Posted by LarryTN on 6/9/09 2:22pm
Msg #291720

Low Fees

I cannot believe I have just received a request to do an overnight DOC closing for $40...!
Someone here in my area is undercutting the rest of us and taking signings for peanuts. I have a statement to make to that person/persons: The rest of us will sit on our laurels an let you run your greedy a$$ ragged, burn up all your expensive fuel, and screw up as many of your signings as possible.

Reply by A-1 Signing Agents, LLC on 6/9/09 2:37pm
Msg #291723

Hard to believe that is even offered. And the ding dong that took it, good for them. The company offering $40 will get just that. A $40 job.

Reply by LarryTN on 6/9/09 3:01pm
Msg #291728

Business here has been really slow. We have found that there is someone taking any and all signings at low ball fees. I was told by another notary that this person's name appeared on a HUD, which they eventually had to correctly close, but he didn't tell me who it was! All I can say to the companies using this person is, you will get what you pay for.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 6/9/09 2:55pm
Msg #291725

Hopefully he won't get paid.

Reply by Janetd/FL on 6/9/09 3:01pm
Msg #291729

You can email [e-mail address].

Reply by LarryTN on 6/9/09 3:03pm
Msg #291731

What is [e-mail address] ?

Reply by Janetd/FL on 6/9/09 3:03pm
Msg #291732

sorry ment to reply to post about service link

Reply by CH2inCA on 6/9/09 4:41pm
Msg #291745

And then a new kid comes on the block...
learning the ropes, doing the best he can;

Should that person 'command' the high dollar jobs? or would it be practical, expected that they learn and glean experience first?

Reply by jba/fl on 6/9/09 7:53pm
Msg #291774

When a new kid comes on the block...

that kid should have an idea of what the industry standard is paying, not the lowball SS's, but what the majority of like-minded individuals are charging. If that new kid has done his/her research, that kid would know what is considered "the norm", or thereabouts.

Yes, the new kid should sign up with SS's and get experience with them as they are a bit more forgiving than a TC, for example. But, conversely, the new kid who has done their homework, will already have an idea of what is expected, know how to fill out a notary block whether it be acknowledgment or jurat and if that kid finds that there is something a bit unexpected will then ask questions, perhaps prefacing said questions with, "I'm having a brain fart here, how do I..." and ask the appropriate hiring entity or come on a forum and search for the answer and then ask as well - like here.

The new kid will get help, and if the new kid is in the proper mind-set will remember and be sure to pass his/her own gains along when the time comes.

That, roughly, is one method towards success for a new kid.
JMHO

Reply by MW/VA on 6/9/09 3:51pm
Msg #291740

Shame on the company & the notary! What cheap wxxres!

Reply by Roger Proctor Sr on 6/9/09 4:02pm
Msg #291743

Well then I don't feel to bad for turning down $60.00 with edocs 40 miles away, somebody will take it but it won't be me. Good Luck 2 Whoever Takes It - You Can Have It!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/9/09 4:12pm
Msg #291744

You know, I don't work for those fees either...

but we all need to keep in mind....$40/signing 2-3 per week is groceries for someone. And yes, I know so please spare me the "cost" factor...maybe it's on the way for them, O/N docs so no printing...maybe 45 minutes at the table, so maybe 5-6 hours work per week tops = $20/hour give or take. You may not agree with it, we ALL may not agree with it, but we all have to eat - don't condemn the person who's doing what they have to do to make ends meet.

Reply by John Schenk on 6/9/09 5:43pm
Msg #291750

We have couple of notaries here that are lowballers...one may not be here anymore..not really sure. I just quote my fee and they either pay it or they don't. My fee is fair for what they receive in return, and they never have to worry about whether I'll show up or not.

I DO have to laugh sometimes...I'll get a call and we determine that I'm available to do their closing at a given time and then they say something like "We pay $85.00 with edocs." I then tell them "I charge $125.00 minimum with edocs." "But we only pay $85.00." "Thank you for calling but my minimum fee is $125. Please call me back if you're able to get my fee approved and I'll be happy to do your closing for you."

Not trying to be nasty with them, but my fee is clearly posted on the web sites, and there is no mention of ANY service for $85 as I don't walk out the door for less than $100.00, and that's if they O/N the docs to me. It just kinda makes me laugh sometimes. Sometimes they call back, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they mess around until the very last minute and I charge them $175.00 instead of the $125.00 they could have booked it at. I figure that if I have already spoken to them earlier in the day, and sometimes heard from several schedulers, and they wait until less than an hour from the signing to book it with me, that I'm not doing it for the same price. They have turned into a rush job what could have been a standard booking for a reasonable fee which could have been booked much earlier in the day. I also charge higher for last minute calls for signings.

Doing signings isn't my main source of income and most likely have less competition than many, if not most, of you do in your particular venue so what works for me won't necessarily work for you. I DO find it amusing sometimes as this is NOT my main source of income. I enjoy doing the closings and doing them well, but if I lose one because they won't pay my minimum fee I think about it for about 2 seconds and I'm on to something else, unless they keep warting me and calling me back. LOL

Hope everyone is having a super month! The last 2-3 months have yielded about all the signings I have time to do, or want to do. It's nice to get to spend an evening at home every once in a while, although I still don't turn any down if they pay my fee and the time works for me.

JJ