Posted by Barbara Echard on 2/12/08 9:46am
Msg #235010

RE: Century Document Services posted 01/30/08

Unfortunately, sometimes things get thrown out of proportion and not all the details are remembered or brought to surface.
First, I do not get involved in these forums, but, when it was brought to my attention that my name was used, (without my permission I might add), to back derogitory remarks about a signing company that I do business with on a regular basis, well, I figured it was time to get involved.
The reason is, to clear the air as to the instance of the signing mentioned in this forum.
I was called first by Darla to originaly do this signing, as I am her primary contact in this area and do probably 95% of her signings here.
I was unavailable to do the signing howerver on the appointed date that was needed for this signing. So Darla called Becky. The signing was then rescheduled and Darla went back to her main contact, me. I had no idea at this time as to the rescheduling of the appointment.
When Becky & I were discussing appointments, it came up that I was doing this very signing. Becky was disturbed, I felt bad, but when I realized that it was the same appointment that I was called on first, I mentioned it to Becky. I don't think Becky caught that part of the conversation.
Darla did what she felt was appropriate as I am her primary contact in this area.
Darla is one of most honest and reliable sources for signings, and also for getting paid, and in this market today, that is really saying something.
She pays what she can from some of the tightest paying companies out there.
I know that I would not have had all the signings that I have had, if it were not for Darla from Century Docs calling me.
Darla was the first to get me my W9, & she also caught a 1st & 2nd pmt on a signing that I did in Jan this year, and paid me the extra on that too, (if she was dishonest she could have played dumb & kept the extra, but she didn't, and she even paid me within 2 1/2 weeks of the signing because she got paid.) Darla does not believe in hanging on to the money and paying later. She pays her signers as she gets paid.
I am still doing business with Century Document Services and will continue to do so.
This is why I do not get involved in these forums as they are a dumping ground for all the disgruntled notaries out there.
Yes, there are a few companies out there that I will not do business with either, but I have always thanked GOD for anything that is sent my way, and I have the right to turn down any company that I do not wish to do business with, without going on line and slandering them. This after all is our rite in this country to pick and choose our own work and our own pay.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/13/08 10:28am
Msg #235116

Sorry, I'm with Becky. Darla was wrong.

Yes, Darla should have called you first. No question about it.

When you couldn't do the signing, Darla called Becky. Becky accepted the signing. Fine. All is well. Good for Darla for finding a competent Notary; Becky has income coming in.

The signing got cancelled through no fault of Becky. Becky had reserved time, had done her paperwork (or computerwork), and was prepared to go as requested. Possibly Becky refused other signings for the appointment time. (No knowing when the signing was cancelled, I can't tell whether it was an hour before or a day before.)

When the signing got rescheduled, Darla forgot all about her previous commitment to Becky and called Barbara. WRONG thing to do!

Because Becky had made an investment in the signing that got cancelled she should have been the one to be called _first_ when the signing was rescheduled. If Becky was not available, then Barbara should have had the next chance.

If Darla chose to call Barbara _first_ for all subsequent signings and call Becky _second_, then Becky should have no complaints. Becky did her job and got paid. Darla's loyalty should still be to her primary resource. No question.

Cancelled signings are a fact of life. It may be thought that the Notary Signing Agent that accepted the signing that was subsequently cancelled has not lost anything. Unfortunately that's just not true. We've spent a few minutes of our time (not _usually_ a big deal), but we may have cancelled other plans in order to accomodate the borrower's schedule. We certainly would refuse other appointments that would conflict with the already-scheduled signing.

The Notary that accepts a signing always deserves the first chance of doing the signing if it is rescheduled. It's just _fair._

Reply by ohionotary on 2/14/08 10:46am
Msg #235261

Re: Sorry, I'm with Becky. Darla was wrong.

Ernest,

Thank you. I'm glad to see that someone else understands about the time and paperwork that was invested, which I was never compensated for.

Whether Barbara was called first is irrelevant. She turned it down because she was unavailable at the time the signing was scheduled. I was contacted and I accepted the signing. Therefore, Barbara should not have been given the signing when the borrowers rescheduled, unless I had turned it down. It doesn't matter if Barbara is her primary contact or not.

What Darla did was wrong plain and simple and it upsets me that there are other notaries that seem to be defending her actions.

As far as identifying Barbara and/or using her name without permission, I never used anything more than her first name. I didn't reveal her last name or location. (I would have gotten her permission for that because then I would have revealed her identity.) She revealed that herself when she chose to respond to this post using her full name. Sorry Barb, you ID'd yourself.

Reply by ohionotary on 12/31/08 1:27pm
Msg #273216

I spoke to Darla today, 12-31-08. I did get paid for my signing. There apparently was a misunderstanding/miscommunication between Darla, her schedulers, and myself concerning a signing that I was supposed to do for her company last year. At the time, Darla did call and apologize for the situation. I explained to her per our phone call today why I was upset at the time. During the course of our conversation, she sounded like a genuinely friendly, nice person.

I've read several posts regarding Century Documents since my experience and all are positive. I no longer do loan signings, but from the comments that I've read I wouldn't be afraid to accept one from her company.

Reply by ohionotary on 12/31/08 1:45pm
Msg #273224

I spoke to Darla today, 12-31-08. I did get paid for my signing. There apparently was a misunderstanding/miscommunication between Darla, her schedulers, and myself concerning a signing that I was supposed to do for her company last year. At the time, Darla did call and apologize for the situation. I explained to her per our phone call today why I was upset at the time. During the course of our conversation, she sounded like a genuinely friendly, nice person.

I've read several posts regarding Century Documents since my experience and all are positive. I no longer do loan signings, but from the comments that I've read I wouldn't be afraid to accept one from her company.

Reply by ohionotary on 1/3/09 5:25am
Msg #273415

As requested, I am adding the following statement:

I am retracting my previous statement about Darla Rock being a shady, dishonest, liar.