Posted by goodgirl on 4/23/09 11:50am
Msg #286045

People Just Kill Me...

Got a call this morning from a woman who said she and her husband needed a notary to come to their house to notarize "a few" documents. I ask what type of docs, and she said they were "buying a home in Florida." So, I said "This is a loan closing, right..." She said, "Oh no, this isn't a loan closing. We're not going down to FL; they're sending the documents up here for us to sign." I advised her that this was a loan closing. I ask her if she had the docs, and she said they did not; docs were supposed to arrive here, at their home, tomorrow. She said she didn't know what time the docs would arrive tomorrow.
Then, she started asking me about price. I quoted my price for the closing of $100 and added that IF I had to download and print the docs, there would be a printing fee of $30.
She was just appalled at my price. Now, you know, folks, this is a CHEAPO price for a purchase closing. The only reason I quoted this low price was because it was here in town, I'm off tomorrow from my little job, and there SEEMED to be no waiting, downloading and printing involved.
These people think you're going to come to their house and sit there while they p1$$ around for an hour or so for $20.
Of course, she said she would have to get back to me tomorrow. And, I thought to myself - "well, lady, you better get to me before I start running errands, cutting grass, and cleaning up the yard, or you're out of luck."
This all just amazes me. Have no idea where she got my name - but she knew it. They have the money to "buy a new home in Florida" but don't want to pay a notary to come to their house and take care of the docs for them. I should have said to her, "Well, you could go to any attorney's office and have him handle the docs for you, and you could use one of his or her notaries. That whole scenario would cost you around $600." But, I didn't say that.
On Not Rot the other day, I read where posters were saying that it doesn't seem the market has changed much, and companies are still late with the docs and not offering fair fees. I agree. I agree. I just think this is ridiculous.

Reply by PAW on 4/23/09 12:00pm
Msg #286046

Are you sure it is a "loan" closing? Many northerners purchase Florida property and pay cash. That is, no mortgage. Mail-away closings are a way of life here, especially with snowbirds. We closed on our Florida house while still in NH. My in-laws did the same. Not much for a notary to do.

Even if it was a "loan" closing, maybe they didn't want a signing agent, just a notary to notarize the handful of documents. From what you wrote in your posting, it sounds to me like you assumed a lot and didn't ask enough questions to determine what the potential client wanted and needed.

Reply by LKT/CA on 4/23/09 12:20pm
Msg #286050

I had a call like that awhile back, and like you, I asked if it was a loan signing and she (the ex-wife) insisted it wasn't but it sounded like it could be so I quoted my fee for a loan signing AND to notarize signatures plus the travel fee. Turns out it was not a loan signing, but the docs did have to do with a purchase - I believe there was one granT deed and a few escrow amendments - about 10 pages total. Turns out I was to drive to the ex-husband's home (3 miles from my home), notarize his signature on the grant deed and get his initials and signature on the escrow amendments then drive 57 miles to hand deliver the docs to escrow. They needed the docs that same day so I quoted my travel fee and it was accepted so I drove the paperwork to escrow. Was paid within 30 days.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 4/23/09 2:26pm
Msg #286062

Re: I agree with PAW

I get calls quite often from people needing mortgage documents notarized. I act in the capacity of strictly a notary and not a signing agent. I charge them per notarization and travel fee. They have the documents. I don't have to print the documents. I don't have to ship the documents off. I don't have to review the documents to be certain they are in order or if something is missing.

In all actuality, I can earn more money with these notarizations/travel than being a signing agent. And the best thing of all - I get paid on the spot with a generous trip usually thrown in.

Even if it *is* a loan closing/purchase, it doesn't matter the size of the package -- in the capacity of a notary, you can't quote a price without knowing the number of notarizations required.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 4/23/09 2:27pm
Msg #286063

Re: generous *tip* not trip n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 4/23/09 4:19pm
Msg #286080

Re: generous *tip* not trip

I like "trip" better.

Thanks for the notarizations, please enjoy a week in Bermuda on us!

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/23/09 3:18pm
Msg #286070

You need to ask more questions ....

I am receiving more and more calls just to notarize a couple of signatures on a DOT for a loan. If it is a loan, I ask them to pull out the docs that need to be notarized, and I quote my price per signature plus a travel fee based on distance.

If they want me to go through the entire package with them and take responsibility any errors I make and sending it, then I quote them my loan signing price. It's not that hard. When I have been called in this manner, I have never had to download docs, they have always had them and it's been quick and easy.

You are in the customer service business, and the person calling you for services doesn't have any idea what it takes to do your job anymore than you have any idea what it takes to get a can of peas to the market so you should try to explain it to them in a polite manner, and give them choices including the choice to go to brick and mortar notary if they think the price is too high, in a customer service friendly manner. I even refer them. If they fully understand what it entails, then they will understand the pricing and will be more likely to pay it. It sounded that you wanted to fight with the customer from the git-go. That may not be the case, but that's how your post came off.

It seems like more and more loan companies are having the BO find their own notary, so we need to get use to it and adjust.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/23/09 3:57pm
Msg #286073

I agree with Glenn on this one! n/m

Reply by CopperheadVA on 4/23/09 3:47pm
Msg #286071

I notarize mail away loan docs and mods all the time. People never expect me to go through the whole package (at least I've never had a request for that) - they usually have the docs they need notarized separated, or if not they are usually flagged. I've made $85 in the last three days meeting people at my local Starbucks to notarize signatures on a variety of documents. I charge a nominal travel fee since it's so close and convenient for me, and additionally charge per notarization. I'm meeting someone else at Starbucks in a little while. Lot's of private calls lately. It all adds up nicely as pocket change or will pay for a nice dinner out with the family.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/23/09 3:56pm
Msg #286072

If people call me directly asking for a notary...then I'm a notary and I'm not responsible for the documents at all except to notarize what they ask me to notarize.

I was asked to notarize some documents with a re-fi recently. The papers were from a bank in Florida on a CA property. The bank sent the papers directly to the borrower. The borrowers called me after searching Google for a notary and were quoted $100 by the UPS store and other in-office notaries they called. I wasn't expected to act as a signing agent, just a notary. So, I quoted my standard mobile notary fees for 10 signatures and travel, but offered to waive my travel fee if they wanted to meet me somewhere other than their home since they lived in a fairly distant area.

I met them at McDonald's of all places. I notarized all of the documents you'd see in a standard refi -- the DOT, affidavits, compliance agreement, mod agreement -- 10 signatures total. I noticed that they had other papers in the package, but since I wasn't asked to do anything with them, I didn't. I just approached it as a notary rather than a signing agent. It only took about 15 minutes total. The bank had flagged all of the items they wanted notarized.

I walked out of there with $70 and a double cheeseburger. I could have charged them more, but it seemed more than reasonable given the circumstances and distance. Also, one of the signers is somebody that might be a fantastic referral source. When it comes to general mobile notary work, the point is to make them want you to come to them because what you offer is a better value than them waiting in line at a pack-n-ship place. I told them that my "regular rate" for 10 signatures and travel would have been $125, but I was willing to waive the travel fee and only charge $7 a signature. Sold. To them it was bargain compared to what others were quoting them and I still made plenty. The way I see it, $70 more than covered my expenses for that trip and it better than $0.

I've mentioned before, but I do not see myself as a "closer" of any kind. I think it's a dangerous attitude to take. Not that I care if others do it, but I won't do it myself. If they want a notary, they get a notary. If they want a signing agent, they get a signing agent. Not everyone with loan papers needs a signing agent.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/23/09 5:56pm
Msg #286094

I agree with both you and Glenn

People don't know our jargon and usually have no basis for comparison or idea of what to expect, unless they're investors and do this all the time. Even if they've recently refinanced a property, they may not have seen a fee for notary services on their HUD.

I generally give them a choice between notary only and notary + signing service and I explain the differences. I've had people choose both, depending on their circumstances.

And I don't like the "closer" term either. Maybe it's a California thing, but I just talked to a borrower to confirm our Sat. appt, and he asked if I was going to bring a check with me. In those states where that happens, perhaps the term "closer" is appropriate, but to me it implies much more than what I do at the signing table.

That reminds me of another conversation I had this week (appt. tomorrow am.) The borrower's first question was something like "Are you a notary or a person with expertise about the documents we'll be signing?" I told him "Both." It was refreshing that he didn't say "just" a notary... He apparently has lots of questions. Should be an interesting one, especially since it was supposed to happen yesterday.

I've been pretty lucky in recent months with appointments coming through as scheduled, but I seem to be making up for it this week. I've had tons of cancellations lately. Then it seems when they reschedule, they all want to sign at the same time. (I hate it when that happens!) This time yesterday, today was looking good but right now I have only one quick appointment on my calendar. (Day's not over yet, though! I guess that's why I'm rambling on here... )

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 4/23/09 7:57pm
Msg #286107

Re: I agree with both you and Glenn

I also agree with Glenn. "Goodgirl" did not come across on this post. Sounds like she was upset that these people would not pay my fee? This is the nature of the buisness we are in. People do not know the differences in our lingo and some could even care less as long as things get signed. We are in a customer service business and we must treat everyone the way we want to be treated with respect and kindness, those seems to be missing in your post.