Posted by OR on 9/16/07 12:19am
Msg #211368

What stupid questions are asked by newbies?

I think we should have a newbie button I think that Harry was trying to get some questions together the other night. I think we should really give him some.
The Newbie board FAQ
Maybe that is where the rules could be posting on the Elders board. They could learn how to use the big yellow button. I am sure if would run threw the forum Harry and the Elders on this board could come up with some of the FAQ.

If it was me I would have a "Elders Board" and you can only read the first 60 days of membership.

Newbie Board learn the ropes any one can get into.

It could be called FAQ BY Newbies (newbie questions posted here)

How much do I charge?
How does the borrower sign their name if their name on Id is different?
Split state signing what does that mean?
I haven't got my docs yet what do I do I sign in 30 minutes?
The names are spelled wrong?
Title called and said My docs never arrived what do I do?
How do I sign when someone has POA?
what does N/M mean?
What is Edoc's?
When should I expect to get paid?
How long should I wait until I send a late notice? Should I call or email late notice?
What is escrow Docs?
What is RESPA Docs?

Can you think of any other? thanks

Reply by CJ on 9/16/07 12:35am
Msg #211372

I think these are great questions!

I don't know exactly how this notary board works, I think a FAQ area would be good for these kinds of questions.

Maybe you can't say exactly how much to charge, but there could still be SOME kind of answer. Same with how long you should wait to get paid.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/16/07 1:26am
Msg #211373

May not be a bad idea...

But I don't know how it would look from Harry's perspective as a business move.

For most of those questions - and I'm sure numerous others - all that would be needed would be a series of message numbers. It's all been addressed numerous times already, as we keep saying.

Reply by MichiganAl on 9/16/07 3:49am
Msg #211378

We do have a newbie button. It's the bright orange search button. It gets ignored every day. Also when you post, a big light bulb comes up that says "Important notice! Use the search button first as many questions have already been answered." It gets ignored as well. That said, a f.a.q. or a sticky thread for those starting might do a bit of good. I have a link on my website that says "new notaries start here" and it links to the famous 33325 thread. It's a great place to start for those who are actually serious about this. I'd like to see it as a sticky thread, the first thread always on top. But I also think that no matter what, some are just hopeless.

Reply by WDMD on 9/16/07 5:43am
Msg #211381

It really does not matter what is done. It appears to me that most who ask so called stupid questions do not read anything before they post. How many times have you seen a question posed where the question was just asked one or two messages previously?

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/16/07 7:02am
Msg #211383

Part of the problem is that a lot of newbies are TOLD to

come here on the last day of 'class' if they have any questions as we're all here for them. So they do. But a sticky message might help. Well, it'll cut down some of the repetitiveness and, worded properly, the sense of entitlement that probably comes from being told we'll help.

Reply by Gerry_VT on 9/16/07 11:41am
Msg #211396

Many discussion boards in all kinds of subjects have a FAQ. Perhaps some of the newbies are used to looking for a FAQ and not used to using a search as their first method of finding an answer. So maybe a FAQ would help.

Also, this board, combined with some other notary discussion boards, have developed some jargon that newbies might not think to put in a search, for example, "attorney-only state".

Reply by SoCalcloser on 9/16/07 2:20pm
Msg #211406

Why is everyone so bitter on this board? Are you all old farts with nothing better to do than complain about the newbies? You were all once newbies at one time too. If you don't like the question THEN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION! and let the nice people on the board answer the questions. I can't believe some of the harsh responses Ive read on this board. I'm surprised you even bring in business with your poor attitudes. I'm more sick of you complaining then the newbies on the page.

Reply by OR on 9/16/07 3:13pm
Msg #211412

Re: What stupid questions are asked by newbies? Thank you n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 9/16/07 3:47pm
Msg #211417

No, everyone was not a 'newbie' at one time. MANY of us started in this business with a real working background - not an internet or one afternoon based course. I try my best to keep quiet but sometimes I can't. People ask questions that clearly show they have no idea what this job truly entails. THAT HURTS EVERY ONE OF US - EVEN THOSE OF US WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. Every IDIOT that wants to prepare their own synopsis forms for the borrowers, every IDIOT that thinks it's okay to somehow go into lender docs via Adobe or whatever and change dates so the package looks clean, every IDIOT that thinks the loan documents are their business is looking to put all of us out of business. I have done this job for years and years and years and I still scratch my head every so often at something I see. There always will be questions and grey areas that open up great discussions that benefit everyone. I often disagree with many of the answers I see given on these boards - even by well respected 'experts'. I put their responses in the recesses of my mind and when situations arise, I reassess my way and others ways. I don't get 'mad' because I don't like another's answer - I retain it for future reference. If someone says sweetly, "no honey, don't do that", it will not have the same e/affect as someone telling them in no uncertain terms how wrong they are. Does someone think at a 'real job' that if they screw up royally their boss will be all honey and sugar? Perhaps, but they also will be counting the time to send the incompetent on their way. MANY of us help others off the board - we see someone who is new and feel they have done their groundwork and have no problem helping them because we want intelligent, hardworking THINKING individuals to succeed - whether in our own area or across the country. If someone looked back over this board (to say nothing of Jacq's board of the NASA board, I wonder how many of the 'newbies' who were always up in arms are still around - very few I'd imagine. I truly feel almost everyone entering this business does so with the hopes of being successful and feeling they are doing their best - but if you have NO background, you don't know what is truly required and to get mad at the delivery by those who are able to tell you just amazes me. By the way, I read 2 other boards on occasion and they are FILLED with new people giving TERRIBLE advice to each other.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/07 3:48pm
Msg #211418

Troll Alert: SoCalcloser

Internet Troll, SoCalcloser said: **Why is everyone so bitter on this board? Are you all old farts with ....snip.... I'm more sick of you complaining then the newbies on the page.**
===============================================================

ROFLMAO...perfect example of an internet troll.

See how this works? SoCalcloser jumps in with an inflammatory post where a civil conversation is taking place. The hope is that the "Bitter Old Farts" will immediately go all crazy and defend their Old Fartism rights and old farty way of life. Then, if all goes well for the troll, SoCalcloser, the Sweet New Farts will pile on and defend New Fartism.

Okay, so I request all you Bitter Old Farts...ignore this troll...and btw, welcome to the Sweet New Farts...ignore this troll too and somewhere everyone will meet in the middle and become just a bunch of Neutral Farts.

Curezone.com offers an explanation of the SoCalcloser types right here:

What is an Internet Troll/ Forum troll?
An "Internet troll" or "Forum Troll" or "Message Board Troll" is a person who posts outrageous message to bait people to answer. Forum Troll delights in sowing discord on the forums. A troll is someone who inspires flaming rhetoric, someone who is purposely provoking and pulling people into flaming discussion. Flaming discussions usually end with name calling and a flame war.

To read the entire article: http://curezone.com/forums/troll.asp

================

Best laugh I've had all day...bitter old farts! LOL. Thank you SoCalcloser for that humorous attempt at starting a riot. If you're going to cause upheaval on a board you really need to learn to be a little more surreptitious...this was way too obvious.

Reply by sue_pa on 9/16/07 3:52pm
Msg #211420

Well Brenda, this 'bitter' old fart took the bait !!

xx

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/16/07 3:55pm
Msg #211421

sue_pa's reply was well-reasoned and insightful. n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 9/16/07 4:01pm
Msg #211425

p.s.

Thanks Ernest.

There are MANY people I know in this business who have no background in real estate, closings, lending, etc. and they are VERY successful. They learned their job, they sought answers, they APPLIED themselves. MANY of them started before these boards were readily available with answers given. The old saying teach a man to fish ...

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 9/17/07 10:12am
Msg #211482

Teach a man to fish. . .

. . .and his wife will be upset with you! yuckyuckyuck

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/07 4:01pm
Msg #211426

Exactly...I have been trying to figure out what sue_pa

said--how to say it myself-- in her post about "No, everyone was not a 'newbie' at one time. MANY of us started in this business with a real working background - not an internet or one afternoon based course." since this little flame war started.

I actually think that about half of the new folks posting are for real and the rest of them are trolls.

And, for all the SNFs...just so you know, sue_pa helped me by email and on this board...I was once a SNF and sue_pa was a BOF...and yep she emailed me and was a huge help to me. I knew I could call on my BOF friend anytime. Time passed and first thing you know, I went from a SNF to a BOF. I wear my BOF badge proudly.

Key:
SNF = sweet new fart
BOF = bitter old fart

Reply by sue_pa on 9/16/07 4:06pm
Msg #211427

Steelers have kicked butt so I'm done ...

off for the victory supper !!

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/16/07 4:37pm
Msg #211433

Here is my opinion BrendaTx....for what it's worth...

and that's not much
I am going to be a "reader" and not a "poster", as I have done alot of "posting" lately.
I am really not bitter. I would really like to help anyone that needs it but I am not going to help anyone that asks questions such as "How much should I charge?" "Can I have a list of the best companies to work for?" I find questions like this unacceptable in this business. I really don't mind it when the have a genuine question like "There was no RTC in the email, what should I do?" Most of the questions asked should be directed to the title company or loan officer and not us but sometimes the little boogers (didn't mean to bash anyone) just won't answer the phone and sometimes they are busy with another closer and you have to have an answer now.
I really like this site and I have learned an awful lot. Sadly, this week, I have learned to keep my mouth shut. I also learned that several posters still want to help their competition to get started and I am not willing to do that.
There are 2 closers in my area that I am friends with. If one cannot do a closing, she will recommend one of us and I will recommend them if I am not available. We help each other. If a company does not pay, we tell each other and if a company is a great payer, we tell each other that too. I am helping and I am sorry if others do not agree with my opinion. I will keep my membership but would rather go back to being just a reader. I have 11 years of experience and I did it the hard way.
Good luck to everyone.

Reply by SoCalcloser on 9/16/07 4:10pm
Msg #211429

Re: Troll Alert: SoCalcloser

I wasn't trying to instigate anything here. Just frustrated by the messages on this board about the newbies. I do like the idea of having a newbie section if that is going to help keep the rude insulting people away, or maybe perhaps a bitter old fart section Lol...

You guys take this all too seriously. We should all be helping eachother out especially during these hard times and so what if someone asks a stupid question. Its harsh to call them an IDIOT, they are just someone new looking for answers anonymously so that they can better themselves. We're all trying to get ahead is my point, no need to be negative.

You all have a great Sunday!

Reply by Tess on 9/16/07 5:18pm
Msg #211436

Re: Troll Alert: SoCalcloser

We all are being watched and quoted by the professionals who hire us. The more this board has idiotic questions that all notaries should know, and the more you fight about it, the more we ALL look like idiots!

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 9/16/07 5:24pm
Msg #211438

My Livelihood Is SERIOUS

When someone undermines my business because they have no business sense it is a serious matter. By being a member of this forum it does not obligate me to train anyone. I willingly offer my opinions, but will not tell anyone who my contacts are or how I go about getting them.

Most of the times the messages from others are not rude and insulting, but just the facts. Point blank. Then someone takes it wrong because as someone else put it, it wasn't "sugar coated." My helping someone will not pay my bills. It might provide a warm fuzzy feeling, but that still doesn't pay my bills. I'm not going to give the farm away for free and resent newbies thinking that I should. So this "we should all be helping each other out especially during these hard times . . ." is just pathetic.

Think about this as a business and not a job. Do you think that FedEx is going to share their management ideas with UPS, so that they can help each other??? Or maybe they should share their marketing strategies with DHL, so that they can improve their business and have a larger share of the market. Stockholders of FedEx and UPS will love to hear that idea. It sounds stupid, but that is what too many newbies are asking. Just on a smaller scale.

If my competition wants a share of my market, let them earn it. But don't give me this garbage about helping each other at the expense of my livelihood.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/18/07 1:33am
Msg #211699

Re: My Livelihood Is SERIOUS

Excellent points, Tina. Ever notice that the ones saying that "we should all be helping each other out..." are always the ones who are on the receiving end of the help? Hmmmmmmm... And I'd guess most of them are probably just doing this for pin money. (I hope, at least, that they realize that's all they'll probably get!)

Yes, folks, some of us have actually been doing this as our primary occupation to pay the bills and it's pretty hard to not take that seriously! This is not a message board for hobbyists to entertain themselves (although we DO manage to do that sometimes... ) Once again, the top of the board says that this is supposed to be "Notary Rotary, The Premier Web Site for PROFESSIONAL NOTARIES"! Unfortunately at somewhat regular intervals, it transforms into kindergarten for NSAs (new and old). Troll-baited or not, I thought that was a great message, sue_pa!

From another BOF!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 9/16/07 8:54pm
Msg #211446

Bitter Old Farts vs Sweet New Farts....

Let's just order up a round of Beano for the house, and then everyone can relax, chill out, and we can talk about important stuff...

Reply by MichiganAl on 9/16/07 7:45pm
Msg #211443

Thank you for proving every point we've made. n/m

Reply by Stuart Posner on 9/16/07 7:54pm
Msg #211444

sniff...snifff....I smell a BOF....oops it's me!!! Excuse me n/m

Reply by christiSocal on 9/16/07 10:39pm
Msg #211451

If I had a dollar for everytime someone said

"You were all newbies once too". I could quit this job and be very well off!
Sign me - Doing my best to become a BOF!

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/16/07 11:03pm
Msg #211454

Re: If I had a dollar for everytime someone said

LOL, Christi! It's not like every NSA out there fell out of the GAP and into closings. Some of us actually closed real estate transactions for a while before becoming SAs.