Posted by Charm_AL on 11/29/06 5:19pm
Msg #162816

all right -- which Alabama notary...

accepted the $45. job from ATM in Madison tomorrow???
People, we have got to stop pimping ourselves out for the bottom feeders! You are making it hard to keep the bar up, STOP IT!!! I cannot afford to start my car for $45.00, YOU can't either!
McDonalds is hiring for $6.50 an hour, get out of the minimum wage mentality, it hurts your fellow notaries more than you know. Geeze, take some pride in what you do and what you're worth.

Reply by Genkichan on 11/29/06 6:01pm
Msg #162823

I've suddenly/recently been getting the feeling that I'm being severly undercut here in MD, too. What a shame...

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/29/06 6:15pm
Msg #162828

Re: Genkichan.....I have also been getting the same feeling

in my area of late as if a new kid on the mountain has offered a few ss a deal.......
Well, they will eventually see they aren't making any money as they accept the low fees.....printing cost, paper, time......I say let em have it for the low fees....I'm sorry I just don't need the few dollars I may pocket after expenses....

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/29/06 6:25pm
Msg #162832

Re: Genkichan.....I have also been getting the same feeling

"I say let em have it for the low fees...."

I'm the opposite. They should NOT accept the low fees, it's not helping you or anyone else that does this for a living. It only allows these bozos to continue to offer these jobs and pocket the rest because of that attitude. Lots of ignorance out there.

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/29/06 6:21pm
Msg #162831

you're right...

it is a shame. Tomorrow I have a $200. e-doc signing in the evening, apparently some notaries feel that they aren't worth more than $45., or are desperate for the work. It's an extreme insult that they are offering this garbage and pocketing the rest.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 11/29/06 7:04pm
Msg #162841

The real shame is

That there are more where they ($45 notary) came from

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/29/06 7:41pm
Msg #162850

Re: Yep - I saw another post elsewhere

Who admitted to taking those lower fees - his reason? - he's new and a person has to start somewhere, right? Read that and shut my computer down for the night..

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/29/06 7:51pm
Msg #162854

Re: Yep - I saw another post elsewhere

What I never got about that one was why even bother to tell us they were getting started by digging themselves a hole...made no sense to post that. Either you are making money, or you aren't. People with business sense don't go into this trying to undercut without understanding their own profit margin. I think I'll go to bed on that one.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 11/30/06 9:55am
Msg #162968

Thats just the problem Brenda

Not to many of them have any business sense. They are not in it as a full time career, most of them just want to do it part time to earn a little extra cash.

Reply by BamaNSA on 11/29/06 7:48pm
Msg #162852

I agree Charm!

It's the same here in Birmingham. Companies that have used me forever have started questioning my fees; the fees that they have always paid me. I know it's because there are some notaries here that probably work for them for less money...but, I'm getting more and more calls to go out and clean up messes. With gas prices and our supply cost, we should be raising the bar, not lowering it.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/29/06 8:08pm
Msg #162856

That's the good thing about living in LA

This has been going on for so long that I don't even have to worry about it anymore.

The companies that pay me decent fees are well aware of the 50 zillion other notaries here but they know they're paying for expertise and are happy to do it. And the lowball companies don't even try to argue me down if they happen to call, they know they've got hundreds of others they can call and will find some sucker to do it.

Reply by Debra Holston on 11/29/06 9:35pm
Msg #162877

The companies do not realize that they get what they pay for. Then here we come cleaning up their mess. I do not leave home for under $100.00 and that is just around the corner. Charm, I am in total agreement with you.

Reply by Signing_Doc on 11/29/06 9:52pm
Msg #162883

"...The companies that pay me decent fees are well aware of the 50 zillion other notaries here but they know they're paying for expertise and are happy to do it..."

You are so right on this statement. It was proven to me just today with a new Title Company I have been doing business with. (new to me). I have done 3 closings for them, one a simple refi (1 set of docs provided)...one a refi with a HELOC, and Sunday, a simple 14 page seller package (only 1 item to notarize). I had already figured out what I would charge them based on my past experiences with SS and the like...but, like the "wise old doc" that I am, I didn't quote my fee, I asked them..."what do you usually charge for this?" The first one was "sold" for $50 more than I would have offered them...and they were happy that I accepted. (Their tone of voice sounded like they were afraid they were "insulting me" with the fee). The second one, was also for 50 more than I would have quoted and the "simple" one, again they asked me my fee. It was around the corner, (about a block...15 minutes at the most)...very easy....I figured I would do it for "cheap"....again I asked them to give me a quote. Again, they went almost 50% more than I would have charged them. My point is that...as long as we SHOW that we are worth it...they will PAY us what we are worth. I guarantee my work (as do many of us)...I go above and beyond "supra et ultra"...and always leave them a bottle of my "pills to cure all your end of the month blues" to remember me by. After I gave the documents back today, the EO stated "You're our go to man from now on" WOW!!! First time I've heard THAT and THAT was a great feeling. So...don't be afraid of letting THEM quote a rate first, but have your bottom line in mind. Old cliche..."If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is quite true, especially in THIS business. Oh well...I'll go back to reading the rest of your messages but...true to my form, I will leave you with this "tune"....."When you walk...through a storm....hold your head up high...and don't be afraid of the dark...at the end of the storm, is a golden sky...and the sweet silver song of a lark...walk on...through the wind...walk on through the rain..tho' your dreams be tossed and blown....walk on, walk on...with Hope (G-d) in your heart, and you'll NEVER walk aloneeeeee...you'll NEVER walk...a...lone" (sorry if I offended any of you out there). TTFN "Doc"

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/29/06 9:59pm
Msg #162886

Re: I've learned to structure my fee schedule

from all the great advice I've read here - I Know what I bring to the table and I know my abilities - I don't want to get rich quick (well...yeah..I do..but) I don't EXPECT to be a millionaire overnight in this job - but I've learned from this board how to structure my fees so as not to slit my own throat and at the same time not slit the throats of those who came before me.

Reply by kathy/ca on 11/29/06 11:32pm
Msg #162915

Doc, your posts and your songs never fail to put a smile on

my face. ......You'll neeeevvveeerrrr walk aaaaaalone!

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 11/30/06 6:24am
Msg #162930

Say, Doc...

...at the risk of running afoul of the religion police, would you mind explaining to the rest of the board why from a Jewish perspective you don't spell out the entire word "God"? I'm not attempting to put you on the spot, I just had never run across this in my entire life until I started reading the Jewish World Review online several years ago & noticed every time God was mentioned in an article it was spelled "G-d". After several months of perusing their site & seeing this spelling of the word someone finally gave an explanation in a piece I was reading. I don't know that I could accurately sum up the gist of the rationale, but would you be willing to elaborate?

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/30/06 6:41am
Msg #162932

Re: Say, Doc...

From my stand point, imo, many believe using the Lord's name in vain is a sin. Maybe that is why he doesn't spell out the entire name. I have Jewish friends that hold His name in high esteem and only say it when praying. Some take religion very seriously. I know this post wasn't directed to me, but I am offering what I know.

Reply by Signing_Doc on 11/30/06 2:27pm
Msg #163033

Re: Say, Doc... (long)

I explained this a long time ago, but I don't mind repeating it again...as long as no one objects.....(he waits.....no one?....ok)....First off, the name of G-d is NEVER pronounced. Even when you see it in the prayer books, it is 'abbreviated' by the letter in Hebrew Yud Hey Vuv Hey...(it is pronounced Adonai...). Some people see that name and say the name Jehovah...which is not correct, but back to the question. Because the name of H'shem (the Name) is so Holy, that writing out the name of G-d in its entirety makes that object it is written on Holy. In other words, if I write the name of G-d in His entirety in a letter, that letter is now a Holy thing and must be treated as such. Jewish tradition has a way of handling Holy things, even a specific way of "throwing away" Holy things, i.e. a worn out Torah. A worn out Torah must be buried in a consecrated place in a ritualistic fashion. Therefore, if I write a letter with the word of G-d written out, I am FORBIDDEN to just "toss" this letter out. It must be treated as a Holy object and buried in the same way as the Torah. So, in order to write the name of G-d in a letter etc, we abbreviate it as I have, therefore I am "technically" not writing the name of G-d and therefore the object is not considered Holy. A good book to read for more information is "The Jewish Book of Why" by Alfred Kolatch. Hope this helped. "Doc"

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 12/2/06 6:23am
Msg #163437

Thanks, Doc!

That's very similar to how it was explained in the article I read on the Jewish World Review. I knew it had to do with the holiness of God's name, but you've given me an even deeper insight. BTW, I didn't see any objections to our broaching of this topic so I guess we made it through unscathed!

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/2/06 7:41am
Msg #163442

Re: Thanks, Doc! That's our Doc...99.99% pure

I've never spoken with the man on the phone or had more than ten emails with him, but the spirit of love he has about himself makes me clear on the fact that he has love and compassion for me personally and humankind in general.

Read between the lines of his lighthearted diddies and sillies and you'll see the "real deal."

IMHO , it's the Docs of our world who are the salt of the earth and preserve the goodness in it without urging a brand of faith by mere words. He doesn't need them. His very manner is what is compelling to those who are open to it. The Spirit in Doc does not stop at my computer screen but pierces my heart and humbles me. When I grow up, I want to be just like him. I have an admittedly long way to go.

It took very few exchanges with Doc for me to recognize that this is a very humble man whose words convey a sense of joy whether he is discussing changing a flat tire or marketing himself as a notary.

Who could object to that?

Doc, you are such a peaceful influence on our community! (Please print this out and show it to your wife. Consider it an invoice and send your promised check within 30 days. Thank you!)

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/30/06 7:28am
Msg #162941

It wasn't me. Perhaps you could get

the AlabamaNotaryNetwork to agree on a fee schedule for 2007. I doubt there's anyway you could reach all Alabama notaries to influence their pricing. By the way, what's the status of the formation of the Network? Is there a meeting in the works?

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 11/30/06 7:30am
Msg #162943

Fee structuring...

is called "price fixing". Tread lightly in this area. Just my opinion, mind you... not to be construed as legal advice.