Posted by Jenn-FL on 7/30/05 11:19am
Msg #55877

Help Invoices - Billing

Is it ok to send an invoice with the docs or does one bill later.

Reply by kynotary on 7/30/05 11:28am
Msg #55880

This depends on the company who hired you. There are a number of different billing/invoicing methods Jenn. Some what an invoice for all the signings that you completed for them at the end of the month. Some want the invoice included in the package going back. Some what a seperate invoice emailed or faxed to them, etc. Hope this helps!

Reply by Jenn-FL on 7/30/05 11:36am
Msg #55885

Thank you

Reply by kynotary on 7/30/05 11:43am
Msg #55887

my pleasure Jenn-FL

Reply by db_IL on 7/30/05 11:46am
Msg #55888

NO, NO, NO. I don't send invoice with docs unless directions contain a specific point to do so):

1. If working for SS, docs are never returned to them but to TC/Lender/Closing Agent, if invoice is in the package the SS never sees it.

2. Even if working for Lender/TC various departments exist. Sometimes one for doc package and others for accounting/billing. So there's a chance that in the hand off invoices can be lost.

Call me paranoid but it has just worked best for me thus far to just bill direct, separately from documents. Hey what's a quick fax cost or at the worst a $.37 stamp.

Reply by kynotary on 7/30/05 12:24pm
Msg #55898

db_IL this is one of the problems in the notary signing business. And I am not talking about how you are saying to invoice, but am rather talking about how you related to "HEY WHAT'S A QUICK FAX COST OR AT THE WORST A $.37 STAMP".

Well, an attorney would charge at minimum a tenth of an hour or if they typically charge $250 per hour $25 to do a quick fax and/or another tenth of an hour or another $25 to send a quick letter/note/invoice.

The whole industry under rates itself and it is time that we all stand up and be counted or we might as well work for a minimum wage and be done with it.

I am sorry, but what I read here most, is how everyone says that they are under paid, etc. And I couldn't agree more, but how do they expect to become paid what they are actually worth unless they are ready to stand up and be counted. What do they think unions were formed for and because. They were formed because the people in that particular industry was grossly underpaid and abused and that is exactly what I keep reading on these boards.

Well are you fed up with it and are you ready to fight. Not you in particular db_IL, but everyone on this board. Well until you can say yes to this question, then you will continue to get abused and underpaid.

Best of luck to all!!!

Reply by db_IL on 7/30/05 1:03pm
Msg #55911

Kynotary, I believe my point was missed. Let me clarify . .

My comment regarding "Hey, what's a quick fax cost or at the worst a $.37 stamp", if taken in context would apply to the additional effort/cost involved in submitting an invoice separately as opposed to including it with the doc package.

My post outlined a couple of disadvantages to including it right in with docs (i.e. going to wrong department or never making to the person who hired you). When directions ask that you do so, fine. However, when left up to the SA why not just fax your invoice direct or mail one to assure that it reaches the party who'll be paying you. This approach has helped me in my notary/loan signing business, just passing along a point-of-view.

As far as I can see this outlook doesn't present a problem unless the faxing/mailing of invoices incurs a great cost. If this is a concern I'd wonder were the fees for the notarial act/loan signing enough in the first place. Frankly, if my business is "make or break" judged on how I issue an invoice -- do I really have a stable business at all.

By the time I issue my invoice, I'm happy to submit it knowing that my payment should be just around the corner. Since I keep a stack of recyclable paper on hand, its no problem for me to turn a page over, print an invoice and fax that to the TC/SS for my signing fee. I can deal with the $.05 - $.08 toner value used (having free long distance helps). If at any time this cost becomes too much, I'll just add it into my fees thus my next average signing fee I quote will be $115.08 -- how's that?

On the point of what an attorney charges . . . . hmmm when I'm done with law school and have $100,000+ student loans to repay, I'll let you know how much I'm charging to invoice. But for now I view an invoice as standard issue, included in my job.

As for me I'm all about standing up and being counted but I think its important how you stand up and what you count!

Reply by kynotary on 7/30/05 5:27pm
Msg #55970

Re: Kynotary, I believe my point was missed. Let me clarify

Sorry for upsetting you db_IL it wasn't meant to be directed toward you, but rather to try and educate those who are charging so little for their services and barely surviving. My sincere apologies.

Quote I once read "If you keep doin what you been doin, you keep gettin what you been gettin".

Not meant toward you personally db_IL, but for the newbies benefit.

Quote I once read, ten two letter words "If it is to be, it is up to me".

db_IL the fact that I am trying to get across to everyone here is that we are all underpaid for the service that we preform, including me!!!

Hey good luck with your business, hope all goes super for you!!! Even without the law degree.

Reply by Sheila in San Jose CA on 7/30/05 5:52pm
Msg #55976

Re: Kynotary, I believe my point was missed. Let me clarify

Speaking of quotes; I just received a newsletter from a lender that said this:
"Great Service is not expensive.....It's priceless"
I couldn't have said it better, in fact, I think I will add it as my tag line on invoices! (I do not know if it is a direct quote from the lender as it had no quotes around it or name after it. anyone know who this might be attributed to? )

Reply by CarolynCO on 7/30/05 1:18pm
Msg #55916

If you are working through a SS, most generally docs are going to the TC. Therefore, you would not inlcude your invoice *with* the loan docs. Most generally, you either fax it to the SS, e-mail or snail mail to SS.