Posted by lisaky on 10/23/06 10:57am
Msg #154435

Harsh Words

I am a newly signed notary for this site. I was shocked at reading some of the messages. It seems like most notaries are very critical and rude. I would think long and hard about posting any type of questions on this site after viewing some of the conversations. It is a shame that someone who is new and fresh at this service comes to the message board to get answers not to get berated for not knowing something. Have most of you forgotten that it took you a while to get where you are? I have been a notary since 1991 and worked in an attorneys office for a year. After that...most of my notary experience has been offered to church members, since I work in a church office. I signed on to rotary notary to make some extra income since I a m a newly single parent. I think it is sad that this could be an excellent source for people to share their experience and knowledge and yet all I read was condemnation and criticism. When I get to the point I am able to share my experience and help someone, it will be out of kindness and not penalize someone for asking a wrong question that "they should already know."

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/23/06 11:08am
Msg #154436

Who's turn is it to post "The Message"? n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/23/06 11:18am
Msg #154440

Found it! Lisa, Orange button. Search for Message # 33325

It'll answer all your questions.

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/23/06 11:09am
Msg #154437

Re: Harsh Words - - aren't yours as well?

Lisa,

In my very humble opinion, you are being condescending and critical to the very ones you wish to shame for their behavior.

Before you determine it is your place to criticize the critical, perhaps you should consider your own motives and what you have just done.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/23/06 1:20pm
Msg #154492

Re: Harsh Words - - aren't yours as well?

Isn't it amazing how people just never see the hypocrisy of posting a message like this? To tell us how much we suck because we tell other people how much they suck? But because they didn't do it FIRST it's ok to be just as critical as we're being. It's just too funny.

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 10/23/06 11:09am
Msg #154438

People are sometimes harsh (including myself) because we see the same questions asked OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER... ad infinitum (sp).

Where do I get clients? Where do I put my stamp? Can I make money as a notary? etc.

To be frank, those of us in this business are tired of seeing the same BS everyday. Harry (NotRot owner) made this FANTASTIC thing called the SEARCH button. Any question that anyone could ask, probably has been asked before, but rather than utilizing this wonderful little feature, it's common to just post the question again and again and again and again and again......

Reply by Poppy on 10/23/06 11:12am
Msg #154439

Lisa... You will find a lot of good information on this

board. Don't give up on it. On this board as in life you will come across many different personalities. Some nice, some harsh, some inspiring, some funny, some rude some a little nuts but that's the way life is. (I think you'll find learning to handle the many different personalities of this board will help you learn to deal with the many different personalities you will come across on your new signing agent adventure.) You will find many of the same personalities in the borrowers you will come across...

P.S. If all you read on this board is condemnation and criticism, you're spending your time reading the wrong posts.... JMO but I think if you look you will find most of the answers to the questions you have now and in the future right here on this board...

Welcome to the signing business. I hope it will help you make the extra money you need to take care of your family.... "smiles" Poppy

Reply by Kim/CO on 10/23/06 11:36am
Msg #154448

I agree with Lisa, and after this post will not participate here.

Besides that the most recent posts do not "bump" the subject to the top making it absolutely impossible to "follow" a thread without having to page through tons of posts, every time someone asks for help, I see them berated. Of course you "oldies" get tired of answering the same questions, I think that means get a life and stop living on a message board.

You "oldies" should realize that we came here for help, not lessons on how to use the search function. I have seen soooo many hostile posts here in just the two weeks I have been viewing this site that I decided a few days ago it was not worth it to me.

Lisa, there are several other places to find kinder assistance on, you can email me for info if you like

ps: I get calls daily for work and am listed with just two sites. This sign up at as many places online as possible is poor advice. Sign up smart and work smart.

Reply by hcampersFL on 10/23/06 11:47am
Msg #154454

Kim everyone is entitled to their opinion. I used the search and found only one other post besides this one that had your name on it. I'm sorry you feel like everyone here is out to "get" the newbie, that just isn't the case.

When coming to a site titled "Notary Rotary" that name in it self tells you something. It is for people with experience that know how to do their job.

If people are new to a career path it may be a good idea for them to sit back and learn a little before posting. If you have a question and have tried to find the answer then ask it. Don't come on a message board and ask for people to tell you how to run YOUR business. That makes no sense.

When people have come here and asked intelligent questions they have received plenty of help. You are choosing not to see that.

Reply by Kim/CO on 10/23/06 12:20pm
Msg #154478

Oh, so since I am new, I am not welcome?

DUH, I figured that out weeks ago.

Thanks for confirming it.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 10/23/06 12:39pm
Msg #154485

Huh? n/m

Reply by hcampersFL on 10/23/06 12:45pm
Msg #154486

Re: Harsh Words~ Kim I'm not sure how you got that out of

what I posted? I am not the one to say anyone is or isn't welcome. I think only the person or person's that own this site can do that.

You have already said that you aren't going to be coming here anymore, don't try and blame it on anyone that has posted to this thread. You made your choice.

Reply by Kim Kim on 10/23/06 12:52pm
Msg #154487

Re: Harsh Words~ Kim I'm not sure how you got that out of

"When coming to a site titled "Notary Rotary" that name in it self tells you something. It is for people with experience that know how to do their job. " Your quote.

Just because someone is new, does not mean they do not know how to do their job.

Sorry I had already deleted my account. I KNEW there would be posts of "I never said this" and blah blah blah.

Ya'll REALLY need to get out of your bubble here and be professional, instead of defending your deplorable message board behavior. I am not the only one who thinks this, good lord have you READ the feedback forum? Ya'll should be ashamed.

Ok, that's it for me here lol. I have no need to get into debates on message boards with such unprofessional people

Reply by hcampersFL on 10/23/06 1:14pm
Msg #154490

Re: Harsh Words~ Kim I'm not sure how you got that out of

Okay your right and everyone else is wrong. Wishing you luck in the real world.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/23/06 1:18pm
Msg #154491

Re: Harsh Words~ Kim I'm not sure how you got that out of

Boy Bev, looks like we've just suffered a major loss. How ever will the board survive without her sage advice like "don't waste your time signing up with as many companies as you can?"

Reply by hcampersFL on 10/23/06 1:33pm
Msg #154495

Re: Harsh Words~ Kim I'm not sure how you got that out of

Yeah Cali, I'm already planning on what books to read tonight while I'm losing sleep over it.

Reply by Charm_AL on 10/23/06 1:52pm
Msg #154501

LOL...Bev... n/m

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 10/23/06 5:03pm
Msg #154566

Re: hcampersFL....I think you did imply, by the following...

When coming to a site titled "Notary Rotary" that name in it self tells you something. It is for people with experience that know how to do their job.
This clearly states you feel "Notary Rotary" is for only the experienced that know how to do their job.
:-(

Reply by hcampersFL on 10/23/06 5:14pm
Msg #154570

Re: hcampersFL....I think you did imply, by the following...

Stephanie what I was "implying" was that when you come to a site like this you should know what your doing already. At a minumum you should know the Notary laws for your state.
I'm sure that someone could read it anyway they want. That is the choice we all make in life.

I would have read that when I started and said to myself, "I need to learn all I can by reading this public forum, then I will ask questions". I have asked a few in my time on here that were at most stupid and felt the rath for it.
I didn't take my marbles and go home. I stayed and learned from what I would call the most knowledgeable in the industry.
This site is a free site. Some of us pay to be members here, some don't. We all can not return if the words are to harsh.

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/23/06 5:59pm
Msg #154594

Re: hcampersFL....I think you did imply, by the following...

**I would have read that when I started and said to myself, "I need to learn all I can by reading this public forum, then I will ask questions". I have asked a few in my time on here that were at most stupid and felt the rath for it. I didn't take my marbles and go home. I stayed and learned from what I would call the most knowledgeable in the industry. **




This would also be my story.

Reply by Kim/CO on 10/23/06 11:43am
Msg #154451

ps: Sorry Lisa, forgot to include my email address- coloradomobileservices at gmail.com

I am new as well, my bf has run her signing business for ten years (lucky me!) and she is my goto gal for any and all questions Good luck!

Reply by Brenda/CA on 10/23/06 11:51am
Msg #154455

Re: Harsh Words Lisa & Kim

The following is a message at the top of the Notary Rotary Page, directly above the bright orange "SEARCH" tab:

General Discussion
Welcome to the Notary Talk General Discussion Forum. Before posting, please read the Rules & Guidelines


I took the liberty of posting it here for you to read, so you won't have to bother to look for it on your own.

Reply by Roger_OH on 10/23/06 12:03pm
Msg #154463

Lisa/Kim - also see msg # 76283 regarding your concerns n/m

Reply by VickiWA on 10/23/06 12:08pm
Msg #154470

I was new to this board last June. At first I had the same thoughts. After reading most of the posts I realized that the people here really care about people and this business. Sure some harsh words are posted but then isn't life and the business world harsh? At least part of the time. As a wise notary signing agent once told me, we have to have a thick skin to make in the business.

Also I find if I wait, read, search, all of my questions get answered.

Good luck in your new venture.

Vicki

Reply by LawrenceOK on 10/23/06 12:20pm
Msg #154479

Re: Harsh Words...With all due respect Lisa

This is a community of notaries that have been down the road a time or two. It is also a message board for folks to ask questions that are NOT asinine in nature. We will not give you answers that you should already know by reading your states notary handbook. We do not give harsh answers to folks that have at least taken the time to use the search option.

Reply by MA_SA on 10/23/06 1:53pm
Msg #154502

Lisa, I agree

The people you mention on this site are self rightous, arrogant, pompus and rude. I have put up posts in the past, not even questions, and gotten totally ripped. But the normal people and notaries, we are here, we just don't post as much because we fear that there are certain people here who have an opinion on absolutely everything.

I think you point was proven by the way with the posts responding to yours.

Brian

Reply by Charm_AL on 10/23/06 2:06pm
Msg #154508

Hey Brian...

Did you ever contact the people that sent you the $500. check to see if you needed to send it back? I think that was the only time I've seen you get ripped, but I don't read every post.

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/23/06 3:16pm
Msg #154527

That was the thread that Brian called me pompous in...

and I did not cry, feel sad, lonely, depressed, rejected or anything...except like I'd read another post from a guy who called me pompous.

Try not taking it all so personal . . . if you do, you might learn something rather than be trying to make this forum be all about hurting your personal feelings.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 10/23/06 2:09pm
Msg #154509

Re: Lisa, I agree Brian

The people in this thread responded by telling Lisa to:

Sign up with as many comanies as possible (should they have provided a list to make it eaiser so she would not have to do the work herself)?

Read all of the posts starting with # 33325 (should they have offered it on audio tapes, with all of the ot edited out so she would not have to look for them herself)?

Use the orange "search" button before posting (this is not a fairy tell that the people here like to tell to new people, it is in the rules & guidelines).

If they can't do this simple things for themselves they will not make it in this business.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/23/06 4:32pm
Msg #154555

Re: Lisa, I agree Brian

Brenda you hit the nail on the head.
This is not a forum for oldies to teach newbies.
But the oldies certainly do offer much good advice.
I don't know why there are so many hurt feelings when
advised to research their questions.
That is what true professionals do.
Good grief!
I can't imagine going to work at a JOB at our fees, only to ask how to do the job?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/23/06 5:04pm
Msg #154567

Lisa (and Kim and ????), think a minute about what you are saying. I'll agree that there is much on this board that is outrageous nonsense that makes me shake my head and move on, but most of the time I do my best to simply skip over it. It's not too hard to figure out which threads to avoid.

However, it seems you are assuming that we got where we are by asking someone else to spoon feed information to us. Not so for most of us. So when a new person comes here with their questions, looking for an easy answer, feeling a response - and a polite one at that - is their due, in a sense, they are asking to use our hard earned expertise to compete with us in a declining market.

Major corporations ask their sales staff and others to sign non-disclosure agreements because their marketing plans, manufacturing procedures and other processes are so valuable. Have you ever heard of corporate spying? Our businesses are not that much different. In fact, I am amazed at the amount of information people are willing to give out for free. Yet new people think nothing of asking what appear - to those of us who consider ourselves professionals - to be the most basic questions that a person should already know *before* presenting themselves as qualified to do this kind of work - and that they could easily find answers to if they only made the effort.

Some reading this message will consider it harsh. However, some will consider harsh anything that isn't what they want to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts and the best possible advice is the advice that you don't like... You'll learn more from those who tell it like it is, regardless of how nicely they put it - than from those who sugar coat everything. And all the nasty, juvenile name-calling you are free to skip right over.

Reply by Charm_AL on 10/23/06 5:17pm
Msg #154571

my take...

I look at it this way.
Here you get an opinion, albeit not one you may favor. But if you went to work at a large corporation as ...say a secretary, and asked your supervisor (ie...oldie) the same questions day in and day out, when there is a procedures manual on your desk, (i.e. state manual) , sooner or later you'd be gone for incompetence.
People can only put up with the inane for so long. If I was your boss and you asked me a question like mm...when is lunchtime? I'd be ticked that you can't take the time to read your policy and procedures manual that states same.
Now we all need to grow up and take it like a man, especially if we invite it upon ourselves. I have been ripped for having my profile pic with my son in it as being 'not professional', or a funny joke that someone thought was in bad taste, yes it bothered me for 30 minutes and I realized, I don't care what you think. This is MY business.
It takes all kinds, and I'd much rather have someone tell me to my face what they think as opposed to going behind my back ( high school days) and gossip about me or a mistake or stupid stunt I pulled, c'mon, we're all human. What goes around, comes around.

Reply by CaliNotary on 10/23/06 6:37pm
Msg #154610

"In fact, I am amazed at the amount of information people are willing to give out for free"

You and me both sister.

I know there are a lot of people on this board, even some who are considered to be among the meanies, who tell people to call or email them with any questions, and I just don't get it. Why work for free helping to train a complete stranger? Even if they're not your direct competition, they're the direct competition of somebody else on the board.

IMHO we on this board owe each other the respect of NOT helping new people come in and take work away from us. Helping on the board where everyone can learn and benefit from it is one thing, but on a one on one basis? For free? For a total stranger? No way in hell.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/24/06 2:56am
Msg #154664

"Helping on the board where everyone can learn and benefit from it is one thing, but on a one on one basis? For free? For a total stranger? No way in hell."

Thanks for elaborating on this point. It's something I've never thought really made a whole lot of sense. We don't know anything about the ethics or integrity of someone posting for the first time, yet some are jumping right in there to offer all kinds of extra help off line. There could be someone else in that area (fresh out of the same class...?) who is making an effort on their own and is perhaps even more deserving of help. I guess it's a way of feeling important. I prefer the idea of giving everyone the same chance.

We can always count on you to tell it like it is, Cali! ;>