Posted by Jahari Davis on 6/27/06 1:38pm
Msg #128944

How about a Lowballer list?

Hey everyone, I had an idea. What do you think about a running lowballer list to continue to add to? That way everyone including the SS and TC's that read and search this board, recognize that the writing on the walls say who lowballs and that we have put them on notice that we're not going to accept this practice anymore. Our fees are our fees and they should respect that. Comments?

Reply by Julie/MI on 6/27/06 1:43pm
Msg #128945

The lowballers are the notaries that undercut the "standard" that veterans in the industry started. All unspoken, of course.

Don't blame the signing companies.

It's all the newbies who accepted peanuts when we veterans worked our fannies off.

Reply by Becca_FL on 6/27/06 1:53pm
Msg #128950

So true Julie n/m

Reply by Regal/NC on 6/27/06 2:17pm
Msg #128957

I concur Julie/MI


The concern is with the SA-Notary that ACCEPT the low fees. When their are no takers at the low rate, then the SS & TC's will readily agree to a more respectfully/higher rate. Remember they are in business to MAKE a profit. The low baller SA-Notary obviously doesn't understand or care about basic business principles.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/27/06 5:03pm
Msg #129010

3 lowball SS in my list.

I will start with these:

Notary Direct
Premier Lenders Services (Pls)
Notary Pro

Reply by Delta_CA on 6/27/06 5:54pm
Msg #129035

Add Nations Direct, Hatton and Bancserv to that list n/m

Reply by LawrenceOK on 6/28/06 8:55am
Msg #129199

Re: Add Nations Direct, Hatton and Bancserv to that list

A day late, but I had to mention that I have never had Hatton & Associates ever try to low ball me. They have always excepted my fees without hesitation.

Reply by SharonMN on 6/27/06 7:57pm
Msg #129082

Lowballer list - why???

Why do we need a lowballer list? Obviously you discuss fees when you're offered an assignment. If the fee is not acceptable, just say "no thanks" or "I'd be happy to help you with that signing for $XXX."

It's not like a no-pay situation where you might not find out about that until weeks or months later. In that case, networking is helpful to know which companies have a bad reputation.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/27/06 8:38pm
Msg #129091

Re: Lowballer list - why???

I agree Sharon.
Believe me when I say certain companies, known amoung us as
"low-ballers" sometimes will pay whatever I ask, depending on their
desperation.
I am more worried about the companies that don't pay, than the ones
I can laugh at when I say to their ridiculously low offers:
"I'll have to call you back if I can get approval for that".

Reply by Jahari Davis on 6/28/06 3:01am
Msg #129177

Re: Lowballer list - why???

The companies that willingly pay the fees we quote would not be added to the lowball list. However companies like one I posted about recently that contacted me for a signing and TOLD me they will pay me $50 instead of asking what my fee was, would be listed. New SA-Notaries need to really pay attention to this board and we need to get the word out that this has gotta stop. We need to take this power of negotiation back. We work hard for our money, we provide quality work and want to be paid well for it. I dont want any one of us to get a call for a $35, $40, or $50 signing again. It just an idea, if it stick it sticks...if not it doesnt. I know I'm making one for myself.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/28/06 7:07am
Msg #129180

Re: Lowballer list - why??? Jahari, I understood

what you were saying, and even liked it. I should have said that yesterday when you first posted this. But, sometimes I like to find out what people who have been in the industry longer than I think first because I might get a view that I did not think of.

You're not wrong in one way and that is if good lenders, tc's knew who was pocketing the lion's share and not putting the money into finding notaries who'd do it right the first time, it might help. However, I am not sure the list is one which can be proved. That's the problem.

Reply by LynnNC on 6/28/06 12:02pm
Msg #129253

GAC/FiServ

I called GAC to register today and was told they are now FiServ. When I talked to vendor mngmt they asked me my fee. I told them $100 base, they said that my fee is "way out of range" as they pay $50 - $65. I said that they are going to have a difficult time getting experienced notaries for those fees, the woman said, "I beg to differ, we only work with experienced notaries".

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/28/06 12:36pm
Msg #129263

Re: GAC/FiServ

I must say, they have changed.
A year ago I was doing deals with GAC for $100 w/ E-docs.
At the beginning of this year I gave myself a raise to $125 and
the calls from them stopped.
EXCEPTION:
They only call me when they have a signing in a particular area
that they cannot get a NSA, and they do pay my fee, on time and
as agreed.
Drawback: Lots of fax-backs.