Posted by cara on 3/13/07 6:33pm
Msg #179750

$75 e-docs = $50 signing + print fee

I was just assured by OR signing service that someone out here did one (single re-fi with e-docs) yesterday for them at this "maximum fee" (and they only use experience signing agents). Someone else, just not me. I guess the same notary was just too busy tomorrow with tons of $50 signings to squeeze this one in. Mid-afternoon appointment to the suburbs just in time to hit rush hour traffic on the way back: no thanks. And, the price of gas has just hit $2.99/gal -$3.19 for regular here today.

I wish all of you better opportunities than this one.

Reply by cntrlcalntry on 3/13/07 9:01pm
Msg #179776

Got offered less than that today no c/b so someone took it! n/m

Reply by christiSocal on 3/13/07 11:34pm
Msg #179806

How bout 60$ edocs! Someone took that too. n/m

Reply by christiSocal on 3/13/07 11:34pm
Msg #179807

How bout 60$ edocs! Someone took that too. n/m

Reply by aciardoNY on 3/14/07 6:27am
Msg #179814

I am so tired of the 'we are offering or we can only do x amt of $ for this closing "...
You know what ? If you call some one to your home in an emergency or your car breaks down, you don't "offer" what YOU think you'll pay them , they TELL you what the charge is . You either pay or not. I was "offered $90.00 for e-docs... I don't leave my house for less than $125.
I refused and guess what , got my price an hour later. My time is too valuable. I really wish there was a nice way of saying , If you aren't prepared to pay me , please don't call waste my time.

Reply by Cris_Calif on 3/14/07 4:25pm
Msg #179922

There is a lot of this going around. I set a minimum rate of $35 for edocs and at least $75 for the signing itself ($110) and get it. Companies are sending edocs more and more. UPS and FedEx increased their rates at the beginning of the year and it is probably more cost effective for them to have the notary do it (factoring in labor time, printing costs and mailing).

I know the signing companies are also under pressure to keep their prices down and it in turn passes down to the notary. The packages often contain more pages than expected, some are in formats that print very very slowly (and I have a great HP laserjet printer), expensive laserjet ink needs to be replaced sooner, and the cost of legal paper has risen. This can turn the signing into a time-consuming and expensive proposition for the notary. Plus the docs can arrive much later than you were told which causes scheduling problems for other signings.

Most of the companies I deal with compensate me fairly on these issues and use my services regularly. But it's tough because new or desperate notaries end up taking low end jobs to gain experience and this drives prices down, especially in California where the field is saturated. Some of the low end signing companies are willing to risk using an inexperienced notary as a trade-off to keeping more competitive. It's a rock and hard place for newbies that want work and experienced notaries who want to make a living.

California has increasingly become a devalued market for notaries. I know some posters take a hard stance against any notaries accepting these low rates, but it's a fact that some do. Most of us had to take lower rates early on, but also need to recognize that this has consequences later when your rates go up and less companies call. I did get fewer calls from the low end companies, but ended up making more money for less work. If you accept $60 or $75 for a signing including edocs you end up making very little with your labor and costs. Even as a newbie, it's best to set reasonable limits.