Posted by Lee/AR on 5/8/08 11:42pm
Msg #246839

Insults and laughing.... just mouthing off here

I don't think anyone is being 'insulted' by low fees. They are simply dealing with a company that has lost its grip on reality. Explain it to them. Just use little words so they understand no businesses can work for free and any business expects...MUST...make a PROFIT. Laughing doesn't explain it. I'm not saying you need to go into detail on the expenses, but a simple statement that "what you are offering does not even pay my expenses, so I need $XXX." Repeated ad nauseum, if necessary. After hearing that 25 times for every signing they are trying to schedule--we can only hope that the message will penetrate. But they have to 'hear' the message first.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/8/08 11:44pm
Msg #246841

Excellent advice, Lee

Professional way to handle the situation.
Now, if we could get the majority of NSA's to follow suit....

Reply by RickinVA on 5/9/08 7:42am
Msg #246856

Re: Excellent advice, Lee

Ever try to herd cats? You've got no chance to get a majority of NSAs to do anything!

Rick

Reply by MW/VA on 5/9/08 8:37am
Msg #246863

Really good advice. We need to be reminded that as "professionals" whining & crying won't get you what you want. I don't accept low-balls, but that doesn't give me the right to be rude. No matter what, it is my reputation that is at stake.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/9/08 9:59am
Msg #246877

Strongly agree with reputation aspect!

Just because they can't use me today, doesn't mean that "perhaps" one day this SS won't come to their senses and land a good account and begin offering more. And it certainly isn't the scheduler's fault about what is being offered. Burning bridges is not an option here.

Reply by LKT/CA on 5/9/08 10:54am
Msg #246887

Great suggestion but I see a different problem. I went to a directory I'm listed with, typed in various zip codes in CA and around the country so I could see what fees Notaries listed. For those that did list fees, many base fees were $60, $65, $75 and one even said "for 20 pages or less $40". If companies looking to save a buck see those fees offered, guess who they call first?

Yesterday, I had one of my regulars call me for a signing and she told me what they paid and I told her I charged $XXX and she said, "Well, let me see if I can get someone to do it for $XX and if I can't, may I call you back?" Needless to say, she didn't call me back. They always paid my fee in the past (not the distant past but last month).

Reply by Charles_Ca on 5/9/08 1:04pm
Msg #246902

Excellent comment Lee, many think being offered a low

price should not be considered an insult. Everyone in business tries to reduce their costs. I'm sure that every notary looks for the leas expensive gas and the least expensive paper so shy shouldn't a user of notaries look for the least expensive notary? They do and until they find a floor they will keep pushing prices down expeciallyif ther are those who are soft on their pricing and we all knwo that they are aout there. My comment usually is that the Government works with the lowest bidder, do you really want that level of service? I just take it for what it is, I have a bottom line and my pricing is a reflection of that and if there is someone out there who can provide the same service at a lower price, well good for them: but they had better be sure of their pricing because if they are buying business, and some do, they won't be in business for long.