Posted by Allison_Mich on 1/4/06 11:48am
Msg #85963

NNA insult continued.........

I have all of the post below about the NNA and what it is and isn't and how they are "backstabbing" their current membership base. They should be advertising how to become a notary to be a public official in their state. Anyhow, we are all complaining on this board, should we not do something about it like a letter campaign to the NNA president and/or marketing department? Will flooding their email and snail mail from at least a hundred or more notaries on this board and others do any good? It is good to each others on this board about our concerns and complaints about the NNA, but we should be sharing these concerns and complaints with the president of the NNA and/or marketing vp. The thoughts expressed below in the initial message "nna insult" shoudl be expressed in emails and snail mail. Is this an undertaking that doesn't make sense or can it be accomplished?

Allison Maxwell
Michigan Notary

Reply by Shane_OH on 1/4/06 11:54am
Msg #85967

Here's the thing. If you are a brand new notary, the NNA has some resources which are valuable to them. The NNA is the National Loan Signing Agency....so they handle a lot more notary stuff than what we do.

Most experienced people break ties with them, in my opinion, once they get established. I registered for my 1st year with them, and got my E&O, etc... never once got a signing because of them, and really benefit from them except to say I was a member of the NNA...whoopdie Do. Noone cared if I was a member or not..... so, we've split ways.. and I can't say its hurt my business at all.

Writing them really won't do anything, they are in the business to make a profit, like we all are....and they will do whatever is necessary to keep making money.... Do your business above and beyond what everyone else does, and you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Reply by patricia on 1/4/06 12:01pm
Msg #85975

well I have had loan reps tell me that their companies no longer allow notary signings because of all the bad experiences and borrower complaints about incompetent notaries.
I have heard several complaints that the notary called borrowers and told them that the
borrower had to come to them rather than the appointment in borrowers home as
scheduled.

Reply by Teddog_CO on 1/4/06 12:19pm
Msg #85989

Patricia, Read post 85834 & you'll see one reason why. nm

Reply by patricia on 1/4/06 5:47pm
Msg #86078

Re: Patricia, Read post 85834 & you'll see one reason why. nm

msg 85834 is small potatoes, I am refering to notaries who falsify their background and
experience, also quite a few offer 24 hour service when they have a full time day job, they will
accept daytime appts. and then call borrower and say they wont get there until 7:00 pm, also
had complaints about notaries going to appts and bring 2 or 3 children, then sitting in living
room while borrowers go through documents at the dining table, some have charged borrowers the notary fee when they are also paying for it through escrow...and on and on.
I am not saying all new notaries are like this but the advertising seems to be attracting this
type of person.

Reply by John_NCal on 1/4/06 12:36pm
Msg #85992

I agree with Shane on practically all of his points. But I do think that Allison is correct in letting them, the NNA, know what professional notaries really think. It probably won't make a difference in their marketing, but what the hell, why not!
I sent my email.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/4/06 2:09pm
Msg #86016

Re: It hasn't made a difference ...

in their marketing campaign, even though for two years now I've told them that I don't wish to re-up my membership. I've relayed this through e-mails, through letters and over the telephone. They still continue calling, writing and e-mailing -- some things just don't change.

Reply by Shane_OH on 1/4/06 12:40pm
Msg #85994

correction: The NNA is NOT the National Loan Signing Agency

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/4/06 2:48pm
Msg #86033

Believe you're wrong...see my post on NNA thread below (nm)

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/4/06 2:51pm
Msg #86034

Oopsie. Above post refers to Shane's 1st post (nm)

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 1/4/06 12:46pm
Msg #85995

My thoughts

I too miss the days when there were a few hundred of
us (NSAs) comparing notes on the old NASA board and
creating many of the NSA proceedures still used today.
I also miss the days when the National Hockey League
had only six teams, but the world moves on,
This business really took off about 10 years ago
when national mortgage lenders became more prevelant.
Prior to that , most people got re-fi loans and HELOCS
at theri local Bank or S&L and did the signing right there.
The lenders realized that it was cheaper and more convenient
for the borrowrer to have the signing at the customer's home.
The Notary Public buisiness has been around for centuries.
The NNA was created long ago to have an orgainiztion for Notarys
Public to get educated etc.
Prior to the advent of NSAs, the Notary Public business was about
as exciting and profitable as an sixth grade checkers torunament.
When Susan Pense ( the founder of NASA and "Mother" of the NSA
business was no longer able to operate NASA, she sold it to NNA in
late 1990s.
NNA obviously saw a good opportunity to expand their membership
and services, which is what non-profit organizatons usually look to do.
Trade unions run apprentice programs which produce more plumbers.
Some new plumbers do better than others.
Cream will usually rise to the top. I would imagine that there
are many new NNA NSA graduates doing well. Unfortunatly, there
are also probably many who have not yet recouped the cost of
becomming a NSA.
As long as I get enough calls from new customers, who say that
they got my name off ot Signingagent.com. to pay for
my membership , I will continue to belong.
Admittedly, my attitude might be a bit different if lived in So Cal
Notrot shows about 75 NSAswithin 20 miles of my ZIP amd aboaut 900
within 20 miles of 90210
Obviously, this business is changing , and will continue to do
so. Hard working, competent NSAs will adapt and prosper.
Others may need to find a new business.
Best of luck to all for a healthy , happy and prosperous New Year.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/4/06 12:57pm
Msg #85998

As always I think Bob hit it right on the noggin

Reply by Paul_IL on 1/4/06 12:57pm
Msg #85999

Re: My thoughts

Gee Bob,
Those warm fuzzy feeling toward NNA would not have anything to do with you being a speaker at their convention and such would it?

Reply by Teddog_CO on 1/4/06 1:16pm
Msg #86004

Paul, I think you "hit it right on the noggin" lol nm

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 1/4/06 1:29pm
Msg #86008

Paul...

...you beat me to the punch. As the saying goes, "follow the money"...which doesn't necessarily translate to Bob being paid directly by the NNA. However it has been implied in some earlier postings by a fellow Chicago Notary that Bob has benefited greatly in a signing service sense from the NNA's glut of Notaries hitting the streets. What say you, Bob?

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/4/06 4:47pm
Msg #86065

Re: Paul...

**However it has been implied in some earlier postings by a fellow Chicago Notary that Bob has benefited greatly in a signing service sense from the NNA's glut of Notaries hitting the streets. What say you, Bob?**

Unlike me, Bob probably won't respond to this as he has more class than I about the forum wars, and he has less will and a whole lot less time to debate, I think. I am always ready to respond if I think I have a valid point... as you know.

If that Chicago notary would have been forthright and posted with her/his name on this board I might have some interest in her. (See #81545, Dennis) This person says

**you are taking away work from me and my fellow notaries here in the ChicagoLand area. I**

How pathetic is that that she /he wants Bob to back off and let her / him have something ... no, she/he does not want to EARN it...just quit being a PIG Bob.
And I'll spare you a replay and blow by blow of what everyone said here...it's on that thread...that's the jist of it...you don't like those anon posters and neither do I..so not much credibility from this board and Anon's comments to readers here as best I could tell.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 1/4/06 5:03pm
Msg #86071

Brenda...

...the person I'm referring to who implied that Bob was in fact a signing service was NOT anonymous (see message #81577). She was very up front as to who she was & didn't mince her words. You may think Bob has all the class in the world...but I believe anyone who shills unabashedly for the NNA is someone I don't hold up a shining example to follow. You pick your friends in the signing agent world & I'll pick mine. Deal?

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/4/06 9:11pm
Msg #86149

Re: Brenda...

*...the person I'm referring to who implied that Bob was in fact a signing service was NOT anonymous (see message #81577). *

Yep, you're right on, Dennis...I forgot because it fit together in my mind that the Anon poster was the one who followed it up with a name...I did not say I am right about it...just that's what it seemed like to me and I certainly did lump them together. You are correct.

* You may think Bob has all the class in the world...*

WHOA and NO...just more class than I have about this kind of thing going on in THIS thread...definitely not ALL the class in the world - no way. But, now Charles Ca is pretty classy...PAW used to be but he's started using "LOL! nm" on his posts - not so classy when you like pocket protectors (I should know...If you start with ROFLMAO!!! nm there WILL be problems Mr. Florida Muscle-Beach '75)but, I digress!! Imagine that...

*but I believe anyone who shills unabashedly for the NNA is someone I don't hold up a shining example to follow. *

That's really interesting. I figured Bob was playing peacemaker, LOL...trying to look at it objectively, analyze it, etc. You know, when I read that post I did not see it as a really big help to the NNA. It never occurred to me to quantify mentor value or friendship based on Bob's decision NOT to react like I have toward them. Some people like green peas, some don't.

What I got from his remarks were that he'd keep his membership as long as it helped his business. Bob's not the only one who does that - several of my friends in the biz do but I do not want to end friendships over such as that.

**You pick your friends in the signing agent world & I'll pick mine. Deal? **

Perhaps I have overlooked something here because that sounds pretty strongly put . If it helps I was NOT posting about someone I thought was YOUR friend...I thought it was anon. I am sure Anon and the other lady are nice people (though I still wonder if they are the same or not, but would need to go back and read the thread and see why I thought that.)

Hey...maybe they just don't like Bob. And you apparently don't care for him (conclusion drawn because of the NNA remark you made)...not that anyone needs a reason to not like other people!

... if it suits you all it just tickles me. Each to their own in the signing agent world of friendships...you are right Dennis. I just regret you thought I'd expect anything else by whatever it was that I said.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/4/06 9:54pm
Msg #86154

Re: Brenda...Nice job.

You carefully and completely answered the challenge very nicely. Does it matter a whit? Nope - except to you and a few that know you.

Well done. Don't expect anything. But you proved your point if anyone takes the time to weed through it.

That's why I like your blog so much. It's complete as to it's thought and makes the reader understand. This venue ain't it kiddo, unless you have those short and snappy (and sometimes rude) answers. No use casting pearls to swine......darn, who said that??

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/4/06 11:01pm
Msg #86162

Re: Brenda...Nice job. --- TGal

**No use casting pearls to swine......darn, who said that?? **

I'd love to take credit but I ripped it right out of Matthew 7:6.

I just emailed you...

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/4/06 11:25pm
Msg #86163

Re: Brenda...Nice job. --- TGal --- back atcha N/M

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/4/06 4:37pm
Msg #86064

The NNA...Bob and I disagree/but he is still #1 with

me as far as a wonderful and helpful friend and mentor go...nonetheless there are times when Bob is "off" LOL J/K



Bob,
Your opinion is respected on this but I like mine better.

NNA is well within their right to make a buck. I like to as well.

I am unable to use them for advertising because I feel so negatively toward their deceptive pretense that they care for the well-being of their "members." Actually they suckered me into that illusion and that's really what ticks me off. I cannot support them as a result. It's more than just a fee to advertise. It's called the N.N. ASSOCIATION. Don't want to associate. Don't want to drink Koolaid with them and pretend they are a good, straight up group. Don't want to be a part of how they get more people in there.

Will cut this short but I respectfully disagree that they operate like other prof. assns. I would actually rather miss the $45-55 calls that I got from SigningAgent.com. I have worked 20% less this year and made 40% more over all ...without the NNA's help since March.

Finally got honest with myself about what I needed to make to stay in the bus. and I do not miss the cheap companies any more.

I just wish I had the energy to start up a real organization...like Charles suggested. As long as it's the NNA we'll be involved with people who are not the least bit interested in the notary's commission but thought they were getting involved with a MLM kind of thing where people help and want to make YOU successful because when YOU are they are. Nope...doesn't work like that.


But I still love Bob and all those pretty things he makes with Duct Tape.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/4/06 8:01pm
Msg #86134

Brenda, one's just gotta love a woman who knows the

difference between duct tape and duck tape

Reply by Paul_IL on 1/4/06 12:55pm
Msg #85997

NNA is simply a company out to make Money!! They could care

less about Notaries in General. They make their money by selling memberships, supplies, certifications, E&O etc...They are in it just for themselves. It is in their best interest to crank out as many NSA's, CNSA etc... because that is what keeps them going. Once a Notary finds out how worthless they are they do not renew membership so NNA has to find a new body to pay that annual fee.

They could care less what you e-mail them cause they can just go out and find some newbie that believes their line of BS about the quick & easy money. What they fail to tell you is how many others they have just pushed out in your area..

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/4/06 2:58pm
Msg #86038

Agree, Paul, but Allison has a great idea...

If they are suddenly swamped with e-mails every....hmmmm....what would be a good day to bury them... every day? From MEMBERS yelling foul... well, it might let them know they have a PROBLEM. A snowball can become an avalanche... start it rolling.

Reply by Teddog_CO on 1/4/06 3:22pm
Msg #86046

Lee/AR- that sounds about right to me as well ! nm