Posted by Bonnie_CO on 1/9/06 7:42pm
Msg #87224

Too high?

Had a company call tonight and ask if I could do a closing that was 115 miles, one way and asked what my fee would be, the borrowers have the docs, I told him I'd do it for $200.00. He put me on hold for a minute then came on and said he was waiting on some call backs from a few other notaries and if he still needed me he'd call tomorrow. I don't expect a call back from him.
I thought this was a very reasonable fee, actually a bit on the low side. This was a big title company.
I do give him credit for saying outright that he was shopping around, at least he was honest about it! But I thought the fee was reasonable, was it not? I know there are 2 notaries in the area low balling everything, ie $65 for edocs up to 75 miles one way, don't see them being in business very long, thank goodness! So I figure one of those 2 will take it for some ridiculous amount! GRRRRRRR!

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/9/06 8:25pm
Msg #87231

230 miles round trip? Sounds like you are low. Gas is going up.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/9/06 10:43pm
Msg #87271

My mileage fee ALONE would be close to $200. There was certainly nothing wrong with your quote -- don't get too depressed because you will probably be going out and cleaning up after those low ballers.

Reply by Becca_FL on 1/9/06 11:06pm
Msg #87278

I don't drive that far for signings, but if I did $200 would be a low ball rate for sure.

This is just a suggestion that has worked for me. Get to "know" other Notaries in your 100 mile radius. I have a little network and we refer work to one another when a job is out of our imediate coverage area.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/10/06 2:04am
Msg #87283

I wouldn't do that much driving for $200. Of course, there are a lot more notaries here and we are much more densely populated. Factor in traffic, and I'd be happy to let someone else have a job like that for less!

Reply by LawrenceOK on 1/10/06 7:49am
Msg #87299

Let's see, 230 miles RT, Borrower has docs. I personally think you undercut yourself by $50 bucks. You were more then fair.

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 1/10/06 9:15am
Msg #87302

Thanks for the responses...

I was a little amazed that he thought it was too high...my usual for that area is $250 base, and I discounted it by 50 for him. Well, guess when either the notary that's doing them for a really low fee either messes up the paperwork, or, as is becoming quite common from another area notary, just doesn't show up at all, the fee goes back to the regular rate!
There are just a couple of notaries that even go to that area. I don't mind the drive, and my car gets 35mpg, so that works. Most of the time I only take the far ones during the "slow" time of the month, rarely at EOM, just not enough time at that point.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/10/06 9:59am
Msg #87312

Re: Thanks for the responses...

Where were they trying to send you Bonnie?

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 1/10/06 10:19am
Msg #87319

Carolyn..

Blanca. Just this side of Alamosa.
I know of 1 notary that has gone to Alamosa for $75.00, then gripes because she's not making any money! LOL! DUH!

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/10/06 11:49am
Msg #87363

Re: Carolyn..

And even with the Aguilar fire not directly next door, you don't know where it can spread.

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 1/10/06 12:17pm
Msg #87369

Re: Carolyn..

I've been keeping an eye on that too. would have to go through Walsenburg and over La Veta Pass to get there, was wondering how smokey th pass would be. Did a Refi closing in the canyon that's on fire now not too long ago. Wondering how those folks are doing.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/10/06 1:54pm
Msg #87381

Re: Carolyn..

I've been home a week from my whirlwind 2-1/2 trip to Houston to get my new printer, and I'm still having difficulty breathing from driving through all the firest/smoke in Texas and Oklahoma.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/10/06 2:52pm
Msg #87386

Re: sheesh - 2-1/2 days. nm

Reply by Janel Nichols on 1/10/06 1:09pm
Msg #87373

Wow...in WI, they gasp if you tell them $150!! for that kind of travel one way and you have to print the docs. If the docs were already with the borrower they would have offered $95.00. It seems to me it really matters what state you are in also.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/10/06 1:52pm
Msg #87380

They look on the map for Colorado, as I'm sure they do all states, and say, "well, it's just an itsy bitsy distance" -- yeah, right - over the mountains and through the forest to grandmothers house ...

Reply by Stamper_WI on 1/10/06 3:25pm
Msg #87399

dodging amish buggies , cows and tractors

Reply by Janel Nichols on 1/10/06 6:36pm
Msg #87451

Re: Too high?......CarolynCO

LOL!! You are right Carolyn. Then in the next breath they will say..."I am in another state, I have no idea where that city is, is it really that far? Do you really need that much?"

Then I tell them...well it is not exactly a city, it is a small, what we call....village with about 325 people. They say..... Hugh? Yes, they are using the nearest town zip because this particular unincorporated town or village does not have a local post office. By this time, the minutes I have wasted on my cell far exceeds what they are offering to pay me:-)