Posted by DM_FL on 6/20/06 11:03am
Msg #126994

SS Withholding Payment Until It's Convenient To Pay

I have an outstanding invoice for a signing that occurred 46 days ago. Yesterday, I emailed and faxed the SS. Today, I received an email that states the following (direct quote):

"We just received the payment from the title company last week, it will be in the next checks I issue. I should be issuing checks in the next week or so."

Now, why is it that they were paid LAST WEEK by TC but I have to wait another week plus to get paid on an invoice long past due? Help me with this. Did I miss something?

Reply by LilyMD on 6/20/06 11:11am
Msg #126998

Unfortunately, many SS believe this is a good way to do business. This is why many NSAs, including myself, are very particular when working with signing services. I only have a few I'll accept appts. from. And those operate like TCs when it comes to payments.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/20/06 11:21am
Msg #127002

Unbelievable! There is no valid reason (that I can think of) why you have to wait so long.

Reply by John_NorCal on 6/20/06 12:23pm
Msg #127016

Why not post their name as a heads up to everyone? n/m

Reply by DM_FL on 6/20/06 12:40pm
Msg #127023

Re: Why not post their name as a heads up to everyone?

Tampa Bay Closings. The funny thing is that I did a search here before I accepted my first signing with them. There was only 1 post, but it was positive, so I accepted 3 signings with them before I received any payment. They called me for a 4th, but I declined because I hadn't been paid for the 1st which was at the 45th day at the time of the call (check came in later that day). I informed them that I couldn't accept anymore signings from their company until I was paid. The 1st paid on the 45th day. The 2nd is outstanding on day 46--today. The 3rd is outstanding on day 32--today.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 6/20/06 1:25pm
Msg #127039

as a heads up to everyone? here's another one.

American Deed Co., Pittsburgh, PA. I did one for them on April 24th and have yet to be paid. After many calls to them they said that any closings done after the 15th of the month are paid on the 15th of the second month thereafter. Called them today and they claim that the checks were cut on the 15th and mailed on the 16th. Terry Nichols said, "well it's only been two days, and I don't control the mail" B*ll s**t..I have other TC's that did the same thing, from the same city and I got their checks on Sat the 17th. Told him to remove me from their data base and never call me again. He says...have you ever NOT been paid by us? Says I, the more pertinent question would be have I ever been paid by you without a run around!!
Beware....take their business at your own risk. Hey.....I'd like him to send in his mortgage payment 60 days after billing...or electric bill or any other bill. What dishonest miserable creeps.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/20/06 3:23pm
Msg #127054

Tampa Bay Closings?

That surprises me. I have done quite a few in the past for Elayne, and she has always paid me, it has been 30-45 days, but I have never had a problem getting paid.

Reply by MelissaM_FL on 6/20/06 3:40pm
Msg #127059

Re: Tampa Bay Closings?

I've never had problems getting paid from them either. My only negative experience with them ever was last end of month when they called for a signing, which I accepted, and then never forwarded any information at all. I assume that the signing cancelled and they were so busy no one remembered to call me back. With any other company, I'd assume they were price shopping.

Reply by DM_FL on 6/20/06 3:51pm
Msg #127060

Re: Tampa Bay Closings?

Lisa is the one who responded to my email. I don't mind working with companies that are up-front and do as they say, but I checked their website after I accepted the first assignment. It specifically stated that they pay when they get paid by the TC--usually within 30 days and that if payment wasn't received from TC within 45 days of the signing, then TBC would cut a check to the notary.

They have since removed that info from the website, and from the tone of their last newsletter I now know why--I'm not the only one complaining about payment. To quote the newsletter sent out on 06/09/06:

"Checks will be mailed today June 9, 2006. TBC generally issues checks on or around the 15th of each month. If possible AP tries to work in a 2nd check run. Any payment issues or questions should be directed to [e-mail address]. ONLY payments over 45 days will be addressed. Inquiries will be addressed within 24-48 hours. Please provide date of signing, borrowers name and your payment information. We are asking for your cooperation since in the past few weeks AP has been inundated with payment questions. Most are well within our payment guidelines. The time spent on answering these emails could have been spent on posting checks!"

What happened to my check that was supposedly mailed on 06/09/06--according to the newsletter. To be told at 46 days that they were paid by the TC last week and that my check would be cut in another "week or so" is extremely unprofessional. I invested my time, toner, paper, gas and expertise, and I expect to be paid promptly.

Reply by BetsyMI on 6/20/06 4:37pm
Msg #127066

Re: Tampa Bay Closings?

I think their reply about "the time spent on answering these emails could have been spent posting checks" is a little "cheeky". Forgive me for asking for what is owed!

So many of these companies call for last minute appointments expecting you to drop whatever you're doing to do a closing within hours, and yet we're being "impatient" for not wanting to wait 45 days for payment for a closing you can't even remember details about because it was so long ago.

Reply by Jason on 6/20/06 9:20pm
Msg #127106

Why are you working for SSs at all?

PITA for the low pay.