Posted by Anonymous on 9/8/05 5:45pm
Msg #64264

The Notary Biz- Terrible

I just used this company and had a terrible experience with them, and am wondering if anyone has gone through the same. The edocs came at the last minute (as usual) for a signing last night but there were 140 pages for a refinance and then I had to fax them back last night 48 of them for "approval" Today they kept calling and wanting more docs faxed back because their efax wasnt working and our fed ex cut off is 4pm, at 3:40pm they asked for another fax and I had to tell them I had already dropped them off. They also had me seperate the docs into different fed ex's for each person. They were so unorganized and their instructions were completely different than Countrywide who just said put it in one package and overnight it. They paid me $85 and charged the customer $250. Has anyone else had problems with them? Do you have similiar requests usually as I have not been through this before.

Reply by Anonymous on 9/8/05 6:17pm
Msg #64269

There a bunch of signing agencies out there that simply are completely unorganized - sad, but true. As the notary actually doing the work, you have the right to lay down some ground rules before you accept an assignment. Mine are pretty simple:

1. I do not accept edocs that run more than just a few pages long - I would never accept a package of 140 pages via email. If they know what they are doing, have them FedEx you the package the day before - last minute packages always send up a red flag with me, and it's usually an indication someone on their end doesn't use their time very well.
2. Make sure the signing agency has a FedEx account of their own (or UPS overnight, etc.) so you can return the docs without any fuss.
3. If they require you to FAX some docs back to them the same day of the signing, make sure you get the COMPLETE LIST of the docs they NEED. If they're having a problem with their equipment, that's not your problem. And if they need you to re-fax docs because of an equipment problem on their end, ask for an increased fee for your trouble - it wasn't part of the original deal.
4. When you do return docs via an overnight carrier, you want a single address to send them all to. I won't spend my time dividing up the package for them - that's their job. If they asked me to sort the docs for them for multiple shippings, I expect to be paid for the extra effort.
5. And last but not least, remember your time is valuable - fees are negotiable. You don't have to accept just what they offer. If it's a big job, don't be afraid to ask for a higher fee.

One final note; if they don't like the way you want to do business (in an organized and orderly fashion), and they never call you again, be thankful! There are a lot of other agencies out there that will appreciate how you handle yourself and the degree of professionalism you exibit.

Reply by Anonymous on 9/8/05 6:45pm
Msg #64276

One time they called me and they wanted me to do an e doc 1 hour before the app. and to travel 30 miles one way, I asked for 125.00 and they said that they only pay 75.00 for that. I told them fine! get a sucker do that one. I very glad I didnt do that one for the 125.00

I have some other SS that pays me that in my local city and doesnt require fax backs.

Reply by Paul2_FL on 9/8/05 7:01pm
Msg #64277

See msg #55298. Also, why is everyone posting "Anonymous"???

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 9/8/05 8:01pm
Msg #64278

In thier 4 pages of instructions this particular ss wants multiple calls (when docs are done printing, as you leave signing-oh and have the tracking number then, they want it on the message but don't tell you beforhand,), fax backs (8-10 docs to lender, signing status to ss) which they don't disclose when calling (you really have to ask). Then they have a long list of how much you will get docked for various different reasons. Reminders to dress appropriately. What you have to do is ask yourself is "is the fee for all the extra really worth it". Then if there's disorganization is that also worth it.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/9/05 12:57am
Msg #64299

Too funny. Liz presents quite a different attitude toward her notaries in message #53403. I knew she was full of crap.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/9/05 12:55am
Msg #64298

"They paid me $85 and charged the customer $250. Has anyone else had problems with them?"

See message#53408 and the associated thread.

Reply by Teasa Mahar on 9/9/05 6:56am
Msg #64309

I have never accepted anything from them as stated above it is usually last minute edocs, far away. That profit margin for them is gross based on what was asked of notaries to do above.

Reply by Stephanie Poole on 9/12/05 7:30pm
Msg #64846

I appreciate all of the response for this and have definitely learned my lesson!