Posted by Sylvia_FL on 11/23/07 1:06pm
Msg #222589

Lenders First Choice - Simi Valley

Just got an e-mail from Michael Crowder, the vendor manager.
Says he got my name from the NNA database! I have not been a member of the NNA for about 5 years now and so doubt I am listed with them.
Offering $60 for overnight docs and $80 for edocs.
The e-mail is in my "spam" filter and I am going to leave it there.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/23/07 1:52pm
Msg #222594

Same here, Sylvia.
60-80?????
That's crazy, anyone accepting these offers is shooting themselves in the foot.

Reply by Julie Dailey on 11/24/07 9:26am
Msg #222681

And shooting the rest of us in the foot, also!

Reply by RickinVA on 11/23/07 2:36pm
Msg #222601

They generally offer me the same, which is when I counter with my regular fee. They usually have to "get that approved" and sometimes they do. Occasionally, they will offer my regular fee, which I accept, as they pay inside of 2 weeks. In those cases, I suspect they have tried everyone else and have been unsuccessful, so they finally come back to the the 'high fees'.

Rick

Reply by Calnotary on 11/23/07 3:46pm
Msg #222618

Re: Lenders First Choice" We have competitive rates"

I think they are sending this to all in their database because I m not a member of the NNA.

Well they have raised their prices because I was offered the big amount of 50 dollars with edocs a few months ago.

Here is today's e mail from them:

Hello,



I am emailing you on behalf of Michael Crowder the Vendor Manager over the notary signing service for Lenders First Choice, a National Title Company. We are in the process of building our network of notaries across the nation. We came across your name in the National Notary Association database and we are anticipating having a signing in your area in the near future. We have competitive rates paying starting at $60 for overnight documents and $80 for email documents.



If you are interested in becoming a notary for Lenders First Choice, please fill out the online application at www.lendersfc.com. There is a link in the left-hand column titled notary enrollment that will lead to the application. Once you have finished filling out the application, you will receive confirmation that your information has been received. Please also fax us a copy of your W9 to 888.242.xxxx after enrolling in our system. A scheduler from our company will then contact you by phone when there is a signing in your coverage area.



We look forward to completing many signings together. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone or email.

Reply by Maureen_nh on 11/23/07 7:48pm
Msg #222637

Re: Lenders First Choice" We have competitive rates"

They want 100,000 in E&O insurance, but they do have a good reputation as far as on time payment goes.

Reply by titleme2nc on 11/23/07 8:02pm
Msg #222639

I would think that there is a way for you to check on that old site to see if you are still posted by some chance. I just might be a good chance that you are and you may be passing up good money. But I am new to this field and I am learning from this chat room that not all can be great in this field. and I am grateful that others who are willing to post their knowledge out here for me to learn from. To you all I, Thank you.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/23/07 8:27pm
Msg #222642

"I would think that there is a way for you to check on that old site to see if you are still posted "

Yes, I can check - I own a signing service and have access to the NNA database, and I am definitely not listed there.

I pay my signing agents more than LFC are paying, and they are a title company!!!

Reply by Les_CO on 11/23/07 8:04pm
Msg #222640

Well Sylvia, you must be on the "gold" list! They are (were, I've been off their list for a couple of months) offering $50 for e-docs here in Colorado. I actually feel sorry for Michael....can you Imagine? Going back to all the good notaries on the Mercury list and trying to get them to work for less than half fo what they use to pay?

Reply by Lora/FL on 11/23/07 9:12pm
Msg #222647

I can't (won't) leave my house for $50 or $80 for that matter. Well, maybe $80 if it's on my street and I can walk to the appt. Here's my 2 cents on Lender's 1st Choice, FASS, and the others that fall in the same category regarding low-ball fees. My opinion is that you get what you pay for, plain and simple. Companies like this can go down the list and call all they want. The experienced, ethical, professional signing agents will pass on the offer, irregardless of their availability. Those that will accept the $50 fee are 1) inexperienced, 2) desperate for business, 3) lacking business sense, 4) all of the above.
I'm not knocking those folks so don't take me wrong. Frankly, there's nothing I can do to about those who want to "swap quarters". Over time, they will get with the program and figure out they are not making a living at this. As a result, they will stop accepting these appts. OR they will ultimately get another job cause they couldn't pay their bills. Either way, the experienced, ethical, professional signing agents will still be around. And the companies calling with the low fees? If they're big enough, they'll still be around but it will get tougher to find someone to give in. True colors ultimately shine thru-whether it be individuals(signing agents) or companies. Granted, it's tough being an independent contractor and makinng business decisions. But to be successful, you MUST figure out your true expenses and determine that magic $$ amount that you can work for....or not.
So exactly what are these companies ( Lenders, etc) willing to ultimately offer? Anyone wanna share that info? I guess I'm curious, as I'm sure are others, what is the fee they are willing to pay? I know they are throwing out 50-80 but by the end of the call, do they really agree on 100-125 or even more? If that's the case, there are some folks out there (those that jump on the first set of digits) that are gonna kick themselves all other the house.

Reply by Lora/FL on 11/23/07 9:15pm
Msg #222649

That would be "all OVER the house", lol.

Reply by janCA on 11/24/07 2:49pm
Msg #222702

Back in "the Day" LFC would pay $150 for ON'd docs. Now, what they offer is a joke, but there are those clueless NSA's who accept these fees, not only hurting themselves but all other SA's that are trying to actually make a living and not doing this as a "side" job or a "hobby".

Reply by Joe_PA on 11/24/07 3:09pm
Msg #222704

Well written Lora

Closing's are not my primary income or job so I am in a position where I can be very slective in whom I will work worth
Over the years I have found a few SS, Land title Companies, etc., that I worked well with. They paid good and promptly, usually within 2-weeks. There were a few times when they were in a bind and I went out for them at the same time they never gave me a hard time about fees or distance travel.

With all that said these companies have been quoting a smaller fee lately which I have been turning down. I discussed this with some of them and was told that the lending companies have cut what they are willing to pay them so they are also being forced to reduce what they pay us. This sounded like a bunch of bull to me but it was said by more than one land title and ss company.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/23/07 9:20pm
Msg #222651

Re: Lenders First Choice - Simi Valley - Les

Mercury was a good title company.
I was only fortunate to do one or two signings for them, but had many an e-mail exchange with Susan prior to signing for them.
Susan was one of the most thoughtful of title officers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. When I needed a poster of Pikes Peak for a friend's husband who was in the hospital with only days to live, she went out and got the poster for me, Fedexed it overnight to Dave in the hospital and wouldn't let me reimburse her for it.
When I was in the hospital, the day they moved me out of intensive care I got a beautiful basket of flowers from Susan, and it had a little angel in it (she knew my penchant for fairies and angels from my "signatures" on another forum. That little angel in the basket was the first thing I saw every morning when I woke up. I still have the angel.

Incidentally Dave's wife, Deb had an interview in The Colorado Springs Independent the other day.

http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A22182