Posted by jonpa on 11/17/09 1:16pm
Msg #311262

National Notary Association NO GOOD

On October,2009, My NSA had to be renewed. I went to the NNA website to renew and the website blocked me for renewing because my membership was not paid up. When in fact it's paid till 1/31/10. I call the NNA and they called me a liar that I put in the worng information on their website. They have no record of me. But then they said I am an active member. Also they said that they will not provide me a refund. I also informed the NNA I took a screenshot of the page telling me that My membership expired and I had to pay an addition $91.00.
WHAT A RIP.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/17/09 1:32pm
Msg #311263

And, you are just discovering this? hmm. n/m

Reply by jonpa on 11/17/09 1:36pm
Msg #311264

NO HMMMMMMMMMM

I think this place is just as bad at times

Reply by jba/fl on 11/17/09 2:21pm
Msg #311266

No - quote me properly: hmm.

I am so sorry that I am not in the NNA camp so that I could exclaim "OMG - how did that happen? You poor thing!" Then, of course, I could come up with all kinds of platitudes, make soothing noises like your mom might make while rubbing your poor upset tummy all the while murmuring some other drivel.

I just don't get it - Almost everyone here has stories of the not so nice type about this organization and no one believes it. Just like SOX - "well, I'll give them a chance because someone said they are ok and they sounded so nice to me."

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein, (attributed)
If that is the definition, then I am surely insane for thinking that I could post something and get a different result. If I'm sympathetic, I get slammed; conversely, the reverse is also true. Off I go - hahahaha

Reply by Roger_OH on 11/17/09 2:21pm
Msg #311267

Look no further...

In PA, you're fortunate to already have one of the best statewide notary organizations in the country.

The PA Assn of Notaries can pretty much meet any of your notary needs, so why would you even bother with the other that's making you unhappy?

Reply by MW/VA on 11/17/09 4:51pm
Msg #311284

Re: Look no further...

I'm envious. I understand that the PA Assn of Notaries is a really good organization.
As far as NNA is concerned, I'm convinced it is just a money-making database. When you come down to it, is there really anything behind all the hype? I've never heard of anyone who could get any kind of an answer to membership questions, etc. It's usually "just send money--just send money". I got a notice today that my membership expires the end of this month--hooray! What's the saying, "fool me once-shame on you, fool me twice--shame on me". I'm sure they'll really miss me (hahahehehe).

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/17/09 7:18pm
Msg #311310

Re: Look no further...

I let mine lapse as well... I had received plenty of business, but it really just annoyed me more than anything. Believe it or not, the NNA is a NON-PROFIT! They make plenty of money, though, and they blow it on frivolous, annoying mailings and almost useless magazines.

Plus, the only people that care that I'm an NNA member don't pay very well anyway anymore.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/17/09 7:31pm
Msg #311315

It's actually a chimera, a for profit that owns a not for

Check it out at your local friendly BBB website.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/17/09 7:48pm
Msg #311318

Ahh, the BBB... another useless organization. :) n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/17/09 8:19pm
Msg #311324

Re: Ahh, the BBB... another useless organization. :)

BTW... thanks. I wasn't aware about the dual status. Interesting.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/17/09 7:32pm
Msg #311316

NNA is both a non-profit org. and a for profit corp. n/m

Reply by parkerc/ME on 11/17/09 5:15pm
Msg #311288

Re: Look no further...

I got a membership renewal notice from NNA a month or two ago . . . and my membership with them does not expire until June 2010!

Reply by John/CT on 11/17/09 5:28pm
Msg #311293

In defense of NNA

I've been a long-time member, and the number of referrals I receive from my listing more than pays for my costs. Their background screening has "kept the door open" (so I've been told) for me with Fiserv ... one of my long-time regulars. Likewise with FASS. As for customer service, no complaints here either. As a matter of fact, Betty Moreno recently jumped through all kinds of hoops get my renewals and expiration extensions taken care of. I was very pleased with her responsiveness. BTW, I never call because it's so difficult to get through ... I use email instead, which has always worked for me. So for the life of me, I can't figure what went wrong with "jonpa". Could it be their approach?

Reply by John/CT on 11/17/09 5:53pm
Msg #311298

BTW, I'm no Troll, as most of you know. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 11/17/09 7:04pm
Msg #311305

Re: In defense of NNA

Good points, John. I know my post was from a "disgruntled member".

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 11/17/09 9:14pm
Msg #311328

Re: In defense of NNA

I have had nothing but good experiences with the NNA! Always friendly, helpful people. Any issues I may have had were promptly taken care of. Yes way too many renewal notices..get one almost monthly..its marketing. I like the magazine..espicially since I was in it..lol

I know most people here think differently of the NNA..but we are all allowed our opinions and I am happy with them. If you are not then thats fine too..Just don't beat up the other people that don't agree with you!

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 11/18/09 7:44am
Msg #311354

While if forced to admit it, I will contend that there have been issues the NNA took on that were beneficial to NOTARIES PUBLIC - it is my opinion that it may have been precisely how they managed to present themselves to the world - including your local SOS - as THE voice of all that notaries public do for a living - including acting as a S/A.

For the NSA industry, they do present the pro-NSA argument to states where the Bar Assoc presents the con-NSA/pro-atty only closings. So does the Justice Dept and FTC. I would also contend that the XYZ empire stands to gain in that fight as well, while the Justice Dept and the FTC really wouldn't see dollars coming in from this.

HOWEVER ...by "recommending" fees (in their very loud, very viral 'voice') that were insufficient for operating a profitable business, they did not act in OUR best interests and the possibility that this played a role as big and large and loud as the XYZ empire is, IMO is very reasonable to imagine. It is also always interesting to me, to see their name so often aligned with other very large industry corporations, particularly those reknown for soliciting services at fee levels that are low/NO profit/actually costing us.

If being an NSA were to become less profitable & with a very low entrance 'barrier', more of a 'hobbyist' type activity - it might be able to continually attract new hobbyists, particularly in a weak economy.

I think it's a very large picture that needs to be considered.

Reply by MW/VA on 11/18/09 1:56pm
Msg #311396

Well put, Renee. I also have an issue on their selling both sides of the fence on "certified & bgc" at a time when the real crooks in the industry weren't even required to have licenses. I'm all for whatever adds to the NSA profession, including some set of standards. That's what I supported & thought that was being served by my membership. Experience has taught me that it's putting a lot of people in the industry that are pretty clueless. They are also known for publishing a lot of incorrect info--the Notary Law Primer I purchased from them for my state is one example.
There's good & bad in everything.

Reply by Maranga Ink Resources on 11/18/09 3:08pm
Msg #311407

All of you as a Notary Public/Signing Agent, well know that in the chain of work is where are made the errors.
Its true NNA is a for profit and non profit and has a foundation as well, for education giving grants to some members.
But I have to point out when I acquired my cell phone through their partners, was a total MESS.
Nothing personal with the group of IT they hired, but they think they are the max in that field and aren't, That;s why many errors or problems in the flow of the links, clicks, all related information.
Perhaps we should complaint more about their hired people performing incorrectly IT functions what in consequence gives a bad image of the NNA