Posted by ColleenCA on 3/21/05 9:49am
Msg #26600

TransUnion Settlement Solutions

I downloaded their vendor application (16 pages!) and notice their base fee for a signing is $46.00! Is this their new fee, or has this been their standard fee all along? I think I will agree to $46.00 within 2 miles of my house and then state on the exception portion of the app. a fee above 2 miles. Anyone agree?

Reply by Joseph_CA on 3/21/05 10:13am
Msg #26606

Hi Colleen, I been filling a lot of vendor app. too. And when they ask me to how far for 50.00 I write down that for that amount I will just do in my local zip code.

Reply by Roger/OH on 3/21/05 10:22am
Msg #26612

You will find few supporters here for accepting any signing for less than $50. I know you're trying to get established, but lowering your fee standards is not the way to do it. Signing companies prey on new people that will work for less, then toss them aside as a new crop
becomes available. The best advice I can give you is to stick to your guns when it comes to your fees. You will be glad you did later on. Good luck and keep marketing!

Reply by Joseph_CA on 3/21/05 10:34am
Msg #26616

Hi Roger! I understand your point, but here in Southern CA people like Joan Bergtrom that are notary instructors and give the loan signing classes are charging 75.00 per signing. I met a nice gentleman the other day and he told that that he has done few thousand closings and he still charges 50-85.00 dollars.
And I have done only 2!!

Reply by scnotary on 3/21/05 10:37am
Msg #26618

I am doing a signing this week. They asked me to do it for 50 and they overnight docs. I told them 100 and they accepted with no hesitation

Reply by Joseph_CA on 3/21/05 10:48am
Msg #26623

Yes, that is true. I was offered 55.00 for overnight docs. I told them 95.00 because gas prices, etc etc
they agreed right away.

Reply by Roger/OH on 3/21/05 10:57am
Msg #26625

Joseph, I agree that anytime you can get more than the $50, certainly do so. My point to her was that when just starting out, there's nothing wrong with cutting your teeth on all the $50 signings you can get - just don't go below that as some will do just to get ANY business.

Reply by ColleenCA on 3/21/05 11:07am
Msg #26627

I would be happy to just get a call from a SS to turn down! I can't scare up any business, and I have signed up with just about every SS on the notaryrotary list and beyond. I was just curious if anyone else had noticed this on their contractor agreement and how they handled it. I will just do what I was going to do.

Reply by Charm_AL on 3/21/05 11:17am
Msg #26633

That's too bad Colleen! I feel for you...where are you located?
I signed on in November and have been busy...Have you tried IREP? If there is a local HFC or Beneficial in your area, you may want to go in and introduce yourself, leave a few cards. They cannot directly contact you, but they can request you when they call IREP for a signing agent

Reply by ColleenCA on 3/21/05 11:22am
Msg #26638

Thanks Charm AL, I will try going in to a local office and see what happens. I am in Ventura Ca.

Reply by TNNotary on 3/21/05 3:23pm
Msg #26725

IREP

IREP is a great company to do signings for. They pay in 2 weeks.

Reply by Marthea/VA on 3/21/05 11:35am
Msg #26645

Joseph...I feel your pain! I too have been registering and registering with companies and actually have 2 signings under my belt. I must say that I have been getting some calls but the times have not worked with my schedule-therefore I haven't been able to accept. So little by little it's working.

As far as fees are concerned, I agree with Roger in order to get the experience I will do some $50 signings to "cut my teeth" (so to speak) . Noooo...I won't travel to east hell and back for a $50 signing, however, in my local area I will go and I won't go below $50. I also know how to negotiate fee's when necessary. However, I think that experience is imperative as a new NSA! Mainly because there are so many types of loans and so many different scenarios that nothing but experience can teach you how to handle all that's thrown our way and to do the job correctly. I want to be paid fairly because I am a compentant professional but at the same time I'm not going to hold out for top dollar until I'm more experienced and comfortable with the profits of my business. Signing services may prey on new agents but I feel like once I get the experience and really become established I will be able to pick and choose who I want to work for and who I don't want to work for. If signing agencies want to go for the cheapest deal-Let them- because as the more experienced NSA's have stated only the strong will survive this business. Not only that, several people have posted of having to go after a new notary who didn't know quite what they were doing and have doc's resigned. That's an instance when top dollar is really expected and warranted!