Posted by MBCA on 8/21/06 8:55am
Msg #139715

Notary Pays FedEx

I've been carrying on an e-mail conversation with a ss this weekend who wants to use me exclusively in this area. We finally reached an agreement regarding the fee but here's the rub,
they want me to pay the FedEx charges, submit the bill to them and they will reimburse me when my notary fee is paid (I was also told that I would be paid even before the loan was funded). When I asked why they said the lender (big name lender) no longer wants to give out the FedEx # because too many notaries have been taking advantage and misusing the privilege and the ss doesn't want to give it out for the same reason! What do you think?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/21/06 9:01am
Msg #139716

I would never agree to pay the Fedex charges in the hopes of being reimbursed.

Reply by PAW on 8/21/06 9:07am
Msg #139719

I do this with a couple of companies. Rather than requesting reimbursement, I put the charge (rounded up to the nearest $5.00) on the invoice. Then when they pay me, the payment includes the courier fee(s).

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 8/21/06 9:17am
Msg #139722

I have done this for a few companies that I know are good for the money.

Like PAW... I just add the cost of the FedEX to the invoice.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/22/06 2:39pm
Msg #139951

Ditto here. I have a few companies that do this, and so far, no problems collecting. I add it to my invoice.
My only requirement is that I am listed on the HUD for my fees, so I am paid at funding, and they pay the Fed Ex regardless of the outcome of the loan.
So far it has worked to my benefit.

Reply by Paul_IL on 8/21/06 1:57pm
Msg #139763

I have 6 title companies for whom I do this. I use the pre-paid Legal DHL envelopes. They are 19.75 for 10-40 and 17. 75 for 50-190 envelopes. I charge a handeling fee of $10 so my invoices carry a $27.75 charge for shipping and handling.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/21/06 9:19am
Msg #139723

My first thought is: If they don't or can't trust someone with a FedEx acct number, how can they trusting them to close loans????

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/21/06 9:24am
Msg #139724

Are you absolutely, positively sure that this is a reputable SS? I'd hate to turn down business, but that just screams red flag. I'd do a thorough check on them here, with the BBB, and I'd want to talk to a few others that work with them. Since they say you'll be paid before the loan even funds, I guess you'll find out quickly whether or not they'll be true to their word. If you decide to do this, save yourself some work and set up a FedEx online account and get some preprinted labels.

Reply by Leslie Przybyla on 8/21/06 9:33am
Msg #139726

Actually, I would not do this at all. The SS should set upTHEIR own account number for Fed Ex and give it to the SA. Let THEM t ake the risk. Why should they as US to take that risk. The old ploy of..."I want to use you exclusively, is a tactic to sway you to do this for them. I say, NO.../RED Flag.

Reply by Gary_CA on 8/21/06 9:57am
Msg #139730

Reimbursements create expenses

Sounds like there are some good reasons pro & con... just remember anytime you pay and get reimbursed there are some expenses (okay minor, but nonetheless...) so getting paid exactly what you payout doesn't work.

I think PAW is generous to only round up to the next $5.

Besides your bookeeping there's the risk you might not get paid.

I'd tell them you'd be glad to do it but must add a small ($5.00-$7.00) handling charge. I think if you add it all up, that's fair. Besides, looking $5.00 in the face, they might decide that giving you their account number isn't so bad after all.

Reply by SharonMN on 8/21/06 10:10am
Msg #139733

Re: Notary pays FedEx

I agree that the SS should use their own FedEx # if lender doesn't want to give out theirs. HOWEVER, nobody needs to give out their FedEx account number if they simply print out a prepaid label and fax or email it to you. You get the label for the job at hand, they get to keep their number a secret. Plus the lender probably gets a volume discount with FedEx and you don't.

I also agree that if you have an ongoing relationship with a reputable vendor that wants you to provide this service and will pay you accordingly, there's no reason not to help out - either by adding FedEx charges to your invoice or (probably simplest) quoting an all-inclusive price.

Reply by Victoria/NJ on 8/24/06 8:47pm
Msg #140699

Need more discussion with the SS

If I were you, I'd put it in WRITING that they agree to pay the charge REGARDLESS of whether or not the loan funds.

What happens if you do the closing, incur the mailing charges and the loan never funds?

First thing out of their mouth is going to be: well, we didn't get paid, so you don't get paid and you'll be sitting there with $1000's of FedEx charges (which btw, add up quickly)

My closers get a FedEx mailing slip emailed to them in PDF format. The mailing slip does not refer to the sender's account, so there is no way someone could "lift" the account number to use it for their own purposes.

The other alternative is to ask them for an upfront retainer against mailing expenses. I'd ask for $1000 up front based on $25 per mailing @ an average of 40 closings per month.

See what they say. After all, THEY are the SS, not you. <grin>

Reply by Mia on 8/21/06 10:42am
Msg #139737

Re: Notary Pays FedEx - Why not...

Why not just check the FedEx label box that states: "Bill to: recipient"
Then they don't have to give out their FedEx number but, still pay on their end.

Something stinks in Denmark here.

OK, Trivia regarding FedEx Logo -- can you find the "arrow" in the FedEx logo?
(hint: Look at the bottom part of the big E.... it's between the e and the x).

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/21/06 12:25pm
Msg #139753

That's curious ....

It would be intesting for me to know who the SS and lender is in your case. I had a similar call from an unkonwn ss and got the same ansewers you did. However, the named lender I have worked directly for in the past and as of two weeks ago, they have no problem with me having their Fedex number, so I declined the offer. Besides, when someone says they want to use me exclusively in my area, it sets off my bs alarm. they can only promise to call you first, but lets face it, if you don't answer in a few rings, it is on to the next notary.

Like PAW, I do have a couple of clients that I do bill for shipping charges, however they are extablished relationships, in other areas of our business besides loans and none are signing services. In this day of SS going out of business in ever increasing numbers, I think that I would be very careful.

Reply by Shan Yu on 8/21/06 1:55pm
Msg #139762

Since everyone is saying be careful of this SS, I thought I come in and defend myself. Yes Glenn (victorville), I did email you as well as Mary(lancaster) and a few others (bakersfield, San Diego) on here to see if you can service for me the area you live in (don't see anything wrong with that, do you?). And yes when i meant give my business to you exclusively, I meant every word.
I do signings part time for 3 branches of CW in the Los Angeles area, Most of my work is local, but I do get some work out of bounds. I have a handful of notaries that work for me right now, locally, but my signing business is growing and I do need the coverage in other areas. Right now I've been sending my local notaries, to lancaster, bakersfield, san diego and apple valley and so forth, but I have to pay them more for the long distance they have to travel. So to cut my expenses down, I need notaries out in those regions instead. As far as the fedex is concern, that is what CW has told me (at least with the branches that i work with). I called Fedex several times regarding security issue about giving account numbers out, they said not to give it out at all. I even asked if there can be a temp account that can only be used once, Fedex said no. And with the Fedex thingy, Im new to it myself because I have not farmed that many signing out to out of region notaries. Ok..enough said, I have to get back to work.

Reply by Ndwa on 8/21/06 2:06pm
Msg #139768

Re: Notary Pays FedEx-Shan Yu

***I called Fedex several times regarding security issue about giving account numbers out, they said not to give it out at all. ***

It sounded like you're looking out for your client's best interest. If that's the case then why don't you or have your client send a pre-printed label along with the docs for the requested signing.

Reply by Shan Yu on 8/21/06 2:09pm
Msg #139770

And one more thing

The attitude on this forum SUCKS, very negative. Sometimes things are just what they are, but it is aways scrutinize before it even gets a chance. That's why I really don't like to post, I just read. Have a nice day.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 8/21/06 2:24pm
Msg #139773

Re: And one more thing

How can you say the attitude on this forum sucks just because people are discussing this issue of the notary paying for the shipping up front. As a notary you know there are companies out there that are unethical, and have questionable payment practices. People are bound to be skeptical when a company they have never worked for before wants them to pay out of pocket for shipping, and be reimbursed later. And to research and ask questions about the company is not scrutinizing, it is just plain common sense.

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/21/06 2:39pm
Msg #139779

Re: And one more thing

***The attitude on this forum SUCKS, very negative***

I saw absolutely nothing negative in any post to this thread.

I do not pay FedEx to ship docs period and no one else should, unless it is your mistake and you are paying the expenses to correct a notary error.
If someone has a security issue (not one to date in my hundreds of signings from across the nation) they should send a prepaid/printed address label.

If you call this advice negative, you're too sensitive for this industry.

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/21/06 3:00pm
Msg #139783

Re: And one more thing

If it sucks so bad, why do you even read it?

Sorry Shan, but what you're offering is a shitty deal for the signing agent, and response after response saying the same thing should tell you that. It's not a sucky attitude we have, it's a sucky offer you made, goes completely against what's standard in the industry.

It would be very simple for you to open a Fed Ex account and give that number to the SA's. If you're not willing to do that then guess what? Your attitude kind of sucks too.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/21/06 3:06pm
Msg #139785

Shan-Yu .... Re-read my post.. It wasn't you I was talking

about .....

1) It was a phone call we (or I) got, not an email

2) You never asked me to pay for the shipping

3) It was another lender other than the one you mentioned, and I never mentioned the lender by name.

4) You never said anything about using me exclusively

5) I sent you a reply to your email (which you never replied to, by the way) saying I would be happy to help you out up here and gave you my rates.If I objected to your email, I would have replied to you privately and not posted on a public forum.

6) and finally, I never mentioned your name, why would you think it was you? I get several emails asking for service per day, not just yours.

I am sorry that you feel the way you to about the forum, however it is ovious by your comments that you did not read the posts completely. Please re-read the string and then think about you comments ....

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/21/06 3:29pm
Msg #139791

Just in case you misunderstood #1

I should have said Mary got the email and I got the phone call.

Also, I have just received an assignment from the lender you mentioned today from a branch close to you and I outright asked if they ask the notary to pay shipping from any branch of that lender and the answer was as far as she knew there, the answer was no. But as you say, could be only one branch or two and in all fairness, the left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing.

As far as your offer, I appreciate the thought, but now, no thanks.

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/21/06 4:00pm
Msg #139795

Wow Shan Yu, take a breath.

No one said anything negative, and no one posted your name. What you're requesting is VERY different from normal procedures. Please allow us to discuss it and have some reservations about something that is very rarely handled in this way. But now that I've seen a glimpse of YOUR attitude, I officially change my advice. I wouldn't work for you if even if you sent my check in the package.

Geez, when are SS going to learn to approach a notary board in a more professional, less confrontational manner?

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/21/06 4:11pm
Msg #139797

Re: And one more thing

**The attitude on this forum SUCKS, very negative.**

Shan Yu -

People are having a notary discussion and you cut in and tell people off?

No one had said your name at all.

You read, you learn, but you don't share anything until you jump in to be negative to notaries?

Okay...well...now we know who you are and what you think of this forum.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 8/22/06 1:08am
Msg #139851

Maybe.

There is one law firm for whom I have done several signings that I would be happy to bill for FedEx charges. That is because we have a long-standing relationship and the firm pays very promptly. A new company?r I'd want to establish trust first, with three or four signings paid on time, then I'd consider some other arrangements. So far, I have not had anyone request that I pay FedEx and get reimbursed.

As for "exclusive" deals, watch out. That's a red flag for me, too.