Posted by AmandaCA on 3/3/06 8:22pm
Msg #101825

Richmond Title, problems getting paid.

OK, I have waited on this long enough.

I did a signing for them in January and low and behold I received a check pretty quickly, within two weeks or so. BUT, it was made out to a different notary. My address, correct amount, reflected correct signing, etc. So I called and spoke with CANDACE in accounting. She said sorry, please void the check, send it back to us and I will issue a new check to you.

I requested if she could do so immediately so I would not have to wait any longer for my check, she said sure. The same day I returned the voided check to them.

Here we are over 1 month and approx 6 phone calls later and still no check. 2 weeks ago, she said "oops, I didn't forget about you" (then why the oops?), check is printing will go out right away. After still not receiving the check I called twice this week, voice mails only and no one will return my call.

I am getting sick and tired of fighting for my money after I rush out to do the work in a prompt, professional and impeccable manner! Between Richmond, Superior Signings and Suzanne Crehan (Docs on the Run) I am beginning to hate this business!

Give me FASS and Lenders First Choice any day of the week, I can rely on them for payment!

Anyone else having problems getting paid from Richmond?

Reply by MB_AZ on 3/3/06 9:03pm
Msg #101832

I just did a signing for them this week for the first time. I'll let you know how soon I get paid.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 3/3/06 10:52pm
Msg #101850

I do several jobs per month for them. I have received my check within two weeks on every single one.

Reply by Theresa Petrula on 3/3/06 11:00pm
Msg #101852

I used to get paid no problem, but over the last year had to do a lot of hounding to get paid. Finally got my checks last week -- one of the signings was from way back in June!

Reply by FlaMac on 3/4/06 7:05am
Msg #101859

Tell them you will call the borrower and turn down future..

signings with them. If the loan didn't close (Borrower RTC'd or TC messed up the paperwork) then you have very little chance of getting paid even though you did your job perfectly. The TC "eats" the fee if the deal fall's through hence they don't want to pay from their own pocket. But, if you call the borrower and nicely ask them to help you collect you might just get paid.

Maybe if we all stick together with these deadbeat companies then they will go out of biz. The fact that they pay one SA on time and others late or not at all is because they have more SA's in one area and very few in the other. If the can pay Angelina on time then they can pay ALL on time. It's a no brainer, folks!

Reply by LilyMD on 3/4/06 7:17am
Msg #101861

Re: Tell them you will call the borrower and turn down future..

I will not call a borrower to "nicely ask them to help me collect my unpaid fee." They're not my collection agency. When a company is submitting payment then I have several options, but calling the borrower is one of them for me. That seems tacky and unprofessional. Kind of like "mom, he's touching me." Besides, do you really think a borrower has that much weight with a deadbeat TC or SS? If only it were that easy.

Reply by LilyMD on 3/4/06 7:38am
Msg #101864

Re: Should read...

When a company is not submitting payment, calling the borrower is not one option for me. Sorry guys, major sinus headache.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/4/06 8:01am
Msg #101865

Thankfully, I've only had to do it 3 times....

and each time I nicely told the borrower that the SS did not pay and that I could not afford to work for free. Each time they sent me a check willingly and they filed a formal complaint with the TC. This is why I no longer work with SS's. I have never had a legitimate TC stiff me. Beware tho...some SS's are getting tricky and calling themselves a TC when they are not. Best bet is to check the TC/Land assoc and the BBB. JMHO

Reply by LilyMD on 3/4/06 8:15am
Msg #101866

Re: At the risk of sounding like a snob...

you sound like a naive and somewhat inexperienced SA.

Reply by Charm_AL on 3/4/06 8:35am
Msg #101868

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STOP ADVISING SIGNING AGENTS TO CALL THE BORROWERS!!!!!

They have already paid their fee for the closing. They are out of the loop and it is HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNETHICAL TO CONTACT THEM FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, AFTER THE SIGNING!!!!!



arghhhhhh....this advice irritates me so! Ok, now I'm going jogging, thanks for the adrenaline rush

Reply by LilyMD on 3/4/06 8:44am
Msg #101869

Re: PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FlaMac, the sad truth is some other inexperienced SA might be faced with a non payment issue and read your post. We should be responsible and mindful of our posts.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/4/06 9:20am
Msg #101876

What is unethical is a SS taking advantage of a newbie..

by not paying them, in my opinion, within 45 days. I think it's unrealistic for any sole proprietor or corporation to depend on payment sooner. I can only speak for Florida. And in my state the notary law clearly states that the signer is responsible for the fee and our laws do not mention third parties such as a SS or a TC. Further reason Florida needs to update their notary laws.

Please consider this: If you were a roofer contracting with a homeowner who received a insurance check for the roof repair, you completed the job successfully and then the borrower refused to pay you. Would you call the insurance company to complain? It is a third party transaction.

My hope is that all of this will be regulated at the federal level so the government can police non-payers whether they are a SS, TC, or Lender. I think it's deplorable to rip someone off whether they are an ole timer or a newbie. Before the internet we never had this problem. The Borrower had to go to the TC's office where one of us would sit them down and do the signing for an hourly wage. Times sure change...

Reply by LilyMD on 3/4/06 9:26am
Msg #101881

Re: You are missing the point...

no one on this or any other board would find it okay to take advantage of anyone, newbie or oldie. We're not disputing that. We're having big problems with the unprofessional and unethical manner in which you claim to collect (3 times) unpaid fees. It is WRONG WRONG WRONG to call the borrower. STOP IT.

Reply by Charm_AL on 3/4/06 9:31am
Msg #101885

Re: What is unethical is a SS taking advantage of a newbie..

***Please consider this: If you were a roofer contracting with a homeowner who received a insurance check for the roof repair, you completed the job successfully and then the borrower refused to pay you. Would you call the insurance company to complain? It is a third party transaction***

My point exactly! No, you do not call the ins co., you were contracted by the homeowner, you deal with the homeowner, there's no third party transaction. The ins co has nothing to do with you, they paid, they're done!
Exactly the same with the SS or TC, they hired you, the borrower paid, they're done!....period
Deal with the company that hired you!

Reply by PAW on 3/4/06 11:54am
Msg #101908

Re: What is unethical is a SS taking advantage of a newbie..

>>> And in my state the notary law clearly states that the signer is responsible for the fee and our laws do not mention third parties such as a SS or a TC. <<<

NSA's do not charge a notary fee, per se. Unless you specifically charge, and clearly show the charges, for your notarizations, the fees collected from signing services, title companies and lenders for the signing is NOT considered to be a notary fee, per the FL SOS.

If you were to break out the notary fees, then you would be bound by F.S.A. 117 to ONLY charge for the notarizations and "reasonable and customary" travel expense.

Additionally, and technically, there is nothing in the Florida statutes that states the signer is the one who has to pay the fee. It simply states that fees can be charged and must be paid. To wit:

F.S.A. 116.38 Notary fees.—
(1) Except as is hereinafter provided, all such notaries shall collect fees for their services as notaries performed in connection with such agency, board, commission or department at the rates provided for under chapter 117; provided, however, that in any case wherein a certain fee shall be provided by law for such service then in that event such fee as provided by law shall be collected.
(2) No notary fee shall be charged or collected by such notaries in connection with such agency, board, commission or department, in connection with or incidental to the issuance of motor vehicle license tags or titles.
(3) No notary public fees shall be charged by such notaries for notarizing loyalty oaths which are required by law.
(4) The chief administrative officer of any such agency, board, commission or department may, upon determining that such service should be performed as a public service, authorize such service to be performed free of charge.
----- ----- -----

Not a reason for notary law reform. (This is not to say that Florida notary law reform isn't needed, just that the payment of notary fees is well legislated and there is no need, imo, for any change.)


>>> Please consider this: If you were a roofer contracting with a homeowner ... <<<

The key element in that statement is "contracting with a homeowner". As a notary signing agent, YOU are not contracting with the homeowner. You are contracting with the signing service, title company and/or possibly the lender, but not the homeowner. If you were contracting with the homeowner, the homeowner would have the right to select and choose the notary signing agent that comes to their home. They don't have that option.

Reply by cmd_NH on 3/4/06 9:21am
Msg #101877

Re: PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ditto....I would NEVER call the borrower regarding my payment! They did not hire me. They already paid for my services. It is not their problem.

Reply by AmandaCA on 3/4/06 9:45am
Msg #101889

I laughed out loud when I read.....

"call the borrower".

I would NEVER do that nor would any notary public that I know. The borrower is not responsible, period. They did not contract me, I was contacted by the Title Co. It is their responsibility to pay me.

Also, I am not a newbie being taken advantage of. I have done this for almost 2 years. I took work from Richmond Title because I read on these boards that they are a good company. The same with Superior Signings. Docs on the Run however, I take full credit for, they did get me when I was a newbie and I never severed ties until now.

Just wondering about everyone elses experience with Richmond.

Thanks.

Reply by Charm_AL on 3/4/06 9:53am
Msg #101893

Re: I laughed out loud when I read.....

I love Richmond, never had a problem

Reply by FlaMac on 3/4/06 10:11am
Msg #101894

Calling the insurance company is a common..

practise. Vendors do it regularly because some dishonest homeowners get greedy. It's one of the reason's why insurance companies started requiring homeowners to have the vendor (roofer) sign off that they were paid. But, our industry is not regulated in that way...it would be great if the Lenders/TC would require the SS to send proof they paid the signing agent. That would probably help solve the non-payment issues. JMO.

Reply by John_NorCal on 3/4/06 10:44am
Msg #101898

Re: Calling the insurance company is a common..etc, etc

FlaMac you miss the point. When you insure with an insurance company, they indemnify you against the loss and are responsible for making you whole again. That is why they are involved with the payment issue. As for your comment, "My hope is that all of this will be regulated at the federal level so the government can police non-payers whether they are a SS, TC, or Lender." What garbage that is! Do you really think we need more government intervention in something that is so basic and just requires common sense and good business practice? Don't look for the government and certainly not the borrowers to do your work. If you have an issue with anyone, a SS, TC or just the corner grocer, take it up with them, not an innocent third party. Don't ask for too much government, you may not like what you get!

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/4/06 10:47am
Msg #101899

Re: PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forget calling the borrower... you should call the mail carrier that delivers your checks to you. They might pay!!!

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 3/4/06 10:59am
Msg #101900

Re: PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good grief if I were the borrower and you called me I'd tell you "I already paid my fee you can stick it where the sun don't shine" You have no business calling the borrower at all. It's yours and the the tc's problem only. And I myself personaly hate getting unwaranted calls, that's just as bad as telemarketers. I absolutely don't know how you got 3 to do anything other than what I would do.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/4/06 11:04am
Msg #101901

All good points..thanks! n/m

Reply by SatomiCO on 3/4/06 11:12pm
Msg #102035

Re: I'll repeat what I said earlier about calling borrower

don't do it. The borrowers have already paid and it's not their responsiblity to pay you for your delinquent invoices.

By doing so, you are double dipping and double billing.