Posted by Dana Velkers on 7/27/08 12:35am
Msg #257097

I know we all

Have been a very successful notary for close to three yeers now. A primary member of Not Rot for just as many. Never got involved in discussions on the forum. However, as Countrywide FSLD has closed just about everywhere. Lost my two accounts at $200-$300 when sometimes I would close as many as 65 a month, and now nothing. I have become very fond of the discussion on this board as I try to get advice, knowledege, ideas, etc to build a business I have a feeling is gone. Have many times wanted to participate, but don't want to get beaten to a pulp as I am not a frequent poster. However, after the myraids of posts about fees and the calls I get about sh@@ ass fees thought I would throw in my two cents.

Have any of you looked at the lack of calls you are receiving from your big accounts. Well, it is not because they do not like you, it is because they do not have business. They have gone from what was a successfull business as most of have, to just about nothing. So what have you and I done. Well we find ways to cut our driving, find paper sales, yada yada yada. What the heck do you think our SS's that were so lucky to have us work for them, tc's etc are doing to cut their costs. Finding ways as we are and the first thing they see is cut the fee they pay us lonely notaries.

So I am not here agreeing with the fees nor accept them but thought we should all think about just where this notary business really is going. Was at a title company last week and heard the new thought is escrow officers will soon work from home and they travel to borrowers to sign loans. Are we all just wasting time or is this truly a viable business now.

Reply by Nomad/OR on 7/27/08 1:23am
Msg #257098

I doubt any Escrow officers are going to want

to drive out to my part of the country. If they are hired specifically to do that task, then they would probably cost more just to keep them in between signings than it would cost to hire me on a per job basis. One of the benefits to living out here in the sticks is that I'm in a closer position to service the country and smaller towns. The closest town to me only has about a thousand people. Of course the drawback is that I don't have the volume of the densely populated areas, which again would make that cost prohibitive for an escrow agent.

I'm also seeing an increase in my business over last year. I have had to raise my fees due to increased costs, but the stronger companies are able to meet them while the weaker ones beg off and do not call back. I have lost quite a few signings for $50-$90 simply because it is cost prohibitive for me. I am fine with this because it seems that the small paying job offers are becoming fewer for me while the ones that meet my fees are starting to come more often.

I seriously doubt that what we do is a dying business. We fill an important niche in the current state of technology due mainly in part to the advent of the internet. No longer is it that the man of the house supports the entire family by working at the same job for forty years. Most families of today seem to have husband and wife both working which limits the ability for people to coordinate and get the time to meet during banker's hours to get documents signed.

Even with all the 'Sky is falling' mentality going on out there regarding foreclosures, I still see us as an industry in it's development stage.

When I say we provide an important service, I don't mean the hip hip hooray for us kind of junk, but that we provide others the convenience of not having to try to change a rigid schedule or take a whole day just to drive to town to find an office to do what they could have done in their own house at their own time of choosing.

I think I'm rambling here...

Let the weaker agencies die off because they can't negotiate proper terms. This is a capitalist society and you make it or you don't. Government bailouts is what is helping the failures to survive just to fail again. I choose to support the stronger agencies and Title companies by stating my fees and rejecting the money losing bids. - let the natural law of selection thin out the herds.

Reply by Dana Velkers on 7/27/08 1:40am
Msg #257099

Re: I doubt any Escrow officers are going to want

I agree with everything you say and especially believe, what escrow officer wants that added job task of ours in travelling to homes. I was amazed when I heard of it and thought wow what escrow officer really wants to take on our job. I threw out my thoughts as I was really just getting tired of all the disgust with fee discussion, as well as my digust with it too. I am very sad and depressed right now about this biz

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/27/08 2:34am
Msg #257100

Re: I doubt any Escrow officers are going to want

The point is that it may mean an escrow officer having a job or not having one at all. If it came down to that, I imagine many would be more than happy to do our job if it kept them out of the unemployment line, like so many of their other counterparts.

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/27/08 2:48am
Msg #257101

Dana, Nomad, JanetK...3 of the best posts this year! imho

Perhaps (in large cities) Escrow Officers will travel (a bit) if the choice is not working at all. However, I do think that they will not be able to do this as cost-effectively as the nearest NSA in most areas of the country.

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 9:31am
Msg #257107

The current climate

When this biz was booming, people were throwing $ around like crazy. It didn't matter. 22 yo LO's were making 400k a year. Currently TC's are closing down left and right. Everyone has to cut costs to survive. Industry standard is $90. Anything less, someone is cheating you. Anything more is icing. People, not only in this industry, are working longer and harder. You can still make a good living. I get a bad rap on this board. But what these people don't know is I am out there working harder than the next guy to get these new businesses on board. I get to my office at 5:45am. I leave usually at 6pm only to go home and resume on my remote desktop. I don't stop until the last loan closes. Yes, EO's are also signing loans to supplement their income. Remote areas are harder to fill at these fees. However, TC's still pay me the same fee. It is MY job to find someone. We take the loss. If someone I feel is being greedy, he will not get another call. Their are notaries eveywhere, you just have to know where to look. We very rarely use an NSA with less than 4-5 years experience. Yes it is depressing if you look at this business and dwell on the $200-$300 signings, they are gone. But if you look at it another way, it sounds good. 2 hours tops for $90. Yes there are costs. It doesn't cost $25 to print docs. So for arguement sake, you make $35/hr. People all over this country can only dream of $35/hr. So is the glass half-empty or half-full? You can either sit at home all day writing about how many signings you turned down on NotRot or be out there making a pretty good living. I am not as they say trying to convince anyone, I have plenty in my system. I'm just tired of listening to the same old gang over and over everyday talking the same things. Then they blast anyone that has a differing opinion. THEY are the minority and their anger stems from their realization of this fact. They industry has changed and , sad to say, some people need to accept it or move on.
I apologize for the rambling but I really needed to get this off my chest.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/27/08 9:43am
Msg #257112

you are an IDIOT (yup, I sure am being negative)

What is so tough to grasp about your concept vs. ours? We, individually, do not make that $35 an hour. WE ARE NOT EMPLOYEES. We are self employed business owners. A business making $35 an hour is NOTHING in today's dollars.

Yes, business is VERY slow for everyone. I only completed 53 loans in July (low for me). My lowest fee was $120. Most were $150. A few $175 or $200. And, one more time, none of these were local title companies.

Or perhaps my subject line is wrong ... you may be brilliant if your subliminal constant message is that $90 is standard and no one continues to put forth another view point.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 9:46am
Msg #257114

TROLL ALERT:I'm just tired of listening to the same old gang

Then go away NNS...this is not your electronic billboard.
Take your propaganda elsewhere...we are tired of listening to the same old, same old advertising and justifications from YOU. We know how much it costs to print edocs, and we are not going to do them "at cost"...we are companies and individuals looking to MAKE A PROFIT.
We don't believe you...we know better.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 7/27/08 9:52am
Msg #257117

Re: The current climate

***It doesn't cost $25 to print docs.***

Without even addressing what the cost is of printing documents, your comment illustrates the one-dimensional thinking that I often encounter among signing services.

I do not base my fees, whether closings fees or printing fees, on what an activity costs me. I base them on what I can perform an activity for ***and make a profit at it.*** Printing, which requires both resources and time, is a revenue center for me. I **expect*** to make a profit from it, and you should expect to pay a fee sufficient for me to profit from it.

If you do not wish to pay what I assess for any component of my services, you are, as you note, free to seek out another signing agent. Please do not, though, before you go on down the road, attempt to tell me how to determine the value of any of my services.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/27/08 10:03am
Msg #257118

Re: The current climate

You are soooo right. Last minute docs are not the only reason for e-docs. Anyone in the field knows that the real reason is that it is cheaper for us to print than the title company and/or lender. I routinely have docs a day or more ahead of time. I certainly also have my share of last minute but that is a different rant for a different time. It is cheaper to pay us $50 to print the docs than it is for an employee (whose actual wage to the employer is MUCH higher than $35 an hour) to print, package, prepare the label and pay the shipping. For them to hit "send' a few times much more cost effective. Does no one else read a settlement sheet? The companies that show their e-doc fee generally charge $50-$85 (saw one not too long ago that charged $200 as 'download' fee - I did the downloading and printing but I didn't get that $200 !!). That's why I've never understood why so many charge $25 as their standard for e-docs .

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 10:18am
Msg #257125

$50 print fee?? You must be nuts

If you ever said that to me or anyone else you would never get a job. As I asked you the last time and never received an answer to, What happens when your $175 TC gets a clue. If they get a call from a good SS and gets the same job done at say a 33% savings then what? They might not jump all in right away, but once they see the job is being done right by very qualified NSA's, what do you think they will do? I'm sure they really like you but do you really believe they like you that much. Let's say they close 100 loans a month. They will now save 33% on not just yours, but all. Face it Sue, even though you might be one of the best, no one is that good. The vindustry has changed.

Reply by Dave_CA on 7/27/08 10:35am
Msg #257138

False assumption

Stating that the TC will save $ by reducing the signing fee should be incorrect.
IF the TC is showing the actual signing fee on the HUD, as I believe is proper, then any reduction will save the bwr, not the TC. If they show a higher fee but just pay us less then they would save $ but it would not be proper.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/27/08 11:59am
Msg #257160

No I'm not, that's what you can't comprehend

I am not the only one ... I am one of the VERY few who still post on these boards that have been around for the growth, changes and developments in this business. I don't pretend to have any in depth knowledge of the lending business. I have a practical view, from the field. I've got a stable of approx. 100 clients that I would call 'active' (a relative term at this point in time).

To answer your question - didn't see it posed previously. I absolutely will lose certain clients due to fee issues. I also will retain and gain clients for that very reason. It's a cycle. I've lost clients due soley to fee. I've gotten them back after 6 months, a year or even 2 years. Some have disappeared forever. Some we've reached compromises regarding fees and services. Some will only call me when they have a problem order or one they can't fill. What do I care? I'd rather take 5 orders from a client a year at $150 than receive 15 from them at $75.

One time our good friend Suzanne had a quote along the lines of ... if you're hired because you're the cheapest you'll be replaced for the same reason... Oh Suzanne, your wisdom is sorely missed in this business.

2 examples: two years ago I had a lot of problems year end with orders for a certain client. They were purchases. It seems the E&O permits were not issued for an ENTIRE community set to close in a time span of two days. I also had other closings at other locations for this company - plus work for other clients. Needless to say, work backed up, buyers were furious, tensions were running high. I got each and every loan completed when I was given the go ahead. Heads were rolling (not mine) and procedures were revamped. One of the changes was to get me help. Fox Signing was at the door at the exact moment necessary. My client decided to give them a try and gave them 1/2 my work the following month. They told me this. They told me one day that someone would be handling a closing after the one I had scheduled. I walked out of the office and called my contact immediately and said they were in BIG trouble if the closer was the person I thought it was. I was wrong. It was worse. This poor guy had no clue. Within 10 minutes I had a phone call from my client - she was in tears. The buyers (and their realtor, oops, she happened to be the vp's wife) had thrown this poor guy out and she wanted to know if I could go back. I got all my orders back for the month and they haven't tried to get me any 'back up' since then. Anyway, in this case, paying someone $50 (overnighted docs) certainly wasn't worth it ... back to me getting ALL the orders in my area and back to my $200 fee. By the way, they weren't fee shopping when they decided to try Fox out - they were trying to give me backup. They found out very quickly, at least in this case, you get what you pay for.

Next example. A good client of mine uses signing services on occasion. I get the bulk of the work in my area. A month or so ago a signing service with a poor rep was calling around late on a Friday night looking for someone for Saturday. I received the order direct from my client on Monday. Borrowers told me the notary was a no show on Saturday. I don't know if the service found someone who was a no show or if she couldn't find anyone to show up. Signing service was on the HUD - she charged $20 less than my fee. I wonder how much she was willing to pay a notary?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 12:15pm
Msg #257163

Re: No I'm not, that's what you can't comprehend

Exactly, Sue. Had similar things happen to me, too.
Sometimes they have tried SS, but always come back to me directly, due to incometance and lack of responsibility issues.

This is EXACTLY why he is trying to propogage that fee to experienced agents.

(His fees seem to be based on the XYZ's suggested fees.)

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 12:21pm
Msg #257168

Re: No I'm not, that's what you can't comprehend

hit send too soon...

This is EXACTLY why he is trying to propogage that fee to experienced agents.

He wants experienced agents to accept that fee and is trying to use fear and initmidation
to get it.

I know there is a subprime meltdow, I know volume is reduced, but I also
know that expenses have risen significantly....and my fees have remained the same.
To continue what I do, I cannot afford to reduce my fees to what he is telling us is
industry standards.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 12:37pm
Msg #257174

Bad speeling = my passion for this idiot to go away

propogage = propogate
initmidation= intimidation

Reply by jba/fl on 7/27/08 1:41pm
Msg #257180

Re: Bad speeling = my passion for this idiot to go away

Keep trying - you will get it right...LOL Propagate. Spelling. I forget the other one, I don't really care either. Be calm - it's Sunday and it just isn't worth it for you to get this discombobulated. I'm off to have a vodka gimlet - wish you could join me and we would laugh the clowns away tegether, or maybe together.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/08 2:15pm
Msg #257187

Bad speeling doesn't count on forums UNLESS...

You are a signing service telling notaries they are making "unproffesional post(s)" [sic] when they shed a little light over on your camel dung pile.

Yikes!

People can see it for what it is.

Oops...hurry and cover it up...they might realize it's actually excrement piles..and not just nitrogen rich fertilizer.

Reply by CaliNotary on 7/27/08 12:26pm
Msg #257169

Re: No I'm not, that's what you can't comprehend

"due to incometance"

I'm not saying a word

Reply by dickb/wi on 7/27/08 1:39pm
Msg #257179

beg your pardon, but i routinely got $50 for e-docs untill..

just recently......because i only work for title co's [except for 2 ss who are awesome] i have reluctantly agreed to take $35....when it goes below that they will have to overnight the docs.......another of my .02

Reply by Nomad/OR on 7/27/08 10:08am
Msg #257120

Re: The current climate

'Yes it is depressing if you look at this business and dwell on the $200-$300 signings, they are gone.'

Nope, not true. At least not true for me. I AM getting good pay. Maybe YOU should start trying to reject the low offers and see if you can stop the landslide in YOUR business. It's working for me.

Good Luck to you.

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/27/08 10:12am
Msg #257121

Re: The current climate

I will grant that getting new clients must be a constant for you, particularly because the low fees 'allowed' will not buy experience--because 'experience' has figured out that $90 just doesn't cut it. And where you get the idea of '2 hours tops' baffles me. Not saying I've never had one, but a 2 hr. gig is rarer than unicorns around here. And, as Hugh pointed out, 'services' require profit, not just covering the costs involved (which are constantly increasing).

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/08 10:20am
Msg #257126

Can someone point NNS to the SS Whining & Propaganda Board?

**Yes it is depressing if you look at this business and dwell on the $200-$300 signings, they are gone. **

Are you from Texas?

You seem to be very familiar with the Fine Art of BS--another "all hat and no cattle" mouthpiece.

(I said, "BS" because I had written out Bull$h1t, then edited for Lisa.)

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/27/08 9:32am
Msg #257108

Would this not create a conflict?

Escrow officers (or their companies) get paid a substantial amount of money for their work on the file - pre-, during and post-closing - IMO they're certainly not independent parties to the transaction - by virtue of their employment with the company they have a financial interest in the outcome...JMHO

Reply by NCLisa on 7/27/08 9:45am
Msg #257113

Re: Would this not create a conflict?

It is not a conflict because it is actually the EO's job to close the loan. The only reason they are handing it off to an NSA is because the borrower either doesn't want to go to the EO, or they can't get there during business hours. In areas that have EO's and Settlement Agents the NSA is a convenience and not necessary to the process. The TC is considered the neutral 3rd party to closing the loan, sure they like their slice of the pie, but unlike the MB and LO they are not losing a ton of money if it doesn't close, and in most states the DOI allows for the TC to charge for the title work they've already done if the loan cancels. In CA we were allowed to charge $300 per cancelled file in 2000, not sure about now.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/27/08 9:46am
Msg #257115

not really

Keep in mind I don't totally understand the 'escrow officer' concept.

When you go to a title company and close in office or go to your local attorney, it's the same situation. There is no requirement for the closer to be an independent party to the transaction.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/27/08 9:42am
Msg #257111

I know of two large Title Companies here in CO that now have their Sales Reps work from home. No salary, no desk, no car allowance, no expense account, no office computer, etc. They do get a commission, and a Blackberry. As far as escrow/closing people, they now, and have been, closing their own (local) loans.(in the office) In the case of a borrower that absolutely can’t come in to an office, they go to them and close. (they all fight over who gets to do this, because its time out of the office, and counts as several hours of work time) So this is nothing new. But as you say…The business just is NOT there anymore, and IMO will NEVER come back to where it was.

Reply by 101livescan on 7/27/08 10:25am
Msg #257127

TCs in my area are bare bones now. There are a lot of empty desks and offices, the stars of these companies have either retired, been laid off because their contracts could not be renewed at the existing pay level and commissions slashed or simply moved onto another field. It is clearly a different kind of loan business. When we were at the crest of the wave a few years back, it was because of all the sub prime loans being underwritten, now many of those loans have defaulted. Last month there was a huge auction in Bakersfield, CA. Many of those properties were bought by people in my county who bought them for 50 cents on the dollar of what the loan amounts were when they defaulted, including foreclosure costs. That was my month end in July. We aren't near the bottom yet. There will be more, this industry has changed tremendously. I only work for lenders, title companies and signing services who recognize the true cost and convenience to the borrower of outsourcing the notary/loan signing event. As far as I am concerned, $25 to print documents is break even, when you consider time, materials and convenience. I have seen the number $50 to handle edocs on the settlement statement, and saving the cost of fedex at least on one leg (escrow to NSA). Any way, I hate the haggling with low paying signing services, and I will only work for the best ones who recognize the importance of an NSA who can walk and chew gum at the same time and get all the documents in a nice little package ready for the borrower to sign, prepare a correct FEDEX or UPS airbill and not try to pound down the scope of work and cost involved.

You're right the biz has forever changed. Option arm loan programs are a thing of the past. Many of these people will never have the chance to get into a home again. Lenders are in trouble, they are reviewing borrowers more closely than ever, they have raised the bar on qualifying borrowers for loans. Only the fittest will survive! Think of all the lenders, title companies and signing services that have disappeared from the radar screen. There is still more carnage to come.

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 10:32am
Msg #257132

Excellent post 101 n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:37am
Msg #257139

Re: Excellent post 101

<<<As far as I am concerned, $25 to print documents is break even>>>

This should be another eye opener for you, NNS.
Even the people you agree with, agree that $25 doc printing is breaking even.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/29/08 12:02am
Msg #257420

I have never seen a printing fee on a HUD...

I have never seen a printing fee on a HUD that was LESS than $50!! And as someone else said, I've seen downloan fees higher than that (also when I was the one to download the docs). The NNA post was just so much propaganda again. That may be their business plan, but it doesn't have to be ours. I would not disagree, however, that the industry has changed. I anticipate that it will be at least another several years before this downward cycle ends.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/27/08 9:48am
Msg #257116

Thanks...was just a thought...:) n/m

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 10:07am
Msg #257119

Re: Thanks...was just a thought...:)

Linda, in addition to closing their own local loans, these same people will notarize other TC loans. Everyone is hurting and this is a way for them to get additional income. And they are certainly not newbies. This has been my point all along. They obviously know what they are doing and will gladly accept $90. So why do others get so offended when I say this?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/27/08 10:14am
Msg #257122

My comment wasn't addressed to you NNS

it was to the two people who graciously addressed the question I posted.

When I said the other day I was over you and your self-serving posting I meant it...

To all others...please don't give this guy any more stage time - PLEASE!! Now we have another full day of his promotional garbage....ugh...

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:16am
Msg #257123

ADVERTSING: NNS doesn't even pay for a SS profile here

Maybe Harry will start deleting this electronic billboard advertising.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/08 10:26am
Msg #257129

FlaMac spouted "nonsense". It will only be a matter of

time before Harry gets enough of this nonsense covering up his board and NNS can go sit with her in the corner.

Perhaps we should start a thread...

"If you are tired of NNS posting propaganda on this board, say "I am."

I AM.

Brenda Stone - Texas

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/27/08 10:32am
Msg #257135

I AM! n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:38am
Msg #257140

I AM. TOO n/m

Reply by Charles_Ca on 7/27/08 11:41am
Msg #257157

I certainly am! NNS just spouts out the same old, same old

each post is just like those before as if saying it often enough makes it so: it doesn't! BS remains Bull Excrement and most of the experienced here have had their BS detectors ringing at an all time high lately, I know mine has been.

Reply by jba/fl on 7/27/08 1:59pm
Msg #257183

I AM n/m

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 10:28am
Msg #257130

Advertising?? Try differing point of view

What you fail to realize is I am not trying to advertise to you or anyone else on this board. I have plenty of NSA's in my system, 15,000 to be exact. I am just tired of reading the same BS day in and day out from the same people. Whenever someone has a differing point of view, you all attack. I have my own opinion and I am definitely not scared to share it.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:32am
Msg #257134

Re: Advertising?? Try differing point of view

<<<I am just tired of reading the same BS day in and day out from the same people. >>>

Then go somewhere else and stop reading this forum. You were not invited, and this is not a board for SS's to post/advertise/whine.

DON'T GO AWAY MAD, NNS, JUST GO AWAY.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/27/08 10:44am
Msg #257142

Re: Advertising?? Try differing point of view

The only real problem is that your "opinion" is about the amount of our fees. Whenever you push the $90/signing thing, you are going to get attacked. If you do the math, we can't work for $90. I have thousands of dollars invested in equipment (computer, printers, fax,cellphones, car, etc.) Our operating costs are up, even though business is down. More than ever, we can't figure "volume" to cover costs. Anyone who wants to argue a fee of $25 for edocs is crazy. It is very cost effective for companies to use a notary for closings. It has been pointed out that it costs them far more to have an employee print docs & overnight them. If you didn't already know this you wouldn't be an ss with tons of notaries in your database. I'm not anti-ss, but you need to stop acting as though you control the industry. An ss serves as a liaison between tc's & notaries. Try to remember that without us you don't have a business in the first place. Good relationships are built on mutual respect. If you stop insulting notaries with a $90 fee you might gain our respect. Otherwise, you will be viewed as a "low-baller" who is making money from our efforts.

Reply by WDMD on 7/27/08 11:10am
Msg #257149

QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

I have a question for you NNS. You seem to think $90 is a fair fee that would cover all the expenses and still be profitable to a notary in a state which only requires a notary to legally do loan signings.

What would be a fair fee for a state that requires a title producer to legally conduct signings who has all of those expenses plus licensing, bonding and continuing education?

Reply by Vince/KS on 7/27/08 11:50am
Msg #257158

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

NNA does not have minimum entry level fees for persons meeting your criteria. Therefor, the minimum recomended NNA entry level fee would still be appropriate wouldn't it?

Reply by WDMD on 7/27/08 12:00pm
Msg #257161

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

I'm just curious what, if anything, the extra expenses a title producer incurs are worth in the eyes of a SS.

Reply by WDMD on 7/27/08 6:13pm
Msg #257205

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

"What would be a fair fee for a state that requires a title producer to legally conduct signings who has all of those expenses plus licensing, bonding and continuing education? "

No answer to that NNS? I see you have posted since this was originally posted, do you not have a response? Do you have signings for the state of Maryland? If so, do you just use notaries and not title producers? Is that why you do not have an answer for a fee for title producers?

Reply by The Notary National Signers on 7/27/08 6:52pm
Msg #257210

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

Never. We follow each individual states laws. To a TC, your costs don't matter. I am sorry for being so blunt. There is an abundance of LTP's in MD with years of experience doing $90 signings. We do not use people wiyh less than 4-5 years experience for the most part. You keep asking for my opinion. To be honest withy you, it really doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what a TC will pay and does anyone have trouble filling their orders with qualified people.

Reply by WDMD on 7/27/08 8:06pm
Msg #257217

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS

"There is an abundance of LTP's in MD with years of experience doing $90 signings"

An abundance huh? Thats laughable.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/08 8:36pm
Msg #257222

Re: QUESTION FOR NOTARY NATIONAL SIGNERS - WDMD

I couldn't wait to see your response to that one. You never, ever let me down.

Reply by MichiganAl on 7/27/08 1:34pm
Msg #257178

You're not sharing an opinion

You're pushing an agenda. When someone keeps droning on and on about the same one point over and over and over again, it's no longer a conversation. We've dealt with bullies who try to shove their point down our throat on this board plenty of times before. You make up this $90 is a fair fee lie because it suits YOUR crappy business model, not because it's actually true. You offer your services to title companies at dirt cheap fees so you can get their work (I'm guessing they're getting exactly what they pay for). Then you try peddle that same model onto us by saying we need to accept your model for us to survive. But it's YOUR survival you're scared to death about, not ours. Fortunately, our survival doesn't depend on low ball signing services with bad attitudes. You can keep saying $90 as many times as you like but we ain't buying the jalopy your selling. Here's an idea, how about you don't tell us what to charge? You're not our boss and we're not your employee. You don't tell us what we should be paid; we'll tell you what we charge. If you've got 15,000 NSAs in your database, then start calling them and don't worry about what we think. I'm sure you'll eventually find Suzie pin money to do signings for whatever fee you deem fair.

If title companies need to cut costs AND improve the quality of their closers, call a professional NSA directly.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/08 2:07pm
Msg #257186

Yes, Al! "But it's YOUR survival you're scared to death..."

about.

Bob/NNS doesn't care a whit about notaries who read this board. It's all about him.

**If you've got 15,000 NSAs in your database, then start calling them and don't worry about what we think. I'm sure you'll eventually find Suzie pin money to do signings for whatever fee you deem fair. **

Absolutely. Set up a board for those pathetically lost NSAs, put on your black sunglasses and send them the grape Kool-Aid.

(Now...doesn't it sound a bit familiar??)

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/27/08 10:17am
Msg #257124

Re: Thanks...was just a thought...:)

Because dollars to donuts, these folks are NOT using their own equipment, paper, toner nor paying self-employment taxes on every dollar they earn-- we HAVE to factor in these costs.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/27/08 10:26am
Msg #257128

Kinda got off the subject....

But I wanted to mention that several TC's I have worked for in the last 5 years, have decided to have staff work from home to reduce office costs. Some are having the EO's cover local closings, using NSA's for long-distance closings only, while some are using NSA's locally as well.
Fortunately, they have not asked me to reduce my fees, but certainly the volume is down.