Posted by Carol Graff on 11/18/09 7:26pm
Msg #311447

last minute calls from ss

This last week I've received a few calls between 5:15 & 6:00 pm for a signing for the same evening. Does anyone ask for extra money for this especially from some signing cos. that have a low set fee.

Reply by firegirl on 11/18/09 7:28pm
Msg #311450

I ask, it's easier to negotiate when it's last minute.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/18/09 7:38pm
Msg #311455

I don't - if I'm available and the company meets my standard fee then that's what I accept - why milk them just because it's a last minute scheduling? Some do it but I don't believe in playing that game. I WILL ask for extra if the package is oversized or the travel outside my normal limits but not just because it's last minute...IMO it's an occupational hazard and the nature of the beast.

JMO

Reply by John Schenk on 11/18/09 9:36pm
Msg #311484

Agree with that, Linda. Feel the same. n/m

Reply by Patricia/VT on 11/18/09 9:53pm
Msg #311485

Re: Agree with that, Linda. Feel the same.

I agrree also.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 11/18/09 7:42pm
Msg #311456

Even calls today to do a signing tomorrow can actually end up being "last minute" . . . because you're sitting there still waiting for documents at the last minute. So I don't charge any differently either.

Reply by ME/NJ on 11/18/09 7:57pm
Msg #311461

Same fee 3 days or 3 hours.

Last minute deals were 50/50 but with new regs I would bet on a better pass rate.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 11/18/09 8:02pm
Msg #311464

I generally don't take last minute calls unless they are from an established client. I've found that last minute calls are a PITA and ultimately the hardest to collect on. I have no problem doing them for a client I know and trust, though.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/18/09 10:31pm
Msg #311486

a n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/18/09 10:32pm
Msg #311487

Agree with Copperhead ..... n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/18/09 8:51pm
Msg #311471

<<<Does anyone ask for extra money for this especially from some signing cos. that have a low set fee.>>>

I'm a night owl, but get comfy around 10pm. I do charge an extra $25 for signings after 10pm because I have to get uncomfy. <smile!>

Reply by MW/VA on 11/18/09 9:05pm
Msg #311479

For some, business hasn't been good & I'm sure a call, last minute or not, would be welcome.

Reply by Carol Graff on 11/18/09 11:18pm
Msg #311489

thanks for you take on this everyone. What about 3 borrowers and a very large package?
(185 pages)

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/18/09 11:22pm
Msg #311490

ONLY for trusted clients and new caller with 7 star track record. If track record cannot be verified by trusted/respected Notaries who post regularly, then NO.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 11/19/09 5:21am
Msg #311494

3 borrowers and a very large package (185 pages) = PITA n/m

Reply by Cari on 11/19/09 6:34am
Msg #311499

you were right CopperheadVA...total PITA! n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/19/09 6:49am
Msg #311503

"What about 3 borrowers and a very large package?
(185 pages)"

That's part of the standard fee negotiation and should have been considered and accounted for during the initial negotiation. If the oversized package is discovered after the fact then, yes, it's a modest additional fee to compensate for it. Number of signers impacts time at the table and may have an affect on how many copies of the package need to be printed ...

All of this should be negotiated up front or before printing the docs and going to the signing. None of it has anything to do with additional fees for last minute calls.

MHO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/19/09 4:03am
Msg #311492

If they're offering you less than your standard fee, then they're presumably not a regular, so I would definitely see if they would negotiate a higher fee. In a crunch, some of the lowballers might agree to pay more than they usually will, so it might be worth a try. For me, it also depends on how many I've done that day and how tired I am as a result. Some evenings it takes more than others to convince me to head out again. However, I have some clients that are nearly always last minute, but they pay well enough to where I will nearly always take it if I'm available for our normal agreed upon fee. "Last minute" just goes with the territory some times, but you have to make your own judgments.

Reply by SharonMN on 11/19/09 8:58am
Msg #311528

Last minute call often means the previously booked notary gave the signing back because the title company/lender couldn't produce documents in time. I charge the same as usual but ask if documents are ready and try to gauge whether or not I'll be spending my whole night dealing with it (and then potentially having it cancel anyway) before agreeing to accept.