Posted by BamaNSA on 8/22/07 10:21pm
Msg #207135

Closing Quest does not pay!!!!

I did several signings for this company back in April and have not been paid. When I asked them about payment, I got this really unprofessional email from Rikki Cogdill in their accounting department saying I should decide which name I want to use. To explain; my notary seal is in my first name but I am called by my middle name. When I submitted the invoices, I must have put my first name on some and my middle name on others. But, I still don't see why that would cause a problem since it was their invoice I filled out and it had all the info as in borrower's name, loan number, etc. I was finally told that my checks were mailed the 1st of July. Mid July I inquired again. It was like starting over. No one there seemed to know anything about my payment. I then contacted the CEO, Todd Griffin, who was just as unprofessional as his accounting clerk. He said my checks would be mailed but he was deducting $62.00 because they were going to have to stop payment on the checks because I did not inform them of my new address. Oh yes I did. I put my new address on their invoices but I guess they went by my old one that was in their database. I really don't believe that is my fault either. Anyway...that was in July and we are almost in Sept. and still no payment. I reported them to the TN Attorney Generals office and received a very nice letter saying they will be happy to investigate the matter for me. I have also reported them as a "write off" to Dun & Bradstreet. I hope none of you get treated the way I was and ripped off by Closing Quest. Just be careful. Sorry so long!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/22/07 10:36pm
Msg #207139

I linked this to their profile in Signing Central....

I'm waiting on an invoice from June - spoke to Rikki on Monday and she said my check was cut last week and mailed on Friday. As of today, I haven't received the check. If it's not here by Friday, I'll make another call.

Reply by BamaNSA on 8/22/07 10:52pm
Msg #207143

Good luck Mike. I'm beginning to think they are in financial trouble. They have promised me payment 7 times since April and still nothing.

Reply by Joan_OH on 8/22/07 10:45pm
Msg #207141

You said "To explain; my notary seal is in my first name but I am called by my middle name. When I submitted the invoices, I must have put my first name on some and my middle name on others."

Really, if you are in business, then make a decision what name the invoices go in and stay with it. If you're going to send them in one name this time and a different name next time, how is anyone supposed to keep it straight. Keep in mind that many company's payable databases go by name and how are they supposed to know you "go by" your middle name. The payable person is just going to see two different people.

I don't know if Closing Quest has a history of bad payment or not. I worked for them once a couple of summers ago and I don't recall hounding them for my check. But to blast them on a public board for something that you may have contributed to because you can't choose a name for business and stick with it isn't any more professional than you think they are.

And before you remind me the property address and file number was on the invoice so it shouldn't be an issue - why would you create more work for the accounting clerk to find out who the check is to be made out to? You're asking to be put on a pile until he/she has more time to research it.

I paid $20 for an invoicing program that issues invoices in the same name and address at all times and I can update my address if need be. I suggest you do the same.

Joan-OH

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/22/07 10:53pm
Msg #207144

Re: Closing Quest does not pay!!!! Right on Joan

I bought the pro version of Quick Books many years ago just so that I could automatically invoice, it saves everyone from having problems. I hate glitches and business is difficult enough as it is, why make it more so by invoicing differently. I always try to make is as easy as possible to pay me.

Reply by Vince/KS on 8/22/07 11:05pm
Msg #207147

Closing 5/22/ Paid 7/28. That was slower than prior closing

earlier this year where psyment was less than 60 days. Last year (different management group) payments were made within 30. CEO explained they are getting a new website that will better connect accounting to closing and payment status. Wait and see? hmmm...

Reply by BamaNSA on 8/22/07 11:03pm
Msg #207146

Joan, One of their schedulers always sent my confirmation in my middle name. I actually thought I was making it easier for them by putting that name on those invoices. If I received a confirmation from another scheduler in my first name then I put my first name on the invoice. It wasn't that I couldn't decide which name to use; honestly, I thought I was helping them. I have an invoicing system as well but with them, you have to go on their website and complete their invoice online. Again, I honestly thought they went by the name that they had used in the confirmation. If you are ever owed almost a thousand dollars for 5 months and aren't upset, you are a better person than me.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/22/07 11:17pm
Msg #207150

Re: Closing Quest does pay!!!!

They have had some management changes, including acct. dept. they are running behind, but are catching up w/me. I speak to Brandi and get the scoop. I also let her know when people are posting about them so that they are aware of what is being said. Have been closing for them 4 years now, and yes, they are a bit behind lately, but just re-invoice them and stay w/one name! I enjoy my relationship with them, and find that they are attentive when approached properly, ie, with respect and courtesy.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/22/07 11:19pm
Msg #207151

Re: Closing Quest does not pay!!!!My apologies Bama

I didn't realize that they required you to use their billing system. I hate that, I send an invoice at the close of every assignment and if the SS doesn't like it then we are going to have problems. One of the red flags in my opinion is an SS who demands that invoicing is done according to their forms, it usually indicates an SS who works with incompetants who are not able to invoice correctly, it also indicates to me that the SS is looking for ways of weaseling out of paying the notary a la SOX!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/22/07 11:30pm
Msg #207152

Closing Quest doesn't require an actual invoice - you go online and fill out a form that references the job number. The whole "you didn't invoice them properly" argument is pretty much bogus - they know who you are, they know what you did, they know when the job is closed, and they know where the payment is supposed to go - it's disingenuous for them to claim that they can't pay an invoice because the name on the stamp doesn't match the name on their in-house invoice. No one is creating more work for their accounting clerk - they already have a system in place that (allegedly) streamlines the billing process, and all they need to know is that Job XXXX is done in order to cut a check.

I don't think it's something she "may have contributed to"; I think Closing Quest is just another slow pay SS that will find any excuse to delay payment as long as possible. They had no issue with my online invoice, but I'm still waiting over 60 days for payment at this point. Other than the fact that I accepted the assignment in the first place, how could that possibly be my fault?

Reply by ILsigning on 8/23/07 5:09am
Msg #207162

i had same situation

I found completing their online invoice a bit lenghthy, only for me to call and say they never got it was frustrating. After all that info i typed in for you folks! GEEZ!

So each time it was like they forgot about me and I basically had to remind them to pay me.. annoying. But I did get a check days later.

They do seem very nice.

Reply by SharonH/OH on 8/23/07 7:16am
Msg #207164

Re: i had same situation

I got the same story - after 45 days I was told it never made it into their system and I had to resubmit, even though I had kept a printout of the original Confirmation, a copy of which I provided them. It's been over 60 days now, and I'm told the check is supposed to be cut next week. We shall see.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/23/07 8:51am
Msg #207188

Re: 2 assignments - both just under 60 days to pay..

And yes - both times online invoice not received...

Reply by DebbieT on 8/23/07 11:37am
Msg #207233

Re: 2 assignments - both just under 60 days to pay..

I know that the old person named Jonas used to handle the accounts. They have someone else doing the payments now. The feeling that I got through the situation is that the first person may have left things a little messy. Anytime I had an overdue invoice I would email to [e-mail address] and I would get an immediate response. From what I was told that this goes directly to the head. I hope everything works out for you.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/23/07 1:37pm
Msg #207255

Things really changed for the worse when Frank Skaggs left

the company. The last few times I worked with them, I printed docs, and when the brw's called saying they were in another state. Never got paid printing fees, although Jonas promised they would be sent.
Too bad, they used to be a favorite SS of mine.

Reply by SIGN on 1/8/08 12:10pm
Msg #229538

It never ceases to amaze me how notaries are so quick to point out any failure or problem, but fail to mention the positives.

We apologize for the delays some have experienced in receiving payments, but we always pay!!

We typically provide more notary work than any other company and in 5 years of business, we have always paid a notary who properly performed their closing.

In the future, I would appreciate the failure of other companies not paying notaries not be the reason Closing Quest is attacked or stereo-typed.

I also want to largely thank every notary who has worked for and continues to perform professionally. It is because of these individuals that notaries have a future in closing loans and lawyers aren't able to take over as they have in seven states.

Todd Griffin, CEO
[e-mail address]
(877) 668-2798