Posted by Tennessee on 11/6/05 9:14am
Msg #74683

Good Morning All!

I've almost got 8 months under my belt and thought I'd share a few things with the wonderful (most times) posters on this board. I've been coming here for a long time listening and learning and sometimes posting but most times someone else had my question! A couple of times I posted and ya set me on fire but there was always someone that posted to me and made me feel neither like I was trying to steal business NOR should be burned at the stake because I selected this type of work

Over the past couple of weeks I've seen the board "change a bit" from what I'm used to. So many anon's that I can't keep track of the questions/answers. I don't understand the need for anon postings unless they are afraid the SS company they're working for will spot them and know they don't really know as much as the represent themselves to know.

PLEASE stop taking shots at "newbies" that are definitely not out to steal your business. This is a country of free enterprize, only the strong survive. I'm considered a "newbie" with less than one year in. IF you are worried that I may take some of your business than I strongly suggest you've got problems you're not even aware of. I am proud of what I am doing, proud to be error free (due in a large part to what I've learned here), proud to represent my State and delighted that when I get to the borrower's home they're HAPPY to see me.

I live alone and this is my sole income BUT I don't work everyday, I don't take everything that comes my way. There are 2 notaries that I've been blessed to know and we network constantly and I've referred business in their direction, they in turn have lunch with me or send me happy faces thanking me and when something comes up that they can't cover I am referred. I like that, having people near me that can help me and that I can learn from and hopefully they can learn something from me.

Quit blaming "newbies" for everything...if something has slowed down look at your business plan. That's not written in stone as things are constantly change and if you don't change too you'll be left behind, it's called PROGRESS. I have seen rookies called names and stoned here in public. What's that all about? IF it's true that us "newbies" don't know what we're doing that just means more money for you fixing all our incompetent mistakes and as you continue to say, we'll all fall by the wayside 'cause we will get bored.

I absolutely love what I'm doing and I plan on staying around. Paul and Sylvia, thank you for your totally professional replies and help, we should be paying you for your patience and non-judgmental help. There are several others that reply with respect, respect given is respect earned. You have my respect and have set the bar for how I want to conduct myself, leading by example is always the road to take.

To the rest that want to treat this industry like your own invention, who can't deal with a bit of competition why not fully examine what's happening within the industry rather than blame a select few for it's demise. Life is nothing but change, losers in this world are the ones that are unable to accept change for any reason. Oh and on the subject of $50 signings 'cause I'm sure that will come up in anyone's reply...last week I did 3, they were all short HELOCS, within 6 miles of my home, doc o/n to borrowers and I was heading in that direction anyway to pay the light bill. When I got back home I had earned enough to cover said light bill, didn't travel outside of my normal route and met 6 really super nice folks that were happy to see me. I guess it's all in how it shakes out of the bag.

Thank you for your time and everyone, including the flamers, have a glorious Sunday!

Reply by PJM/MI on 11/6/05 9:41am
Msg #74685

Congrats on your 8 months! Give it another yr or 2, and you'll be working everyday..including Sundays. How lucky for you that you can get closings so close to your own home! There are those of us who live in rural areas and a 45 minute drive to a closing is par for the course.
As for the "newbies", it seems the same questions get posted over & over & over again. The library on this website and the FAQ section is such a good place to start, but I guess alot of "newbies" don't go there.
As for the anon posters, I guess people are afraid of ID theft. It is a free country, and this board offers the choice of being an anon poster. Some people like that, and that is their right.
Please don't be so hard on us "old-timers"... after a few years of this, you will gain alot more insight into this business.
I get the feeling that alot of "newbies" think they're going to jump on this bandwagon and make tons of money. A good sa makes this job look "easy"... catching a football on TV looks pretty darn easy, too. It's amazing how many bo's ask me, "how do you become a sa?" I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, but to me, that's like walking into an office and telling someone, "I want your job". I think of it as being pretty darn rude!
As for addressing the flamers.. my gosh! I am truly amazed at how rude some people can be. Makes me wonder if they act the same way when the calls come in from the ss's. Or how they behave at the closing table. I've never understood flaming someone.
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, also. I'm doing a closing today. This is the 2nd Sunday in less than a month that I've had a closing to do. Yea, I could have turned it down, but where else am I going to make $ on a Sunday?
Good luck to you!

Reply by Fran/WA on 11/6/05 10:19am
Msg #74687

I am also a newbie, only been doing this since October. I have done a few signings and I had questions but I was able to figure out the answers because of doing hours of reading the messages here and on other forums. I learn something new everyday while reading on these boards and can only say thank you to the all the people who take the time to answer the questions honestly and to the best of their knowledge.

I only work my business part time with the intent to build up my business over time so that I could possibly do it as a full time job down the road. I am not in a hurry as my full time job is one that I enjoy very much. I am looking into the future to be able to possibly retire early and have my business to supplement my retirement income. I have quite a few years yet before I can even begin to think about retiring but it is never to soon nowadays to think and plan ahead.

I think alot of the newbie questions are being asked because they are not taking the time to read, they want answers now instead of trying to learn on their own how these message forums work and just how easy it is to do a search and find lots of posts on the topic you are looking for. I don't think the questions will stop anytime too soon because of the fact they want to get out there and conquer the signing world and not take the time to obtain information that is supplied here.

I will continue to come here daily for information from the pros who are willing to share their knowledge and be proud to be part of a great group of fellow notaries and signing agents.

Have a great day.
Fran

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 11/6/05 11:51am
Msg #74696

Fran hit the nail on the head, people don't want to take the time to read and search for the answers. I do understand being new and getting your first couple of assignments you have a bunch of questions that you didn't anticipate. But it's a different thing to not read and ask something that was posted in the last couple of days when your not in a rush for an appointment that's in an hour or two. The search feature is a wonderful thing and it's there for a reason.

Now my most critical comment is there are other message board formats that are much more organized and navigateable (if that's even a word). This one is not the best for viewing what has been posted in the last couple of days when broken down by forum, thread, and post. Personally I like Vbullitin. I think alot of the same question asked over and over issue would not be of the magnatude that it currently is. The reason these boards keep going is the wealth of "real" knowledge in the answers and discussions. That is why it is such a success.

Now in the case of the flaming issue. I have not seen a true flame here in a while. But I do see alot of overly sensitive people who's skin is so thin that they would rather be stroked by getting answers that they agree with rather than hear the truth. Just because the truth is straightforward doesn't make it a flame. Would they rather started only getting answers that they want to hear rather than the truth that could save thier notarizing hineys. I for one will answer truthfully and straightforwardly without the 2 sentances of stroking disclaimers before answering the question. Will I encourage newbies, yes I sure will. But not at the expense of the truth or fear of hurting feelings, and I'm not talking about being mean, I'm talking about being real about the business.

Reply by Tennessee on 11/6/05 12:00pm
Msg #74698

All points well taken

I appreciate the replies, new food for thought and my education continues on. I personally thank you all for the input I see daily, there's not one day that goes by that I don't learn something. At the table a question will come up and I smile to myself because someone covered it on these boards and I'm confident in my reply. Thank you again!