Posted by MaggieMae_CA on 10/7/05 12:01pm
Msg #69316

Fee Question

I was contacted by a litigation firm in TX about a mobile call to a doctor's office to notarize a Medical Records Affidavit. My roundtrip mileage for the trip would be 15.5 miles with one notarization. I quoted $35 - $25 for the travel fee and $10 for the notarization. He hired me on the spot saying that he had emailed several other San Diego notaries who quoted $75 and up for the job.

I've been doing mostly loan signings and very few general notarizations. $75 and up sounds pretty high to me (depending on how far the notary's homebase from the job site is), when people working with signing services are receiving $50/$75 and up per loan signing.

I know that people on the board here get upset when they hear someone is undercutting the competition. I do not try to undercut my competition, I came up with a zip code fee chart when I first started my business in April and feel like my travel fees are in line with others in my area (I visited other notary websites to check fees).

Your feedback is much appreciated. Please don't beat me to death for asking. It's just that I feel like I'm getting mixed messages when I read the board about this kind of thing.

Reply by CarolynCO on 10/7/05 12:07pm
Msg #69319

I've done several medical records affidavits as you describe out of Texas as well. These are different than signings. As with you, I have my mileage rate I quote them and my state-allowed notary fee.

If you haven't done it yet, be aware that usually you have to wait for the Doctor who fits you in between patients. The signing appointment time is mainly just a ball park figure.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 10/7/05 12:10pm
Msg #69320

When it comes to general notarial work, such as this, you are bound by your state laws to only charge up to the maximum amount per signature (in CA) which is $10 (in CA) plus a reasonable and previously agreed to, travel fee. For those charging $75, if they are within 8 miles of the signer, I would suggest that $65 for travel would be excessive. Considering gas prices I would not charge more than $2.50 per mile (one way distance or $1.75/mi round trip distance). That would make your fee for a 1 signature notarization $10 + $27.25 (travel charge rounded up) = $37.25. IMO, your figure was right on the mark.

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 10/7/05 12:20pm
Msg #69323

Thanks Carolyn & PAW

I have no idea how far the other notaries are from the job site and that's why I included that info in my posting. After I accepted the job I did think about the fact that it was a doctor's office and I know they can overbook and run behind schedule and maybe that's what the other notaries were taking into consideration.

Thank you both for your helpful insight!

Reply by PAW_Fl on 10/7/05 12:24pm
Msg #69327

Re: Thanks Carolyn & PAW

That's just another fee to be considered. Whenever I contract with an attorney for something like this, I tell them there is a "Waiting" charge of $36/hour billed in 15 minute increments (after the initial 15 minute wait.)

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 10/7/05 12:29pm
Msg #69331

Re: Thanks Carolyn & PAW

I think that's a fair fee to charge and something I will definitely consider doing in the future. The general notarizations (and signings for that matter) I've done so far have not had any lag time. Generally, the people involved in the general notarizations have wanted me to hit and run. Dealing with attorneys and doctors is completely different and you can end up sitting and waiting in their offices. (As the mother of 3 boys and countless doctor appointments-we won't even talk about the ER-I can say I've done more than my fair share of waiting in a doctor's office. -- lol)

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/7/05 12:47pm
Msg #69339

Maggie
Your fee for this is OK.
You are thinking "out of the signing agent box"

I had a call for a one document notarization, company called me, there was one document to be taken to the signer, have the signer sign, I notarize, hand over a check to the signer, and send the document back in the overnight envelope provided.
I told the company that it would be $10 for the notarization and $50 travel fee (it was in the next county but not too great a distance). The guy said he would pay me $100, he had called a couple of notaries and they had quoted him in excess of $100 (I believe he said $150)
They were signing agents and had quoted him title fees for a signing!
But we cannot legally do this, when it is a case of one document and one notarization we have to treat it as a regular notarization.

Reply by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 1:39pm
Msg #69372

I'm with you on this one Maggie

The pricing structure you layed out here seems reasonable. My long-winded response to your other post assumed you were considering a loan closing pricing structure. Sounds like you are on the right track. I'm doing a non loan closing this afternoon, 4 signers, no doc to print, 8 miles from my office. Will charge $50.00. My minimum traveing fee is $10.00.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/7/05 12:48pm
Msg #69340

MM - this is about what a Texas firm would be used to paying. You are in the ballpark.
B

Reply by Tina_MA on 10/8/05 4:39pm
Msg #69590

>>I was contacted by a litigation firm in TX about a mobile call to a doctor's office to notarize a Medical Records Affidavit.<<

First time I did one of these I low balled it since it was two or three notarizations less than 10 miles from me.

The joke was on me, as I was kept waiting for over 45 minutes before the good doctor could see me. Then, he proceeded to make the whole thing a trial by harassing me for requesting to verify his DL, journaling the info, making him sign the entry, and verifying his signature.

Couldn't I see all his fancy-smancy diplomas? -- awards? -- nameplate on desk? -- pics of his family? He proceeded to belittle me for making him take an oath/affirmation and acknowledgment. I wanted to stab him in the eye with my pen.

By the time we were finished, the whole process had taken longer than my usual loan signing with two borrowers.

Needless to say, when contacted to do this again, I upped the fee. I haven't had a doctor give me as hard a time as the first one did, but they all still make me wait. Time is money in this business.

Reply by taxpro on 10/10/05 3:47pm
Msg #69747

Makes me sick when doctors, attorneys, or anyone for that matter, think they are better than everyone else, and shouldn't have to play by the rules.
He was probably irritated for having to sign the document in the first place, and took it out on you.
I haven't had this type of signing, but after reading this, I'll know to quote the fee for travel and the first fifteen minutes, plus so much an hour after that, including waiting time.