Posted by GenB_CA on 2/27/06 12:03am
Msg #100158

Vital Signing -- mixed feelings

I did a signing for Vital Signing this weekend and have to say I have mixed feelings about the pay. I took the signing because I could really use the experience and the money. $70 for edocs. I know this low but I only had to go about 1 mile. Then I get there and it turns out to be old friends I hadn't seen in a couple years (I'm sometimes terrible with names. They sounded familiar but for the life of me I couldn't place them!).

Anyways, $70 to go 1 mile and meet with old friends, not too bad.

Then I see on the HUD $250 to Vital Signing for notary fees....now I feel a bit perturbed.

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/27/06 12:22am
Msg #100160

Live & learn... Even a mile away (old friends have nothing to do with the equation) with Edocs & all the hand-holding Vital does...yep, you were too cheap. You'll know better next time. Now just remember to do better!

Reply by GenB_CA on 2/27/06 12:25am
Msg #100161

Live & Learn....One of my favorite sayings to live by.

Reply by Kelly M Robertson on 2/27/06 6:52am
Msg #100176

Another way to look at it

I don't think what Vital is getting paid has anything to do with what you get paid (although I understand your point). You ask for your fee, they ask for theirs.

I just did a signing this weekend for $200 and on the HUD, the Notary Fee was only $125. If the company who referred me lost money or made money, I don't care and I don't make their earnings any of my business. Bottom Line: All I care about is getting My Fee.

Reply by GenB_CA on 2/28/06 10:13pm
Msg #100829

Re: Another way to look at it

Thanks everyone. You've all given me some food for thought. I know it seems petty but when I let my emotions get involved I like to get a different perspective. All of you helped alot.

Reply by RayC_TX on 2/27/06 6:55am
Msg #100177

They do something for thier money. Let the signing go bad, let someone file against a bond. I can almost bet you wont see thier name on the dotted line !

Reply by John_NorCal on 2/27/06 9:01am
Msg #100201

I don't get any calls from Vital Signings anymore. When they sent their email out stating what they will pay, I replied with what I charge for signings. I just won't do edocs for $70.00, so I guess I'm off their list. Oh well, on to bigger and better things!

Reply by Genkichan on 2/27/06 9:33am
Msg #100203

What really gets me about this is that a while back they sent out an email claiming to have "renegotiated" their fees with their clients due to changes in the industry. They claim to have lowered their fees to their clients, and as a result asked notaries to accommodate as well. $250.00 for a signing is NOT a "renegotiated" fee. The word hypocrite comes to mind. I haven't worked for them since my early days as an SA, and don't expect to, either.

Reply by davidK on 2/27/06 10:36am
Msg #100213

I was just dreaming about Vital a few nights ago and wondering if (1) they were still offering just $70 for e-docs, and (2) did I make the right decision when I said I won't work for those fees.

Sure, I gave up a lot of business by saying no, but the other day I had an Argent loan to sign and it remined me of how much effort those Ameriquest loans from Vital took to print, get signed and fax back, and since Argent is just another division of Ameriquest the paperwork was almost identical to Ameriquest. The one difference is that Vital was generally paying $100 in the old days, now they pay $70 for the same effort. The Argent loan paid $100 by not going thru Vital. I guess my decision was correct.

Now if more notarys would make the same decision maybe the clock would turn back to the good old days and we could have a better shot of making a living as a NSA.

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 2/27/06 10:54am
Msg #100216

In my early days, I used to do a lot of signings for Vital... every since the email went out, I haven't done one. They called me a few weeks ago for a signing, when I quoted them my fee they asked me if I received the email saying that they restructered their fee.

I said that I did get the email, but I am not restructering my fee. They hung up on me and haven't called back since. OK by me.

Reply by Cynthia James on 2/27/06 12:53pm
Msg #100274

Hi,

Vital Signings' fee doesn't bug me nearly as much as all of the hand-holding and fax-backs they require. The pay is low, but getting paid in 2 weeks is not a bad deal and they pay on time.
I've been making a concerted effort to sign with mortgage and title companies, so I can receive the full signing fee.

Reply by ccicar on 2/27/06 2:09pm
Msg #100297

Hi,

In the town I live in we have many new mortgage companies opening. What is the easiest and most productive way to go about getting signings directly from them? I have only dealt with signing companies. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Reply by Wright on 2/28/06 1:31pm
Msg #100671

I have worked for Vital for many years. I have never had a problem getting paid, they pay quickly and faster than any other service out there. I also did receive the email with the reduction of fees, and it all comes down to simple econimics! Get $70.00 for edocs or sit on my ass watching I Love Lucy! It all adds up at the end of the month and what I really value is the fact that I DO get paid and I never have to call them for payment specially with so many companies out there that make you work for FREE since they don't pay you.

As far at the amount on HUD, I dont care what they are making as long as they agree to my fee. They are a business and have expenses that I as an individual notary don't have...and NO SIGNS....I get half my fee....Vital Signing gets zero and has to eat it!

In reference to the "babysitting", they have explained that if I follow these few simple steps they will be not need to "babysit" me! 1. Call borrower as soon as assignment is give to you to make contact and to set apt. 2. Once apt. is set, call Vital with apt. time. 3. Once docs are received or printed, again call Vital with status and 4. once signing is completed, call Vital with status! It's the notary that find it too difficult to follow these simple NOTARY 101 steps that are receiving the "babysitting" calls.

So for you notaries that won't sign for $70.00, thank you, more signing for me and enjoy I Love Lucy!