Posted by Anon1 on 11/7/05 11:29am
Msg #74800

I am FED UP!

What do you do when a ss calls you daily and says they have a signing and you wait and wait and WAIT for docs to come over and they never show up. Then they call and call and call and say they are going to be there soon. Then they call and say it's tomorrow because the HUD is messed up etc etc etc...........

This has been going on now since last WEDNESDAY!

The ss is a very reputable company so I'm very shocked.

Do you charge a fee? Do you have a fit and tell them to forget it? When I hire other sa's to do closings I always pay regardless if it closes or not and especially if it's been cancelled at the last second but I know not everyone does that and I feel really bad asking for anything.

HELP!

Reply by yoyo on 11/7/05 11:35am
Msg #74804

I had couple of SS do the same thing and then you have other SS call you for other signings and cannot accept because your waiting for these docs. My husband metioned to me that I should charge a fee when they cancel. Because of them your loosing other signings. I have been thinking about charging, But I quess we would have to metion this charge when we accept the signing and make sure they put it on the confirmation. I did have one company cancel on me and they said that would pay a cancellation fee.

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 11:45am
Msg #74807

Good point. Guess it's my fault for not saying so to begin with regarding the fees. Ughhhh.

And yes, exactly, I have passed on two other closings last Friday due to this. I could just scream!

Reply by Roger_OH on 11/7/05 11:49am
Msg #74809

Remember that the docs are coming from the lender or TC, not from the SS. They are the middlemen and can only pass on info as it is provided to them.

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 11/7/05 11:48am
Msg #74808

I first off want to say the I can sympathize with you on this...unfortunately, I think it is just a part of the business. Speaking from a SS point of view, we dont get compensated if a loan cancels so I am not sure how a SS can pay the SA under these circumstances. In a perfect worls, there would be fees charged to cover cancellations but if I were to charge the TC a fee, they would probably laugh in my face and go find another service who doesnt charge a cancellation fee. No one is making money on the deals that cancel (not the broker, SS, SA or TC). Now if an SA prints docs and/or travels than the signing is cancelled, I definately pay them a trip/print fee due to the expenses incurred. I realize a SA's time is valuable but like I said above, I think cancellations are just a part of the business.

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 11:52am
Msg #74810

I guess I'm just very spoiled by the title companies I work for locally. I have 4 notaries that I contract out, I've been doing this for a few years now and I always pay. If I have to take a hit, that's what I have to do. The title company that I do most business with pays me regardless.

Waaahhhh, I'm just complaining when I shouldn't be because I know the rules..........

Guess I just have to laugh about it and carry on.................

Thanks though.

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 11/7/05 12:13pm
Msg #74818

Hey..we all wish things were different...considering the amount of money these brokers make off of these deals, one would think they would pay for the SA's time...as well as the SS's for that matter.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/7/05 12:49pm
Msg #74827


When I accept a signing, I tell the company that I would like to set the time with the borrowor if that is ok with them and I will call the borrowor as soon as I receive the documents. I have only had one company tell me that this was not acceptable in the past year and that was SOX and we all know their reputation.

That way, I control the process and the appointments and in the long run, I am able to fit more signings in on a given day (if it is that busy). Regardless of when I get the call from the SS, Lender or TC, the first one to get me the documents is the first one that I begin work on. First in -- First out (oops, there is my grocery store mentality coming out again).

Reply by Giselle_CA on 11/7/05 1:03pm
Msg #74837

"Now if an SA prints docs and/or travels than the signing is cancelled, I definately pay them a trip/print fee due to the expenses incurred."

After paying the trip/printing fee due to the SA, do you then charge the TC?

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 11/7/05 1:10pm
Msg #74839

Sure do charge the TC....but the TC's that I work with know that this is my policy in advance. I charge them $50 and that gets paid directly to the SA. Our SS fee is waived on all cancellations. Believe it or not, I have clients that even baulk at full fee in situations where the borrowers have cancelled during the ROR...I simply tell the client that if it was at no fault of SLB or the notary, full payment is still expected.

Reply by Giselle_CA on 11/7/05 1:30pm
Msg #74848

Thank you, Sherry. I know it is difficult to determine fees under this situations, specially is working with a new TC. Sometimes there are no confirmations sent, let alone detailed stipulations. I would not charge a full fee if that happens, but I agree that it is fair to be paid for the cost you incurred trying to do the signing.

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 1:59pm
Msg #74859

That's where I went wrong.......not letting them know in advance. If it happened once or twice it wouldn't be a big deal but it's been 4 days in a row now.

Reply by level5CA on 11/7/05 2:21pm
Msg #74863

I would like to interject a point of view. I don't usually wait around for a SS to get me docs sent to me. If I get a call while waiting for docs I call the SS to tell them and see what they tell me- "I will send it now" or "take the other assignment". This way if they tell me the former I will interject with an agreement I will get paid the full fee if they cancel. To the SS agency I would say that paying for a cancellation even if you don't get paid is a "cost of doing" business. SS get paid for simply making a phone call, usually taking more than 30% of the commission. They can afford it.

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 11/7/05 3:57pm
Msg #74875

LEVEL5CA

I would beg to differ with you on your above statements...If you only knew exactly what a SS does..it isnt just about making phone calls..it is a whole lot more than that. I know what an SA does because I was an SA about 3 years ago prior to opening my SS. So I know both sides of the coin.....what makes you think that the SS can afford to eat all of the cancellations and what makes you think that we deserve to? Yes there are a lot of headaches being an SA and yes cancellations really stink..and yes in a perfect world you should be compensated for them but unfortunately that is not reality. You should see all of the costs that we (the SS) eats...I have probably "eaten" close to 10k in the past 2 years (most for non-payment issues - but I always pay my SA's regardless if I have been paid or not). I highly doubt that many SS's can afford to eat $100 every time a loan cancels (prior to closing or printing of docs ). That is truly insane!

I totally agree with the way that you handle yourself when this sort of situation arises BUT if I were you, I wouldn't speculate on what a SS does until you have actually worked for one. The grass is not always greener (or should I say more profitable) on the other side.

Reply by CarolynCO on 11/7/05 6:26pm
Msg #74893

Re: level5CA

If you didn't print the docs and you didn't move your vehicle out of the driveway, you don't deserve anything for the *canceled* signing. We've all had canceled signings. It's a part of this biz. If you want to be guaranteed payment for a cancellation, then this biz isn't for you.

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 8:35pm
Msg #74913

Re: level5CA

I think a couple of people are taking it out of proportion, especially Carolyn but that is to be expected from her.

Many of you keep saying it was "cancelled" which it wasn't and stilllllllll isn't. Like I said before, they call daily asking me to do the same closing, saying the docs are on their way, asking me to call the client etc etc etc and the docs never show up and then they'll call and say it's going to be "tomorrow". Again, like I said before, it's a very reputable SS out of CA so I was just shocked and didn't know if I should hang tight and keep dealing with it or tell them to forget it.

And yes, in situations such as these, I do pay notaries, maybe others don't but I do. If the closing was cancelled all together that is a different story and yes, then I'll agree that a notary should not be paid unless it was at the last second.

I do signings and I have a ss company myself. We average 100-150 loans a month and this rarely happens, maybe once or twice a month so I don't mind paying people to keep them.

A lot of you wonder why I keep anonymous and the main reason that I do is so crappy people on here don't get psychotic on me and the "real" business that I do. I am not into degrading other people for my satisfaction.

Sherry - I think you made some very valid points and thanks for your responses.

Reply by Tennessee on 11/7/05 8:44pm
Msg #74915

"cancel that signing"!

Anon1, I agree with Carolyn although I think I would have phrased things a bit more tactfully. I learned from this board to request the confirm immediately so that block of time is locked out. As someone said on here recently, first in first out. After the first couple of times I would have "leaned" on them a bit, reminding them they're tying up that block of time and while I wanted to service the account I didn't want to leave an SA hanging. Important to turn things into win/win especially if it's someone you've done alot of business with. I understand the frustration and the good news is YOU'RE NOT ALONE! I personally have a big clown in my living room, one of those things you can smack hard and it will come up for more, better than tylenol in cases like this! (suggestion...pull the blinds before striking the clown, neighbors don't have nearly the sense of humor you've got)!

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 8:47pm
Msg #74917

Re: "cancel that signing"!

Thanks TN, I did that. They did send a confirm and the main reason why I've been so patient is because they were paying good, 200 for a combo and it was right up the street. But you're right, I need to tell them to forget it. The other reason I was "trying" to be patient is because I've done signings for them before and I've contracted a few out just in the last month so I just found it shocking was all and was a little confused as to which direction I should take without being rude to them.

Reply by CarolynCO on 11/8/05 2:38pm
Msg #75121

Re: Anon1 - what is your flippin' problem

*I think a couple of people are taking it out of proportion, especially Carolyn but that is to be expected from her*

My reply was written to level5CA and not to your cowardly handle - thus, the reason my post appears under level's post. Me telling level5CA that they are not guaranteed full fee if their vehicle doesn't leave the driveway or they didn't print docs had nothing to do with your post -- UNLESS, of course, you are now posting as level5CA.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/7/05 10:12pm
Msg #74926

The answer is very simple

If this is a daily thing, the next time the SS calls you tell them that you'll be happy to do the signing, but due to the constant delays you won't be able to set an appointment time until you have the docs in your hands. Then you accept any other signings that you're offered and squeeze this one in whenever you finally get the docs.

Under more normal circumstances, you simply tell them you must have the docs 2 hours before the appointment time or you cannot guarantee that you'll be able to do the closing.

And no, you don't have any right to charge a fee if it doesn't happen that day. YOU made the decision to sit around and wait all day instead of taking other signings and somehow making it work out. Appointment times can be changed and what better excuse are you ever gonna have to change an appointment time than "they didn't get the docs to me on time?"

Like everybody else said, it goes with the territory.

Reply by Anon1 on 11/7/05 10:19pm
Msg #74930

Re: The answer is very simple

Yep, I see your point and well put. Sometimes when one (me) gets frustrated that get so wound up they don't really know the best thing to say at the time and other people can help sort that part of it out and that was mainly why I posted it.

They called again this morning but I didn't wait, I left and did different closing. Glad I did because they never called again and there were not any docs. Needless to say, the client called me and left a message saying he's sick of dealing with them and he is going to cancel the loan all together. lol, oh well! Next please!

I wouldn't be so frustrated if it wasn't a daily thing. This does happen once and awhile and I don't have a problem with it. It was just the ongoing daily deal that was driving me batty and I didn't want to be rude about it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/7/05 10:40pm
Msg #74939

Re: The answer is very simple

** I didn't want to be rude about it.**

Being rude is being disrespectful or impolite, being agressive, being hostile, using fowl language, being condescending or just being difficult and mean. Contrary to the largest part of the population's current self-involved, self-centered, ME-outlook, being rude is not saying things that ME does not want to hear. Saying "No." or saying "I disagree with you." is not rude or disrespectful.

You set your ground rules and go with it. It is best if you can say it before you feel like ripping someone's head off. And, usually if you if set your boundaries you do not get to the head ripping point.

When I first started I let the sense of urgency the schedulers/l.o.'s pass through on the phone. Now, I just repeat that I am very sorry that I cannot do as they are asking but it is not within: my policy/my ability/my schedule/my notary law/etc.

If they think I am being rude or bullying them because I do not provide what they want just because it is something they want, they are incorrect and need to grow the heck up.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/7/05 10:43pm
Msg #74940

Foul not fowl...

Fowl language is quite okay.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/7/05 10:47pm
Msg #74942

Bluck...bluck, bluck, cluck...bluck, bluck....

Just exercising my right to fowl language

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/7/05 11:07pm
Msg #74946

Re: Bluck...bluck, bluck, cluck...bluck, bluck....

Bob white! Cheep, cheep, cheep. Quack, quack. See...that's not rude!

Reply by PAW_Fl on 11/8/05 7:43am
Msg #74972

Re: Foul not fowl...

If fowl language is okay, does that mean the the 'written' fowl language is chicken scratch?

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/8/05 10:18am
Msg #75019

Re: Foul not fowl...

Okay Okay now I've got my feathers ruffled. LOL I have laughed over this one very funny!
Beverly