Posted by Alicia Stidham on 1/24/08 9:16pm
Msg #232266

I've become one of them

Had a call from Gary Widmer (great guy) to do a REO for Friday am.. no problem!! He had given me plenty of advanced notice and very timely on docs etc etc etc. I had to call him at 9:15 tonight and cancel on him for a am signing.. I feel like such a schmuck and of all reasons "my babysitter cancelled", which is true. My back up sitters (2 others)are not available and I'm afraid I have fallen under his DO NOT CALL EVER AGAIN notary list.. I could be overreacting.. Sylvia and all other experienced notaries, how would you feel if you were him? Do you think I'll ever hear from him again?

Reply by Becca_FL on 1/24/08 9:25pm
Msg #232269

If I were you, I would have made arrangements for another NSA, a trusted NSA, in my area to handle it for me. If you don't have an overflow go to NSA in your area, you really should. My over flow go to helped my out of a sticky wicket when my SO needed an emergency procedure one day. I simply called the TC and explained the situation, let them know that I had made arrangements for soandso to cover the closing and here is the contact number and email address. I apologized profusely and said "I hope this won't reflect badly on my rating with you and I hope that you will continue to call me first in this area, but I'm sure you understand that emergencies do happen."

The truth is some will consider a child care issue an emergency and some will not. You just need to always have plan A,B,C,D and E if need be.

Reply by Alicia Stidham on 1/24/08 9:35pm
Msg #232272

My last resort is my sis-in-law who is also a SA in the area.. we are not overly saturated. She was in the ER w my brother about to be admitted to hospital for possible gall stones or something like that. Not real sure on that update yet. This guy seems to be a really stand up guy and I did appologize profusely. I will be sure to contact him again tomorrow and again grovel Hopefully I wont be on his $h!7 list. TIA

Reply by MistarellaFL on 1/25/08 1:01pm
Msg #232354

always have plan A,B,C,D and E if need be.

ov vey, don't I know about THAT.
Long 2 days ahead....

Reply by ME/NJ on 1/24/08 10:21pm
Msg #232277

We have a 3 month old and have 3-4 baby sitters lined up, I did have a close call 3 weeks ago but it worked out. Seems latley I am spending more time setting up coverage and double coverage for all hours of the day and night.

The other night I lost out on a last minute deal, closing was 5 minutes away and they needed someone there in 2 hours. I knew I could not get someone to watch the baby that quick and do the closing. I did give them names to try and hope they call me back.

Last minute deals will kill me now, I have sitters lined up for EOM and guess what NADA. Just another hurdle in life what can you do.

Reply by JohnnyB on 1/25/08 4:02am
Msg #232291

You need to have a back up plan for your babysitter who cancelled at last minute, because business is business. Don't sweat it though, it is just one company. It could have been worse, you could have taken the 3 month old to the closing. With the starving times we have now, I am sure they filled your spot quickly

Reply by SReis on 1/25/08 6:39am
Msg #232293

Thats the only thing I hate about the job. With everything always seeming to be last minute I am constantly scrambling to find child care. I am lucky enough, however, to have family in the area & neighbors & friends who are usually willing to help out. In the end, however, your kids have to come first. The only time I ever had to drop out at the last minute was when my son was admitted to Children's for a month. The SS I was working with was my biggest acct & MORE than understanding, given the situation.

I do think it is unrealistic to have 2nd/3rd back up plans for babysitting. You just need to make sure who you do have is reliable. Thats why family is usually the best because they understand that you really have your business riding on them helping you out. GOOD LUCK!!

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/25/08 10:55am
Msg #232327

here's the thing n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/25/08 11:16am
Msg #232331

Let's try it again

He may be the nicest guy in the world but the business pressures on any business owner. manager, or boss of any kind are heavy and time is short. (been there, done that). When a person "calls in sick", they need to get it said in 30 seconds or less. I will bet when you called, you had this big long explanation that took a long time and during that time, his mind went to who he is going to get to replace you and he did not hear you at that time. He might have even replied with something like "So, you are cancelling?" making you wonder if he was even listening. When he heard you were canceling, he was angry and that is when he told you that he was putting you on the don't call list.

Give him some time to cool off, then call or go in in person if he is local, and aplolgize for all the inconvience you caused him and if he gives you another chance, it won't happen again. Chances are, once he cools off is he may feel bad about the whole thing and will give you another chance (bosses remorse). Don't give him any more excuses for what happened. Just leave that part go. Network with other local notaries that you trust that can fill in for you should a family emergency happen again. In business, my favorite employee was one who replaced themself when they were sick. Sick and emergencies happen. It's how you respond to them that count. Believe me, the boss will understand.

Reply by kathy/ca on 1/25/08 10:25am
Msg #232321

In the biz world, child care is not considered a good reason

to not do the job (of course, in the real world, we moms all know it is)! Unfortunatley, you MAY be considered a "risk" with just this one company AND, any other Notary you send in your place my impress them so much, he/she then becomes their "go to" notary for your area. Just do all that you can to stand behind your word in the future. In the business world, personal problems are pretty much meaningless. I wish you well and remember this is just one company out of hundreds.

Reply by Charm_AL on 1/25/08 10:54am
Msg #232326

Re: In the biz world, child care is not considered a good reason

I'll get fried for this. I had an appointment on a mid morning and my child woke up sick, she could not attend school. I called the borrower, which I had spoken to and confirmed with the day before. This was the very first and only time I gave them the option, getting another notary, bringing her, or them coming here. They were so easy going, offering that they had no little ones round and to bring her if she felt up to it. I knew she'd feel better later in the day and took her.
There.....my big ugly confession

I think Alabama has a much more laid back look at children (family) issues according to what I've seen here and I think it's wonderful. My only comparison Chicago and fortune 500s

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/25/08 11:18am
Msg #232333

Charm, n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/25/08 1:51pm
Msg #232359

Sorry, my power went out ,, Anyway Charm

The difference is you took care of it yourself without involving the person who hired you. I bet if the BO wanted a different notary, you had that covered also ..

You would be on "My favorite employees" list as I explained above as you handled the issue and had a backup plan. Kudos to you.

Reply by SReis on 1/25/08 8:29pm
Msg #232439

Kudos????

Never mind the fact that she brought her child to the closing but on top of that the kid was sick. Kudos??? I think NOT. I'm sure the hiring entity would NOT be happy about that one. I'm NOT going to ream her for doing it but I def would NOT congratulate her either.

Reply by Alicia Stidham on 1/25/08 9:14pm
Msg #232449

Update

He wasn't too mad.. he called me twice today for 3 more signings. BTW He is a more "local" guy, and doesn't seem to have his head up his rear. I've also been honest with him since he first contacted me to do a signing. I don't tend to BS anyone and in return I expect the same. Thanks for the input though, its interesting to see the different input from different regions. Have a crazy, fun EOM!!

Reply by Joan_OH on 1/26/08 8:36pm
Msg #232581

Watch how much credit you extend to Gary Widmar.

Gary owes me for 3 closings from May & June of 2007. I gave him until last Friday to pay me. Monday is my trip to the courthouse to file small claims. I wouldn't extend too too much credit and certainly don't let him get behind.

I like Gary - nice guy. But business is business and I'm in collection mode this month.

Joan-OH