I should start working out harder so I can look fit and trim in my first DVD. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.

Reply by SLP_VA on 12/12/05 4:58am
Msg #81894

Re: Great post, Cali...

Thanks Brenda and Cali for your wise posts. It really is appreciated.

I just like to do all I can to help out the companies that hire me and it bothered me that I was not able to facilitate their closing. That's it. I wanted opinions of what I could have done to accomodate the company without loosing the business. I am a successful signing agent thus far because I have been able to accomodate the companies that have contacted me and also due to the wonderful advice that posters like you two, Paw, Art and many others have bought to this board.

Just to let you know though - I am not a wimp by far in this world or business. Sorry if my original post came across as that way. It was just a learning experience for me and I am now over it.

Thanks again for your words of advice. You really do give great advice without being rude about it.

Have a good day all!

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/12/05 8:59am
Msg #81900

Re: Great post, Cali...SLP

You did not sound like a wimp to me. I am a people pleaser. I like to produce good results. I got burned out very quick trying to please and do more than I should to make everything work. My peace of mind had to take a place in the priories...I started making "policy" as I realized there were weak spots in the "integrity" of the assignments. Where I might get burned, I made a "rule."