Posted by JandB on 10/27/08 7:45pm
Msg #268355

Tempted to Double Book

I'm really tempted to double book. It stinks the way lenders hire a notary when there is an out side chance they MIGHT get docs out. We lost a signing tonight because we don't double book and, of course, the signing we did book was postponed. I don't think my nerves could take it but it still makes me mad.

Reply by GA/Atty on 10/27/08 7:53pm
Msg #268359

At EOM (like today) I am very picky about my scheduling

I mostly only take local closings because I always get a ton of calls. Double booking isn't so bad if you know all your closings will be in the same area.

Reply by sue_pa on 10/28/08 7:59am
Msg #268400

Working out your schedule is one of the toughest things to do since we have NO control over the process. But, jiggling and juggling is what keeps my schedule full (well relatively full at this point in time)

Reply by CF on 10/28/08 8:29am
Msg #268405

This has been discussed many times. I have always "double booked" or close and never thought twice about it. 9 out of 10 times- borrowers will be flexible and the 1 time they are not "bump" your other appointment around. Also, most of the time the pre-set appointment does not work for their schedule....and we all know that lenders are late in sending docs. So from that if I did not "double book" when I can (which is far less these days) then I would loose out on a lot of money; and that is what I concerned with- my income! Not to mention the ones that get cancelled....you could end up making $0- for the day. Keep your bottom line in the forefront....each person in this process is making money- it is nothing to be ashamed of that the Notary too- is trying to make a living!!!

Reply by MelissaCT on 10/28/08 12:08pm
Msg #268437

I don't double-book. It's not fair to the borrower to have a witness waiting around for me all night because I couldn't keep my commitment to them to be on-time.

When I refi'd, the notary called me to reschedule the time, which was ok (although I wasn't thrilled about it). Then 5 minutes before the rescheduled time, she called to say she was at McDonald's & was going to be late because she "had to go inside to eat, or she'd pass out from hunger". NOT MY PROBLEM!! BRING SLIM-FAST WITH YOU IN THE CAR FOR A QUICK MEAL.

Once she finally arrived, she informed me that she had 3 appointments within a half-hour time frame to which she couldn't even DRIVE to in that span, let alone conduct a signing. She didn't have her stamp or seal with her, didn't notarize at the table & I had to basically fight her to use my witness on the deed. She said she usually just has her husband sign as witness to all her signings.

To top that off, my deed never was recorded. I still wonder what happened to that signed deed.

Granted, this is an extreme case, however, I NEVER want a borrower to relay a story like that to the company who hires me about my activities in their transaction.

If I had stories like that relayed about my performance, I wouldn't have a bottom line to worry about.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/28/08 9:16am
Msg #268416

I have never gone that route. A notary friend does & she is really making out. I think the thing that gets me is the stories I heard when I was starting out about the notaries that were hours late, never called, etc. I am a stickler for being ON TIME for every appt. I do think in this market it makes sense to never say no to an assignment, and handle the scheduling issues from your end. I have one tc that I work for regularly who is notorious for last minute docs, reschedules, etc. They are a great client, but I don't "drop everything" for them anymore. We now have an arrangement where they work with my schedule & it works out.
It's all part of the learning process. I sure know it's burned me when I've turned away signings because I was booked, only to have the one I had scheduled cancel at the last minute.