Posted by NCLisa on 6/19/07 10:02pm
Msg #195889

What would you charge for...

walking around a neighborhood in 90 degree heat for 2 hours to have the residents of 17 homes sign a form that must be notarized. The neighborhood is only 1 mile away, so a travel fee isn't really necessary.

Reply by spnotaryplus on 6/19/07 10:06pm
Msg #195890

Pick an hrly fee, charge per signature as stated in your state manual and charge per each drop of sweat (just kidding). Still you are traveling a mile.

Reply by NCLisa on 6/19/07 10:21pm
Msg #195892

$5 per sig in NC. Because I'm a business I can charge any other fees I'd like. I don't want to charge too much, but I don't want to be to generous.

Reply by Michael/FL on 6/19/07 10:39pm
Msg #195894

I say meet in the middle and charge 7 bucks a sig.. And 10 bucks an hour.. As for traveling fee I wouldn't go there, it's just a mile really.. That's just me though

Reply by sue_pa on 6/20/07 7:46am
Msg #195923

...As for traveling fee I wouldn't go there, it's just a mile really...

The plumber is coming to my house tomorrow to replace my sump pump. His shop is only 1/2 mile from my house. Do you truly think he's not going to charge me his base trip fee of $65? He's never waived it before and I've done business with him for over 20 years. EVERY business that provides services & travels has a base travel fee to start their vehicle. We should not be any different.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/21/07 11:04am
Msg #196252

**We should not be any different.**

Why Sue? B/c people on this board have an employee mentality. They just DON'T get it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/21/07 12:43pm
Msg #196276

Boy, that was harsh...what I meant was people on this board who don't charge enough for their services have an employee mentality.

That's me...crawfishing away.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/19/07 10:50pm
Msg #195896

I'd charge a flat fee of $100

Reply by Maureen_nh on 6/19/07 11:33pm
Msg #195901

Do not forget any pre and post time you have to spend on this.

Reply by aatatusko on 6/20/07 7:07am
Msg #195918

Why not have the residents come to you in the middle of the mile? That way you wouldn't have to charge to much, sounds like it might be a petition for a HOA, I would only charge each person $3 and consider it a public service, make sure you take some business cards with you, you never know how much they might need you for other work.

Reply by NCLisa on 6/20/07 8:21am
Msg #195928

If these people can spend $300 a month for their HOA dues, then they can pay me more than $3 a signature!! These people won't meet me, we are going door to door and some won't be home etc. Honestly, I'm in this business to make money, I do enough work for my communities public service so I don't need to do anymore!

I'm going with the flat fee of $100.

Reply by Michael/FL on 6/20/07 10:52am
Msg #195993

The flat is fee is your best bet.. If you try to figure out every angle your going to get confused and then it's to much trouble haha 100 bucks should cover you for your time.. That's more then30 bucks an hour! can't beat that lol

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/21/07 1:47am
Msg #196201

Lisa, I think a $100 flat fee is a huge bargain for the hiring party. Did you say 17 homes? I seriously doubt you'll be able to do this in 2 hours, unless you don't have to use a journal and NC notary certs are reeeeal simple. That would be one every 7 minutes! Just think about how much time it takes to get set up in someone's home when you do a loan signing. This would be simpler, but if you have to get their attention, check their ID, get signatures, not only on the docs but in your journal, then pack up and get to the next home, I'd guess you'll be lucky to average one every 15 minutes. People are squirrelly, get distracted, can't find their ID, TV's on, kids are screaming, etc. You know how that goes. And as you said, some won't even be home. Whether you are in a car or on foot, you will still travel, and frankly, I'd rather be in a car than on foot in 90 degrees!

I think sue_pa's reference to her plumber is right on target. One of the reasons we aren't taken more seriously is because we don't take ourselves seriously and don't value what we do. Suze Orman had a great program on public tv recently and admonished women about (among other things) putting themselves "on sale". She made another statement (that I'm probably not going to get exactly right) to this effect: "When you undervalue what you do, the world undervalues what you do; and when the world undervalues what you do, you undervalue who you are." I don't remember which part I messed up, but hopefully the point is there.

I don't know of any other occupation where people are expected to give away their services - except maybe in very high paying careers like attorneys. But their pro bono work is typically given to those who are unable to pay. The average person with any sense doesn't expect to see their doctor, lawyer or auto mechanic for a pittance. Clearly (I hope), this is directed more at the other responses than to Lisa. And I'm not saying I've got this issue handled myself, but I'm working on it!!

What you also might want to consider, Lisa, is a flat fee per household that you get signed. Maybe $10-$15/home, as most will probably have two signers. (I think that would be a bargain here, but I don't really know what things go for where you are.) Will they expect you to go back to the ones that weren't home? You probably want to get that nailed down in advance, too. (BTW, I visualize the $3.00/signature in a setting where someone walks into YOUR place of business - without the dog, kids, food on the stove or laundry in process.... They might even get off the phone for that!)

Reply by sue_pa on 6/21/07 10:59am
Msg #196251

...I think sue_pa's reference to her plumber is right on target...

Not only was I right on target, at 7:30 a.m. today he informed me my sump pump works just fine - my washing machine is leaking. So, not only will I pay him to impart that wisdom, I will also pay the Maytag repairman - about 1 mile from my house - full price to come and take a look.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/21/07 10:40pm
Msg #196449

Bummer!!

And I bet he didn't offer you a discount because of what he found -- or feel guilty for charging you for his wisdom. (Although I'm sure you would have appreciated that!) I hope it doesn't turn out to be anything too $eriou$... ;>