Posted by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 12/4/07 7:01pm
Msg #224307

Fast one by Trans State Closers

Many of you have been contacted by a new service called “Trans State Closers out of New Port Richey, FL. I would suggest that you avoid signing up with this company.

I, too, was solicited to join the TSC databank. When I received their fee schedule, however, I lost interest; the company is one of those cheapo signing services that have sprung up of late like fungus on a rotting corpse.

Monday, though I had not signed up, the company called me for a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday closing. I told the caller, Jim Coffey, that I’d be happy to close for them, but my fee would be substantially higher than their schedule. He agreed, and emailed me the borrower information.

Tuesday I had a call on my answering machine from a woman with TSC, telling me the closing had been cancelled and that they would call me to handle it when it was rescheduled. As I typically do, I called the borrower to verify that he was aware of the cancellation. He was not; there had been no cancellation. Trans State had simply signed me up for the closing, thus preempting my time for that slot, then continued shopping for a notary who would work for their cheap fees. When they found one, they cancelled my contract.

The joke may well be on them. The notary they hired has quite a reputation here; she’s been tossed out of more than one title company. She’s exactly the sort of signing agent they’ll get for the fees they are paying -- and the despicable business practices they are using.

Reply by pjc on 12/4/07 7:49pm
Msg #224320

Re: sorry to hear that

I had a couple of good experiences with them but have not heard from them in awhile. Maybe for the better!

Reply by MichiganAl on 12/4/07 8:06pm
Msg #224322

Not true

They are not new. Trans State has been around for years. I've done signings for them as far back as three years ago. The caller that you referred to, Jim Coffey, is the owner. He's one of the finest individuals I've EVER had the pleasure of working with. As far as their fees, they pay me what most signing services pay (and I don't do $50 signings, or $75 e-doc signings). Now, I will say that the title company that works with them has a large set of docs that they include in the package. About 30 pages, half of which have to be filled out or notarized. So I only take their appointments if I know I've got the time and it's not a crazy drive. I've NEVER known Trans State to be the type that books an appointment and keeps calling around. If they decided to use someone else, it's not because they kept shopping around to find someone cheaper.

Reply by DebbieT on 12/4/07 8:16pm
Msg #224324

Re: Totally agree...

I also have not heard from them in awhile but they were an awesome company to work for. As for Jim I had the opportunity to meet him in person and he is great. I would work for them anytime.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/4/07 8:19pm
Msg #224327

Years ago Jim set up meeting in Orlando w/sa's who signed up

with him and we had a picnic, getting to know each other and having faces to put with the voices. Gave us opportunity to meet others in same town and poss. network w/ea other...nice gesture on his part to come here. I will never forget his generosity of spirit and good humor.

Reply by DebbieT on 12/4/07 8:25pm
Msg #224328

Re: Years ago Jim set up meeting in Orlando w/sa's who signed up

I met Jim in November of last year. He had a few NSAs close for a week at a local title company. He took really good care of us also. I would do that again in a heartbeat.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/4/07 8:16pm
Msg #224325

Re: Not true

have been working w/Jim Coffey over 5 years; one of my first. Haven't done much lately as they won't give me an increase for gas/tolls (Orlando very toll heavy) and we all know where gas is going. Scheduler actually acted shocked that I would ask for an increase, forgetting that after this many years she has probably had a raise or two.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 12/4/07 8:32pm
Msg #224329

Re: Not true

You are correct; they are not new. They are expanding, which was the reason they were soliciting signing agents. They are new in my area.

My experience with Trans State speaks for itself. They lied to me when they said the appointment had been rescheduled; it had not been because when I called the borrower was awaiting the new notary at the same time I had been scheduled. They hired another notary when they had already booked me, a really detestable practice. And they hired a notary who is known for undercutting other Austin notaries. Further, they have joined a long list of signing agencies that want to do signings on the cheap.

Whatever your relationship with TSC and Mr. Coffee (Ken Lay had his supporters, too), I don't think they are a company that bodes well for any new agent that signs up with them. I certainly shan't be one of their recruits.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/4/07 8:40pm
Msg #224331

whew! n/m

Reply by Margaret_FL on 12/5/07 9:20pm
Msg #224551

You got that right, I linked this thread to Signing Central. I got a PM from Jim Coffey, asking me how dare I post negative information. replied with "The Truth Hurts" I do not work for signing companies anymore. I work directly for lenders or title companies.