Posted by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 4:55pm
Msg #237109

Do signing agencies Hedge??

I must be niave.. It just occurred to me but I think some companies agree to our price but then keep calling around and if they find someone who will commit to the deal Cheaper, they just dont send ya the Confirmation - am I paranoid??

Reply by Pete/MD on 2/25/08 4:57pm
Msg #237110

It appears you are naive. n/m

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 5:00pm
Msg #237111

Re: It appears you are naive.

Thanks Pete! I feel alot better now LOL

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/25/08 5:14pm
Msg #237113

Re: It appears you are naive.

Sometimes they even send a confirmation, and still find someone else cheaper. Happened to me Sat. That's the last one for that company. I told them to take me off their list immediately.

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 5:33pm
Msg #237115

Re: It appears you are naive.

Yep - its been 2 and a half hours since they agreed to my fee - No Confirmation..
I think Im going to call them and tell them I'm not going to do it now.. This signing
is supposed to be in about 3 hours from now..

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/25/08 5:40pm
Msg #237117

Sometimes they just flat forget--call 'em!

If they are weasels--and, yes, Dorothy, they are out there--and haven't found a cheaper notary, you get the job. If they have, you get some 'cancelled' story. But, at least, you know & are now free to accept the next good thing. Carpe diem.

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 6:09pm
Msg #237119

Re: Sometimes they just flat forget--call 'em!

There ya go Signing Companies, Lee doesnt mind if you jerk him around.. Maybe he will post his phone number here..
The thing is, I priced based on having 6 hours notice - comfortable lead time.. Now? Its 3pm, if they send me the Confirmation NOW, I have 3 hours notice to prepare and the borrowers are wondering if they have a loan today??

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/25/08 6:12pm
Msg #237121

I DO mind... which is why I'd call 'em & wouldn't wait. n/m

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 6:18pm
Msg #237124

Re: I DO mind... which is why I'd call 'em & wouldn't wait.

They did not give me a call-back number.. Not everyone has Caller ID -
Sure, we assume most people do. But since these Signing Companies
are all over the USA - many times, all I get in my display is "Unknown
Name - Unknown Number."
Like today.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/2/08 3:42am
Msg #237807

Re: I DO mind... which is why I'd call 'em & wouldn't wait.

I always ask for a phone number to reach them "just in case" unless they are a regular client of mine. It's our responsibility to take control of running our own businesses. Dealing with last minute calls is a big part of this business. I'm either available or I'm not. If I had to allow 6 hours advance notice to prep for each assignment, I'd have to charge lots and lots more (and wouldn't have *any* business) OR I wouldn't be able to accept enough assignments to make a living...

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/25/08 11:01pm
Msg #237156

Re: Sometimes they just flat forget--call 'em!

"Now? Its 3pm, if they send me the Confirmation NOW, I have 3 hours notice to prepare and the borrowers are wondering if they have a loan today??"

What exactly do you need to do to prepare? You print the docs, get directions to the house and go.

And why would the borrower be wondering if they have a loan? If they made an appointment for 6:00, unless they were told otherwise they're going to expect someone to be there at 6:00.

You may have more flexibility because of your location, but here in Los Angeles, if I required a minimum of 6 hours notice for every signing, I quickly would put myself out of business.

Reply by sue_pa on 2/26/08 10:54am
Msg #237195

Re: Sometimes they just flat forget--call 'em!

...And why would the borrower be wondering if they have a loan? ...

Perhaps the 'signing agent' got the borrowers all riled up. From posts I read, it appears that happens more often that it should.

Reply by Demore on 2/25/08 6:18pm
Msg #237123

You are absolutely correct and it is true.

Please, allow me to share some of my concerns and consideration when accept an appointment.
He is my reaction in dealing with cheaper and beggars.
I have had much experience in daily call with a promise to call back and never hear from them since.
It is obvious that they are shopping for best fee and who are not informed with finance expensive.
Mobile's notaries are accepting a lower fee. It is to say that because I categorize my fee accordingly to zones, which can be zone 1, 2 and 3: For example zone 1 (Priority), zone 2 (Express) and zone 3 (Regular). I notice a pattern for priority. It is obvious to that my fee become standardized because the need to return docs as soon as possible. All these facts should be consider, and plus how many borrower(s) will sign docs; pages of documents, if docs is e-mail docs and/or delivery to borrower(s) and/or notary address and the time to organize these documents if e-docs. And how many notarizations is required from me. Added, to the above, are to include the price of gas, mileages and finally the cost of dressing professionally. All these are facts should to be considered as an Expensive account and cash flowing.

I do not believe I can afford work for them for FREE. In some occasion when I have complains about my fee I say that they do not have to agree with it. But what make them THINK I should work for them for FREE? HA! They answer Hummmmmm. I am not asking you to work for me for free. Ok! my fee is negotiable, but not for no one dictate my fee that resume to nothing.

Note: IRS does not give us credit for the cost of professional suit and shoes.

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/25/08 6:25pm
Msg #237125

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
When I price - I ask (1) the zip code (2) is it a Re-fi (3) is it a Right to Cancel Deal (4) are there a bunch of Fax-Backs ~ Basically thats really all I'm concerned with.. I think those factors help me to price Fairly.
SORRY but in my opinion, there are simply too many Signing Services out there. Period. All fighting for the same deals.. They all want Notaries that will make THEM look good.
WE get the Background Check. WE get a Bond, and Errors n Omissions Insurance.
WE pay our membership fees. WE must dress professionally.
BUT they keep more of the fee than I get. And then to agree to my fee then with hold the deal in hopes of finding someone CHEAPER ? If its that bad - their company is not healthy.
Which is a shame - I'd looked up this company here in the Forums, and they'd gotten mostly good reviews..

Reply by Demore on 2/25/08 6:41pm
Msg #237129

Thankx! For your response and again I agree 100 percent with you.
I use to ask and still consider asking them for zip code. I do not tell them about zones. It is my thinking process that I call a system for better establishes my fee. When I travel out of this county it has neighbors far as 25 miles and still in the same county. This is the reason I did share it with you.
You are Ok and it is very clear that we a THINKING and VALUE the pros and cons of be a professional. We need to pride ourselves. Otherwise, still many people over there who does not care about our self-esteem. They are self-fish and want to make money on our EXPENSIVE. I do not allow it to happen.
I consider this work as intellectual property for many reasons. One of these reasons knows how to protect our credibility.
As you mentioned we do have all these credentials and someone is trying to take advantage of our good faith. No!!!! NO!!!
We need to be UNITED on this new Notary's journey!

Reply by claudine osborne on 2/25/08 8:31pm
Msg #237147

CJ,

I recieved a call (big company) met my fee no problem..next I am ready to print docs..they call asking if my fee was negotiable? Sorry no, then he says thats ok, you do a good job for us..we will pay your fee, but you can't blame us for trying? Ok off to work I go! I love this business!

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 2/26/08 2:05pm
Msg #237242

Unbelievable!