Posted by anonymous on 1/14/06 11:43am
Msg #88354

The Part Time Notary-Just an opinion

It would be wonderful if one felt they could earn a solid steady income from notary work, with that said and more here so in Southern Ca, it would be difficult to do. Also if one has had a life threatening disease and medical benefits are a must. Many of the so called part time notaries may not be in a position to do notary work on a full time business. I happen to work a full time job, as well as the notary work and as mentioned, I do notary on a part time basis, however I'm not sure just how part I would actually call my notary work. My cell phone is glued to my hip. I answer every call that comes in personally. I excuse myself from meetings to accept calls even when my cell is on vibrate. I accept all work orders as long as the signing service it a reliable one and one known to me. My goal is to always provide accurate and quality service. Many signings are early evening appointments, I often work a 15-18 hour day, it is rare occurence I turned down a signing.
So the part time notary is relative, if we gain that title simple because we hold a full time position in another profession, it doesn't mean we are not ready to provide the excellent service when called upon. Thanks and again just thinking out loud.

Reply by Howie35CT on 1/14/06 12:19pm
Msg #88362

Wow! I thought I was the only one that thought of this business that way. I too carry my cellphone constantly (never know when those calls will begin for the day) and make all my appointments even while sitting at my full-time gig desk. I really enjoy the work, it's just that my cellphone doesn't get turned off (or stop ringing, for that matter) until 10:00pm my time since most of the companies I am signed up with go home around 7:00pm PST. I'm actually thinking of changing my "part time" to "full time" on my profile because of this. I appreciate your thoughts!

Reply by anonymous on 1/14/06 3:37pm
Msg #88420

Re: Howie35CT

Thanks, I'm with you all the way.

Reply by John_NorCal on 1/14/06 12:21pm
Msg #88363

Anon (Don't know why, but you are)
In my opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with a part timer in this business. This past year I had to work part time but am now full time, except during the tax season when I will have to work around those appointments.
The problem comes when some part timers treat this as a hobby, for "pin" money, just a means to buy gifts, etc. Those are the ones who have no real commitment to this business and who take jobs like the proverbial $50 signing where they have to drive umpteen miles, fax back, etc, etc, etc. They are the ones that help feed the bottom feeding signing services who will sacrifice quality for price. This in turn gives the professional signing agents a bad repuptation. If you choose to work part time for what ever reason, that is perfectly understandable and acceptable. It appears from your post that you attempt to give as much effort as possible to your signing endeavors, my hat is off to you and to others who give the same commitment as you do. It's the other part timers as I've mentioned, that are the real problem in this industry.

Reply by DB/ME on 1/14/06 1:18pm
Msg #88379

I was just thinking...a part time police officer....a part time rn....a doctor who "only" sees patients 3 days a week....does it make them any less of a professional? something to think about...

Reply by anonymous on 1/14/06 4:10pm
Msg #88429

Re: John NorCal- re:anon poster

John it is simple and for the life of me I don't get why so many others get upset with anon posters. What does it matter who states what, isn't it about the content of what one says? I post anon simply because I have strong opinions, others won't always agree. I'm not interested in being bashed on the board by other posters using my name(for signing services to observe the banter that will ensue), this has happened in the past. And guess what, the person accusing me of saying something was totally wrong, it wasn't even me. I'm not interested in seeing my name appear on this board and viewed by signing services who may or may not choose to use me based on my opinions, I may offer up if posting in my name.
It's not a big secret who's who, it's merely a personal preference, that's all, simple, black and white, no big secret.....really.
I know many posters who prefer to post anon, to each his or her own. If one really wants to know who is posting anon, research......you will find out.
There are several posters on the board, once a new name appears, they quickly click on their site to read who they are, where they are from and so on. Who cares who someone is, we are independent contractors there is no competition here, you can't force the signing service to call you-they do this on their own. Each time I post in my name the number of times my site is then viewed increases by 25-30 hints, this is fine that another notary wants to find out about another poster. I prefer (and that's just me) to think if my site gets hit on, perhaps it's a signing service. Now I'm totally aware many will research who you are anyway and can find out and I say find out all you want but it's my chosen business position to not post using my name but anon. Believe you me, I have nothing to hide it's just a business decision that I prefer. Simple, no big mystery it would be nice if others could respect the decision others make without trying to impose their own way of operating their business.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/14/06 6:32pm
Msg #88447

Anon poster

I don't usually engage anonymous posters but you seem to have genuine concerns and you post was legit and cogent.

My primary dislike of Anonymous posters stems from the fact that there is no way without reading the post to determine if they are serious or full of what makes the grass grow greener. There is no need to have all of your information out there for all to see but it is nice from my standpoint to have someone who I can recognize as a an interested party and not just a sniper. There are many who have pen names that are not recognizable and not tied to their profiles. I personally know some of the posters and some of them are premium members and they post without links to their profiles because of problems they have had with other posters.

I use my profile in all of my posts because I don't mind having my information out there. I am not afraid of potential competition and I am not afraid that someone will trace something back to what I said. In fact if some thinks I am wrong I want them to tell me. If they want to look at my profile I want them to know who I am. I have actually gotten business from other posters on this site because we each knew who the other was. I have also referred business to others when the opportunity came up. I certainly wouldn't refer business to someone I didn't know: no profile no referral.

As far as SS or others k=not liking what is said. There are SSs I have crossed swords with on this site and we continue to discuss those items we agree upon. Since this is a business I would hope that those SSs who are serious about their business would use the best, most cost effective and responsive notary:if they don't its their business and they will eventually be out of business. Even though I have crossed swords with some SSs I continue to have cordial relations and hold them in high regard although from our individual perspectives we see things differently. I hope this helps and I hope you find an anonymous name to use other than anonymous itself.

Reply by anonymous on 1/14/06 6:51pm
Msg #88454

To Charles re:anon

I can appreciate your comments, however I stand firm and quite cozy with anon. I'm sorry I simply don't see it as a big of a deal as others, again for me it's the content, it's of no interest to me who says what.
I refer and suggest signing services to other notaries and vice versa by those I have established relationships with, in my area. However the signing service also has access to these notaries via NOTROT after all this is where we met. Thanks Charles....

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/14/06 8:24pm
Msg #88465

Sunglasses, psychology and the CHP

It is interesting to note that among law enforcement circles there is a general tendency to wear sunglasses and in particular silvered or very dark sunglasses, even if its not necessary for the level of light. Psychologists tell us that when we can not see anothers eyes in a conversation it make us (as a whole uncomfortable), perhaps that is the same phenomenon we are seeing here. If you goal is anonymity then whay not have tht same anonymity without making others in the community uncomfortable. The goal of anonymity may be easily achieved with out the confusion of using anonymous especially when that particular moniker has been so abused. If anonymity is you only goal perhaps you cold reconsider using anonymous and try a consistent approach even if you spell anonymous backwards. As it is I don't know to which one of you I am speaking, and it really doesn matter but I believe that you might derive more enjoyment from this site with the consitent use of some other nom de plume than anonymous. If, as you stated you main interest is content then why not just use the most secure method of all and just lurk, evidently, and you are most welcome, you feel the need to do more than that by posting. It seems that it could be a win-win situation with a consistent identification. Anyway, enough said!

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/14/06 8:36pm
Msg #88468

Re: Sunglasses, psychology and the CHP

Or the anonymous poster could truly just not care since he said " again for me it's the content, it's of no interest to me who says what.".

I think way too many people are wasting way too many words and time on trying to convince other people how they should and should not post. I find the threads full of anonymous people annoying too, but until Harry decides to change it, it's as reasonable a name choice to use as any of ours.

The "why you shouldn't be anonymous" posts are turning into the new "how do I get started" threads of this board. We've all heard it a million and one times by now and there is really no new way to say it. That horse is so long dead it's already been turned into Alpo and pooped out by the dog who ate it.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 1/15/06 10:55am
Msg #88526

Can't say I disagree NM

Reply by anonymous on 1/14/06 9:21pm
Msg #88483

To Charles-

Charles way to much thought is going into this on your part, really it's not a big deal. If it so disturbs you, totally ignore all anon posters, many do or they claim we wear brown bags, or I've heard it said we think we are fooling everyone in those brown bags but they can see through the bag. Charles just for your own piece of mind I actually do get all I wish to get from the board and I do my fair of observing (or to use your words lurking), as for doing more, it's a free country or last I knew it was, and yes I will post if I so choose to. It doesn't shattered me if I'm ignore but yes trashing my name on the board is altogether a different issue.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 1/14/06 11:24pm
Msg #88495

Re: John NorCal- re:anon poster

Posting with your link is a great way to get business!! I am surprised more notaries don't post with their own name.

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/15/06 12:22pm
Msg #88540

Re: John NorCal- re:anon poster

Why are you surprised? People have given many many reasons why they choose not to link to their profile on this board. Perhaps if you made more of an effort to actually partiicipate in the conversations instead of just spewing your marketing tips all over the place you'd already know why so many people don't.

For some of us, the almighty dollar isn't the be all and end all. Not everything we do has to be geared toward getting more business, some of us value other things as equally or even more. Like our privacy.

Reply by DB/ME on 1/14/06 1:15pm
Msg #88377

Excellent opinion. I agree. Part time is not "half a person"...you/we still are notaries and may not want/choose/have to be full time.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 1/14/06 1:32pm
Msg #88383

Doesn't sound much like part time. Sounds more like multitasking. I couldn't agree with what you said more, anon.

Reply by Calnotary on 1/14/06 2:25pm
Msg #88394

When I get interviewed by a SS or TC, they ask me if Im full time or PT, I tell them full time
because thats the truth. One time I asked one TC why about that question. They told me
that they prefer full time, so they are more flexible on their schedule. Even though most signings are
in the late hours, they prefer full timers.

Reply by anonymous on 1/14/06 3:47pm
Msg #88423

Calnotary

I do think of myself as a full time notary since I seldom turn down a signing and answer each call as stated and as for the part time or full it never comes up. I'm a notary and perform notarial services when called upon. I seldom in the years I've been doing notary work get calls for a signing at 10 a.m. in the morning with the exception of Saturday morning appointments. Mine are most often late afternoon or early evening and occasionally later in the evening and I do so enjoy almost every one of them.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 1/15/06 8:58am
Msg #88506

It's not the hours, but the attitude

Attitude is everything. If you approach this business like a profession instead of a hobby, no one will have a beef with you. It's the ones who come on and say, How do I notarize a DOT (Mortgage), give me a list of all the best paying title companies, etc because I'm doing this so I can afford my luxury car (and, oh, by the way, I have to work around the babies nap time, kids soccor practice, my sewing group, so you can see that I don't have a lot of time to spend, but I need to make the big bucks!!!!) Those we all have trouble with. If you rarely turn down a signing, and work 15 - 18 hours days, I'd say you probably are doing TWO FULL TIME JOBS!

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/15/06 4:04pm
Msg #88565

Re: It's not the hours, but the attitude

"If you rarely turn down a signing, and work 15 - 18 hours days, I'd say you probably are doing TWO FULL TIME JOBS!"

And I would add to that, unless you are REALLY in need of the money, stop working 15-18 hour days! Life is too short to spend it all working, and it's not like we get to take any of it with us when we die.