Posted by ck_KY on 11/28/06 1:16pm
Msg #162525

Opinions please..

How many of you keep your cell phone turned on during signings?? I am missing so many calls due to leaving my phone on silent during appointments. I don't want to be rude to the BO, but I can't keep missing out on assignments? I have my voicemail set to leave a detailed message concerning potential closings, but by the time I get to call back it has been assigned. Any suggestions??

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/28/06 1:24pm
Msg #162528

Re: Opinions please.. CK I used to keep mine on silent also

However I no longer do, the bo's are generally very understanding. I say I'm sorry but I need to answer this call, they are always so understanding as are the callers when I say I'm in a signing, they hurry with the reason they are calling and bam done in less then a minute....

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/28/06 1:26pm
Msg #162529

Re: Opinions please.. CK I used to keep mine on silent also

Completely agree with Susan, my phone is my life line, without it....no business.

Reply by christiSocal on 11/28/06 1:32pm
Msg #162532

Totally agree with Susan and Sue

Phones are our lifelines! I never take personal calls, but always take business ones. I do keep it short and sweet also. I've never had a borrower seem upset with me at all.

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 11/28/06 1:34pm
Msg #162533

Keep it on

Borrowers always understand. The title companies and signing agencies who expect you to turn your cell phone off during a closing are totally unrealistic and unfair to notaries. They and we know that if a scheduler calls and we are not able to take the call, the scheduler will immediately move on to the next notary on their list. Unavailable = lost income. I leave mine on. If a call comes in, I ask the borrowers if they mind, adding that the call may be about their loan, and they always gesture for me to go ahead and answer. If it is from a scheduler, I explain quickly that I'm in the middle of a closing and could they just tell me when, where, what time. The schedulers always comply and give me the quick details, I say if I can take the closing and my fee, they email me the confirmation, and we're done. I apologize to the borrowers, explaining that if I miss a call for another closing, I've lost work, and they grin and say they completely understand. Then I move quickly on to the next document in their package. I've never had a problem or complaint from anyone. The key is to keep the interrupting call short.

Reply by jojodatura on 11/28/06 1:30pm
Msg #162530

I keep mine on vibrate. Doesn't seem to be a problem.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/28/06 1:32pm
Msg #162531

Vibrator mode for me, too

And I answer it.
I don't want to lose any appts.

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/28/06 1:35pm
Msg #162534

I use my cell strictly for business, when it rings I know it's a company and I take the call, let them know that I am in the middle of a closing and they make it short and sweet.

Reply by Ndwa on 11/28/06 1:36pm
Msg #162535

Pick an answer and make it your policy.
A. Be rude to BO
B. Keep missing out on assignments

I have told my regular eastcoast clients many times that it's only 7:00AM here when they call. I asked that they make a note on my profile to hit redial or give me 30 seconds to call back b/c I often didn't get out of bed fast enough before the last ring. Guess what? You snooze you loose.

Reply by ssqu/ky on 11/28/06 2:03pm
Msg #162547

Keep mine on. n/m

Reply by PJM/MI on 11/28/06 2:07pm
Msg #162549

Re: Keep mine on. n/m

Reply by Cassandra Andrews on 11/28/06 2:19pm
Msg #162553

how many doctors turn off their pager ??? n/m

Reply by Sarah/CA on 11/28/06 2:26pm
Msg #162554

I keep mine on.

I used to turn it off but like others have said if you don't answer they will go on to another notary. I lost out on a few that way. So now I leave it on vibrate. I never take personal calls however.

Reply by GF_CA on 11/28/06 2:45pm
Msg #162559

Re: I keep mine on...I'm with you Sarah :) n/m

Reply by janCA on 11/28/06 3:14pm
Msg #162568

Borrowers will answer their phone

More borrowers than not will answer their phone and talk while signing docs or sit there and talk while holding up the signing. I always answer my phone but make it quick.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/28/06 3:53pm
Msg #162576

One bad experience, but will not change. I keep phone....

on , set on vibrate and get bwr's permission. (Never been denied)
While on the road, I took an assignment for a regualr last week. Typical info.
" Hi it's Suzi @ title co. Can you do one on Fri in podunk @ 7PM?
Sure , send it over , thanks."
About an hour later , while in a signing , I get a call.
Caller says something like. This is Mary , I'm the LO for Mrs. Smith.
Tell Mary, I'm in a closing right now , May I call you back in a half hour or so?.
!5 minutes later, phone rihgs again. "It's Mary, are you still in your closing?
Yes, I am , I replied , I need to call you back. "
She said, why did you answer phone if you are in a closing? I think that is
very unprofessional. Hangs up
Get a call later from TC cancelliing, but does not know why. I told her what
happened. She said , don't worry about it, this is a very difficult LO
Have since recd several new assignments from TC.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/28/06 4:52pm
Msg #162589

Re: Opinions please...some time back I brought this same

subject up here - however at that time it was my opinion that the borrower deserved our undivided attention and the phone should be off - wow did I get it!! And you know what? Everyone was right - although yes the borrowers do deserve our attention, they don't hesitate to do their own thing while we sit there twiddling our thumbs - answer the phone (one woman got 6 phone calls while I was there), cook, tend the kids, etc., etc. And that's your business...your income, which is all based on your availability.

After experiencing what you did (returning calls to late as they got someone else) I now keep my telephone on all the time and my husband answers it for me in the middle of a signing..works well since he knows my schedule. And I have to say I have gotten calls for other signings while in the middle of a closing, a couple of them being an emergency and they were thankful I had my telephone on.

Thanks to al who set me straight too..<G>

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/28/06 4:53pm
Msg #162590

Re: Typo...al = all...oops.. n/m

Reply by Teddog/CO on 11/28/06 5:15pm
Msg #162598

If you want to work, leave that cell on. n/m

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 11/29/06 1:11am
Msg #162653

Re: If you want to work, leave that cell on.

This debate has been going on for over 5 years that I have been a Loan Signer.

You want to work in this industry keep your cell phone on 24/7 if at all possible!!!

This might be impossible because you can't answer your phone while your at your day job; other wise answer you cell phone.

If your family calls while your at a signing, hang up on them (unless its an emergency DUD!.)