Posted by Becca_FL on 5/12/06 10:59am
Msg #119423

My analogy re: fees

Which would you rater be?

A cheap $50 whore walking the streets

OR

A a high dollar call girl

As for me, I'm not cheap and am well worth the price.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 5/12/06 11:08am
Msg #119432

This one wins poor taste post of the week...hands down n/m

Reply by SLM_TX on 5/12/06 11:31am
Msg #119436

Re: This one wins poor taste post of the week...hands down

I agree.

Got a call for 57 miles one way and the signing company wanted to pay $50
I told them that when they come up with a better offer to give me a call. It cost $50 to fill up my car!

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 11:50am
Msg #119443

Re: This one wins poor taste-SLM, EXP, RAY - I want your

information to add to my tx website. Please send it to me.

Reply by SLM_TX on 5/12/06 11:54am
Msg #119444

Re: This one wins poor taste-SLM, EXP, RAY - I want your

ok will send it shortly.

Reply by CaliNotary on 5/12/06 12:46pm
Msg #119457

The week isn't over

And I like a challenge!

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 6:27pm
Msg #119553

Re: The week isn't over - CaliNotary

*And I like a challenge!*


Well bring it, cowboy. If the shoe fits, you gotta wear the wig, too.

Reply by CaliNotary on 5/13/06 12:25am
Msg #119621

Re: The week isn't over - CaliNotary

A pit-bull, bull-dog, and a black lab are all locked up in the local dog pound. The pit-bull decides to speak freely and says, "Ya know, it wasn't my fault I bit that kid's head off. Them kids have been throwing rocks at me for years and I just couldn't help but jump the fence one day and go after them. Now they are going to put me to sleep."

The bull-dog speaks up and says, "I'm in for a similar incident. My master just wasn't paying any attention to me since that stinkin baby came along and one day while it was crawlin around on the floor I bit its leg off. Now they are going to put me to sleep too."

Both the pit-bull and bull-dog look at the black lab and ask, "What are you in for?"

The lab replies, "Well the other day my master's lady was walking around the house naked all day long cleaning the house. When she went into the bathroom and bent over to clean the tub I just couldn't take it anymore. I came up behind her, put my front paws on her back and mounted her."

The pit-bull asks, "So when are you due to be put to sleep?"

And the lab replies, "Oh, I'm not in to be put to sleep, I'm just in to have my nails trimmed."

Reply by christi ausherman on 5/13/06 3:06am
Msg #119626

Took ya awhile Cali, but I think you won! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/13/06 6:59am
Msg #119629

Re: Took ya awhile Cali, but I think you won!

Yep, he won. Disgusting joke.

Where I am from it is said to be a woman's paradise if you look at the demographic numbers. There are like four men to every woman. Sure is. There are four bursting at the seam prison units in the county.

Through her senior connections my mom used to know an old man coincidentally nicknamed "Cowboy." Cowboy had been an "employee" of the prison system, so he said.

Turns out, he was a member there half a century ago by virtue of his unfortunate incarceration. His stories were supposedly drawn from his own sightings--he was a trustee as it turns out. Some of his stories told to the senior women were similar without the actual dogs telling the story.

Mother did not care for him to sit at her lunch table, but my mom likes to dance. Mother said just the other day when I was teasing her about her annoyance with Cowboy, if you could get past Cowboy's stories and his former association with the prison system as a trustee, he was pretty fair dancer. Once you become a senior citizen for fifteen or twenty years she remarked, you can pick your nose, but you cannot pick your friends. You are just danged glad if you have one. If you have a friend who dances, you don't care what their stories are about.

Are you a good dancer Cali? If so, when you are an old guy you'll always have a table to sit at for lunch.

(As an aside, like I have told some of you, Mom has been blessed with a friend who both dances and sings very nicely. Next to Cowboy, he looks "golden."

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/12/06 2:12pm
Msg #119488

poor taste?

I can think of MANY other posts this week that have been in "poor Taste" and are rude and insulting. For example: "What can I do as a Notary?" "What are the top signing campanies?" and the likes.

I think my analogy perfectly sums up what is happening to the NSA market right now. Let's look at it a little more closely. The NNA sends out their pimps to recruit new people. The people the NNA (and others) recruit have not done their homework on the profession (exactly what the NNA is hoping for), but the pimps assure them that with their help, the new comers (NPI) will make LOTS of money. So the new comers hit the streets with big hopes and dreams and nothing else.

On the other hand, you have the smart people out there that invest a little time and effort and research the profession before jumping in head first. I know for a fact that the Mayflower Madam and Heidi Fliess both did their homework before entering their fields. I know, I saw the Lifetime movies.

Anyway, I will not be the two-bit ho, walking the streets, lacking self esteem and waiting for the next John. I want to be the smart bussines woman who knows how to please clients, knows how to get clients and knows that her time is worth much more than $50 an hour.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/12/06 2:35pm
Msg #119493

Re: poor taste?

***I can think of MANY other posts this week that have been in "poor Taste" and are rude and insulting. For example: "What can I do as a Notary?" "What are the top signing campanies?" and the likes.***

AMEN SISTER!

Reply by Leon_CO on 5/12/06 11:31am
Msg #119435

** Which would you rater be?

A cheap $50 whore walking the streets

OR

A a high dollar call girl **

Neither one. I'm a guy.

When you break it down, this job really doesn't depend on high fees to ensure that it's done right.

Provide good service to the title company and to the borrower. Be an extension of the title company for the time that you are working for them. Respect the borrower and treat them as you would want to be treated. Know the docs and how they should be executed. Make sure they're signed, initialed, and notarized correctly. Return them promptly.

I'm cheap, but I provide a good service. If you're willing to pay me more, I'll be grateful.

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 5/12/06 1:04pm
Msg #119469

Re: My analogy re: fees...Well said, Leon. n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 1:10pm
Msg #119472

Leon, I am glad this works for you.

I am not cheap and will never be cheap at anything I do. Brenda Wal-mart will never be my name.

I will work for a reasonable amount that provides a net income. Gross income is quite another thing.

Reply by Leon_CO on 5/12/06 1:37pm
Msg #119478

"Cheap" is a relative term. I never said I work at bargain basement prices.

I charge a fee that is commensurate with the service that I have to provide the client, and what it costs me to do business. I know enough about business to know that I have to charge enough to make a profit. And I do. And I think that's one of the keys to success in any business, and what keeps customers returning. **Value** A fair price for good service.

No, I'll never be able to afford a Porsche. But it keeps my VW Bug running.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 1:50pm
Msg #119481

Yes, "cheap" is a relative term.

That's just kind of a grinder on one's nerves after being asked so many times if I cannot do it cheaper...I don't need a Porsche...and I do not aspire to great wealthes and riches beyond imagination...however, I do find that it's important to think of my business as one which provides *income,* quality, care and enjoyment for me. Otherwise, it's just not going to motivate me to continue.

I think of the reasonable price of a good Liz Claiborne suit which fits like a glove at the outlet mall...it is a slightly expensive bargain which endures over time and is dependable in all circumstances...vs...the ill-cut mass produced uncomfortable suit which is too long in the pant leg and too tight at the shoulders mass produced for some of my less favored discount places. I never wear those the second time. It's a loss in the long run at any price.

Places which provide me smooth work at a reasonable price are a jewel. I hope I am a good Liz Claiborne suit for them.

Reply by TulsaPRLGL on 5/12/06 1:54pm
Msg #119483

Perfect Brenda! I just pictured all those "bargain suits' hiding in the back of the closet, they're there "just in case" , but my well made, dependable suits are right up front and I know they won't let me down!

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/12/06 2:14pm
Msg #119490

Great analogy, Brenda! All women can relate to that. n/m

Reply by Claude on 5/12/06 5:12pm
Msg #119526

BrendaTX I agree with you 100%

It's sweethearts like like Leon that are taking this profession to a place No profession needs to go.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 5:31pm
Msg #119533

Re: BrendaTX I agree with you 100%

I feel that Leon is a fair, business savvy person person with a good head.

I look for him to develop a different view. 100% of long-term notaries have done just that over the course of my involvement-- including me, or they are signing services in disguise. I had that employee mentality for awhile. He might decide to become a signing service. Maybe he already is. At any rate, it's all in your view and what you want to do with your business.

Reply by Leon_CO on 5/12/06 6:59pm
Msg #119559

Re: BrendaTX I agree with you 100%

I did a closing for a man a couple of weeks ago. Wells Fargo sent the documents to him and instructed him to find a notary -- someone who knew loan documents. He was somehow able to find me and he called me. I was on the way to do a closing when I took the call, so I wasn't able to take down directions to his home. I had no idea what his net worth was. It didn't matter. I told him what my fee was for something like that and that I would call him when I was done with the closing. I would get his address, look up the directions, and come out to his house.

It turned out that it wasn't a house. It was a mansion. You had to pass through a security checkpoint just to get inside the complex.

I had him sign the papers and I notarized the ones that required notarization. There were only around 50 pages. When I was done he wrote out a check for my fee. He walked me to the door and gave me a generous tip. What I think is important about that tip is that he realized I could have charged him a much higher fee. He was obviously a multi-millionaire and could have afforded to pay 10 times more. But I was fair. And I would like to think the tip was a reward for being fair. I believe it was, because 3 days later he called me to notarize some other papers. He paid my fee with a check. And again, he gave me a generous tip in cash. And I would like to think that he will tell his friends and neighbors to call me if they need something notarized, rather than having to drive into the city.

People like this didn't become wealthy by throwing money away. They do their homework. They know value. They know what something is worth. If you try to take advantage of them because of their networth, it will backfire on you.

I've only been at this a few months, but what I've learned is that you can make a profit in this business. A nice profit. And you don't have to charge exorbitant fees in order to do so. Build a clientele, provide them a good service at a fair (not necessarily low) price, and they will be loyal customers for many years to come.

(And no, I am not a signing service. I received my commission in December of last year. Not quite ready to start my own signing service. And doubt that I ever would.)

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 7:40pm
Msg #119567

Re: BrendaTX I agree with you 100%

Leon - I respect your position so I will not wave you off with - "Have a nice evening!!!!" when that would not be what I meant at all. Quite dismissive and a big fat lie.

I feel your fair fees are wonderful if you feel they are fair to our industry, your business, you personally.

I am undercut weekly by people who will not be in business next month. I do not want to spend my time rushing around for a fee that is fair to the borrowers, the title company or the signing service and a rip-off to me.

Leon, please understand that Texas is a different country altogether. I know about $40 and $50 in other states where the packages take ten minutes. No such animal cracker here.

This is a business. The way we become profitable is like your friend...apply it to yourself.

"People like us do not become financially stable by being fair to others while unfair to ourselves and our businesses...by throwing our services away. We do our homework. We know our value. We know what something is worth. If you try to take advantage of us because of OUR networth, it will backfire on you and if we allow it, it will backfire on us."

I could talk all day but you cannot see it yet. It will dawn on you in the future and you'll slowly emerge from Plato's cave to realize you knew very little about the nature of this business when you made this post.

I'd be assumptive to continue to debate this with you...I have seen ONE Colorado package...but I also know a few CO notaries...I do not know what you are charging...cheap to you might be $150 - $300 for all I know.

Pulling a "titlegal" move here and shooting really straight: Currently, my opinion is that you're talking cheap to get more business. You will. That's great. It just won't make >a business< for you.

I am a very positive thinker. I truly do hope for you to learn the ropes and to create a great business...but my money is on you...You have the makings of a great NSA...I also have my money on you recognizing you need to get your price up a bit IF YOUR "CHEAP" is anywhere near MY concept of cheap.

If you are making money - carry on wtih my blessing because I do feel you have every right to see things from this view and to express them. For those who might learn from this thread - I am merely giving the other side.

Reply by Sign/SealCO on 5/13/06 11:04am
Msg #119663

Re: with more Leons and the NNA, only storm clouds ahead n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/12/06 7:20pm
Msg #119562

My attitude exactly (& Liz C is my fav)! Very well put!! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/12/06 7:42pm
Msg #119568

Re: My attitude exactly (& Liz C is my fav)! Janet - that

means a great deal to me coming from you. Thanks for the reinforcement. Leon and I are in a hot but very friendly debate over this one.

Reply by lulu on 5/12/06 3:31pm
Msg #119506

Hey! What's wrong with Walmart? LOL