Posted by PA_Notary_II on 6/10/09 12:07pm
Msg #291814

Got the call from FASS today...

Wanting to 'sign me up' since I had done many deals in the past with FAT and TCT. Declined the offer due to the NNA required bgc. Told her I have a Lexis Nexis and a State Police bgc that I would be happy to send them. She declined and said she was only following the script. I offered to be of service in my area and invited her to call any time as my credentials are impeccable. I think if all Notaries did this we could put the brakes on this pronto. If we don't, we will see continued deterioration of our fee base and additional requirements that weaken our bargaining position. Lets hang together or surely we will all hang separately. (Some famous person said that but don't remember who) C'mon people...just say NO !

Reply by Philip Johnson on 6/10/09 12:44pm
Msg #291816

Ben Franklin said it.

The quote is: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. If you care.

Reply by John/CT on 6/10/09 1:04pm
Msg #291817

Re: "hang together"

In spite of all their differing views and bickering , John Hancock said, "There must be no pulling different ways: we must all hang together." To which Benjamin Franklin added, "We must, indeed, all hang ...."

Class dismissed.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/10/09 1:33pm
Msg #291819

Re: "hang together"

There are those that will see this as an opportunity to grab the business of those that will not concede. Human nature at work! I cannot agree to $100 total for closing and e-doc when I have made $150 for previous closings with TCT. There are capable agents that can close for $100 but it can be hit and miss. They know where I am if the program goes "capoey".

Reply by LynnNC on 6/10/09 3:50pm
Msg #291834

Re: "hang together"

$100...the agreement I was sent by FASS had $75 for edocs!

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/10/09 6:29pm
Msg #291861

I was told $75 + edocs. $100 unless I heard wrong. n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/10/09 1:37pm
Msg #291820

Ya' done good.

First, FASS is low-paying--so no great loss there. Knuckling under to an organization who is very good at marketing and little else is NOT the way to discourage this type of behavior OR encourage any form of excellence. We have seen a deterioration of fees while expenses have increased (& undoubtedly will continue to increase). The fact that they are now calling notaries to 'sign up' must indicate something. Keep saying NO. That's what being an INDEPENDENT contractor/business owner is all about.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 6/10/09 1:44pm
Msg #291822

I agree...

I never had much from FASS as I turn down low ballers. Frequently, FAT would call after that and meet my fee. Many more decent offers from TCT and I am sorry to see them go. To put lowball fees together with XYZ demands is pure idiocy.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 6/10/09 1:44pm
Msg #291821

What's the harm in signing up with these guys and tell them our fees? I don't understand your way of thinking. There are companies that are beaten up on this site for low payers that I'm listed as a closing agent, they know my fee and use me as a last resort if someone (a cheapee) doesn't show up or they can't find anyone and they know they can count on me. So it's just one more closing I didn't have. And I got my fee. As far as TCT I spoke to vendor management and they are concerned about the low $$ offered with FASS and are willing to work with us. So don't bury them until they call and are not willing to meet our fees. Good luck guys

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/10/09 1:46pm
Msg #291823

Ilene, I think it's the BGC requirement that has most

of us balking - like you said, the fees MAY be able to be worked out...it's that BGC thing that's sticking in our craw.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 6/10/09 1:49pm
Msg #291824

Let me explain further....

FASS wants to add Notaries to their data bank but will not list you unless you agree to their terms in advance. The way I look at it is they still will call when there is no other choice....AND they will meet your fee when they have to. If you don't provide them with the bgc of their choice, you will not be listed. They can still find me on NotRot when they want me.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/10/09 1:55pm
Msg #291825

But they will NOT accept NotRot BGC....TCT made

that clear to me - as did the guy who called me from FASS - it's the NNA BGC or you're not eligible..

I will say FASS told me we had til the end of the year to get it done.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/10/09 2:03pm
Msg #291826

Re: But they will NOT accept NotRot BGC....TCT made

This is not the first time this stunt has been done--as we oldies all know. It wasn't successful last time because we all said NO.
This time around, they originally said by 7/1; now it's the end of the year. Sounds promising to me~~
Keep saying NO to this market bullying attempt.

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 6/10/09 3:35pm
Msg #291832

Re: FASS

I got the call too..I told them no due to the background screen, I was assured that it was not yet a requirement but will be by the end of the year. I was also told to cross out their fee and fill it in with my own. I signed up! Work is work..everyone needs to make their own choice. If they call and its a lowball fee then I will say NO!

I also spoke with an SS owner who advised to hold on tight to your money, do not get the NNA screening done. He will let his notaries know if it becomes an issue. He does work with TCT. I trust him!

Reply by ikando on 6/10/09 8:23pm
Msg #291887

I not only got a call, but the "sign up package" emailed to me. In that package, it states a $50 signing fee and $25 for e-docs = $75. After reading here about putting in my own rate, I will do that and see what happens.

I asked about the BGC, and the comment was that I could work with them til the end of the year when it will be required that I go through NNA. In the package, the date for deadline is 12/31/08--NOTE: 2008. Since that written deadline has passed, and they've gone from 7/1/09 to 12/31/09, maybe they're reconsidering???

I got another call last night asking when I was returning the completed package. I may be able to get it done before the end of the week.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/10/09 8:42pm
Msg #291889

"I may be able to get it done before the end of the week."

Or year? LOL

Reply by Carol Graff on 6/10/09 11:50pm
Msg #291910

Who is FASS?

Reply by Elizabeth Soliday on 6/11/09 1:14am
Msg #291915

First American Signature Services

Reply by Elizabeth Soliday on 6/11/09 1:12am
Msg #291914

I did several jobs for them awhile ago and then I had this one dirtbag complain on me because I didn't have my stamp. When I arrived, I looked in my briefcase and it wasn't there. I told her I must have accidently left it at home and I was sorry and would put my stamps on right when I got home, but she was very suspicious of me the whole time. When I went back to my car, there it was on the seat. I went back to the house and showed it to her, explaining that it must have fallen out when I opened the briefcase to check the address.

FASS told me I had a complaint and I explained this to them, that it had never happened before...big freakin deal. I never got a call from them again. Oh well, I consistently get other calls from better companies.

Reply by sue_pa on 6/11/09 9:11am
Msg #291944

Why would you even mention to a signer that you didn't have your stamp with you? Go to pull it out, it's not there, root a few seconds and proceed without saying anything. I'm guessing if someone keeps quiet, a signer would never say or know anything. Unlike others, I don't always stamp at the table ... I do when I can but sometimes it's just not worth it (cloth table cloth w/placemats on top w/ felt snowmen glued to them w/plastic over top - over EVERY inch of the table ... grabby little kids whose parents refuse to make them behave, etc.) I've NEVER had a person mention it to me when I don't stamp at the table.

I have always felt that quite a few or the problems I read on these boards about are created by the notaries who say too much.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/11/09 9:55am
Msg #291949

Totally agree-problems call for solutions, not advertisement n/m