Posted by John Temblador on 11/29/06 1:30am
Msg #162654

Has anyone had more than usual calls.....

In Central Monterey County, CA, I have had several calls for loan signing / notarization and my base fee is $150.00, Edocs, Refi, etc. Last month, and prior, no problems with base fee and got a few signings. In the last 2 weeks, had calls for service and was told by signing service on one call and title co on another that they would have to approve my fee and call me back. Well, you guessed it. No call. I have made courtesy calls back and signing done from another notary for their fee of $60.00 on one signing. Having notaries not charging enough lowers the bar and upsets the balance for higher fees and quality of service.

Any others in the community having similar calls to reduce base fees or other coincidences?

Maybe just bad timing? Market up and down?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/29/06 1:40am
Msg #162655

It's been my experience that certain companies will only pay certain amounts,
and sometimes even that varies by area. ABC* TC will pay a colleague on the
east coast of the state $XXX, but pays $XX less on my coast. They have another
notary contact in my area who will do it for less, and they know the competition is
stiff. And vice versa, with XYZ* TC, they will pay me $XX more than they pay the
colleague in the panhandle, because Joe Schmoe has set the standard for that
companyin that area with that particular fee.
It helps to be flexible with fees (I'm not talking about low-balling)
as often I will accept the slightly lower fee for a minute to get my foot in the door
with some companies.
(*names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 11/29/06 4:31am
Msg #162659

Bear in mind that it's not likely they'll tell you "oh, we couldn't find anyone to do it for less, you were RIGHT!"

It is much more beneficial for them to have you thinking they did, even if they didn't.

Reply by Kathleen/CA on 11/29/06 8:23am
Msg #162670

I had a company call yesterday that was paying $40, can you believe it! I told them what my base fee is and to call back if they could not find someone, no call back. $40! I'm flexible, but I don't bend that far. We are professionals and should be paid like professionals.

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/29/06 9:15am
Msg #162683

I agree Kathleen. For $40.00 they can come to my office where I will notarize 4 signatures - period. That does not include explaining docs, filling out patriot act forms, fax backs, etc.
We need to maintain professional standards, act like professionals and be paid like professionals. There is a value in our service and we should charge accordingly.

Reply by pamow/oh on 11/29/06 11:03am
Msg #162706

I have been getting requests to do closings for $40 traveling over 30 mls, printing of packages over 80 pages for $20 dollars. I now say I will do it for a reasonable fee and they always say they have to get approval. I have had 1 call back my fee was met. But when I called to borrowers they were located in NJ, can't quite make it for that fee and in 2 hrs time. Oh well, it was my laugh for the evening.

Reply by Kathleen/CA on 11/29/06 12:23pm
Msg #162744

John sad thing is someone up here is taking them @ $40 n/m

Reply by John Temblador on 11/29/06 2:45pm
Msg #162779

by the way... I got another offer and they paid $150.00...

Ain't that the truth.. we're worth more than that.. hopefully time and hard work and all that goes into our notary business will click with the rest of the community. ... by the way... I got another offer and they paid $150.00 for my fee today!!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/29/06 5:23pm
Msg #162817

"I had a company call yesterday that was paying $40, can you believe it! I told them what my base fee is and to call back if they could not find someone"

I wouldn't even tell them to call me back. Any company that only pays $40 for a signing is very likely a company that won't think twice about making up some lie to stiff you if they've agreed to pay you more just to get the signing done.

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/29/06 6:37pm
Msg #162834

Good point Cali n/m