Posted by Cari on 5/13/09 1:06pm
Msg #288296

Signing Central - any thoughts on changing format?

I'm probably going to get slammed for this by the loyals - and for the record, I like the set-up as it is...but had been wondering if NR considered removing those 'out of business' companies....or perhaps create another list entitled "Deadbeat Signing Central"....

.....it's a crappy sort of cold & rainy day here on the Northside in Chicago and I have nothing better to do but ask.....

Reply by CopperheadVA on 5/13/09 1:13pm
Msg #288297

I think what I would like to see is maybe an alphabet heading - the list is so long now that it takes a little bit to scroll down to the part of the alphabet that you need.

Also, I would like everyone, no matter what state they are in, to be able to see all companies listed - no more coding per state.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 5/13/09 1:17pm
Msg #288301

I agree with Copper about everyone being able to see all companies.

Now, I do currently get an "alphabet heading." Guess we all see different formats ....

Reply by CopperheadVA on 5/13/09 1:25pm
Msg #288304

<< Now, I do currently get an "alphabet heading." Guess we all see different formats .... >>

Oops! you're right - my bad. When I'm signed in, it's there. When I'm, not signed in, it's not there.

Reply by Lee/AR on 5/13/09 1:46pm
Msg #288316

If you're logged in, you get the Alphabet. n/m

Reply by PAW on 5/13/09 1:19pm
Msg #288302

>>> ... what I would like to see is maybe an alphabet heading ... <<<

There already is an alphabet at the top of the page.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


>>> Also, I would like everyone, no matter what state they are in, to be able to see all companies listed - no more coding per state. <<<

I'll second that motion.

Reply by Les_CO on 5/13/09 1:29pm
Msg #288307

Re: Signing Central -coding per state

I agree!
For instance…. I just did two for Transcontinental Title out of FL. If I’m signed in they don’t show, If not they do….but I can’t comment. BTW they are very good to work with.

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 1:40pm
Msg #288312

Transcontinental Title...I second that Les very good company n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 5/13/09 1:36pm
Msg #288309

No more coding per state! No more coding! Let's all chant! n/m

Reply by PAW on 5/13/09 1:38pm
Msg #288311

No more coding per state! No more coding!

Leave state coding to state code enforcement officials.

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 1:42pm
Msg #288313

No more coding? sorry confused here...star rankings? n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 5/13/09 1:47pm
Msg #288317

Ditto: No more coding per state! No more coding! n/m

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 1:48pm
Msg #288318

please someone define coding??? n/m

Reply by PAW on 5/13/09 1:53pm
Msg #288321

Re: please someone define coding???

Signing Services and Title Companies are "coded" as to their coverage area. Some are 'coded' as nationwide, and other are 'coded' to cover only a few states or one state. However, many companies that are 'coded' to only one or a few states, may actually provide services in other parts of the country. When members go to view the list, only those companies that are coded to include the members state can be viewed.

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 1:57pm
Msg #288323

ohhhhh that...yeah that should be taken off... n/m

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 1:58pm
Msg #288324

ohhhhh that...yeah that should be taken off... n/m

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 2:06pm
Msg #288327

sorry for the double post! n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 5/13/09 3:55pm
Msg #288363

no - you're joining the chant.... n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/14/09 2:44am
Msg #288446

Re: please someone define coding???

What I would prefer is for everyone to be able to see all companies, but perhaps have the listing include a "code" for coverage or even just a list of states covered. Hopefully there is some kind of a solution that wouldn't be a programming nightmare or prohibitively time consuming and expensive to do.

Reply by MW/VA on 5/13/09 5:09pm
Msg #288378

Re: No more coding per state! No more coding! Let's all chant!

I'll join that chant. No more state coding! The entire list should be available to everyone.

Reply by Patricia Manatt on 5/13/09 3:26pm
Msg #288353

Drop the state coding! Open up for all to view and comment on. I have worked for companies listed in signing central when not signed in but dont show for PA when signed in and therefore, can't leave comments in signing central.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/13/09 3:34pm
Msg #288354

It may just be me, but

There are some companies that have a two or three star rating that have a horrible payment reputation. I sometimes use it as a tool in determining the worth of working for a company for the first time, but I don't put too much stock in the actual ratings.

I would like to see something put in place to guard against a shill for questionable companies from posting positive info. Perhaps Premier Members only commenting. Don't know what the answer would be .. but I personally don't have a lot of confidence in the ratings.

Sorry Harry ...

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/13/09 4:55pm
Msg #288372

Personally... I'd rather see the "Find a Notary" section...

worked on before Signing Central. I think that SC is highly under utilized. I use it myself... but clearly not enough people do. Or, at least... they don't leave comments when they should.

My biggest itch for NotRot would be a better way of searching for a notary. I have a problem that probably affects several of us. My zip code is 93535, but it's a HUGE zip code, area wise it's about 250 square miles. The majority of the population within that zip code is along the western side, tucked up against other zip codes. But, a search within 93535, for example... puts you right in the center of those 250 sq miles... out in the middle of nowhere in the desert. The problem with that is that center point is a good 15-20 miles out from the majority of the populated area. So somebody doing a search for 93535 will find me just mine... but if someone searches for 93536...the center point for which is less than HALF the distance... i don't show up at ALL... because it is technically more than 20 miles from center to center, even though, physically speaking, I'm less than a few miles away.

Now, I know we can expand that 20 miles... but 20 is the default and I rarely change it myself. But if I change a search for 93536 to 30 miles... i show up, yes... but it shows me as 23 miles away. That's not even close to true! I've actually had people call me and say, "You're 30 miles away, I don't want to make you drive that far!" I'm really less than 10 miles away most of the time.

So, before Signing Central is fixed... I'd like to see the notary search fixed. I get a lot of calls from that, and it makes me wonder how many I miss because of the wacky zip code issues. I know this isn't so much of a big deal for areas with a dense population and zip codes with small geographic areas... but it's a significant issue for some of us.

Reply by Cari on 5/13/09 5:38pm
Msg #288391

interesting...how about NotRot adding like an actual mapping

system...like a 'map it here' and an area map will show up with the actual notaries listed that way, they can click on all the possibilities....does this make sense?

Reply by Susan Fischer on 5/13/09 9:27pm
Msg #288420

So true. Otis is just one huge zipcode and a post office.

Ok. And a great little cafe.

For us, time and distance are critical factors on so many levels. Marketing, budgeting, cash flow, networking, etc.

The goal should be to make it as easy as possible to find us. We are, after all, why we're here.

Harry?