Posted by Dawn Smith on 5/9/06 10:42am
Msg #118571

Had to Vent

On Sunday night a borrower called me at 10:00 PM to see if I could re-schedule their appointment from Monday afternoon to Monday morning. I told her I had a full schedule...which I did....and could not change it. Even if my schedule was open I would not have changed our original appointment. HOW RUDE to call me at 10:00 on a Sunday night!!

This morning another borrower called me at 7:00 AM to schedule an appointment for this morning. I told her I was still in bed and would call her later...again HOW RUDE!!!

Most nights I work until after 10:00...except on Sunday...so I usually don't get up until a little later. I would think that people would show common courtesy and not call at such early/late hours but they don't!!! They just don't care!!!

I'm sure I will have a lot of responses to this post say...don't answer your phone...which is probably what I am going to start doing...but I use my phone as my alarm in the morning plus I don't have a home phone so if there's an emergency (family) in the middle of the night my phone is always next to me

I AM SICK OF THESE RUDE PEOPLE

Reply by SueW/Tn on 5/9/06 11:19am
Msg #118586

What a switch

Most SA's are looking for work....rude? Dunno...how are your hours listed on profile? For my area 10 p.m. isn't late...and 7 isn't early. I've had to call borrowers a little later than I'm comfortable with and I always start the conversation with an apology for calling so "late". I think it's a pitfall of our chosen profession...look at it this way...you've got business and you should be thrilled!

Reply by Roger_OH on 5/9/06 11:28am
Msg #118590

Might be YOUR attitude??

You would do well do to first remember you chose to enter a SERVICE business; calls like that are the exception rather than the rule, but do go with the territory. Be happy you have the business.

I don't understand your comment that you wouldn't have changed the appointment even if you would have been open?? We exist for the BORROWER's convenience, not ours; why would you not have accommodated their request? Perhaps something developed beyond their control requiring a change. In any event, at a time when orders are down and competition is up, being known for excellent SERVICE will be essential in retaining the companies you have.

Reply by Ilona_OH on 5/9/06 2:19pm
Msg #118624

Re: Might be YOUR attitude??

Some of the companies I deal with are open until 11PM on the Pacific coast. that translate to 2AM in my time zone. I certainly would not turn them down because I was in bed. Those calls pay the rent!

Reply by Anonymous on 5/9/06 8:23pm
Msg #118712

Re: Might be YOUR attitude??

What area do you live in??? we will be sure never to call you... I think your in the WRONG industry.. wake up and smell the COFFEE

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/9/06 8:27pm
Msg #118714

Might be your attitude - Anonymous from 66.229.139.224

I have no respect for a signing service who would use an anonymous handle to blast a notary no matter what his or her attitude is.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/9/06 12:39pm
Msg #118598

Dawn - welcome your venting...however, I am hopeful for the early or late call so I can rearrange according.

I never, ever, ever, ever, ever tell business contacts that I am in bed.

Reply by MichiganAl on 5/9/06 1:05pm
Msg #118605

When I say I'm available 24/7, I mean it.

Borrowers call me at midnight expecting to get a voice mail, they get me. Borrowers call when I'm in the shower, I take the call. They call during dinner, when I'm trying to take a quick nap, when I'm in the little boys room, when I'm out with friends, it doesn't matter. I'm available. This job has a lot of wonderful perks, but it is a job and as such will certainly have aspects that aren't perfect. Having my cell phone practically tatooed to my derrière is one of them.

Reply by Leon_CO on 5/9/06 1:20pm
Msg #118611

Re: When I say I'm available 24/7, I mean it.

** This job has a lot of wonderful perks, but it is a job and as such will certainly have aspects that aren't perfect. Having my cell phone practically tatooed to my derrière is one of them. **

MichiganAl, I appreciate your candor. I'm the same way. My phone is with me all the time, ready to do a closing. Sometimes I come home around midnight, exhausted. But if the phone rings and someone asks, "Are you available to do a closing at 2:00 a.m.?", I'm prepared to say, yes. I'm advertised as 24/7, and that's when I'm available -- whether I like it or not.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 5/9/06 1:53pm
Msg #118619

I call it my tether

My cell phone that is! After you've missed a good signing because you were only going to take a fast shower and didn't take the phone into the bathroom, you quickly learn to not go ANYWHERE without it! Last month I took the phone into the bathroom so I could shower and it rang (one of my very, very best customers), I stepped out and answered the phone and left the water running. I was asked if I was in my car and I replied no, why? She said because I can hear the rain! After I stopped laughing and remember that this is someone I do a lot of business with and have for over 4 years, I said no, what you hear is the shower running!!! We both got a good laugh over that one.

And if a borrower calls me and wants me to reschedule on the same day, I do it if at all possible. If you say no and that is the only time they can do it, there is a very good possibility that you will be getting a cancellation call from the TC or SS because they found someone else who can do it at the borrower's convenience. Now, if I possibly can't rearrange things that is a different story. You want to become known in this business as a "can do" person. Flexibility is the name of this game and if you are a "ducks all lined up in a row, appointments written in ink person" you might still be able to make a living in this business, but it will not be easy. You just have to go with the flow (might complain about it to my friends or family, but never to the customer).

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 5/9/06 3:36pm
Msg #118645

Re: I call it my tether-I can be ready to be anywhere, go

anywhere in 10 minutes. I'm not saying I look great but I'll do in a pinch. I think in this business you better be.....

Reply by LawrenceOK on 5/9/06 2:25pm
Msg #118627

Re: When I say I'm available 24/7, I mean it.

My cell phone is private, there are 2 other phone lines folks can call and I don't care what time It is. If I am available, fine. If not, thats fine too. I kinda like those 2 A.M. calls, I make more $$$ off of them.
Just don't call me at midnight to cancel. I have had BWR's call within an hour before the appointment to reschedule and I have always managed to work them into a time that is agreeable to the both of us.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 5/9/06 3:32pm
Msg #118644

Re: Had to Vent- I'm sorry to but I don't see the rudeness

here, you can call me anytime whether sleeping or not, I adapt and I'm super flexible. That kind of stuff just doesn't get under my skin....

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/9/06 3:59pm
Msg #118649

I don't let it get to me either....but

I do have one company on the east coast that calls me the day after a signing at 4:30AM in a panic... saying they need their completion reports. I told them I already sent it and they said they didn't have it. I always fax or send everything the same day so their early morning calls are them not even bothering to check the fax before they call. The first time I rushed into my office and re-sent everything. After it happened a few times I just waited for 5 minutes all warm and snuggly in my bed and then called them back and said, "OK I sent it.. did you get it?". They said "Yes it's right here... thanks soooo much". Dorks!

Reply by Your Destiny is in My Hands - Destiny D Taylor on 5/9/06 4:41pm
Msg #118652

Re: I don't let it get to me either....but

You are a lot nicer than I am I would tell them it's 430a my time you are going to have to call me back when it is 12p your time :>

Reply by SharonMN on 5/9/06 6:32pm
Msg #118691

Borrower probably doesn't know you work from home!

If a borrower calls late/early, they probably assume they are calling an office and will get voice mail. They are probably thinking they are being considerate by making sure you'll have their message right at the beginning of your day so you can plan your day. If you are going to get upset when someone calls your business line "after hours," turn off your phone after hours.

When a signing service calls in the middle of the night, that's another story. THEY know most of us work from home. But again, just don't take calls outside of working hours if it upsets you.

Reply by Dawn Smith on 5/9/06 9:55pm
Msg #118733

Re: Borrower probably doesn't know you work from home!

Thank you Dorothy MI and SharonMI...I appreciate both of your advice and insight

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/9/06 9:57pm
Msg #118734

Re: Borrower probably doesn't know you work from home!

Good point! In one of my long and winding stories I wrote about getting a 1:30 am call...that's what it was of course.