Posted by Fi_KS on 1/13/05 11:11pm
Msg #16676
How much is too much to ask
How much, in your opinion, is too much to ask for mobile notary service? I've stated a min. $50 in order to travel, and that includes 3 signatures. Got a call very early this morning. They needed a mobile notary to go to someone's office to notarize an affidavit....they don't care how much my fee was, as long as the job gets done. It was quite a ways away from other appointments, and the weather is deteriorating by the minute. But if the compensation is good, maybe I should do it. How much would be too much? I don't want to sound greedy or ridiculous.
I'm wondering what other people are charging...maybe I'm not out of line.
| Reply by Roger/OH on 1/14/05 12:09am
Msg #16680
First of all, be sure what your state notary statutes say about travel fees, as around the country they range from a flat mileage to whatever is "reasonable". If KS is in the latter category, you're the only one that can determine what your market will bear. $50 for a single doc sounds a bit steep, but if they accepted it, I'd say it's certainly worth your while to accommodate them. That's what customer service is all about, and when they need a notary next time, you'd rather be remembered as the one who helped them, not the one that didn't; because they will call the one that did.
| Reply by JanetK/CA on 1/14/05 1:06am
Msg #16686
We all need to structure our fees to meet our own requirements and geographic area. What you might want to do is decide how many miles (RT - or however you want to figure it) you will include for your base fee, then how you want to calculate additional miles. Some people go by time instead of miles. Figure out what works best for you by creating several different scenarios and playing with the numbers until you find something that works for you in all circumstances and that you can live with -- and be profitable.
I structure mine a little differently than you, so I could theoretically have a nearby assignment for slightly less, but even at that, I've found that most of the general notary calls I get end up cancelling before the appointment time, unless it's someone who is ill or a busy executive. They probably end up finding a notary at the local Mailboxes, Etc. down the street for less. In fact, occassionally, I just recommend that to someone. Sometimes it's just not worth it to me to tie up my schedule or interrupt other things for a small fee. And I've learned to confirm any appts I do make before I leave! HTH
| Reply by JanetK/CA on 1/14/05 1:08am
Msg #16688
Oops.. Above post is in the wrong place - s/b for Fi_KS nm
| Reply by BrendaTX on 1/14/05 12:30am
Msg #16682
I charge between $30-$35 these days for this type of work if it's within 10 miles. After three signatures, I might charge another $6.
Tx fees are $4-6 per notarization.
Travel is usally 15-20 min tops round trip.
| Reply by Ernest_CT on 1/14/05 3:54am
Msg #16694
Here's a link that may help
http://www.kssos.org/resources/resources_faq_notary.html says
"There is no statutory fee schedule in Kansas that a notary public must follow, nor is there a prohibition against a notary public charging a fee. Therefore, a notary public may charge a reasonable fee for the performance of a notarial act."
How "reasonable" is "reasonable"? (CT statute says a max of $5 per signature, plus a max of $0.35 per mile [keep in mind that distances betwen population centers in KS are many times greater than in CT].) How do you want to be perceived in your community? You cannot buy good will. You cannot buy word-of-mouth advertising.
Years ago, when my ill parent needed a doc notarized, I called a former neighbor. When Betsy came to the house, we all chatted, Betsy signed and sealed, and wished us well. On her way out the door, out of mother's earshot, I asked how much I could give Betsy. She said, essentially, "Call me if you ever need a real estate agent." When the time came to sell a commercial building, whom do you think I called?
Please note that I'm talking about simple notarial acts, not signing agent tasks. $50 for an acknowledgement or jurat (or even three) within a few miles of home during business hours when the weather is not iffy seems excessive. 30 miles away, 5 AM, 20 below and icy roads? You couldn't pay me enough.
Please, more experienced notaries, chime in!
| Reply by Ronald Philbrick on 1/14/05 7:35am
Msg #16699
I did one last night, one page, 3 blocks from my house. It took about 5 minutes and they paid $30.
| Reply by Ted_MI on 1/14/05 11:22am
Msg #16721
Just because one might not ask too much, that doesn't mean that the client will be willing to pay. I received a call several weeks ago from a fellow travelling to a latin american destination with his two children. He needed an affidavit (in spanish - which I can speak and read) notarized, relating to his wife's permission for the trip.
He was about maybe fifteen minutes away. I stated a fee of $30 bucks ($10 for the notarization and $20 for the travel). He said he would think about it. Never heard back from him.
Did I think what I charged was reasonable given all the circumstances? Yes. Do i still think so? Yes. Did he probably find someone else to sign it cheaper - probably. Did they have any idea what the document was all about? I doubt it (as they probably could not read Spanish).
| Reply by Glena/NV on 1/14/05 11:24am
Msg #16723
It is much like California....
If you are a traveling notary in California...sky is the limit. There is no ceiling on what you can charge as long as the signer is willing to pay the travel fee. There is nothing in KS notary handbook that addresses that issue. So name your price, if they will accept it, you are in business, if not then decide whether to negotiate for a lower fee or not. Be extra careful traveling in a bad weather...bring think blanket, Fi!
| Reply by Glena/NV on 1/14/05 11:26am
Msg #16724
Re: It is much like California....
I mean thick (not think) blanket, drink, snacks...just in case you get stuck there somewhere.
| Reply by PAW Notary Services on 1/14/05 11:51am
Msg #16729
Re: It is much like California....
Glena/NV said, "There is nothing in KS notary handbook that addresses that issue" while discussing travel fees and charges.
Just because there is nothing in the Notary Handbook or even the Notary statutes for any given state, there may be other statutes concerning standard business practices and fees for travel as a service provider. As a mobile notary and/or a Signing Agent, you are also a business person and must conform to whatever rules, regulations, statutes, etc. as dictated by the state in which you ply your trade. You cannot simply narrow your focus on notary laws only.
| Reply by Fi_KS on 1/14/05 1:59pm
Msg #16754
Re: It is much like California....
Actually there is no statutory fee schedule in Kansas. However, this issue is addressed in the handbook, it states "There is no statutory fee schedule in Kansas that a notary public must follow, nor is there a prohibition against a notary public charging a fee. Therefore, a notary public may charge a reasonable fee for the performance of a notarial act."
I think that anything over $10 for a signature is too much. However, in addition to whatever fee we decide to charge our clients for our signature, the is also our fee for travelling to the client. In KS you can take a document to your bank and get it notarized for free. Designated bank employees are asked to become notary for their own purpose but in Kansas, all notaries must also serve the public. They are not trying to make money, nor are they offering "free" service to their customers. Banks? Noh!!!!
Going back to the travel fee portion, I tend to keep a low price if I was dealing with an individual. The other day I went to visit a little old lady because she could not get out in the snow. I didn't have the heart to even charge her anything. But when a company sends me to notarize an affidavit for their client for instance, it feels ok to charge more, this is a business deal. The company who called me yesterday said they would pay me ANYTHING, as long as it gets done. While it took me only 5 minutes to administer oath and get doc signed, it took me an hour to get to the industrial area and to locate the unmarked building. My cleint didn't have his phone number (long story). Then I had to go through security frisk before entering his office, and when I left the place, I got totally lost driving...all in all, it took just as much time as doing a loan signing, and perhaps more aggrevating.
| Reply by Fi_KS on 1/14/05 2:05pm
Msg #16755
Glena...
Bing, thanks for lastnight. Fi.
| Reply by Glena/NV on 1/14/05 6:40pm
Msg #16790
No prob, Fi! Anytime!
You seem to be doing ok....cheers to you?
| Reply by Glena/NV on 1/14/05 6:35pm
Msg #16789
As always...Paul is right!
In Nevada, it is clearly stated how much we can charge for travel. In California, although it is not specified, It was discussed in the classroom which I attended - Vetura College to be exact! That is why I know that there is nothing else that dictates it. For KS, however, I would follow what Paul said...find out if there are any other statutes that govern it.
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