Posted by Val/NH on 7/16/09 12:18pm
Msg #296085

Warning to NH Notaries re: John Fragola-Alpha Title

I don't usually like to openly bash a person/company but have to make an exception in this case. I was hired yesterday by Alpha Title in Attleboro MA for a signing last night. I was asked to contact the owner, Atty. John Fragola prior to the closing because he wanted to speak to me before the closing. I called him and he went on to tell me that there have been some issues with the LO on this loan and if any issues came up to call him (the atty) before calling the LO. This made me a little uneasy along with the fact that I had been unable to contact the borrowers to confirm. I asked of course if I would be compensation for my time if this was a no sign and was told that yes- he is a reasonable guy and I would be paid. I was halfway to the borrower's home when the borrower called me back. He knew nothing about the scheduled closing, had been trying to contact his LO for days and his wife wasn't even home! I turned around and went home. I submitted an invoice for s $25 print fee and a $25 travel fee (didn't get all the way to the borrower's home thus the low fee). This morning I was asked if I could do the closing again tonite. I told Alpha that I was booked up for the evening. An hour later I received a full page, 11 point email in response to my submitted invoice detailing how the most they could pay me was $15. He lied and said that I told him I hadn't left for the closing. He also lied about the time I called (I was able to verify the time on my cell phone). What a jerk! He did finally agree to pay me $40- whoo-hoo! He said he wouldn't call me again. Thank goodness for that- had a bad feeling right from the start -should have followed my instincts. Just wanted to warn other NH Notaries as he said he is starting to get business up this way. Thanks for letting me vent.

Reply by John/CT on 7/16/09 12:43pm
Msg #296087

Re: Alpha Title

Sorry for all your troubles, Val, but not my experience with them. I found Atty. Fragola cordial and easy to work with. My last engagement with them was completed June 29th, received full payment on July 13th.

Reply by The Law Offices of John V. Fragola on 7/31/09 4:58pm
Msg #298301

I just wanted to respond to baseless and defamatory accusations from Val. My name is John Fragola and I am the owner of Alpha Title Services, LLC in MA. We pride ourselves in customer service and our reputation means everything to us. I could give anyone at any moment hundreds of references regarding the quality of our work. Not one notary has ever gone unpaid. It is too bad their is always a bad apple, like Val, in the crowd. She is apparently sour that her closing cancelled. Unfortunately, that happens sometimes in this business. She even mentioned that she was "venting" because she was apparently in a bad mood and wanted to take it out on my office. I took the time to apprise of her what I knew about the transcation in the interest of being upfront and fair as that is how we go about our business.

Part of what Val said is true but unfortunately she failed, of course, to include some additional facts. For the record, I will clarify.

1. She Signed a contract with us detailing her pay and what she would be paid for a cancelled closing. We do this to protect against false claims like Vals. She signed the contract and said she had no questions. The contract we have states she would be paid $15 for printing docs. and $25 for a "trip fee" if it did not close. She sent me a bill for $50 and said it was not "unreasonable". I agree it is not, but that is not the point because it is not what we agreed to. If she does not read what she agrees to that is not our fault. She is in fact being paid more than what she deserves (see below).

2. Our closing was scheduled for 7:30 that night and she had been trying to get in touch with the clients all afternoon to no avail. She called me about 6:30 and told me the borrower had just called her and wanted to cancel. I said no problem. Funny, she never mentioned anything about driving halfway to the house. That probably would have been an appropriate time to do so. I don't think she left an hour and one half prior to the scheduled closing? The next day she sends me a bill for driving to the house when it seems clear based on the timing that she never left her house. That is a shame she is being dishonest. Most importantly, after she complained that she did in fact drive their, I told her that I was more interested in my reputation and would pay her the $25 trip fee (along with the $15 doc. printing fee), per our written agreement, so as not to cause any bad blood. Instead, she writes factless points and makes derogatory comments about my staff and I when she is getting a check for work that is, at a minimum, debatable if she ever did.

3. We tried to give her the business the next day and she said she was too busy and could care less. That is her choice.

Most of this disagreement is based on "he said she said" nonsense. Most of us have better things, like work to do. The reality is that she is getting paid what we agreed to for a cancelled closing she did nothing more than print the docs. on. I have decided to not lower myself to her level and make derogatory comments. I only rely on facts and they are stated within. As evidenced by other postings from neutral parties, we are an honest and efficient office that does busines the right way. We don't cut corners or lie and we take care of the people who work with us.

I wish the disgruntled Val the best in her endeavors.

Sincerely,

John V. Fragola, Esq.