Posted by Jersey_Boy on 2/18/06 11:29pm
Msg #98249

special request pricing

A very small company that I have been doing a lot of signings for has requested that I start faxing back entire pacakages to them and FedEx the package directly to the lender.

I do not want to fax back entire packages. My longs distance bills would be insane.

I have all the technology to scan to PDF and email the package. How much would be fair to charge the company for this additional service? I estimate total additional work time to be around 10 minutes.

Reply by Danny_FL on 2/19/06 12:21am
Msg #98252

Check to see what Office Depot or what ever store that does faxes. I generally see from $1.00 to $2.50 per page. Use that as a gage.

Danny

Reply by Lisa Bittner on 2/19/06 12:45am
Msg #98254

I think its strange to ask this of a S/A but I think a dollar a page is a bit high, I would charge $25.00 additional as you stated it only takes 10 mins of your time.

It does not take toner, or paper, scanning is a good way to go.

Just my thought on the matter

Reply by Mike_NJ on 2/19/06 12:50am
Msg #98255

Telephone - Look into verizon Freedom plans $55/month unlimited LD calling. I have it on all my lines.

Scan - Depends on your email system - I can only send a 10meg attachment the scanned docs will be more then that and it will take some time to scan 150 pages and email them.

Anyway you look at this, it will take a min of 1/2 hour of your time closer to an hour with everything.

I hope they pay well, I dropped Service Link 1 1/2 years ago because of this.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 2/19/06 7:34am
Msg #98259

There is no way I would FAX back an entire set of loan docs. I would charge a minimum of $25 for scanning to PDF depending on the size of the loan package. Although you only say a small company, you don't say if it's a TC or SS. If it's an SS, why would they need the entire loan package anyway?

Reply by Calnotary on 2/19/06 9:00am
Msg #98263

What type of scanner do you use to convert them to pdf? Or in other words which model
does the lenders use to send packages in pdf. Thank you.

Reply by Mike_IA on 2/19/06 11:06am
Msg #98276

Any title company would want the original documents for processing. Faxing or scanning the entire package to a SS seems pointless to me. And I've already heard the line from SSs that they want reams of copies to prove you didn't lose a page. Companies that make requests like what you described I don't work for.

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 2/19/06 11:27am
Msg #98280

The "small company" that I am working for is an attorney. He want's to cut down on the turnaround time. Currently, I overnight to him, he copies everything and then overnights to Title.

I have adobe professional and an auto-sheet feeder type scanner, so I can put 50 pages on the scanner and walk away.

Reply by PAW on 2/19/06 7:43pm
Msg #98318

This scenario is different that what you originally stated. In your original post, you said you faxed to a small company then sent the originals to the "lender". That's what prompted my earlier response and assumption that the "small company" was the title company.

The question now is, why does the attorney need a copy of the package? Is the attorney retained by the lender, title company or borrower? If not, I don't see any reason why the attorney would need a copy of the package.

Reply by Happy_in_Fl on 2/19/06 11:39am
Msg #98282

Re: special request pricing- Perhaps,

You may consider a different option- still it is time consuming, but if you wanted to comply with the SS on this, and minimize your long distance phone charges- consider what I do.

Go to Cosco - purchase a 700 minute phone card for $20- and use that; sure you have to dial a few numbers etc. for the fax backs- but 700 minutes- is a lot less than some of the other alternatives, isn't it? Takes a long time to burn up 700 minutes, if that is your only real concern.

Reply by SoCal Signing Co. on 2/19/06 12:06pm
Msg #98285

Re: special request pricing- Perhaps,

with a scan you do not take on min of phone time

just letting the scanner take care of this is how we do it
place docs in the scanner and when that is complete email the adobe file to whomever asks for it.

the cost is only your time to place the docs in the printer and hit the start button, the computer does the rest

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 2/19/06 3:47pm
Msg #98296

SoCal

Are you a sole proprietor/independant contractor sa or an ss? What do you charge for this service? And how often do you have to perform this service? I know that if you have the appropriate equipment it doesn't take long to do. But this is something that should have a charge for. I think this is a great topic and have many more thoughts on it but I need the first question answered before I go into my further thoughts.

Reply by SoCal Signing Co. on 2/19/06 6:06pm
Msg #98300

Re: SoCal

SoCal Signing Co. is a SS, a llc.
I personally was a SA for a long time, and now a SS.

Scanning docs in is easy if you have a good scanner. I have a brother all in one laser so doing this is very easy. It takes very little time however yes there should be a charge.
It takes about the same time as printing a copy of docs for your borrower but you do not have to use paper or toner. So for me $25.00 is fine as far as additional cost.

btw this is not asked upon us very often. I never ask anyone who works with us to do this either but once in a while a broker or processor knows they may not see the docs and they need a copy for auditing purposes.

Desk pdf is a good software if you do not have a way to convert paperport to a pdf file.
I use Scansoft pdf as well.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 2/19/06 8:48pm
Msg #98326

Re: SoCal

I'm realizing that time is money more and more these days. I like to have everything ready before the signing including the shipping labels filled out and placed on the envelope. For me dropping Fedex is real close and UPS is next to my sons school so I have my hubby drop off in the morning. But I've been thinking about when we relocate I more than likely wont be so close to a drop box. We may be in a more rural location. So when recieving that request I will have to make another trip to drop docs. So it really will add another hour to the process (go home, scan, put package back together, go drop which could add another 10 miles to my trip). In that case I would charge $35 for time and milage. The same fee would be applied if there were fax backs. Now let's say I was doing this sort of assignment for your company, would you balk at the fee considering the circumstance? Would you consider it rediculous to balk at it for another $10? Now these aren't antagonistic questions, they are all things I have to consider when choosing where we will settle.

Reply by SoCal Signing Co. on 2/20/06 9:12pm
Msg #98491

Re: SoCal

Thanks for the question, if total fax backs was something I was asks of often I would charge additional and then pay the signing agent additional. Personally I think this should be the job of a processor. And if we have to do it, we need part of their pay too

$35.00 that is a fine amount, but I may pass if I can get someone to do it for $10.00 less

and I would say $25.00 for scan is about right,

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 2/20/06 11:39pm
Msg #98498

Re: SoCal

Thanks for the input.

Reply by Janlee_MI on 2/19/06 6:36pm
Msg #98305

Re: special request pricing- Perhaps,

I pay a flat fee each month for Local and Long distance and then I can call anyone or fax anyone when I need too.

Reply by PAW on 2/19/06 6:45pm
Msg #98306

Unless you have a real high speed scanner, I can't see scanning and emailing an entire package (approx. 100 pages) in 10 minutes. Even so, you must also take into consideration it is YOUR equipment and services (ISP, etc.) that are being used for the title company's convenience.

OOC (Out Of Curiosity), why would the title company need to have copies faxed backed. In most cases, there would be time for the title company to receive the docs via overnight courier to then fax the required documents to the lender for funding approval prior to the three-day rescission expiration. (Assuming, an RTC is in effect.)

Reply by NJ_Notary on 2/19/06 8:04pm
Msg #98322

HI folks,

What kind of auto sheet scanner does everyone have? and do they like it? any flaws? I am considering purchasing a new one and would like everyone's thoughts. If you know the model # etc that would be great since Im currently comparing different makes and models .

On another note, a great flat fee long distance provider is vonage. You can get a flat fee plan for $25 per month and for an additional $10 get a dedicated fax line with 250 mins out going and unlimited incoming. They also have a 500 min plan for$15 per month. I am not sure how much service you do with the small company, but it may be worth it if they ( small company) are one of ur breads and butter.

I think $30 is reasonable since 1) are using equipment u wouldnt already have to use 2)ur utilizing your ISP for additional useage 2) more electrical useage and 3) more man power useage.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/20/06 8:01am
Msg #98347

I have a Brother MFC 8220 Intellifax which I bought specifically because it has the auto feeder to scan to my computer. I use online Myfax.com for a fax service. I have no land lines. This printer is very fast for incoming doc's as well. When I scan into the computer I change the doc's to TIF and Myfax converts them to pdf and they come out like a regular fax on the other end. All incoming faxes come in my email as PDF. Which I can save or print.
As a bonus, it comes with a regular cartridge..not a little one that many new machines come with.

Reply by Jason on 2/20/06 7:46am
Msg #98345

$35 n/m

Reply by SharonMN on 2/20/06 10:43am
Msg #98376

I think it's more a question of your time. I have Cogniworld long distance, which is 3.9 cents/minute - so even if the fax took 1/2 hour, I'd still only be out $1.17. You could also look into e-fax services where you send a scan and it faxes to a real fax machine.

As the recipient, I'd rather have the e-mail file. 100 pages shooting out of the fax machine are bound to get wrinkled and out of order.