Posted by Excelsior Notary and Paralegal Solutions on 12/27/06 10:11pm
Msg #167941

Signing Agencies not willing to update fee...

Hi, everyone, I just joined Notary Rotary tonight, and this is my first post--
Has anyone run into the problem of confirming a fee, with an assigning agency, based on a specified number of miles to the Borrower's home, when, in actuality, the miles are further? This has happened to me a couple of times, including last night. I was told a job was 19 miles away, and I set my fee accordingly; however, the mileage was incorrect, and I drove 32 miles instead. I tried to have my fee updated, but I was told that was not possible. Regardless, I sent an invoice with the return package. What have some of you done in this situation? Even out of speculation, do you think my request for an increased fee will be honored?
Thank you!

Brian R. McKenna

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 12/27/06 10:33pm
Msg #167943

Normally doesn't happen

You are generally expected to know the approximate mileage to the destination, more or less. If I'm in doubt, I'll either do a quick Mapquest check while I'm on the phone with the scheduler, or if I'm not near my computer, I'll ask the scheduler to quickly check mileage with Mapquest. And schedulers usually don't know the exact distance since most of the time they're not even in your state, much less your local area.
Frankly, a minor discrepancy of 13 miles would not be enough for me to request a fee increase. If the mileage was supposed to be "around 25 miles", for example, and it turned to to be 50 or 60 miles, I would make a point of mentioning it to the scheduler when I report the status of the closing, and sometimes the scheduler is able to revise the fee. But usually the fee you quote is the fee that goes into the system and is what you will receive.
I find the mileage averages out in the long run - sometimes one will be10 to 20 miles less than expected and sometimes one will be 10 to 20 miles more than expected, and most will be pretty close to expected.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 12/28/06 7:51am
Msg #167965

Agreeing with Sharon

Once you've accepted a figure, that's generally it. Frankly, I wouldn't even mention a 13-mile difference; I'm supposed to know my area well enough to quote accurately.

This doesn't mean that you should have to eat the mileage if the town you were told on the phone is not the town where the signing takes place. For example, in Connecticut there are some similar-sounding town pairs: Plainville versus Plainfield; Norwich versus Norwalk; Taftville versus Tarriffville. If the town name could be confused, you might want to ask "Poquonock in Hartford County or Poquonock Bridge in New London County?"

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/27/06 11:17pm
Msg #167945

you set your prices and should know your area. I always ask for the address when they call so I can look it up.

I have moved and it was difficult in the begining as i had no clue where anything was but used mapquest and then had an idea.... also some are in my own town so I figure it all evens out.....

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 12/27/06 11:31pm
Msg #167946

I have a Zip Code cheat sheet. It's not 1000% accurate, but it's actual driving mileage zip code to zip code. A sheet in the house, office, car & briefcase.

They using some linear method and unless you have a helicopter to drive you in a straight line the mileage will be off a bit.

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/27/06 11:35pm
Msg #167947

zip code sheet?

Did you create this or is there some secret website to acess this?

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/28/06 7:07am
Msg #167960

Melissa Data

Do a search and then spend some time poking around on the site. Incredible amount of information here.

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 12/28/06 10:51am
Msg #167981

I created it myself after MUCH research.

Got a list of all the zip codes within the counties I serve, then did an online driving mileage calculator from my home zip to the destination zip.

Reply by notaryfla on 12/28/06 12:13pm
Msg #167992

Re: zip code sheet?

Try this website, http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code-radius-finder.asp It allows you to put in your zip code, then it finds other zip codes within the radius you specify, i.e, 0 to 30 miles from you. You can make a handy sheet to have with you if you are on the road and get a call.

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/28/06 12:33pm
Msg #167995

TY SOOOO Much! being new to my area this will help! n/m

Reply by dickb/wi on 12/28/06 12:18pm
Msg #167993

the problem jb is that in my area, at least,........

zip code to zip code can be off by as much as 30 miles because the zip areas are large......i find that a person really needs to know your areas that you work......of course in a large metro area that may not be the case.......................

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/28/06 12:46pm
Msg #168001

Same situation here, Dick...with other interesting quirks

With a few of my HUGE zips, I have to ask the actual address as some are 40 miles away from the 'city' given in the address. Nothing beats experience, research & knowing your area. Whenever a Scheduler says 'but it's only 2 miles from you!' (when I know it's not), I also know that they have done a map search; which couldn't find the number &/or street so defaulted to 'the city center'...really the Post Office.

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/27/06 11:36pm
Msg #167948

also, look at it is a learning curve to set fees n/m

Reply by Pamela on 12/28/06 1:06pm
Msg #168005

Brian, Re: Signing Agencies not willing to update fee...

Good Morning!

I know my service area and its radius. Whenever, I'm asked
to do a signing (if it appears to be outside of the service area),
as I am speaking to the person by telephone, I enter the information
onto Yahoo's Driving Directions map.

If it is outside my service area, and I decide to accept it, I quote
a certain fee (before verbally saying yes). The company can either
accept or decline.

A similar situation happened to me earlier in the year.
A scheduler telephoned with a given address for a late evening
appointment. I knew the area and thought that it was much further
than what she had said.

While talking to her, I looked on Yahoo's Driving
Directions. The location in fact, was much further (and in a area
which I do not service). She responded by telling me "It doesn't look that
far on the map". Needless to say, that assignment was not accepted.

Actually, she wasn' t the only one who tried this tactic (a few others
have tried too).

Remember, to know your service areas and to charge accordingly.

You can also try to contact the company's manager for a revised fee.
If it is a good company, they will pay you. If not, then remember
not to accept anymore assignments from them.

Have a Happy New Year!

Pam

Reply by Excelsior Notary and Paralegal Solutions on 12/28/06 1:50pm
Msg #168012

Re: Brian, Re: Signing Agencies not willing to update fee...

Thank you, Pam, and everyone else, for your responses.

For imformation purposes, I did look up the address on MapQuest, and the directions and mileage given turned out to be incorrect. There were three unmarked roads, too, all of which were little winding dirt roads in the mountains. Needlesstosay, I got lost pretty fast. After finally connecting with the Borrowers (there was no cell phone service), they came and met me and led me to their home. They also gave me correct directions home. Total EXTRA travel (using the correct directions home, times 2, only--I did not include the miles traveled trying to get to the Borrowers) was 30 miles. For this I was told I could not be compensated.

In the past, people have told me not to trust MapQuest--I have never had any problems until just the other day.

In any event, thank you, again, for your advice!

Brian

Reply by Kate/CA on 12/28/06 1:52pm
Msg #168013

Happens to me all the time. I'm in a rural area, many time the SS or TC think a town is just 11 miles away, when it really is about 35 miles. I live near a lake and have to go around the lake to get to the highway that goes up the mountain. You need to know your area. I have several communities that don't have post offices so there address reflects the town where the post office is and they are actually 25 miles away. If you are near a computer look it up while you are taking the call from the SS, otherwise carry a Thomas Guide and look it up. If the difference was 32 instead of 19 I wouldn't bother asking for more money. There are many errors in the Map programs on the net.