Posted by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 11/18/08 8:50am
Msg #269960

It's Crazy To Take Low Ball Fees

Last night I was offered a job to have one document signed, no notarization, about 45 minutes from my office. Yep, super easy. The fee . . . a whole $25. Before they told me what they pay, I told them my fee for that is $65. That is based on my marketing plan. I was told, but we only get $75 for these. Needless to say, they didn't get my fee approved.

For those newbies out there, or even those that have been around a while, do you realize that that signing service, if they were telling the truth about what they actually do charge (and believe me it would not be less than stated, but potentially more), is keeping 2/3rds of the fee??? That is crazy. They make a few phone calls and we do the actual work. And before any signing services jump down on this, I will admit that I do work for signing services, BUT the fee I get paid if fair. And yes, I know that you, at times, do more than just make a few phone calls.

So many people right now are taking the jobs because something is better than nothing. But is it really? Have you put together a marketing plan to see what you actually need to charge for each job in order to make a profit. That is the $$$ you put into your pocket after all expenses are paid. Wake up and do the math.

Someone did this job. It was not me. Which was fine, I was going out to dinner with the family. Thank goodness our new business is doing so great! But I sure hope that they got more than 1/3 of the total fee paid by the customer.

I realize that I'm probably wasting my words with this, but this is the reality of what is happening because people just aren't thinking.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Reply by 101livescan on 11/18/08 9:05am
Msg #269961

Thank you, you are singing to the choir!

Reply by davidK/CA on 11/18/08 11:47am
Msg #269971

Tina, I sent you an email. n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/18/08 12:34pm
Msg #269979

$25 for a 90 minute round-trip? Let's see... I'll just guess that is about 30 miles for a total trip of 60 or so. The current IRS rate for mileage ALONE for a 60-mile trip is $35.10. You're request for $65.00 for that assignment seems completely adequate.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/18/08 11:53pm
Msg #270047

"The fee . . . a whole $25. Before they told me what they pay, I told them my fee for that is $65. That is based on my marketing plan. I was told, but we only get $75 for these."

I love it. They make a phone call, you do all the work, and they think they deserve to be paid twice as much as you.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/19/08 9:16pm
Msg #270105

Yep! "Crazy" is the right word! n/m