Posted by C. Wayne Moore on 5/31/08 3:23pm
Msg #249525

Performance Title, Diamondhead, MS Two Thumbs up!

Signing on 5/21/2008 received payment 5/31/2008. Met my fee. A breath of fresh air.

CW

Reply by Brenda/CA on 5/31/08 3:35pm
Msg #249527

I agree they are a great company. I did my first signing for them on 4/25/08 they met my fee and I received payment by 5/9/08.

Reply by Carmen/123 on 5/31/08 3:51pm
Msg #249528

I would have to agree they are a great....but why would you post a title company name and location on a nationwide directory for all of your competition to see and in turn to market to...singing service's are one thing but a good title company is another...just some food for thought.

Carmen

Reply by JamesLee/VA on 5/31/08 4:15pm
Msg #249531

Re: Food for thought Carmen

If we considered everyone competition. Why would we post anything of substance on this board? Why have it at all. There would be no reason for anyone to help anyone would there?

Thank you for the heads up C Moore. Trust me it is good to hear and it should be linked as a good company.

JLee

Reply by Carmen/123 on 5/31/08 4:28pm
Msg #249533

Re: Food for thought Carmen

I understand...and say what you will but I speak from experience....because of my work at 123 I hear horror stories every day.

C

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/31/08 6:42pm
Msg #249556

I couldn't agree more. If we put aside the issue of competition for the moment, consider the poor client. I don't think some people realize the impact of a post on a board like this. There are always many more people lurking than posting. Information like this could mean that some poor soul at the company in question is about to get bombarded -- even more than they already are -- by notaries trying to market to them. Most of these people are already stretched pretty thin because of lay-offs. The last thing they want is to begin getting calls from notaries from all over the country who want to work for them. And if they find out it's because of YOU, they may feel like crossing you off their list!!

Have a heart and give them a break, especially if you think they're so great. It's nice to hear good news, but I compeltely agree with Carmen that it's not a very smart business move to post the names of your best title co clients. Surely there are other ways of spreading good news without throwing the names of the good ones to the wolves. I know some of you will think it sounds selfish. However, I feel that a) you have to consider their best interests, and b) there's nothing wrong with earning good clients through your own hard work.

And, BTW, I would include some of the smaller signing services, too. If they're a small operation, they don't want an onslaught of calls, either. jmo

Reply by Marilynn Wells on 5/31/08 7:19pm
Msg #249559

They're listed in Signing Central--so what's the difference?

Reply by Carmen/123 on 5/31/08 7:41pm
Msg #249562

Thats part of the point they should have never been. Folks work really hard for their contacts. It takes years to build it. If its free for all then I might as well just name all of my contacts right now and so should everybody else. If they are trouble (no pay slow pay) that is another matter. If it is posted here and on other boards then it helps and protects us all. But just like folks don't usually share what their prices are on the board they shouldn't share contacts. It is just not a wise business plan. I am not saying not to share as I share all the time which many of you know, I have been referred clients to some of you, but you need to pick who you share with. Keep in mind this is a very competitive business and should be treated as such..this is not a charity.

Janet that was eloquently put; I couldn't have said it better myself.

Carmen

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/31/08 8:11pm
Msg #249567

Thanks, Carmen. Thanks also for bringing it up in the first place. It's something that's been said by many of us before, but I guess needed repeating.

Reply by C. Wayne Moore on 5/31/08 8:12pm
Msg #249568

Wow!

Didn't realize posting a positive comment would cause such negative responses. I am in Florida and do not consider anyone outside a 25-50 mile radius competition. I hope no one from CA drives to Orlando to do a signing.

CW

Reply by Carmen/123 on 5/31/08 8:18pm
Msg #249571

Re: Wow!

But this is where you are missing the point...folks in your own home area are reading this as well...

Carmen

Reply by C. Wayne Moore on 5/31/08 8:35pm
Msg #249573

Thanks!

Thanks Carmen. I sent an e-mail to the scheduler apologizing if I caused her any problems. I am slso a member at 123 and see many posts about good companies. I am not afraid of competition.

CW

Reply by chucke/fl on 5/31/08 9:24pm
Msg #249578

Re: Thanks!

Maybe I am being a little naive, because I feel if you have made a positive impression by being on top of your game (accurate, provide good customer service to client) you will build a good working relation with a title or signing service. With that being said, companies keep a record on who they can depend on and they will call you first, no matter how many notaries have canvass them. JMO

Reply by JamesLee/VA on 6/1/08 7:46am
Msg #249594

BRAVO!!

Well put chucke!! I have but my reputation on quality work, not the lowest price. I dont want to be known for the best price in town. I known for my quality workmanship. I have typically 3 to 4 closings a day for myself and at least 2 that I contract out. I also do not contract out for the cheapest price, but my clients know what they are getting back. A closing that is professionally conducted with return packages that are guaranteed to be error free. Thats how you cultivate your business relationships. I rarely work for signing services anymore, because yes they are looking for the cheapest guy in town.

You get what you pay for.

JLee

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/1/08 8:31am
Msg #249596

Re: BRAVO!!

I used to think quality meant something in our business...but with some hiring entities it is actually about the lowest price and little thought to quality, experience, or reputation.

You are right...cultivate business relationships with those who care about something more than skinning an extra $20, $50 or $75 off of the supposed signing fee.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/1/08 10:56am
Msg #249602

Re: BRAVO!!

Please tell me what you would do.
Let us say you are the manager of a medium sized Title Company, and your business is now half of what it was. You have done nationwide ‘remote closings’ for years, and have a good rapport, with many good experienced, and dependable notaries. The president of the company (that’s only job it taking people to lunch) says “We must cut costs! Why are you paying your notaries so damn much?” You say “Last month we had a 98 % successful closing rate with no mistakes. To do this and keep our clients happy it takes experienced, notaries, and they need a decent amount to get by. After all we charge $500.00 for closing costs, and they are really doing the closing. Boss says “Why do FA with their SS FASS, and LFC, and other big companies pay only $50? Why does Nations Direct, a big SS pay $40. You must be doing something wrong! We have to cut costs!” If you say “Why don’t you as President, that has never scheduled a signing, and have absolutely no clue as what it entails, take a cut in your salary, or your expense account?” You’re gone!

If you’re a SS having done this for some time, and have several Title Companies for customers, same scenario as above. And the accountants or powers at be, at Title say the same thing. We can’t pay you more, we need to cut costs. We like you, we appreciate your work. But if you don’t cut your fees we may have to go to Nations Direct, or some other lowballer. So to protect your notaries you refuse, and lose a client, and give the notaries no business, or you cut your fees and keep some business, but lose your best notaries, and double your work load trying to find someone good that will work for less.

Not all Title companies or SS’s are super greedy, or taking the food off your table. They are in a delemma, not of their causing.

If NO NOTARIES would work for no-pay or crooked, SS like SOX, or for the ridiculously low fees offered by some. The no-pay, low-pay companies would be out of business, or have to RAISE their fees. I guarantee NONE of the low-pay companies pay these kinds of fees in DE, WV, SC, GA, or MA. Why? Because no attorney is dumb enough to work for FREE!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/1/08 11:02am
Msg #249604

Re: BRAVO!!

But keep in mind, Les, that those are collecting full fees....and only paying the notary $50.
We are the only ones with the reduced fees, not the TC's/SS's.
That's the difference IMO.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/1/08 11:25am
Msg #249607

Re: BRAVO!!

The Title Companies..yes. Many SS’s that charged $225-$350 in the past are now down to less than $150. I can only think of one entity with its unbounded greed, and totally unscrupulous practices that is to blame for today’s low pay problems. And I don’t think I can say NNA here.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/1/08 11:01am
Msg #249603

Re: BRAVO!!

While I agree with the concept, I don't find it equates with reality. They are always looking at their bottom line. As we should, also. Business is all about the money.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/1/08 2:53pm
Msg #249621

No matter how I cut it, I still find a place of disgust

for several reasons. Logic may not play into this...it's just something I find to be contemptuous...some people don't like English peas...you know what I don't like.

A reasonable referral fee is admirable. But having a fluctuating bottom line per signing makes the SS go for the cheapest thing they can find...a wrong against the borrower who is paying the big bucks in the transaction.

I have tried to look at it logically and all I can see is a need to fix this part of the signing process.

By the way...in Texas title companies cannot fluctuate on their title policy premium in order to make deals with the lender. They have a set fee they can work for. They either do it better...provide excellent service or they don't get work. SSs are all over looking for the cheapest, not best service because they get to keep whatever they can shave off the notary. The concept is wrong to both the notary and the borrower paying a premium fee for the notary service.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/1/08 10:28pm
Msg #249655

Re: No matter how I cut it, I still find a place of disgust

Most Title companies have a filed rate (with the insurance regulators in their State) and their premium for insurance doesn’t vary. It is their “closing” fee, or “bundled service” fees that they fudge with. The simple way to handle this is to comply with RESPA exactly, and charge the borrower what the “notary fee” actually is. Many lenders (mistakenly in my view) don’t want these fees on the HUD, or actually tell the Title Company what SS’s to use. They feel it gives then an edge over their competition. Or usually it’s some guy’s decision that hasn’t a clue. Just because they have a title like President, doesn’t mean they know what they are doing. If you don’t believe that ask Fanny May, GE, Bear Sterns, Merrill Lynch, Enron, etc. Some guy running a Title company for a guy that started in the scrap metal business, but switched to insurance, because there are only two more profitable businesses; import-export and gambling; doesn’t mean he knows what he’s doing. And it sure doesn’t help that there thousands of Notaries out there suckered into becoming “Signing Agents” by ‘you know who’ that are also clueless, and hungry, and like the “professional” feel of the “Signing Agent” job. Better than flipping burgers, or baby sitting.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/2/08 6:45am
Msg #249666

Re: No matter how I cut it, I still find a place of disgust

**Signing Agents" by "you know who" that are also clueless, and hungry, and like the "professional" feel of the "Signing Agent" job. Better than flipping burgers, or baby sitting.**

Les, The clueless burger flipper *could* be me just as easily as the people low-paying signing services are preying upon. (Grace, and all that.) As I count my blessings I realize how fortunate I was to be in a position to immediately find a great job while things slowed down in Texas.

The "fudge" number still comes out of the borrower's pocket--they pay for quality and may or may not get crap depending on what notary is called and who is most desperate. That's the problem. A little self-regulation among signing services and title companies who are supposedly serving the borrower would go a long way toward an equitable solution. It's not likely to happen...but I still have my opinions about them...I think it is likely that these are also people who do not have the wherewithal to support themselves outside of preying upon notaries with small fees offered to them.

Burger flipping and babysitting is, after all, honest work and should not be looked upon with disdain. Being paid a premium fee for a service and then subcontracting it out to a notary for the lowest price who may or may not be an able worker, I cannot respect.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/2/08 11:02am
Msg #249687

Re: No matter how I cut it, I still find a place of disgust

Brenda, I think we are on the same page, almost.

Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with hard working people doing what they can or must do to make a living, and I do not look at them with distain. I also applaud anyone trying to better themselves economically. Perhaps I used a poor example to illustrate my thoughts. I really don’t blame the Title companies or the SS’s in these tough times for trying to increase their bottom line in order to stay in business either.

However I DO look with disdain on the culprit that I believe to be the major cause of the “Signing Agents” current plight. The (out of deference to Harry) “You-know-who,” in my previous post aka XYZ. This organization that is supposed to enlighten and work for the betterment of their members in their unbridled greed, have misrepresented, and mislead the public, and caused great harm to their members, through their recruiting, and sales tactics.

I too feel for the poor borrowers that are usually given no choice. They are ‘forced’ to pay top dollar, for something that they may not even want, and they surely deserve to have the very best service there is available. They are usually making decisions regarding their (in most cases) their largest asset, and should have the most knowledgeable and experienced people available to guide them through it. What has happened is that ‘XYZ’ has churned out thousands of (again pardon the example) “Clueless ex-burger flippers, that like the professional feel of the Signing Agent job, and are willing to work for almost nothing.” Thereby forcing the good, professional; knowledgeable; experienced; Signing Agent (like yourself) out of business. Giving the unsuspecting borrower extremely poor, if not disastrous service while doing so. I don’t want someone that took a 15 minute online course closing my loan.

If it were not regulated (as this business is not) someone would offer a 2 hour online course in Brain Surgery, and thousands (trying to better themselves, and believing the “MAKE $100,000.00 A YEAR” add) would sign up. And the Insurance Co’s, and HMO’s would gladly pay (a LOT Less) for the service. But I sure don’t want them cutting on me.
JMO

Reply by Les_CO on 6/2/08 2:50pm
Msg #249721

Re: No matter how I cut it, /PS

I apologise of getting off track here. Why this thread turned this way is probably my fault. As for Preformance Title, I have worked with them, and they are great!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/2/08 11:19pm
Msg #249778

Naive? Perhaps...

As many have indicated in posts below, in today's market in most parts of the country providing "accurate, ... good customer service to client" doesn't necessarily get you what it used to. (Maybe where you live it's different, but I doubt it.) Besides, there's a big difference between not being afraid of competition and handing over the names of your best client(s) to your competition. Not only that, posting it here is handing everyone *else's* competition the names of your best client(s). The other people on this board who have worked very hard to acquire that client via accurante, good customer service - and probably a whole lot more - likely won't appreciate that, either. Especially when someone else tells that client they can provide the same level of service for less. It's just not smart business. And it's not a great way to ingratiate yourself to others here who some day might be just the ones who could help you with an issue you may have....

[FWIW, the company in question here is not one I've ever worked for or tried to work for. I'm just speaking in general terms.]

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/1/08 7:39pm
Msg #249642

Re: Wow!

**I am in Florida and do not consider anyone outside a 25-50 mile radius competition.**

Not continuing the argument about posting or not posting such info, Ducky however, there's an Austin notary (90 miles away) who has told a loan officer client of mine he will drive over here (yes...90 miles!) for $85...edocs. Of course, when he heard that the LO thought the notary had a loose screw for saying that. Then, there's a Brookshire notary (88 miles) who is also advertising for my county. When I worked full time as a notary I would definitely go that far for my LO clients...as long as they paid well. Driving to Austin for $85? Even at long ago prices of $2.00 a gallon? Ha. These days, I can't cover that kind of territory due to time constraints...and at the price of gas 90 miles away means I need a fee around $300. Ain't happening so I wouldn't consider it any longer.

People are desperate and hungry all over...your competition notaries are those who are up to a hundred miles away at this point. JMHO.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/08 10:26pm
Msg #249654

Re: Wow!

Brenda
I get signing agents calling and e-mailing me to sign up with me and they will drive 70 or 80 miles away - given the areas they tell me they cover. I know one signing agent in the Melbourne area that will drive to Orlando to do signings. (I don't use her).
Business is slow and some signing agents will drive distances just t make a buck.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 6/1/08 11:25pm
Msg #249661

I'm in Orlando and will drive to Melbourne for a signing,

but definately not for $85. Not for my base fee either, which is higher than $85.

My base fee covers only a 20 mile radius from my home office and I am currently contemplating changing that limit to 15 miles instead.