Posted by Anonymous on 6/1/05 5:20pm
Msg #41620

NNA Convention...A MUST READ!!

First off, I want to say I know a lot of you hate the NNA and Victoria Ring equally. But, I thought I would give the confrence a chance.

Upon registering Tuesday, while wandering through the empty confrence room, I ask of the NNA "How many vendors will be present?" I am told a record 14. Yes...14 folks. WOW - imagine the networking I will be generating from ALL 14 of the vendors!

Then, I figure...what the hell...let's see what Victoria Ring has to say in her breakout session called "Starting a home-based Notary Signing Business". Hmmm...let's say this one is very interesting, and I learned quit a bit actually - like who to not listen to in this industry.

First, she spouts - "I choose 50statenotary.com because it will always bring me to the top of the list on any search engine - do to the fact that 5 comes before the letter A. This is due to the fact the seach engine lists are returned in alpha-numberic fashion." Now, I am no computer geek, and have never claimed to be an internet expert, but my understanding is that search engines search based on meta-tags, activity, hits, etc. Now, had I known naming my company 1AAAAANotary.com, that I would always come before all of you - I would have done it! . I sure wish someone would have told me this prior to my company assuming a name that will not always be on the top of the list! Yeah...
While still in shock from the misinformation I was just told, Victoria begins to tell a room full of approx. 400 notary's (most of which when asked stated they had never even done a signing - only about 50 of us present has completed more then 50 signings) that to dertime if a company is reputable and is someone you would like to work with, all you have to do is simply review their web site. Now, as most of us know, sign on the X is not very reputable - but they do have a considerable website. How many takers would like to work with SOX now? Anyone...Anyone...Bueller....

After the giggling subsides, and I return to my seat from the floor in which I have fallen onto - I am now taught about venturing off into other notary duties. In great detail, I am taught about partnering with a Real Estate Attorney - apparently, I can create the mortgage or real estate docs in which I will be also notarizing. Now, I know you are probably giving her the benifit of the dought like I also did. However, do not be quick to come to her resuce by stating "Oh - she means you can PRINT the docs." Nope, she truly means CREATING them. WOW - what the hell did I get my self into???

Oh, I suppose I should also mention, much to my amazement and surprise, a NNA representive quitley stood by and offered no assistance in correcting this misinformation.
For a small fee of $345, plus a round trip plane ticket from your location - not to mention a hotel room, you too could have been ed-ga-ma-catied by Ms. Ring herself. Is this a priceless moment happing right before my eyes??

At least I am up at the tables, trying to recoup some of the money I have forfited and will not earn back (14 folks!! In 27 years that equates to approx 0.49 vendors added per year).

I will proudly now sport my NNA pin, while carrying my NNA tote which cost $708.

Welcome to the 27th annual NNA conference!

Reply by Sunny on 6/1/05 6:00pm
Msg #41634

Sounds like you are enjoying yourself! At least you still have a sense of humor.
Keep us posted Daily.

Reply by SamIam_CA on 6/1/05 6:18pm
Msg #41641

I wondered why you posted anonymously until I read the text. TOO funny - definitely keep us posted.

Reply by Me on 6/1/05 8:09pm
Msg #41663

Wow....and I just joined the NNA yesterday. I am just starting out and thought it would be a good idea to have this as a reference as well. So is this a waste also??

Reply by PS on 6/1/05 10:16pm
Msg #41689

Not everyone hates the NNA. Their organization does carry some weight; they do offer good products, although I do believe they are priced too high. They do have the correct answers for you via their hotline when you are uncertain about what to do, and they do have a great deal of title companies and signing companies who go to their site looking for Certified Signing Agents. I wrote to them and stated the price for the convention was way too high and when they considered lowering it, I might consider attending it. As for the vendors, how many can you expect for notary publics? I do have some thoughts and what they should have for vendors, but then again, I am not running the NNA. In the three years I have been with them, they have done right by me; that does not mean everyone has the same experience.

Reply by JanetK/CA on 6/1/05 11:18pm
Msg #41699

Have to disagree with you about getting accurate information from their hotline... even if you are from California! They used to be a good organization, but seem to have really gone downhill in the last few years, in my opinion.

Reply by Sorry on 6/2/05 7:43am
Msg #41743


Apparently you don't know what you don't know.

Reply by patricia on 6/2/05 8:25am
Msg #41754

my experience with their products is that their notary stamps are extremely low quality.

Reply by Tonja_VA on 6/2/05 9:27pm
Msg #41996

WOW!! I have been a member of the NNA for 2 years and I never knew. If not the NNA, then who would you recommend as a viable source for legal questions?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/2/05 10:49pm
Msg #42013

Re: NNA Convention...A MUST READ!! - Tonja

First - your SOS Notary division. But the ASN (American Society of Notaries)is a terrific resource.

Reply by Melody on 6/1/05 11:30pm
Msg #41704

Get your money back

Call them right now and get your money back.

As others have posted, their hotline FREQUENTLY gives out wrong info. I have tested this by asking state-specific questions and have been given wrong answers.

www.NotaryRotary.com has the best journal available in the US. Plus their prices on seals, etc, are better than those from the NNA.

All the Title Companies and Lenders know the NNA is a trash-quality organization.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/2/05 12:25am
Msg #41716

Re: Get your money back

I use the NNA's signing agent listing as a last resort!

They do give wrong answers. Some of the posters here will remember last year (belive it was last year) when it was posted that their handbook for Florida had the information that Florida notary fees were $10 per signature. (It is $10 per notarial act), which was erroneous. A rep. of the NNA posted that the handbook was correct and it was $10 per signature, as each signature (according to them) is a notarial act. Someone e-mailed the Florida SOS and posted the response on here. The Florida SOS said the notarial act in Florida is defined as when you put your seal on the document, so it is not $10 per signature.
NNA's response?? They said they disagreed with the Florida SOS, and they would work to get it changed to $20 per signature.
Well, the $10 per signature was added to the latest bill to amend the Fl notary laws, along with the addition of requiring Florida notaries to keep journals, which we have been trying to get passed for several years now. It didn't go through again this year, the legislature could not get past the $10 per signature. Had that not been a part of the bill, there was the possibility it may have passed this time. I wonder who lobbied for it to be part of the bill?? Hmmmmmmm

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/1/05 8:43pm
Msg #41667

For the life of me, I really can't figure out why anyone would attend this conference in the first place.

Reply by Sunny on 6/1/05 8:45pm
Msg #41668

I have attended, there are some really good speakers, not associated with the NNA that speak there sometimes. Then there are always the others.

Reply by SamIam_CA on 6/1/05 9:16pm
Msg #41678

Vegas Baby! n/m

Reply by Paul_IL on 6/1/05 10:51pm
Msg #41695

Good Excuse for a 100% tax deductible trip to Vegas! That is why they come!

Reply by Julie-MI on 6/1/05 9:22pm
Msg #41682

Sounds like Victoria and NNA must be in on "We the People", the document preparation service.

Your post made my night!

Reply by maryinsocal on 6/1/05 10:38pm
Msg #41692

I am glad now that I did not waste my money going to the convention, although I would have had a great time in Vegas!
I am taking my Real Estate exam on monday and the cram course all weekend.I figured that was more important.

Reply by Melody on 6/1/05 11:34pm
Msg #41706

Terrific expose. Thank you! ~~n/m

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 6/2/05 9:21am
Msg #41760

Request to Anonymous for a critique of my presentation

I did not attend VR's presentation
I do not know if you attended mine on Face To Face With Real Life Signing Situations yesterday afternoon. It will be repeated Friday morning. If you get a chance to go, I would appreciate your comments. From what people told me, it was well received.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/2/05 10:57am
Msg #41797

Re: Request to Anonymous for a critique of my presentation

I was going to go to your presentation but after the morning I was so ticked that I said forget it, I'm going to learn how to play craps...kinda wanted to keep the whole theme going. lol

I thought about your Friday session so I just might go. I've been doing this a long time and could not believe the bull I was hearing in there. I'm considering doing my own convention for notaries and would guarantee a better outcome of vendors my FIRST year , let alone by the time I was at my 27th yr...and I'm one person.

Thanks Bob.
Just my opinion, but I did state the facts of what I sat and listened to...everyone else could make their own opinion base on what they would think had they been there listening.