Posted by Toni (NY) on 6/17/05 1:44pm
Msg #45560

How do you quote a trip fee?

A SS asked me to do a closing outside of my normal travel and said they would pay me extra for the extra distance. I quoted them $20 extra since it was only a few miles outside my normal area. When I rec'd the confirmation they confirmed $40 extra...guess they thought I meant $20 each way...which work out even better, but it wasn't what I had meant. My question is - if you quote someone an extra trip fee do you usually quote it as each way? Is that the norm for ss?

Thank you!
Toni

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/17/05 7:47pm
Msg #45689

I don't quote trip fees. I have a set price for regular and e-doc based on the zip code of the signing. The counties I work in are huge and I have to take a look at not only the miles but the drive time (lots of bumpy dirt roads where I am). I keep the Zip Code Chart right next to my NO NO list of Signing Services in my Signing Planner.

See message #23297 by Dorothy/MI... she has some great advice on rate charts.

Hope it helped!

Reply by Kimberly_IN on 6/18/05 12:37am
Msg #45772

Something I found to work well in my favor is..when someone calls for me to do a signing outside of my normal service area...I say something like "well, this closing is farther than where I normally go..it's about an hour drive each way...what do you think would be fair pay" 9 times out of 10, their number is better than the one you were about to spit out.

Reply by Sam on 6/18/05 7:04pm
Msg #45918

Re: How do you quote a trip fee? Signing planner?

I am having a hard time keeping my zip code chart/no no list/SS questions organized. In the post above a Signing Planner was mentioned. Is this something 'home made' or a special organizer designed for NSAs?

Reply by Ernest_CT on 6/18/05 7:08pm
Msg #45919

An Excel workbook is a wonderful thing, ...

... especially because you can have it do recalculations automagically. If there are requests I'll post some thoughts.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/18/05 8:09pm
Msg #45937

Re: An Excel workbook is a wonderful thing, ...

Excel is my very best friend!! I already have a system but I am always interested in new ideas! Please post!

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/18/05 8:52pm
Msg #45949

Re: Signing planner?

I love to say I have a fancy planner but nope...mine is 'home made'. I've tried organizers and stuff but what really has worked for me is to simplify! I tend to get overly 'organized' with a real planner and I can't remember where anything is.

I have a simple leather zippered 3 ring binder...it is not a planner. No pockets or other goodies. Just one pen holder.

It is divided into five sections...

In Sheet Protectors I have...

1. My Resume (I put this in because it never fails that I get calls from people that I marketed to when I am super busy... I don't like to get frazzled and it keeps me on point.... A TC Officer called me after I had sent something to her... to 'feel me out' and for the life of me I couldn't remember anything about myself... After that I took initiatives to make sure that never happened again.)

2. SS Info (I have a big NO No list as well as a contact list for the companies I often deal with.)

3. Zip code rate chart - I stick to it...no matter what!

4. Job Requisition Forms-JRF's (these are not in protectors) - I made these myself for when I get calls. It has all the questions that I ask...spaces for the answers... the agreed upon fee...the borrowers info...and other stuff that I like to have at my fingertips. ( I originally had the list of questions on a separate piece of paper and I would refer to it but it works better for me to have them right there on the form and I write.. or circle... what they said ).


5. Current Jobs - I keep the JRF's in the binder until the signing is completed. I always keep this thing with me so it makes it easy if I have any current appt info with me as well. When I get the confirmation E-Mail or Order Form I print it out, highlight any special instructions and staple it to the JRF.

This might sound like a middle-school set-up...but it WORKS for me. I tried expensive planners and didn't do well with them. I ended up with information EVERYWHERE.

I would love to know if someone has found a redi-made 'simple' planner that works well for them. In the mean time, I'm stickin with what works for me. Hope it helps...

Reply by Sam on 6/20/05 10:19am
Msg #46125

Re: Signing planner?

Thanks for the info. All my junk is in pockets. I like your sheet protector idea much better.