Posted by DD/OR on 2/11/09 1:27pm
Msg #277178

Another Dead Beat Company

Beware of Mortgage Information Services in Ohio. I did a closing for them in December. I'm still waiting to be paid. I went to the client 2 times. They want to pay me for only 1 visit. The first time I printed the docs, took them to client, she signed them and I sent them back. Then they told me that there were additional docs for me to have her sign so I printed them and 2 days later I went again. They lie. They told me that I didn't have her sign a page the first time, that's why they're only paying me for 1 trip. If that's true, then why did I print additional docs the 2nd time for her to sign? I'm going to be making complaints to the authorities and filing in SC court. Just thought you all would like to know. I won't work for them again, that's for sure.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/11/09 1:55pm
Msg #277185

Did you ask them to fax you the page you supposedly messed up on? Title companies have been known to lose a page now and again. Sounds a little fishy to me. That said, I have worked for MIS for years and NEVER had any kind of problem with them.

Reply by DD/OR on 2/11/09 2:17pm
Msg #277187

Yes, I asked them for any kind of documentation to prove their argument but they didn't supply any. Anyway, I already know that I didn't mess up. I would gladly go back if it was my fault. I printed up a second set of documents containing about 6 pages that I took to the 2nd signing. They're not a Title co., they're a signing service. If you worked for them, you should know that.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/11/09 2:26pm
Msg #277189

According to their web site they are a full service Title Company. When I've shipped docs back, it's been to them. Something I've rarely done with a SS's.
http://www.mtginfo.com/

Reply by DD/OR on 2/11/09 7:40pm
Msg #277219

They may very well be a Title Co. At this point I don't believe anything they say. I called and asked them if they are a Title co or a signing service. The lady there said they are a Signing Service. I have sent documents back to several Signing Services before, so who knows what their motivation is. Supposedly, then they forward them on to Title. Personally, I suspect they are Title companys pretending to be Signing Services, for whatever reason.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/11/09 8:41pm
Msg #277227

I too have occasionally sent the package to a SS, but not often. I believe they are a Title Company….with an in-house SS. Like First American and FASS. It makes little difference. If they contracted with you to do a job then they owe you for your efforts. If they made some sort of error they need to correct it, whether by using you to do so, or someone else. And they are obligated to pay for those services also. If it was your error, and they notified you of such, I believe it’s the industry norm for you to correct your mistakes without charge. But again, that’s up to you. I’m on your side…I think it’s all too easy to blame the notary. I have just never had a problem with MIS, of any kind.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/11/09 2:36pm
Msg #277190

Just today I received a check for all 4 closings I did in Dec for MIS. A little slow, but they paid. Thank goodness. Will work for them again.

Reply by John/CT on 2/11/09 2:55pm
Msg #277192

Re: MIS

Likewise ...

Reply by JulieD/KS on 2/11/09 3:18pm
Msg #277193

MIS paid me for the job I did for them last month.

Next time...and isn't it sad that we have to learn this way.....tell them that if they don't supply proof that you messed up, that you will have to charge for a return trip. Believe me, they DON'T want to pay a second fee, so they will try to make you think you messed up. If they won't prove that you messed up, then tell them there will be a charge for you to return. Insist they send a new confirmation showing the additional fee for your trip and if they won't send it, don't go. If you don't do this, you really have no leg to stand on when trying to collect. You shouldn't be publicly flogging them when it was your lack of follow through on confirming your fee in writing that caused this problem.

I am more than happy to fix my errors for free (it rarely happens) but it really angers me if they pretend I messed up so that I will fix THEIR errors for free. I consider that abusive of my time and good nature.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/11/09 4:50pm
Msg #277204

In these lean days for us all, Title Companies included, with the downsizing, and or total bankruptcy of some, and the dreaded prospect of being ‘laid-off,’ it could be easier to just, “blame-the-notary.” Many of us with late docs, have downloaded and printed, and rushed out-the-door. Only to find later we received some ‘revised’ lender (now approved) doc’s. Is it our fault? Hell no! Someone should have let us know. But I know there have been totally frantic days at Title Co’s, and everyone can make a mistake. Part of our job…or should I more correctly say business, is to communicate, and hopefully minimize these mistakes, anticipate problems, and keep copies of everything. If someone (loses a doc and) asks us for a blank acknowledgement, ask why. If they say you forgot your stamp. (Depending on the State) you say “Fax me the doc.” In other words prove it. On anything… ask for proof. Not three months later (the person that lost your doc may not even work there anymore) but immediately. Forgiveness is a two way street. Sometimes we need to understand, and try and help, if for no other reason than it’s good business.

Reply by MW/VA on 2/11/09 3:22pm
Msg #277194

IMHO just because you have some issues with a company one time, that does not qualify them as "dead beats". I'm sure there must be a way for you to resolve this dispute with them.
No wonder these companies have problems with the posts on this board--they can get carried away.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 2/11/09 4:19pm
Msg #277199

That's because there are a lot of people on this board who view this as a JOB and not a business. Ask any business person you know and they will tell you that at times you have to "eat" a certain amount. No one likes to do it, but it is business. The secret is to take in more than goes out. That's what the word "PROFIT" means and all transaction aren't ALWAYS profit. If you want a guarantee of a certain amount of money for a certain amount of effort, best you look for a JOB! There are no guarantees in BUSINESS (something our congress and administration don't understand, but that's a topic for JP). That's the reason Profit is justified!

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 2/11/09 4:21pm
Msg #277200

MW, the above was not directed to you, but to the

original poster. Sorry if it seemed to be directed to you. I know you understand.

Reply by Richard Ingram on 2/11/09 5:09pm
Msg #277208

Re: MW, the above was not directed to you, but to the

MIS is one of the best companies I deal with and pay if you include your invoice in package. I do a lot of work for them and hope it continues.

Reply by Julie/MI on 2/11/09 5:09pm
Msg #277207

The problem is that they used to pay quickly, now they are 60 days out. Caution flag for me.

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/11/09 6:44pm
Msg #277216

Exactly, Julie!

We've seen this pattern before with ailing TCs and I think it should be viewed as a red flag. Remember EFS, LFC and Archer? I will continue to work with MIS as I have for years, as long as they continue to pay, albeit later than they used to. I just won't let the amount they owe me get out of hand like I did with EFS.

Along with a Dead Beat list, I think NSAs should be keeping an "Ailing Watch" list. Until these greedy lenders decide to start lending OUR tax dollars, it won't be getting any better and some of these TCs are likely hanging on by a thread waiting for the tide to change.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/11/09 9:09pm
Msg #277230

Re: Exactly, Julie!

Becca, to the best of my recollection LFC and Jerry Hauptman’s other (20 plus) companies were full steam one day, and closed the next. Even the (about 6000) employees didn’t know. “They” pulled his credit, froze his accounts, and he was history. One day lots of people had good jobs that they had for years, the next day the door was locked. It was perhaps a harbinger of things to come? Not to say one shouldn't be cautious in todays environment.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/12/09 11:50am
Msg #277279

Re: I disagree... Les, while the LFC thing might have

been quick, the notary board was rumbling about LFC's NSF checks being cut and dishonored a week before the sinking happened.

My statement regarding the hot checks at that time was something like: "When a big company like that bounces a check it means their banks have no confidence in them at all. Mistakes like that don't happen."

Jeers came my way/the way of others who could see what was happening and said for notaries to be forewarned (people posting on this board).

I posted my thoughts and I was accused (along with others) for making a tempest in a tea cup. "Aw heck, LFC's owner is rich...no problem...this is just a little mistake."

After seeing the first post about a hot check from LFC's companies I was done with them. I was called *the next day* for one of LFCs signings. They were willing to pay $200 for a local edoc appointment. I declined. Good thing. I would have been stiffed by the Bankruptcy case filing which happened four or five days later.

YES, there WAS warning. There were hot checks discussed here. One hot check report on this board written to a notary and I believe anyone would be foolish to take another job from that company. In Texas (anyhow) hot checks actually "bounce" and are not honored when their bank has lost confidence in the the checkwriter ....or .... this is a repeated behavior...or accounts have been frozen. I think most banks here in MyTown, Tx still honor the first three to five hot checks written even without overdraft protection.

Nope...a bounced check reported on this board about a company means a notary's going to get screwed real soon.

As a result of listening to a warning about LFC's hot check problems beginning, I'm not holding a stack of unpaid invoices from them...not even one.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/12/09 2:04pm
Msg #277306

Re: I disagree... Les, while the LFC thing might have

Yup! You’re right! I stand corrected. I forgot about LFC and United Title’s Texas operation. I think the excuse went something like “Someone (accounting) changed our bank account” Not that their credit line had been pulled, and accounts frozen. Some of this was because of their problems with First American. I was thinking more of CO companies. I know eight people that had worked in various Hauptman companies that don’t any more. Several more that now work for Fidelity, which bought some of the Mercury companies. Sadly the “owner” was and is still rich, and a whole lot of good people are owed money, and looking for work.