Posted by pat/WA on 4/30/09 3:01pm
Msg #286868
Notary Talk
I will never post another question on Notary talk. I was under the impression that it was a learning forum. Now I know it is a place for people to ridicule others in order to make themselves feel important and smarter than they are.
| Reply by BrendaTx on 4/30/09 3:14pm
Msg #286871
Re: Notary Talk - Interesting, Pat/Buc
Your profile says you have signed 6,000 loans.
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/30/09 3:46pm
Msg #286886
Re: Notary Talk - Interesting, Pat/Buc
I don't like adding to the mess, but in this case... Brenda makes a good point. The profile says 6000 loans, and in previous posts she says she has been doing loans for at least 6 years. if that's the case, it makes me (and others) wonder why, in the past few months, she asks questions like this:
"What is the last date of expiration in order to able to accept a Washington state drivers license as legal ID?"
"Do they make a laser printer that is dual tray and will automatically select between letter and legal paper?"
"Is there any tangible benefit in becoming a CERTIFIED SIGNING AGENT?"
"Where can I get a good book on notarizing reverse mortgages?"
"A lady that is to sign on Saturday cannot sign her name only an X. How do we handle this?"
Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of the uppity bullying that can happen here either. Though I am guilty of rolling my eyes at some of the most unusual questions asked. But... when you represent yourself one way, people kind of expect you to have the experience and knowledge that go along with the claim. A notary who has done 6000+ loans is not going to ask how to handle a signature by mark or what is an acceptable date to accept a form of ID in their state.
| Reply by CaliNotary on 4/30/09 8:45pm
Msg #286943
I think it's clear that she's lying in her profile n/m
| Reply by MikeC/NY on 4/30/09 9:01pm
Msg #286945
Ya think?? n/m
| Reply by MikeC/NY on 4/30/09 9:07pm
Msg #286947
Oops... Gotta stop double-clutching on the responses...
What I meant to say was...
6000 closings over 6 years is what - 20 a week, give or take a few? At that level of production, there really should be no "how do I do this?" questions....
| Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 5/2/09 3:58pm
Msg #287116
Re: 10,000 loans from 1*3 forum n/m
| Reply by Shoshana Roller on 4/30/09 3:23pm
Msg #286873
Pat,
The problem is that you ask questions to which you should already know the answers or could easily research them. If you have already closed 6000 loans, then you should know what to do about a POA. When somebody gives you an answer you don't like, you go off in a huff.
When I have a question about something, I might ask one of my local notary friends, to see how they do things. They can turn around and bounce their questions off me. Sometimes we have a difference of opinion, but that's life!
My suggestion to you is to read your state's notary manual and really learn it.
Here in AZ, I attend the SOS's free notary class annually to see if I am missing something. It's a good way to get a new perspective on what Iam doing.
| Reply by rengel/CA on 4/30/09 3:35pm
Msg #286882
My question is -
Why on earth would someone ask a notarial question to people whom they have never met and do not know for sure that the one's answering are even actually notaries!
When I have notarial questions, I check my state notary handbook, check the handout used for the class I took, call a friend/colleague who is a notary, or call the Secretary of State's office. I would never take the word of a complete stranger on an internet forum!
Now if I had a general question about signings, or the like, I would ask Brenda from TX, PAW or Sylvia whom I have read their posts for several years and believe that they truly know their stuff.
I just wouldn't take the advice of any Joe Blow off an internet forum.
My .02
| Reply by MW/VA on 4/30/09 3:46pm
Msg #286887
"I was under the impression that it was a learning forum".
Maybe part of this is in your interpretation. IMO this is a professional forum, and community of NSA's. There are some good discussions that take place, and a lot can be learned from them. I don't see it as a training site, and there are other places (organizations like ASN) where you can call with notary questions. When you post a question, you also need to be prepared to take a few hits. In this case, to ask such a basic question, claiming so much experience, is why you got called out on it.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/30/09 3:51pm
Msg #286889
"I was under the impression that it was a learning forum."
I'll admit this is nitpicking a bit, but I don't know where you got that idea. When I first came here many years ago, I noticed that it said at the very top "Web Site for Professional Notaries". Maybe it's just me, but I interpreted that to mean that this was for people who already knew their business to exchange experiences, insight and opinions and to discuss issues related to our profession. To me, "General Discussion" doesn't equate to free training about notary law or how to be a signing agent.
I guess these comments should be mostly directed at newbies who have said that they were told to come here for that purpose. (I guess it's been obvious that that is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.  ) BTW, is it my imagination, or are we beginning to see the next wave of newbies with "How do I..." questions?
I'd like to make clear, though, that we have also seen some come here with some very good questions (even "how do I..." questions) that have sparked some good debate. The ones that bother me are the ones where the notary didn't make an effort to find their own answers and/or should be consulting their own state's notary law resources, instead of asking others who they don't know or may not have a clue about what is right for their state.
| Reply by Todd/OH on 4/30/09 4:13pm
Msg #286893
This site is great. I've learned a ton from it - never mind the experience that I have. I mostly sit back to see what's going on elsewhere. I've never been afraid to ask a question.
| Reply by LynnNC on 4/30/09 4:25pm
Msg #286897
I called the NC SOS office to ask a question and she asked for my name and the last four digits of my SS#. I asked her if they were going to keep a record of my question, and she said, "Yes". That bothers me and in hindsight I wish that I hadn't told her.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 5/1/09 12:26am
Msg #286971
Tracking notarys' questions? How odd. But back to the
point of the OP, when I first discovered NotRotsjome years ago, I had been signing for a few years, and found the professional comraderie, networking opportunities, issue discussions, humor, friendship, and yes, some unpleasantness.
But all in all, the sheer volume of cumulative knowlege of this forum is astounding. From every state, with our myriad laws, directives, and neighborhoods, the flow of information, culture, regulatory inclusion, news, and support is nothing short of mind-blowing.
Each new wave of 'new recruits' generates the same ol' same ol', and I suspect that will never change. We click here and there in cyber-world, and maybe don't read the thousands of pages before posting, we jump in, and it's sink or swim.
I look forward to the return of the young veteran who is studying so hard to 'get it down' before he ventures forth, and I look forward to returning 'newbies' who perhaps felt spanked for 'just asking a question,' a year down the road - thanking the community for the hinest advice or the kick in the tush.
There are perhaps a few old timers who may come off as 'hallway bullies,' but, and it must be said, this ain't high school. It's the big bad world out here. And, if there are some 'over a certain age' - who have been to too many rodeos to count - who may seem short on patience? If you've got the bwals for business, and you're a good worker, you'll find they often prove to be among the best teachers.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 5/1/09 12:41am
Msg #286974
er 'honest' advice, sorry, bad fingers... n/m
| Reply by sue_pa on 5/1/09 9:16am
Msg #287001
Everyone uses these forums for different reasons. As most know, I cannot stand it when people charge for services and have no idea how to do their job. This reflects on each and every one of us around the country. This woman, and I had no idea of her posted numbers, continually comes on her with the most basic of questions. Guess what, I've been a notary since 1974 and today I've got individuals signing in a trust ... I've got my state book out on my desk for when the docs come since I do so few of those. No one knows everything but getting the very basic answers to very basic questions shouldn't be that tough. Everyone gets lazy sometimes and it's just easier to ask. Everyone has a brain freeze sometimes. BUT, if you want to charge for a service, you should know what you are doing.
I personally do not feel it is a "learning" board. When I became a "signing agent" there was basically nothing I didn't know about real estate and closing loans in Pennsylvania. I found out very quickly I knew nothing at all abuot the "signing world". I didn't know of a message board - I didn't even have a computer. I think there are many great issues discussed ... to answer your phone or not during an appointment; double book or not; get people to sign a journal and fingerprint when not required by your state; pros and cons of having them sign a disclaimer; enter a home with a single borrower of the opposite sex; what to carry in your bag (smiley Linda); etc. To me it is a place to let off steam about everything that trickles down to us ... because no one in my life wants to hear about it ... another ruined supper is the norm ... no one cares the reason. I personally am always fascinated with the ways things are done in other states.
I know a lot of people around the country (sorry Bud or whatever your name was - I actually am a pretty nice, helpful person) who entered this business with no background and they are successful. Because they have brains, they work hard and TRY. After all my years, I still sometimes scratch my head and wonder about what I am looking at in front of me on the docs. Every lender is different, every title insurance under writer is different, every settlement agent is different. Asking generic, LEGAL questions on this board drives me nuts. I cannot imagine not asking your client .
To me, these boards are to learn about the business, not to learn about the job.
| Reply by jba/fl on 5/1/09 9:30am
Msg #287003
"After all my years, I still sometimes scratch my head and wonder about what I am looking at in front of me on the docs."
And the new forms one has never seen before continue to proliferate. If I haven't seen it before, how do I know you have or haven't? And if I don't have a clue, how do I decide you do? When in doubt, go to the "Source" and if you didn't initiate said form, why would you be my source?
| Reply by MW/VA on 5/1/09 2:57pm
Msg #287036
Very well said, Sue. Kudos.
| Reply by Dawn/PA on 5/1/09 3:24pm
Msg #287040
Re: Notary Talk-Nicely put Sue AND she is very helpful. n/m
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/1/09 3:39pm
Msg #287047
Awesome post!! Couldn't agree more!! n/m
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