Posted by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 2:25pm
Msg #190367

Msg# 190110, Katreena Guggerty & LoanSignersInc.com

Dear Katreena,

Your actions have now made it even more difficult for you and your fellow notaries like Sharon Taylor to get paid. Ironically the Crown Point branch of Ace Mortgage had recently contacted me and wanted to rebuild our relationship and start sending us their business. Your timing is impeccable.

This is as much as I am willing to say at this point...YOU DON'T KNOW THE HALF OF IT

Here are the facts: (albeit unsolicited)

1) Last year we lost a ton of money because WE were not paid by a client that did almost 2000 signings with us in a 6 month period.

2) We have tried raising the money to pay all the notaries that suffered as a result including soliciting investors, personal lines of credit, friends and family and consulting our attorney. It's a lot of money, and although we have paid almost 73% of those notaries, there is still a ways to go.

3) The ONLY way we can continue paying the notaries from last year and the ones that have worked for us this year is to stay in business and funnel profits to the past due notaries. That is what we are trying to do VERSUS filing chapter 11 or closing up shop. (not pocketing profits as you say...)

4) We have asked some of the notaries from last year to accept settlements on fees owed so we can try to get something out to everyone. Many notaries have graciously accepted and that has been a tremendous help and source of hope for me and my employees. We look at it as "something is better than nothing" and hope you all do too.

5) We created this area of our site to explain what happened and show that we are making progress and doing all that we can to catch up: http://www.loansignersinc.com/o6.asp

6) Destroying our reputation with the clients that ARE doing business with us (not to mention my name personally) is putting us out of business which means no money for anyone!

So, everyone that is owed money from LoanSignersInc.com please thank Katreena Guggerty (and everyone else that is trashing my company online and contacting our clients about payment) for the public service she has provided. Ace mortgage was in fact a large client of ours and their continued business has been responsible for helping us pay many many notaries that otherwise would not be paid. There HAS been a dramatic reduction in orders from them the last few weeks which means our ability to pay the notaries from last year is getting slimmer and slimmer.

Bravo...I hope all your fellow notaries continue thanking you for helping them lose money as well.

To notaries that we owe from services provided this year: we are focusing all our available resources on you so that we can keep our relationships in tact and continue to do business and generate revenue. If you have performed a signing for us this year you will be paid soon.

To notaries that we owe from last year: we are working hard to get you paid, however people like Katreena are making it hard for us to do that. Please hang in there and know that we are aware of who we owe and are doing our best.

Finally, I'm sure this post will generate many comments. I will reply to as many as I can but realize that my first priority is running my company and if you don't hear from me you are welcome to email me personally at [e-mail address]

Sincerely,

Chris von Nieda
President
LoanSignersInc.com

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 5/16/07 2:29pm
Msg #190368

I don't blame Katreena and others for doing EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO COLLECT on monies that are owed to them. Your relationship with your debtors is your problem.

I'm just glad you don't owe me money, I would have taken you to court. I don't play games with getting the lenders and title companies involved. I go straight to the judge.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/07 2:45pm
Msg #190370

Excuse me?

>>>1) Last year we lost a ton of money because WE were not paid by a client that did almost 2000 signings with us in a 6 month period.<<<

AND

>>>...my first priority is running my company...<<<

If running a profitable company was your first priority to begin with, you probably would not have been in this situation. Just because you're a sucker and let your clients get into you for 2000 closings in six months doesn't mean that we owe you the same. It's just good business to cut off the credit when you're not getting paid. This is not rocket science.

Why do you keep whining about this? We don't care about your debt we only expect to get paid under the terms of our agreement. PERIOD. Quit crying, take a pay cut, layoff a few employees and pay the people that you owe.

Reply by ZeeCA on 5/16/07 2:52pm
Msg #190371

my thoughts EXACTLY Becca well said n/m

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 5/16/07 3:07pm
Msg #190376

whattya think?

I am going to call my electric & telephone companies and tell them my clients have not been paying their bill, so they are going to have to settle on 1/2 of what I currently owe them?

Think I'll still have electric and telephone next week? Geez, I hope so....

Reply by sandi42 on 5/16/07 3:08pm
Msg #190377

Re: whattya think?

That is funny jersey_boy cracking up laughing.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 3:17pm
Msg #190379

Re: whattya think?

There's nothing comical about my post Jersey_Boy. To you, this forum is a source of entertainment to be taken lightly. Not a place where intelligent conversation and meaningful banter occurs. I would be interested in seeing how you would handle someone getting on here, naming you as a shyster and trashing a company you have worked hard to build for the last 4 years? I think we know the answer since you hide your identity. No one is taking you seriously, especially me...

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 5/16/07 3:52pm
Msg #190391

Re: whattya think?

Well... now my identity is not hidden, so stick that where the sun doesn't shine.

Do you owe people money? Have you paid accoriding normal 30-45 day terms? No?

then your name should be trashed, Jackass.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 4:36pm
Msg #190416

Re: whattya think?

Patrick:

I don't come on here to make enemies. I come on here to keep people informed and defend mine and my companies honor not to mention my employees. I expect that if comments are made the person that is making them has the balls to say who they are. So, I guess you have never ever paid a bill late huh? So lets say you do...does that give me the right to get on here and make it public knowledge and say your intent is criminal or unethical? Sure, that's your right...but for me personally it's not something I could feel good about. Because even if we were to raise the money we need to pay off everyone, these comments remain long in to the future and my business and name are damaged.

Finally, keep the childish name calling to yourself.

BTW, I have relatives in Sewell, Woodbury and Cherry Hill. Small world huh?

- Chris

Reply by DogmongerCA on 5/16/07 6:21pm
Msg #190450

Re: whattya think? IMHO you are full of it

I don't come on here to make enemies. I come on here to keep people informed and defend mine and my companies honor not to mention my employees.(What honor could you possibly have left when you stiff your vendors but pay your employees?????And you want sympathy from us)????????

I expect that if comments are made the person that is making them has the balls to say who they are.(Profile linked).

So, I guess you have never ever paid a bill late huh?(If we stiffed our bills for months at a time, we would be outta of business. We have NO ONE to finance our payables like you do. Face the facts, you have been receiving enough funds to stay in business, but choose to stiff those of us who are generating your cash flow)

So lets say you do...does that give me the right to get on here and make it public knowledge and say your intent is criminal or unethical?( Your damn right it does. You are still advertising on your site that you pay within 30 days when you know damn well that there is NO CHANCE of that happening by your own admission).

Sure, that's your right...but for me personally it's not something I could feel good about. Because even if we were to raise the money we need to pay off everyone, these comments remain long in to the future and my business and name are damaged. (You feel fine about stiffing people for months at a time, advertising 30 day payment when it is not possible or probable and keep limping along on misinformation to keep your sorry doors open. YOU damaged your company and your own name, by your actions, greed, lack of business experience and ignoring constant inquires for payment

1. You like most SS are woefully under funded. Basically none or little capital. Greed tempted you to expand upon your abilities to manage your accounts receivable. First hiccup or non payment, and you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. Your lack of skills in business quickly escalate this into a full blow crisis.

2. Why on earth if you bit off this much work, didn't you ask to have your fees placed on the HUD, so that you would be paid at closing. If you had any sense at all you would have done at least this?????????????

3. Stop your whining, nut up, take out a loan, pay your bills and shut up.

PS.... I have no personal knowledge of your company, just my OPINION from seeing years of the same crap from a bunch of faceless self proclaimed good guys being wronged from some real or mythical bad person or company that is being persecuted by NSA's hell bent on damaging their "good name" or their companies "good name".

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 6:58pm
Msg #190460

Re: whattya think? IMHO you are full of it

There were about 600 deals we didn't get paid for Dogmonger. I don't think that qualifies as a "hiccup". Do some math, 600 times $150 average...you don't just pull 90k off a credit card.

That aside...I'll say it again. I'm not here to whine. There has been no communication from me for a while so here I am.

"Why didn't I have my fees put on the hud?" Simple, they were...the problem is that we were only paid on funded deals and the funding percentage was grossly overtstated by the client. They said "80%", worse case 70% and it was 35%. We were profitable above 60%.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/16/07 7:15pm
Msg #190462

Re: Only 35% funded deals??

What crappy companies are you a signing service for????

I am on the HUD and the title companies I am a signing service for pay me whether the loan funds or not - that is the agreement I have. I do take less on no-signs, however I still pay the notary his/her full fee. I have stated many times on here and other message boards, if the notary fulfills their part of the "contract" - they go out, spend time with the borrowers, get the docs signed and notarized and return them to the title company, then they are due the agreed on fee!

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 9:27pm
Msg #190484

Re: Only 35% funded deals??

The service provided was Respa sign ups. Not closings. The notaries provided service on the front end of the transaction therefore the closing ratio would be lower. I expected fallout. The problem was our service was abused and sign ups were ordered on loans that had no chance of closing. The managers did not control the process and never took responsibility and corporate did not control them effectively.

Our policies are the same Sylvia. This is not about policy. It's economics. We ran out of money. That's it. We have cut costs, cut staff, salaries including mine, tried settlements, marketed to get new business etc etc. I guess we will all see where we are in a few months.

- Chris

Reply by jojo_MN on 5/16/07 10:56pm
Msg #190504

THANK YOU SYLVIA--WISH THERE WERE MORE LIKE YOU!! n/m

Reply by jojo_MN on 5/16/07 10:54pm
Msg #190501

Why not start putting it in the lap of the broker. If the

loan doesn't fund because of their lack communication, then THEY can pay the notary. Once the broker has to pay for rescinded loans because of their faults, they will be less abt to send us out their for nothing. Maybe there should be declaration page that states the broker will pay the notary if the loan does not fund due to broker error.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 12:18pm
Msg #190616

Re: Why not start putting it in the lap of the broker. If the

That is exactly what we finally had to do JoJo. Ultimately the contract was changed so that we were paid on every sign up regardless of the outcome of the loan. But at that volume the damage was done quickly.

Reply by DogmongerCA on 5/17/07 8:29am
Msg #190552

The problem with telling stories that may not be true

iis that at some point you forget the previous stories told. You led us to believe that you took a hit on 2000 loans.

"
1) Last year we lost a ton of money because WE were not paid by a client that did almost 2000 signings with us in a 6 month period"


Exagerated for effect or ????????? Now it is 35% of the loans did not fund. I cannot believe that you took their word on a 80% close rate, and did not get it written in your contract. If you want to save what little face you and your company have, then stop posting ASAP. You are simply proving that you are seriously underqualified, stupid, greedy or gullible to be in business.

PS. . I am far from a wealthy guy, but i could get myself out of a $90,000.00 without much effort. If you cannot, you have NO business being in business. JMHO

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 12:33pm
Msg #190620

Re: The problem with telling stories that may not be true

Dogmonger it's clear to me that no matter what I say, it simply doesn't matter to people like you and a few others. So personally your opinion and posts are meaningless to me.

It's people like you that continue to convince me that my time is not well spent using NotRot as a way to communicate effectively to masses.

But there are many many notaries that are reading these posts and understand what I am talking about and have come forward via private message or email and have sent encouraging words and have even said they would be happy to work with me. These are the people I am talking to. Some notaries have also expressed their admiration for me coming on here at all and dealing with idiots like you and a few others.

I can document everything I have said on here. I don't need ot prove myself to you.

Reply by DogmongerCA on 5/17/07 3:27pm
Msg #190647

My best advice to you

It is better to keep your mouth shut, than open it up and remove all doubt. Thank you for answering my responses, for in every one you unknowingly expose yourself to everyone who reads your posts to EXACTLY what your are.

Dogmonger it's clear to me that no matter what I say, it simply doesn't matter to people like you and a few others. So personally your opinion and posts are meaningless to me. ( You would have to own a conscious for it to bother, Why am I not suprised?????????????)

It's people like you that continue to convince me that my time is not well spent using NotRot as a way to communicate effectively to masses. (Don't let the door hit you, where the good Lord split ya.)

I can document everything I have said on here. I don't need ot prove myself to you. ( If you could, you would, but you can't. So don't bother:-o)

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/07 7:39pm
Msg #190465

Dogmonger...You are so hot.

**Stop your whining, nut up, take out a loan, pay your bills and shut up.**

LOL...yeah, I know you're married, but that's a great post.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 9:33pm
Msg #190485

Re: Dogmonger...You are so hot (nah, my vote is for Sylvia)

Hot? You are easily impressed Brenda...Sylvia is hot! She is one of the rare few that asks intelligent questions and gets it. She has my respect

Reply by DogmongerCA on 5/17/07 8:42am
Msg #190554

Could I get you to convey this to my wife

I keep telling her, but she doesn't seem to be listening:-)

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/17/07 12:27am
Msg #190517

Dog, you are the bomb!

This "I'm a victim too" BS has got to stop with these under funded SSs. Puleeeeeese!

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 3:30pm
Msg #190382

Re: Excuse me?

Becca:

Of course my priority is running a profitable company lol...when was the last time someone starts a business to lose money? As far as the 2000 signings and events that occured during that time...there is soooo much more to it then you realize and I don't have the time or interest in explaining it to you.

I will say this...it's because of me and my fine staff that many many notaries benefitted from that situation and have been paid well for the work they have done.

I didn't post on this board to cry about anything. What I posted was fact and for many notaries that read it, it will make sense. The fact is, we will all survive this situation (notaries included) and I am just trying to do the right thing and make sure the losses are as few as possible.

- Chris

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/16/07 8:09pm
Msg #190472

Re: Excuse me?

Spot on, Becca.
This is not a new problem for this company IME
I only worked for them once, back in 2005, and even then it took a long time (6+ months) to receive payment, and only after I had contacted the TC because there was no correspondence or communication about this except by me, with no responses.
This happened to me 2 years ago, so I see this as a long term issue that has come to a big, bubbling, purulent head.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/17/07 12:30am
Msg #190518

Hmmmm, no reply from the talking head?

What a PITA, Misty. I'm glad that the JackBag finally paid you.

Reply by Ndwa on 5/16/07 3:16pm
Msg #190378

Good or bad news?

You blamed Katreena (and others) for making it difficult to pay notaries you owed then at the same time you're (LYAO) saying Ace will give you more order as result of her actions.

"Bravo...I hope all your fellow notaries continue thanking you for helping them lose money as well."

IMO...The only way I see notaries loose money is if you intend to stiff them!

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 3:21pm
Msg #190380

Re: Good or bad news?

first off what is (LYAO). Did you mean (LMAO)? You are correct, notaries will loose money if we intend to stiff them. We don't intend to stiff anyone (as I have been saying all along). Not sure of the point here

Reply by Ndwa on 5/16/07 3:51pm
Msg #190389

Re: Good or bad news?

LYOA = Laughing Your A$$ Off.

The point is that I found your original post not so sincere nor business like, but rather mocking toward notaries who took action such as Katreena.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 4:40pm
Msg #190419

Re: Good or bad news?

I don't have a problem with a notary trying to collect on money that is owed them of course. But sitting down with that office was going way above and beyond. Also, considering how I am personally being attacked I would say my email was pretty darn tame. JMHO

Reply by kcg on 5/16/07 4:44pm
Msg #190421

Re: Good or bad news?

How do you figure that sitting down with Ace was in bad form? What would you have done Chris? What did you do about the company who stiffed you? Did you just say, Ok, that's life or did you do something about it? What was your strategy?

I sat down with Ace because I happen to know them personally and I didn't feel it was fair that their name was being associated as a "bad" company. When you consistently stiff notaries doing signings with Ace, they get bad press also. I was asked "Is Ace part of his company?" And IF you lost Ace, Chris, then you have no one to blame but yourself. It's like the kid who killed his parents and then cries that he is an orphan. Come on - get real.

Reply by dickb/wi on 5/16/07 3:56pm
Msg #190392

chris....you owe me since....

december 2006......i have sent several invoices thru your web site and never get any response of any kind.....last year when you came on here with all of your reteric i half a$$ed supported you evem tho i had an outstanding invoice....i figured every one should get a chance to correct a problem......how ever i have not heard a peep in just short of 6 months so now i side with the rest of the troops......you are just using us as do so many other ss's....no one is going to believe what you say any more because you do not live up to your word.....you know the path to success is.....communication--communication and more communication.....i will never do another signing for you in this area of wi and i will let every notary in the area i come across that loan signers inc does not pay!!!!!!

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 4:17pm
Msg #190404

Re: chris....you owe me since....

Hi Dick,

I just asked accounting to send your check. Sorry it has taken so long. You will receive an email confirmation shortly.

The problem is much bigger than anyone realizes. We just simply can't communicate effectively with everyone all the time. I understand your frustration and I appreciate the fact that you took my past posts to heart and allowed us more time.

Thanks again,

- Chris

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/07 4:24pm
Msg #190407

The problem is YOUR problem...

not our problem. I can't stand people that whine and complain that they have been "victimized" and it is now everyone’s problem. Quit justifying and start doing for Pete sake.

You made a bad business decision, own it, fix it, learn from it and move on.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 4:42pm
Msg #190420

Re: The problem is YOUR problem...

is getting on here and facing this heat anything short of owning it Becca? Seriously

Reply by spnotaryplus on 5/16/07 10:56pm
Msg #190503

Re: chris....you owe me since....

All I will say is that after reading these posts and others on another forum about this SS, is that I am glad I did not respond and take a closing in the Bronx from this SS. Seems as though this has been going on for sometime.

Reply by PL on 5/16/07 3:57pm
Msg #190394

Why not be upfront?

Why not tell the Notary that currently we are paying 60-120 days out, is that allright with you?
My problem with you is that on your site you say if after 30 days you haven't received your check email us, you infer that 30 days is max, when we all know that is not the way it is.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 4:19pm
Msg #190405

Re: Why not be upfront?

You make a great point and frankly I don't review the site as often as I should. So, opinions please? If you knew you had to wait 90 days or so to get your money would you do the job?

Reply by ZeeCA on 5/16/07 4:30pm
Msg #190411

Re: Why not be upfront?

I am not sure if I would or would not wait 90 days but being up front about it is paramount to allow everyone to make a decision based on facts...........BUT are you going to pay in 90 days? or that is when you take from current signings to pay the past?

Reply by ME/NJ on 5/16/07 4:32pm
Msg #190413

Re: Why not be upfront?

You should be upfront with the notaries considering working for you. Will they say yes, I'm sure someone will (like working for 40 bucks)

Since you hire us, we set payment terms and if you don't like it you don't hire us. Payment terms should always be mentioned at the time of confirmation. Now if it was me and I sent 3 statements and certified letter goes out with a due date and late fee charge. If that date is missed, I file theft of service charges and take civil actions.

Only happened once in 7 years.. When the warrant was issued I had a check the next day.

Reply by sandi42 on 5/16/07 4:57pm
Msg #190425

Re: Why not be upfront?

i wouldn't do it if I had to wait 90 days no way. I have my own bills etc to pay way to long to wait for payment.

Reply by kcg on 5/16/07 4:36pm
Msg #190415

Chris: I have invoiced, faxed and called you NUMEROUS timesto no avail. You never bothered to answer ANY of my communications.....if you would have, if you would have asked me to wait a little longer and tried explaining anything I would have tried to work with you BUT you decided the best way to deal with me was to ignore me - just the way you have ignored hundreds of others.

Here's a concept....when you contract a notary and agree to a fee and he/she does the work and you are paid for that PAY THE NOTARY AS AGREED. Why should we continue working for you so that you can pay the notaries that should have been paid last year when they did their assignments?

How long have you been stiffing the notaries, Chris? This didn't just start - it's been going on for a long time and the companies you represent need to know it. Ace is a good upstanding company yet their name was being besmirched because of your company's bad reputation.

To blame ME for your inability and bad business acumen is a joke. The notaries on this board know that I am not the reason you are not paying anyone. You have no idea how many sent private messages to me outlining how much you owe them.

We have costs involved here.....we pay to print the docs, pay the wear and tear, pay the gas and turn down other paying jobs when we accept a job from you. Don't you get it???? We have bills to pay - we are not in this for charity and working for you has become charity.

Chris, just pay me what you owe me and we can be done because if I don't get my check from you, believe me I'm not done. And neither are the others that you owe.

Reply by kcg on 5/16/07 4:49pm
Msg #190423

Come On, Chris, Talk to Me....

Answer my posts, Chris. I emailed, faxed and called you on this and I told you that IF I didn't get my check I would go and have a sit down with Ace.....you ignored me. So stop ignoring me. Answer my posts

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 5:24pm
Msg #190428

Katreena,

I'm glad we had the chance to talk on the phone just now. Your check has been requested and you should already have the email notification.

- Chris

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/16/07 5:12pm
Msg #190426

Did you maybe take on more than you could chew when you started your signing company? Did you not make sure you had the capital to start it?

I have had my signing company for 3 or 4 years now, I have always paid my notaries before I got paid by the title companies - I hired them, I owed them, so may as well pay them right away! The only exception was when I was rushed to hospital and was ill for several weeks, but as soon as I was out of the hospital and able to do anything the checks went out to the notaries I owed - and it was still less than 45 days after the signing.

Not being paid by your clients is not your notaries problem, it is yours. You should not have allowed this situation to happen. Why do over 2000 signings for a company that was not paying you as soon as the loan funds? Why wait over 6 months???

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/07 5:18pm
Msg #190427

I'll tell you why, Sylvia. Because he's a bonehead, that's why. The guy obviously has no business sense and deserves what he gets...MoMo.

$35 to sign up and then not get paid? WTH is that?

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 5/16/07 5:49pm
Msg #190433

Re: Msg# 190110, Katreena Guggerty...I wouldn't take a

chance to work for someone like Chris. My time is valuable and since I have many companies with "INTEGRITY" that I work with, why waste my time.

Reply by LJ on 5/16/07 6:06pm
Msg #190442

Re: Msg# 190110, Katreena Guggerty...I wouldn't take a

Chris, I am owed for a signing back in Sept 06. Haven't heard a word from you for months and months either and you want our sympathy. WHEN AM I GOING TO BE PAID???????

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 6:49pm
Msg #190458

Re: Msg# 190110, Katreena Guggerty...I wouldn't take a

Hello,

Please post your LoanSignersInc.com notary id or email me and I will look in to it immediately.

- Chris

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 6:04pm
Msg #190440

Hi Silvia,

In hind sight I would have done things differently. But your vision gets a little blurred when you have been working your butt off for 3 years, and finally the "big account" you have been dreaming about gets dropped in your lap. We were promised 500 signings a month, in July 06 we did almost 750. The client isn't going to wait for us to go out and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars "just in case". You make the smartest deal you can, under the best terms possible and you go! Or you say "sorry, we are not ready for you yet Mr. Fortune 500 company" I chose option A

The events that occured between May and December 06 are much more complicated then I can go in to here but it was not as simple as cutting them off. Promises were made and broken, alternative billing techiques were tried, corporate officers were involved, we were understaffed, they were understaffed etc etc. When you have an account that size you don't just give up quick. We worked with them and it takes a few months (as you know) in the mortgage business to fund deals and then wait another 30 days to be paid.

Everyone keeps saying "not being paid by our client is not the notaries fault". All I have ever said is exactly that. I KNOW ...but at least you all know what's going on and why.

- Chris

Reply by MikeC/NY on 5/16/07 9:53pm
Msg #190488

Chris,

I have no dog in this hunt, but just wanted to make a few observations:

1) You said: "But your vision gets a little blurred when you have been working your butt off for 3 years, and finally the 'big account' you have been dreaming about gets dropped in your lap." Have you never heard of due diligence? Did you do anything to determine whether this "big account" was actually an account worth having?

2) Promises were made and not kept, and the funding turned out to be 35% rather than the 85% you expected. It took you 6 months to figure this out? No flares went off after 45-60 days went by and you weren't getting paid?

3) Blaming the victim is really bad form - Katreena and the others are doing what they have to do in order to get paid for the services they provided. The fact that they have to go to your customers to complain is a reflection on your business practices, not theirs. Your comments that THEY have now made it harder for others to get paid are unbelievable - YOU created the situation, and YOU are the only one responsible for how things have developed. You're going to find zero sympathy here for your position; people deserve to be paid for the work they do, period, end of story.

4) It sounds like you're using the the money you make from current signings in order to pay previous debts, while stringing the new notaries along for 60 days or more. If that's the case, it smells like a Ponzi scheme - people go to jail for doing stuff like that. You need to get right with the people you owe money to - the "woe is me" routine is just not cutting it. Mortgage your house, sell your car, hock your jewelry, sell your blood - whatever it takes, you need to pay these people for the work they've done for you.

Reply by Poppy on 5/16/07 8:08pm
Msg #190470

Chris, why are you still having problems paying notaries for

work this year??? Seems to me that if the issue was the 2000 signings you were stiffed on last year. You should at the very least be able to keep current with your obligations you notaries who worked for you this year.
If your problems are ongoing and it seems clear that they are, IMO you don't really have the right to continue to use the notaries you hire to try to make a failing business work. It seems clear that there is a serious flaw in your business plan and to continue to hire people that you yourself admit there is a increasingly slim chance you will be able to pay, IMO is very, very wrong.... Just something to think about....

Reply by ME/NJ on 5/16/07 8:27pm
Msg #190475

Re: Chris, why are you still having problems paying notaries for

He is flipping money, new money that is coming in is going towards old A/R and with business slowing down all he is doing is running up more debt. It will come to a point where he may have to close his doors, or forced to close them from lawsuits and criminal charges.

If it were me, and a company was that late with payments my lawyers would have a blast. I blame notaries that are still owed and not going after this company with full force.

Reply by Keystone/PA on 5/16/07 9:19pm
Msg #190483

I did many closings for Loan Signers Inc in 2005 and a few from 2006 - I received payment in full on all of my invoices, and remember receiving my check like clockwork on the 30th day after the closing was done.

I was fortunate not to have been shorted, but if you had come to me and let me know the details you listed, I would have agreed to a percentage. My reasoning would be to help keep a source of business solvent, so I could continue to do business with you.

A friend of mine and her husband own a studio where they make reproductions in concrete for outdoor and indoor furnishings and decorative items from designs they see from around the world. Once they received a bad batch of concrete, which caused many pieces to deteriorate and break apart within a year or less.

The couple sold their fancy home, moved in with their parents and called all of their clients, and arranged to make the pieces for each of them a second time, at their expense.

It kept their reputation intact, and 3 years later, were able to purchase a home in the same exclusive neighborhood they had left before, and infact had a much bigger and more beautiful home. Most important, they kept their clients and gained more, by standing behind the quality of their work.

I can appreciate your situation, and wish you all the best in fighting to preserve your reputation.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 9:37pm
Msg #190486

Thank you Kay, I appreciate the encouraging words. I'm a former Us Marine. I'll die fighting if that's what it takes!

Most importantly thank you for stepping up and helping people remember we were not always this way.

- Chris

Reply by LJ on 5/16/07 10:22pm
Msg #190494

Chris. If I could only tell you and show you what I have been through the last 2 years, it would make your head swim. My husband and I lost a ton and I mean a ton of money in our business that had been in operation for 53 years. We owned and operated gas stations. Circumstances too numerous to list and beyond our control put us out of business. During this period, we owed a lot of people money including the #3 oil company in the world Conoco (now ConocoPhillips), our vendors, IRS, State of IL, our employees and even maxed our credit cards to eat. I feel your pain, as we have had hundreds of sleepness nights and wrenching guts during the day. To get all these people paid, we took out a huge loan. Other people have to eat and have bills to pay. It was not fair to them to make them wait. It was not their fault, nor ours, but we had to do something. These people had to be paid and should be paid. Its time to choke it up, get a loan and get everyone off your back. Gee, I wonder where you could get a loan?

Another thing: About 15 minutes after I posted my last post about not being paid, I was e-mailed from your company about a closing in my area. Coincidence?????? Of course, I turned it down. I refuse to do any closings for you until I am paid from last Sept. It still may take some time after that. I won't accept any until posts on this forum are all positive.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/16/07 10:41pm
Msg #190496

I know your pain LJ

My husband and I are in a similar situation, but with only one gas station.
We took out the tanks in 05, and are still paying off the loan we had to acquire to pay the creditors.
But, we paid them and are currently paying the lender.
I can't afford to wait more than 30 days for payments: my lender won't allow me to pay when my debtors pay me, good deal or bad deal.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 11:07pm
Msg #190506

LJ, if it was that simple it would have been done a long time ago. I'm unwilling to go in to my personal situation on this board but what I can say is everything I have was tied up in this company a long time ago. We talked to several investors who considered giving us the money we need in exchange for shares and or ownership in the company, they backed out. One guy thought just because he had a few rich friends that were lenders that he could buy a chunk of us and suddenly do huge numbers and make a killing. He was wrong. None of his friends actually needed the service so he backed out. In addition, we DID take out a line of credit from a friend which was maxed a long ago.

As far as the email you got from my company about a signing in your area. Yes coincidence. The emails are automatically generated by our technology and my staff doesn't even know I have spent a good part of today on this board. I don't even know who you are. I said in my last response to you I need your name or NotaryID so I can pay you.

- Chris

Reply by LJ on 5/16/07 11:46pm
Msg #190515

Wow, whooppee

I'm gonna be paid by posting my notary ID on this forum. Shoulda, woulda, coulda done it 8 months ago and saved myself a lot of hassles. Dummy me. I guess its my fault for not doing this 8 months ago. Here it is Chris. #7007. Now pay me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 12:08am
Msg #190516

Re: Wow, whooppee

Linda:

The sarcasim is totally not necessary. It just so happens we recently received some checks from clients and I have the pleasure of paying some folks right now. You are one of them. I just sent accounting an email to pay you on order# 20279.

You'll receive and email from them tomorrow confirming.

- Chris

Reply by LJ on 5/17/07 1:09pm
Msg #190629

Re: Wow, whooppee

Let me get this straight. I call, fax, file complaint with bbb (with no response I might add) and I go on this forum yesterday to read the posts. I respond to one of them, I am asked for my notary ID # and now I receive a e-mail that I will be paid in 10 days. 8 months late. Could this be coincidence??? I hardly think so. What a scam you have going and you want us to believe all this crap? I doesn't surprise me in any way that you have the problems you have. If this is the way you do things, you deserve it.

Off to a closing for a very reputable company that pays me very well and ontime. Thank you to them. I will jump through hoops for them.

Reply by kellieco on 5/16/07 10:41pm
Msg #190497

You owe me for a signing from 11/11. When will I be paid!!!!! I have sent many emails and invoices.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 5/16/07 10:47pm
Msg #190498

Does a notary still have to pay a fee to be hired

They always have charged a "fee to be hired?" Hope that is l not happening in 2007

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 11:09pm
Msg #190508

Re: Does a notary still have to pay a fee to be hired

There is no fee

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 11:08pm
Msg #190507

I need a name, LoanSignersInc ID or email address please?

Reply by kellieco on 5/17/07 6:20am
Msg #190532

Co819Kinzie 11/11/2006

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/07 11:02pm
Msg #190505

**Dear Katreena, Your actions have now made it even more difficult for you and your fellow notaries like Sharon Taylor to get paid.**

Chris, I respect your efforts. Most people do who have half a brain. What I don't admire, and what you are inciting people with is your statement above and trying to shift blame and attention to notaries who want to be paid as if that's some kind of wrong thing to do.

This lady was just trying to ensure the best for her business...that's also honorable.

If you wouldn't have fits like this at people who are doing nothing but taking care of themselves then this would all go away quicker. Continuing to tell people who need their checks that they have some kind of responsibility for everyone else not getting their checks doesn't make sense.

Do the best you can and take the blame. Everyone has had difficulty...really, they have. Not paying notaries while paying your bills keeps your credit rating better while theirs may suffer from lack of payment from non-paying clients. It's unfair to rant at her for doing what's right to protect and preserve herself. That's why you are catching so much flack. People understand adversity. They just don't like being chastised for doing the right thing for themselves and their families.

Just continue to do the right thing and stop blaming others for taking care of themselves.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/16/07 11:15pm
Msg #190509

Brenda,

I can appreciate what you are saying and your post was definetly one of the more intelligent ones today, thank you for the time you took to write it.

My intention was to point out fact and I'll admit, I was upset at what she did and I couldn't hide that in my message. The facts are still the same though. When and if we go out of business, no one gets paid. There are still hundreds. Ouch... I want to pay people. I need to be in business to do it. Lets all hope we make it.

- Chris

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 5/17/07 5:33am
Msg #190527

This Entire Thread...

...only confirms to me what I've believed since I started in this business 6 years ago. Signing services only exist to steal what rightly belongs to the individual Notary signing agent. I've always questioned their very existence & you've given me every reason to continue thinking that way.

Reply by kcg on 5/17/07 5:50am
Msg #190529

Re: One last thing....

Thank you all for understanding why I did what I did....I think Chris thought I might get tarred and feathered if he pointed out that I was the cause of no one getting paid.

I did warn Chris....I emailed, faxed and called and told him, in no uncertain terms, that IF I didn't not hear back or get my check by 5/11, I would post on the forum and get past due invoices from other notaries who did work for LoanSigners involving Ace and have a sit down with them......and I heard nothing. So I posted on a Friday and said I would go to Ace on Monday.....still nothing from Chris so I figured at that point that he didn't care.

This could have all been avoided if he would have only communicated with me - I would have tried to work with him.....but the silence speaks louder than words.

As Glenn Close told Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction: "I will NOT be ignored".....yikes

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 5/17/07 8:25am
Msg #190551

If It looks....


IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DEADBEAT SS....

AND IT WALKS LIKE A DEADBEAT SS....

AND IT TALKS LIKE A DEADBEAT SS....

THEN IT MUST BE A GOOD-FOR-NOTHIN PIECE OF S*** DEADBEAT SS...

Reply by SpinClose/MI on 5/17/07 8:53am
Msg #190557

Re: If It looks....email to chris bounced back undeliverable

Ok Chris, sent you email as you suggested in your first posting of this thread and it bounced back. Please send payment for the following invoices (all are from Ace and you have been paid for): order #21846, #21903, #22009, #21186.
My ID #5316
Hope to hear from you soon

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 12:41pm
Msg #190622

Re: If It looks....email to chris bounced back undeliverable

Hello Theodore,

Please accept my apologies about the email address. Many times my fingers move faster than my brain. Ugh... Here it is again: [e-mail address] I requested these be paid yesterday. You should have already received email confirmation?

- Chris

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/17/07 10:11am
Msg #190574

Dennis I agree with you, and for the record

In 30 years of employment Ihave worked with agencies almost my whole adult life....hospitality agencies, nursing agencies, and clerical agencies.
Always I have been paid on a daily, weekly, bi-monthly or monthly basis by agencies, and never in all those years did I have to chase my checks the way I have had to with Signing Agencies. Nor, have I received such low fees from agencies, with the exception of this industry.
Apparently anyone can open a signing agency, and without working capital.
I would encourage anyone considering it to go to work for some other kind of agency first, and see how they operate before they would jump in the fire without knowing what is needed to make it. Thinking postively and promises just don't do it.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 12:53pm
Msg #190624

Re: This Entire Thread...

Dennis:

Behind every Signing Service (at least in my case) is a person that decided to get in the business. A PERSON , not an "SS". What's sad to me is that narrow minded people like yourself stereotype. I'm sure I am not alone when I say that there are many many good signing services responsible for feeding many notaries regular quality business and paying on time. Before May of 06 we were one of them and we may have bit off more than we could chew. That doesn't make me or anyone like me a criminal. I prefer to call it AMBITION. Most of the skeptics on this board can not even fathom taking on the load I did then. It also requires something called COURAGE & DRIVE. The fact is, my Ambition, Courage and Drive put food in hundreds of notaries and their families mouths last year. I feel good about that and feel bad for the ones we have been unable to pay so far.

I hope you would consider changing your mind about how you feel about Signing Services. I'm sure people like Sylvia would much rather hear "thank you" rather than your ungratefulness for their work.

- Chris

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/17/07 1:01pm
Msg #190626

Do not associate yourself with Sylvia!

She is one of a kind, and doesn't deserve to be lumped in with non-paying SS's.
You will never find a thread on this forum, or any other about Sylvia not paying her notaries.
She takes care of agent payment, before she does anything else, and that being said, has done very well with that ethic. Apparently she believes if she doesn't keep her agents paid, she won't have any who would be willing to work for her. She is right!
She is a good business woman, and had her bases covered before she signed an agreement with a lender or TC to protect herself and the agents who work for her.
Kudos to Sylvia!
If all SS modeled themselves after her SS, this post would not exist.
I suggest you offer to pay her for direction.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/17/07 2:00pm
Msg #190638

Re: Do not associate yourself with Sylvia!

Thank you Misty
I know you have done signings for me in the past, so you are very familiar with my payment practices.

Anyone, who starts a signing service and does not have every contingency covered and enough capital in a separate business account (only to be used for business purposes!), fell off the stupid tree hitting every branch on the way down. It is stupid and irresponsible not to go into the signing service business with eyes open wide and with the business acumen to make it work.
I usually don't have a problem getting signing agents to work with me, sometimes the first time I call someone they are hesitant as they never see my company mentioned on the boards, but thankfully they decide to give me the benefit of the doubt and accept the signing.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/17/07 3:15pm
Msg #190645

Priceless, Sylvia!

>>>...fell off the stupid tree hitting every branch on the way down.<<<

I love it!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/17/07 5:20pm
Msg #190673

Re: Priceless, Sylvia!

Should have been "fell out of the stupid tree not fell off" fingers typing too fast.

Been one of my favourite sayings since I heard it in a movie once.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 4:21pm
Msg #190658

Re: Do not associate yourself with Sylvia!

Please read my post again. I DID NOT LUMP HER IN WITH NON PAYING SS. I have the utmost respect for Sylvia and I have conveyed that twice during this thread.

You misunderstood.

Sylvia - apologies for any confusion.

- Chris

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 5/17/07 1:56pm
Msg #190637

Allow Me To Paraphrase...

...using your words as a springboard:

I say that there are many, many horrible signing services responsible for siphoning dollars from many notaries regular quality business and have absolutely no intention of paying on time or in certain cases, not at all.

You, Chris, are "Exhibit A".

BTW, your "feelings" aren't on trial here...your actions are. In your own words you've admitted not paying a great number of Notaries, leaving them & their families in the lurch for a long period of time. You can "feel bad" all day long, but that doesn't pay their bills. In my opinion your "ambition, courage, & drive" need to be tempered with some business sense...something you evidently lack at this point in time. In case you can't tell, I haven't considered changing my mind about signing services. I have said "thank you" to a handful of them over the past 6 years, but they're few & far between. It's my blessing to have never been approached by your company.

My last comment...don't you think you've dug a big enough hole with your comments in this thread? You can't see the light of day from where you currently stand.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 4:31pm
Msg #190660

Re: Allow Me To Paraphrase...

Dennis:

My mission was accomplished by your response. I simply wanted you to admit that not all Signing Services are evil. You did. Thank you

Secondly, LoanSignersInc.com has 16 orders so far today and 88 new notaries have signed up with us this month (unsolicited). I hardly think that is a hole.

- Chris

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 5/17/07 4:38pm
Msg #190662

I Think...

...you need to go to work instead of wasting your time here. BTW, something I learned a long time ago is that anyone can say anything about how good their business is...but the proof is in the pudding. Your pudding is burnt to the bottom of the pan.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 6:48pm
Msg #190690

Re: I Think...

I need to work? I only come on here a few times a year Dennis. As always it's been fun.

As far as calling me a liar...I would be happy to prove it to you if I thought it would make any difference at all. But it won't and I doubt you would be man enough to get on here and admit you were wrong would you?

BTW, it's 17 orders now.

- Chris

Reply by kellieco on 5/17/07 11:04pm
Msg #190733

Re: I Think...

Chris if you had 17 orders today then you should be able to pay me for a siging from Nov.

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 11:24pm
Msg #190737

Re: I Think...

kellico,

As I said in my last response to you on here...please identify yourself either via PM or send me an email and I will pay you.

thx,

- Chris

Reply by kellieco on 5/18/07 7:58am
Msg #190767

Re: I Think...

I emailed you yesterday. But here is the borrowers name and the job number, and the date. Co819Kinzie 11/11/2006

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/18/07 1:51pm
Msg #190835

Re: I Think...

ok, I found the email. It slipped past me. I have asked accounting to issue the check. (you can imagine how many I am getting these days)

Sorry for the delays,

- Chris

Reply by Dawn Bath on 5/17/07 3:27pm
Msg #190648

Re: This Entire Thread...

I really hate to thing that because of certain companies that people think that every SS is bad !!
I am sure the notaries on this board could also tell you of good SS's also

Reply by Chris von Nieda on 5/17/07 4:34pm
Msg #190661

Re: This Entire Thread...

my point exactly Dawn thank you. I'm sure they can...But that would not be the popular opinion at this point.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/17/07 5:05pm
Msg #190671

State Networks vs. Signing Agencies* A must read*

People please think about forming your own official or semi-official networks.
At minimum, compile a list of networking notaries and circulate your contact
informations to the people you already work for.
IMO, Having effective, responsible networks will negate the need for many SS,
hence negate the need for us to have to go to such trouble collecting from agencies.
Our industry is the only one I know of, where non-payment of subcontractors is so prevalent.
Although I think there will always be a need for SS, no doubt networks will be the preferred choice of lenders, tc's and the like.
Please motivate yourselves to promote yourselves with your colleagues, and their clients
in order to protect yourselves.
Just my honest opinion and best advice to avoid all this nonsense.
Personally, I am over this whole tirade by Chris Von Neida, and this will be my last post on the subject.
Ignore his rhetoric like he ignores your requests for compensation.
Living well is the best revenge.

Reply by mtnotary on 5/17/07 7:02pm
Msg #190694

CHRIS PLEASE CHECK PM...THANK YOU!!

Chris I sent you a private message..please read and respond.
Thank you.