Posted by BetsyMI on 7/25/06 10:58am
Msg #135153

Geez, how cheap can you get?

Just had a call for some general notary work....one signature and travel about 3 miles away...I said I would charge $20...$10 for the notarization and $10 for the travel fee. The person balked and said she'd call around and maybe call me back. Okay fine.

Reply by Tula Ann Stinson on 7/25/06 11:31am
Msg #135157

If your caller is a senior citizen even $10 can be a lot from their monthly budget. Unless they are home bound I usually suggest going to their bank where the service is usually free. Did you ask what document needed your Notary? I can usually tell, by asking a few questions who can afford my general notary fees and who can’t. For those who can’t get to their bank and are low income and not too far away I do my best to accommodate them at a small fee, usually just the signing fee of $10 after all I do get to take the mileage. And in some cases I have done this service for free.

As a Notary Public commissioned in the State of Michigan you are a public servant!

Reply by Elizabeth Mycek on 7/25/06 11:56am
Msg #135161

Thanks for your take on it.

I did suggest a bank when she asked if this was the only way to get her document notarized. She was not a senior citizen, her voice was youthful and the document was for travel.

I think $20 is a very reasonable fee for taking up an hour of my time to get there, read through what she's got (to make sure she gets everything she needs from me, the notary), get the document notarized, and drive back.

I realize I am a public servant. I offered my service at my fee and was turned down. I didn't refuse to do the notarization.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/25/06 11:56am
Msg #135162

Re: Geez, how cheap can you get? - Betsy - what I do

is tell them I am mobile and therefore my fees will be a more than the local UPS Store. Upon a little probing, I find out if they need the convenience of my service or the cheapest route possible.

Reply by BetsyMI on 7/25/06 12:00pm
Msg #135166

Re: Geez, how cheap can you get? - Betsy - what I do

Thanks Brenda. Good thought!

Reply by HudsonBayCA on 7/25/06 12:59pm
Msg #135180

Re: Geez, how cheap can you get? - Free is even better!

This is what I do. I tell them I am expensive as a mobile notary and to do the math. If they can get out to a UPS store or Postal Annex, then it will be cheaper than me. I am not out to make money on the $10.00 notarizations. Mobile notaries have bigger fish to fry. For Senior citizens, however, I will notarize for free or if it is a lot of documents, keep it to a minimum and do not charge travel fees. You are right. We are public servants.

Reply by hcampersFL on 7/25/06 2:18pm
Msg #135197

I know we are public servants but most public servants

draw a wage for their work. I don't think anyone should travel for free at today's gas prices.
I have people that come to my office for parent signatures for school I don't charge for that, but if I went to their location I would. To me that is a big difference.

I really don't think that anyone should be put down because they want to be paid. If you do it for free those are stars in your halo.

Reply by MichiganAl on 7/25/06 2:32pm
Msg #135199

I had one last week...

He called at 9:30 at night, he's 30 - 35 minutes away, has to have it by midnight. Fine, $50 is more than fair. Oh no, that's too much, he'll call around. Oh ok, good luck finding someone before midnight. And next time try not to wait until the moon is up to start looking for a notary.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/25/06 7:00pm
Msg #135234

Re: I had one last week...

I am very fond of the old "wife is in a half-way house" routine...

Week b/f last a man wanted to get an annulment. Wifey is in the half-way house. Could I go to her hw house, do the notarization?

ME: Sure. Does she have $xx.00 to pay me and does she have ID? I can go RIGHT now and get it done tonight. I am only blocks from there. Just tell her to have the $$$ and ID available before I notarize.

HIM: Um...WELL....you see...the slightest problem...I am on my way back to San Antonio to get her ID...and when I get back to town I will bring it and the $xx.00 to you at your house, that's fine? Yes, is fine????

ME: No. Is not fine. Call another notary.

That was FINALLY the end of that...I had been contacted three times by this guy to get me over to that dang half-way house....told him not to call me again. He KNEW what was needed - $$$ and an ID or no go.

Reply by Ilona_OH on 7/25/06 7:19pm
Msg #135235

OMG and they balk at &1.50 over here! n/m