Posted by SK_Notary on 3/6/06 6:42pm
Msg #102612

$85.00 Signings

The discussion of what to accept for signings keeps coming up with some family members who are also in this field. What do you think about $85.00 Edoc signings that are approx. 10-15 miles away. I feel I need to be somewhat consistent in what I charge and some say take less when you are slow. Want some opinions if possible. Thanks

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/6/06 6:49pm
Msg #102613

If you are only traveling 10-15 miles, the $85.00 isn't too bad.

I agree with you on taking less when you are slow, however don't be taken advantage of. IMO I wouldn't accept any less than $65.00. If they expect me to service them, than they will need to pay me no less then $65.00. PERIOD! This amount, however, is barely ever charged by me.

Reply by Tina_MA on 3/6/06 11:27pm
Msg #102705

>>>I wouldn't accept any less than $65.00. If they expect me to service them, than they will need to pay me no less then $65.00. PERIOD!<<<

Hmmm, seeing as how this is an attorney state, how is it that you set your own fees?

You are supposed to be working for an attorney, as their employee. Which means that they would be setting fees, not you.

I cannot see any attorney accepting fees that low. Therefore, you must be completing signings illegally.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/6/06 11:35pm
Msg #102707

Oh God no Tina! I do work for an attorney. The stipulation is that a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law cannot conduct loan closings UNLESS if they're supervised by an attorney.

The attorney I work for supervises me. She does not hover over my shoulder for every signing. However should a question arise that I am not legally allowed to answer, I simply call the attorney (who knows my location anyhow) and present the question and allow the attorney to answer.

My attorney allows me to set my own fees. Supervision is definitely there! It's really good to have an attorney on your side because you will never get stiffed on payment. If I have a problem getting paid, I simply tell my attorney and she fights for me.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/6/06 11:42pm
Msg #102710

sorry I forgot to add...

I do not charge $85.00. I said that the price seems okay. I then mentioned that the lowest fee I'll ever charge is $65.00. I should emphasize that the lowest fee (65) is ONLY charged if the signing is in my town. This has happened, surprisingly.

For edocs I charge no less then $150.00 nowadays. Obviously the further I travel the more I charge.

Reply by Tina_MA on 3/7/06 12:39pm
Msg #102848

I checked with the Governor's Legal Counsel, and you must be "employed" and supervised by an attorney. This means that payments must be made to the attorney, and the attorney needs to pay you.

Therefore, by your own definition, you are not complying with EO 455 (04-04).

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/7/06 12:56pm
Msg #102853

Again, and coincidentially I spoke to Sharon today too on an

unrelated matter. As I said, I am employed by an attorney. I never once stated anything about checks being written in my name for LOAN CLOSINGS. Your assumption is incorrect.

The attorney allows me to conduct loan closings representing the law office and/or the attorney. The attorney would get the check, and then cut me a check. I am given flexibility meaning that I am allowed to charge the business's any amount I so desire. I work very closely with the attorney, and I am given that privilege/flexibility.

Their is no set fee for the attorney and/or the law office.

On a professional note I hope you didn't tell Sharon that I am illegally conducting loan closings. For your assumption was incorrect.

Reply by RickinVA on 3/6/06 6:52pm
Msg #102616

Ya gotta do what you gotta do, but if you consider $25 for edocs, then you are getting $60 for the signing. I figure $35 for rdocs, so that would be an unacceptable amount for me. I accepted a $75. signing about 22 miles away for overnite docs, for a DOT ONLY for Thursday. The only reason I did it is because I'm gonna take my honey for dinner (48th anniversary) and I can do that on the way. I live in a very rural area and the prospect of a decent, relatively in-expensive restaurant is all but irresistable! YMMV, but I would have to be awfully hungry to do a full signing for $60.

Rick

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/6/06 6:57pm
Msg #102620

I make sure $100 minimum for any EDOC signing...

$85 seems low to me.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 3/7/06 10:53am
Msg #102784

$85 for edocs isn't even make-up worthy

When my sisters in law and I were having babies we used to joke around about errands. We would ask ourselves is it make-up worthy? The consensus was that a trip to the grocery store wasn't. Now at the price of cosmetics and clothing these days I'm not wasting my time on jobs that barely profit minimun wage. For me my time is precious and lowballed fees are just not worth the time put into them. Let alone that accepting those fees won't keep you in business for long. Work smarter not harder. I'd rather do 3 $100 jobs than 6 $50 jobs.

Reply by TLR_KY on 3/7/06 12:18pm
Msg #102842

Re: $85 for edocs isn't even make-up worthy

I guess it all depends on what part of the country your in and if you have a lot of competing NSA's. Personally, we charge $100 for in town e-docs. I think we could charge more but I feel good about that.