Posted by sue_pa on 3/13/09 1:39pm
Msg #280609

the "purge"

Has anyone's area been purged? I asked about it probably 6 months ago and then 6 weeks ago and haven't had a response. My area is FILLED with Maryland notaries who don't work in PA and is FILLED with people who haven't updated since 2007.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/13/09 3:41pm
Msg #280626

There are many in my area than have not updated their profiles since 2007. Most of the premium members seem to be up to date, though, at least within the past three months or so.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 3/13/09 4:17pm
Msg #280630

None in my area - know for a fact one is only doing closings after 5 PM and rarely on weekends but still showing 24/7 service, one hasn't update her profile since 11/07 IMHO Harry should email everyone on the site that hasn't updated or corrected their profile within the past 6 months that they will be deleted in 30 days unless they do so.

Reply by Alice/MD on 3/13/09 5:35pm
Msg #280633

I am a Maryland notary and I am not commissioned as a notary in PA. How do I stop getting calls for PA? I update my profile every 3 months and more often when necessary.

Reply by ME/NJ on 3/13/09 6:36pm
Msg #280640

Purge- Don't make me laugh n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/13/09 7:23pm
Msg #280643

Harry feels he has to spend lots of money correcting this

But, I really don't see why he feels that way. If someone hasn't updated a profile since '07, well~~ gee, too bad. I would think that an e-mail saying 'update, delete or we will delete' ought to be adequate to really motivate those people who are still doing this to FIX IT. If they don't, again, well, gee, too bad. If an e-mail comes back as undeliverable, obviously, they're no longer doing signings....delete 'em.

I will also say that I think this would be quite labor intensive...looking at every profile to see the last time it was updated, sending an e-mail, waiting a reasonable amount of time (a week?) to see if it gets updated and, if not, delete it. However...would I give you a problem without some sort of solution? NO. We all can 'police our area' and send Harry an e-mail with a list of these people... would cut his time/labor down some, anyway.

Qualifier: not my board; it's Harry's and this is just mho.

Reply by KODI/CA on 3/13/09 10:19pm
Msg #280665

Re: Harry feels he has to spend lots of money correcting this

Actually, a reasonably good "geek" would have no trouble programing an automatic system, sending out the emails, monitoring the updates, and deleting those that were not in compliance. No manual labor or extensive time involved, just the original set up. At the same time, fix the system so that all updating the programing so that we could check any company, even if they do not work in our area, would be an easy fix. For me, I would gladly donate $5.00 to get it all done. Considering all of the activity on the forum, if all others did, no expense to Harry.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/14/09 1:42am
Msg #280679

Re: Harry feels he has to spend lots of money correcting this

I agree. I know just enough about databases to know that, depending on how they are set up to begin with, most allow sorting by a particular field. Even in Excel, it would be simple enough. He does have a system to send notifications for renewal when a Premier Membership is about to expire. (I know because I just got mine! )

Having said that, I think that my area has been purged at some point. There are considerably fewer than there were a year or two ago -- thank goodness!!!

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/13/09 7:46pm
Msg #280648

Why not program the site so profiles older than 6 months are automatically deleted with a disclaimer within the sign-up process that states "profile must be updated at least once every 6 months (or whatever timeframe is chosen) or it will automatically be deleted". No need to waste time emailing anyone. They'll just know the deal upon sign-up. If Harry did the programming now....the site would be clean out of stale profiles.

Reply by A-1 Signing Agents, LLC on 3/13/09 8:14pm
Msg #280657

I was recently looking at the people in my area. Some don't even have a profile statement as to what they do. Some as far back as 2 1/2 years. I would think this might bump up others that actually do pay for the site and help their business out as well. I know in my area alone, alot that were doing signings have stopped. Would be nice to just run a program periodically to put them toward the bottom if they haven't updated in a long time. Not sure what that would take.

Reply by ChristineHI on 3/13/09 10:27pm
Msg #280667

Thanks Sue. I actually sent them an email recently asking for them to purge as well. Honestly, I would help them do it if they want. My husband is a "computer geek" for a living and I am sure could help them figure out and easy way to do it.
I would also pay $5 like someone else said to do it if it is just about the cost.
To me, when someone hasn't updated their profile in 1 and a half years, they are not that concerned.
I don't mind competing with people that that want the business too, but I think that the ones that don't take the time to keep their information current should be removed.
I like the idea of automatically removing after 6 months. :-)
Times are tough and having to compete with others that don't make as much effort is hard. :-)
If you need help guys to do this I will volunteer my time..:-)
Anyway, thanks for the thread Sue.

Reply by MW/VA on 3/14/09 10:37am
Msg #280706

I don't see the MD/PA issue as a "purge" matter. That is definitely something that needs to be corrected. As far as being required to update a profile, I thought that the new "rating system" took a lot of that into account. Databases are, of course, about the #s.

Reply by sue_pa on 3/14/09 12:50pm
Msg #280724

...Databases are, of course, about the #s. ...

In my unknowing mind, that is the correct answer - of course - if the individuals listed don't work any longer or don't cover the areas listed, what's the purpose of having lots of numbers. Clients want to call someone ... they don't want to shuffle through dead listings.

Reply by Joan_OH on 3/14/09 12:56pm
Msg #280729

and THAT is the real issue

I can't remember the last time I received a call from my Notary Rotary listing. The schedulers don't use it because there are sooooo many dead listings and they don't want to waste their time on several calls just to find someone who is still working as a witness closer.

I receive all my calls from another listing site where it is required that you update every so many days or get deactivated. At least when the scheduler goes there, they know they have an active agent.

Joan-OH

Reply by sue_pa on 3/14/09 1:08pm
Msg #280737

Re: and THAT is the real issue

I like this site (although sometimes it may seem to others that I don't) and I do get calls.

Those of us "out here" see and hear things and those on the "inside" know other stuff but in this instance, I don't understand the "inside" stuff.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/14/09 1:37pm
Msg #280741

Must be a regional thing, Joan..

I still get calls from companies that found me here....

Of course, the notary list for my zip is very short so it's very worth my $$

Reply by MW/VA on 3/14/09 3:40pm
Msg #280759

I remembered that the "coffee" site has a pretty cool system. There is a little icon--color coded for profile updates: green for within last 30 days; yellow for 60 days; red for over 90 days. It is very clear which profiles are current & updated. I now update my profile on the major sites at the beginning of each month so I don't forget.

Reply by jba/fl on 3/14/09 11:07pm
Msg #280800

I sure didn't know that about the cafe - now I have to try and remember to go there too. Thanks for the info. Their forum isn't worth visiting, but I get calls through them. I also get calls from here, but most start with, "Are you still working?"