Posted by Frank Calderone on 11/11/06 7:08am
Msg #158975

Getting Paid

As I look at all the complaints about gettiing paid in a timely manner, I wonder
as a group do we all support each other in this effort or does greed take over?
I as a professional Mobile Notary have instituted a policy that if a company is past
30 days for a payment I will not do any more closings for them until they get
caught up. If we all did this then we would get paid withen the 30 days. The
30 day mark is even well over what we should see as a pay period since everyone
else in the closing gets paid withen a couple of days after the Right of Recission.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/11/06 8:32am
Msg #158988

Re: Getting Paid - Long

Hi Frank,

Your policy is very similar to mine. I do not allow anything to go past 30 days or you'll never collect your money. After doing this for several years now experience has taught me to be cautious. I've been very lucky collecting and only have one outstanding at this point.

The biggest problem is trying to get people to stick-together regarding no pay or "I'll pay you -maybe after you chase me for 3 months." I've said it a thousand times Do NOT work for these people! Please post the people that are not paying you. This board is really your only real line-of-defence against low-ballers and No Pays.

All you have to do is read the comments of people that insist on working for companies like SOX , then cry when they don't get paid. It is just common horse sense! No pay, or low ballers, then you don't work for them. It's as simple as that. My best bet is people that work for these companies "think" they are getting a leg-up on the rest of us. Reality check ! keep working for bad people and you will be out of business in 6 months or less.

So here are the rules: Don't work for companies that Waste your time consistanly.
Don't work for Slowwww pays
Don't work for Low-Ballers
Don't work for Unethical companies

Over time you can built a Very strong base of excellent companies that call you like clock-work. Market, market and then market some more! Treat the BWRs' with respect and conduct yourself like a lady or gentleman. Go that extra mile for your clients' and always conduct yourself in a professional manner when dealing with your companies. These people are our bread & butter. Lastly, do not cheapen yourself by working for lowballers, if you take one step down-it's three times hardier to take a step back up.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/11/06 8:46am
Msg #158993

Re: Getting Paid - Long

I couldn't agree more.
I have burned a couple of bridges, though, with SS that many say are so wonderful.
I declined an appt. with that company, for non-payment, and was immediately called back by the owner who took me out of his database for (his words, not verbatim, but close):
Holding his company hostage from completing signings in this particular geographical area.
Helloooooooo, he paid immediately, and I learned my lesson, alright.
Market to TC's and forget the agencies.

Reply by Donna Bird on 11/11/06 3:17pm
Msg #159076

Re: Getting Paid - Long

Too many comanies are taking advantages of the Notaries and now we are seeing who really respects us. We do most of the work, they get the bulk of the money. Put your feet down and be strict in your policies as a Notary. They expect alot from us , I expect to be paid on TIME :-))

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/11/06 8:53am
Msg #158995

Re: Getting Paid - Greed is king and always takes over.

I agree, Frank, that we should support each other but it won't happen. Do what is best for your business and focus on that. On the other hand, for instance, in the Tx network, I would only advise my friends when a company is slow pay and let them do whatever they can to make the best of their business. What works for some will not work for others and vice versa. Inform other and let them make their choices.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/11/06 9:02am
Msg #158996

Re: Getting Paid-Frank this is the only smart way to work as

you have mentioned but not all folks operate this way. If a company pays at 45 days, they are out in my books and I'm sure that may sound harsh but chasing my money is stressful for me and I'd just rather not do it. But we may have a number of notaries out that do not keep accurate records and this may be something that they let slide a bit. I actually did two signings for one company a month or so ago, I contacted them for the first signing at 30 days, their documentation stated they paid in 30, I always put in the subject area "please respond within 24 hours", I sent the notice on a Friday night, they responded not within 24 but they did respond on Monday, they not only piad me for the 30 day signing but paid for the one I had just done a week prior. The message this sent to me was, we want you (meaning me the notary) to know we pay timely. I keep very accurate records and I expect to be paid within 30 days or the company is not worth my time. There is no excuse for a ss to go beyond 30 days in my mind. None what's so ever. Just my 2 cents.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 11/11/06 9:14am
Msg #159002

It is my opinion that as independent contractors, we should be listed on the HUD separately from all other fees. That way we get paid at time of funding. But the best way to get paid is have the borrowers pay us at the door. yeah, like that will ever happen. jmo

Reply by MikeC/NY on 11/12/06 7:21am
Msg #159214

I did a signing several weeks ago for a TC, and I was listed on the HUD for notarial services - no invoice needed. There was no recission (second home) so the loan funded right away. Signing was late Friday afternoon, check arrived either Tuesday or Wednesday AM, UPS Overnight... The TC found me from my listing here, so membership does pay for itself.

The other side of that coin, however, could be what happens if the laon doesn't fund - do you have to fight for your fee? Are all disbursements for subcontracted work like title searches, courier, notarization, etc., paid out one way or the other?

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/11/06 10:00am
Msg #159018

I look at it a bit differently. If a company pays me...

as agreed, then I have no problem with them, even if I
have to wait more than 30 days to get paid. I do work
for some SSs and TCs who state in front that thier policy is to
pay on the 15th or even the last day of
the following month. Therfore, it might be as long as 61 days
following the date of signing.
So long as they pay me at that time, without me having to chase after
them , remind them, etc. then I do not have a problem with it.
I refuse to get into a situation where I am required to send an invoice for
a month's signings on the last day of the month , via fax, between
3:15 AM and 4:45 AM Guam Daylight time or some such. Cos wth these types of
reqmts are just looking for an excuse to screw you over.
I see no point in turning down work, that I am confident that I will
be paid for just because a check for prior work is a few days late for
one reason or another.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/11/06 10:11am
Msg #159019

Re: I look at it a bit differently. If a company pays me...

I agree, Bob.

The main thing is that they make sure they let you know when the check will come so you don't wonder.

One large TC in Houston I do work for made it abundantly clear to me that they do not pay until 45 - 60 days after your first signing. No problem.

Another title company in the Dallas area never tells you that they will dilly-dally with your check until 90 days, if possible. At 65 days you have to call them. Maybe by day 75 you will see it. It's a huge pimple on the rear of notary signing agents nationwide.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/11/06 10:11am
Msg #159020

Re: I look at it a bit differently. Bob I think your

reasoning is good and if you have trusted established companies that you work for I see no issue with that. It is just my personal opinion and how I choose to manage my business with waiting no longer then 30 days, one invoice only should be sent and payment made. I have waited in the past 45, 60 and once over 6 months, I evaluated my business and made this executive decision that this is how I would operate, currently all invoices are paid, works for me and I'm content with the amount of business I do.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/11/06 10:13am
Msg #159021

Key Words-You're sure you will be paid ! :D n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/11/06 10:27am
Msg #159023

Re: I look at it a bit differently. Bob I think your

And, you are right, Lka...there times when you learn that chasing money is just not worth the hassle of how annoying it is.

I was in this seminar once that taught how to crystalize the vision of what you are willing to do for what you want. The visual was putting an I-beam between two 40 story buildings and sitting the thing of value at the other end. What would you crawl across the I-beam for...put $10,000 over there and would that be worth the crawl? Probably not. Put your baby over there and absolutely, you'd crawl across for your child.

It was helpful to me to be able to start figuring out what I am willing to put time/effort into crawling over the I-beam for, so to speak. Of course, you raise/lower the high rise building (amount of effort/risk) vs. what's on the other side (thing of value).

Reply by mtcwgrl on 11/11/06 10:24am
Msg #159022

Re: Getting Paid...Help Me Understand..

...all of you are right but I still have the question as to why it is the signing agent that is cycled 45-60-to what ever days to be paid. You know that when the rent is due and payroll is due and creditors are due these TC and SS pay at the time they are due. Which they could not due if the signing agent did not go out and due their job. Signing agents in my book should be the first on the list. I know, I know I am living in a fantasy world!!!

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/11/06 10:30am
Msg #159024

Re: Getting Paid...Help Me Understand..

mtcwgrl This is just my personal opinion. There are some that do NOT treat this professoin as a business and operate it as such. Because there are some companies that think because we are Independent contractors and spread all over the country there is little that we can do to collect from them<Boy are they wrong! lol Last, but not least some companies just have NO respect for us or our profession. Ergo, I have hard and set rules for my business. Reason ! I am in fact running a business. Again this is just my opinion.

Reply by mtcwgrl on 11/11/06 10:42am
Msg #159025

Re: Getting Paid...Help Me Understand..

yep ,you are oh so right!

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/11/06 5:22pm
Msg #159096

Re: mtcwgrl-Allow me, I work for a school district and talk

slow to pay, it is absurd and this may be the very reason I will not tolerate the nonsense with my own business. I have worked for the public school system for some time. They want my mileage submitted monthly, I submit mileage for myself and several others, I approve the others and of course mine needs to be approved by my boss, it can take as long at 3 months to be paid with all the hands the mileage sheets must pass through. Now once the mileage PO actually gets to the county the check can be cut the same day. This is just one pain in my A??.
I request a supply PO towards the end of the school year once we know how much money is left in our grant this could take up to 6 weeks to get, don't ask me why.....again all the hands it must pass through before the PO is issued.
I generally use the same vender each year to design our award plaques, when I meet with him once a year, which will be this Feb. I always remind him, you do remember I can't promise you when you'll get paid. He doesn't like this and I don't blame him, he does choose to accept my PO, he gets my order completed swiftly, then I once again offer to wait to pick up until he is paid, he always insists I may collect my order anytime.
The program I coordinate is grant funded and grants are not received by school districts in one lump sum, and I understand this.
I have a school trip coming up in Feb. 07, I could book my flight and hotel to San Francisco, use my own credit card or have my boss book it and use her school district credit card. I opt for her card since I don't have a school district credit card, if I use my own I could be waiting 3-5 months to be reimbursed......this is how it works ... as absurd as it is....
Now with ss, this is a pretty quick turn around time in my mind, so I allow no excuses, for me it just really boils down to what as a notary am I willing to tolerate, for me it is very little....

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/11/06 7:54pm
Msg #159121

Re: mtcwgrl-Allow me, I work for a school district and talk

Bravo!

Reply by Frank Calderone on 11/12/06 9:38am
Msg #159230

Re: mtcwgrl-Allow me, I work for a school district and talk

Thank all of you for your input. I as well as you consider this a business. As such I keep
meticulous records of income & expenses. I had one company that sent me a lot of business and as such put them on the top of my list.( Holding a time slot for them and working for them over a peroid of time to get a loan closed). They since have changed and have extended there invoice payments to 45 days. They require a lot more out of there closings then others and had paid for that. (copies of the complete signed package split and sent to the lender and settlement Company). Now they try to get me to do the closings for less money and only call when they can't find a cheap Notary or have an emergency. They know the quality of my work but are will to sacrafice it for money. What is funny is what these companies charge the customer for the closing. I often wonder if that make the HUD incorrect and not truse since we aren't paid that amount and they make money on us.