Posted by BetsyMI on 1/12/06 9:08am
Msg #87791

Lowball SS

Had a SS call me last night just to negotiate my fee downward. He had no business for me now, nor has this company ever had business for me in the past.

He just continued to try to get me to accept O/N docs for $65, then he creeped up to $70. I said no and said "I'm sure you'll find someone to accept that rate". He kept trying to convince me and then he said "well I tried my best" and we hung up. LOL. Guess they want a file filled with notaries that will work for less, then they won't have to waste so much time finding a notary when they're busy.

Reply by REE_NJ on 1/12/06 9:15am
Msg #87793

Yes, I think that may be the case. I received a call last night from one which claimed I sent an e-mail to their attention and was calling me to do a e-doc closing for $65.00. I keep records of all my marketing efforts and this was not a company that I sent any information.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 1/12/06 9:24am
Msg #87800

Re: Low ball SS

I say let them fill their database full of the $40 & $50 notaries. Then maybe these SS's that are just looking for the cheapest notaries they can find will leave me alone. It is getting totally ridiculous with these companies.

Reply by Janel Nichols on 1/12/06 9:45am
Msg #87809

Re: Low ball SS

What I don't understand is at some point don't they get what they pay for? Is this the value they set on their loan closing? I thought they wanted it to close? I guess if I was dealing in remotes...I would fee much better about a notary or SA, that takes the time to figure in costs and charges a fair fee for it, rather then a notary who does not do their homework in that respect. That would be logical to me. The SS, TC and Lender certainly are not working for free. Why would they send someone out at a critital juncture to finalize signatures that would work for free? My question would be...why is your fee so low? I am of course speaking of mobile closings. Not when the borrower comes to the notary. I would suspect that you could shave off a little for those. Perhaps the SS or middle man needs to be a thing of the past. JMHO

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 1/12/06 10:10am
Msg #87813

Re: Low ball SS

I agree that the middleman should be a thing of the past. The old saying is true, "you get what you pay for" and all these notary auction companies need to understand this!

Reply by AmandaCA on 1/12/06 10:13am
Msg #87814

What about lowball TC's?

I had a TC call me yesterday, wanted to know my fee for signing w/edocs. "Hi this is ____ from _______Title Company. What do you charge for a signing in your city with edocs?"

I immediately quoted my normal fee, not high, not low, just in between, all the while thinking wait, maybe I should go higher, she said EDOCS. She said "thank you" and hung up.

I was so angry after that call. Mostly angry at myself. I should have said many things, among them:
1. Tell me about your company, where are you located, how long have you been in business, etc.
2. Do you have a signing in my city you need immediate assistance with?
3. Are you really a title company, or are you a SS using the words title company in your name and just hunting for lowball prices?

My kneejerk reaction to quote a price without getting the particulars is what irked me. Then the more I thought about it I figured I was better off. Probably would have been a headache of a signing since the initial phone call was so unprofessional.

I have to say, with work being so slow lately however, the 50 dollar signings are beginning to become attractive. I just need to fight that urge. I KNOW my services and expertise are worth way more than 50 bucks.

Reply by Calnotary on 1/12/06 10:19am
Msg #87815

Re: What about lowball TC's?

I think that was your competition who called. I used to get calls from other notaries saying
they were SS and asking for a price. I never gave them a price till I was sure to ask some
questions.

What company are you calling from?
What kind of signing is it?
O/N?
E/Docs?
Whos the lender?
Are the docs ready?
I dont work for trip fees, does your company pays if loan doesnt fund?

Making all those question you will know if it is a genuine SS, TC Lender etc.

Reply by AmandaCA on 1/12/06 10:38am
Msg #87819

Re: What about lowball TC's?

CalNotary....why didn't I think of that?! Duh!

I knew better than to just throw out a price....just that my phone has been ringing so rarely lately, it startled me! lol

Reply by BetsyMI on 1/12/06 11:05am
Msg #87841

Re: What about lowball TC's?

Well I knew who it was that called. Actually let me rephrase...the guy sent me an email asking me to call him to fill in some blanks on my application that I had filled out online. Well there were no blanks, he just wanted to talk about the fee.

Some of the comments he made were...."most of the time it's only a small HELOC"..."docs are sent to the borrower" and "it would only be 25-30 miles from your home"...yeah like all of those comments swayed me a lot....NOT.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 1/12/06 1:03pm
Msg #87898

Re: What about lowball TC's?

I would never quote a price without knowing the specifics of the loan. When asked for a price, I will always say..tell me about the loan. Where, when..o/n or e-docs...refi or purchase,
stand alone 1st or 1st and 2nd etc etc etc. There are so many variables...how can you possibly quote a 'shoot from the hip' price ?

Reply by LawrenceOK on 1/13/06 7:19am
Msg #88065

Re: What about lowball TC's?

I have noticed that more and more these companies are saying it's only 20 or 30 miles. But what they are not saying is that 20 or 30 is ONE WAY. Do these companies now want us to start giving them the return trip for free.