Posted by John Schenk on 10/5/09 6:58pm
Msg #306286
FWIW, if you do these
I never have done these, and don't plan to, but thought I would pass along this unsolicited email. No info on this company, and their web page is lousy, so as I said it's a FWIW post.
JJ
[e-mail address]
We are a nationwide field service company. We currently perform the following services:
Field Call Interviews (Doorknocks): Involves hand delivering a letter from our clients (lender) to their customer, verifying their contact information and re-establishing communication between the lender and the borrower. Doorknocks are done as a courtesy to borrowers, informing them that there is a past due balance on their account that they may or may not be aware of. The lender is often willing to work with the customer to resolve the delinquency. This service requires photos of the collateral if it is seen. The collateral may be a home, vehicle, equipment, etc...
These orders pay $30 for customer contact (borrower or co-borrower) and $20 without customer contact (3rd party or no contact). We require a 48 hour turn around time on these orders. If you live in a rural area we understand that these requirements may not be feasible. If that is the case, please call to discuss these terms. Our main goal is to make contact with the customer in order to re-establish communication between the lender and the customer.
Please be aware that many clients prefer that jobs are run in the evenings between 5 PM and 9 PM during the week (except place of employment). If you get a job on a weekend, it can be done anytime between 8AM and 9 PM.
Attached is our Independent Contractor Application, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and acknowledgment letter. If you are interested, please complete the forms and fax or e-mail them back to my attention.
Please give us the zip codes you could cover for the fees that we are paying and the 48 hour turnaround time. A zip code template has been attached to this email for your convenience. If you do not have Excel, you may put your zip codes in a Word document.
The application asks if you have insurance. If you do not, that’s fine. It is not a requirement to become an Independent Contractor with us.
Please be sure to send a readable copy of your driver’s license or state id.
If you have any questions, please call me at 262-754-6006, ext 203, Central Standard Time. You may also e-mail me at [e-mail address].
Thanks,
Karen
Sand Castle Field Services
Phone 262-754-6006
Fax 262-754-6008
Please do not send your job results to this email.
This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies of the original message. Thank you.
You received this mail because you are listed in the Richard Law Publication as a registered SOFI Field Service Agent. Sand Castle Field Services occasionally sends these solicitations when we have work in your area. You may unsubscribe to this mailing by sending an email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject to [e-mail address] or calling the number above. It may take up to 72 hours to process this request.
| Reply by Karla/WA on 10/5/09 7:07pm
Msg #306287
I would NEVER do these assignments.
| Reply by John Schenk on 10/5/09 7:10pm
Msg #306289
I wouldn't either...
but SOMEBODY does them, and there may be some here that do them. That was my only reason for passing it along. Don't know if they're negotiable or not. They'd have to more than double their fee just to get me to walk out the door. LOL
JJ
| Reply by Karla/WA on 10/5/09 7:14pm
Msg #306290
Re: I wouldn't either...
I've received requests for audit of busineses...are their file cabinets locked, do they have procedures in place for privacy compliance....but...I have the same problem...these companies only want to pay $75 for the assignment. I CANNOT MAKE A LIVING ON FEES LIKE THIS..........what don't these organizations get about low-balling fees?
| Reply by John Schenk on 10/5/09 7:36pm
Msg #306295
The harder times are, the more lowballing fees.
The less that phone rings for any type of notary service, or something like this service, the less companies are going to want to pay because they know the harder times get the more notaries there are sitting out there twiddling their thumbs needing a phone call to make a buck. Some will succumb to the lowball fees, and with times the way they are right now, that's all they need to get a signing done on the cheap...JMHO of course, and not talking about this go check the borrower stuff that was in this email.
It's easier for notaries to hold fees higher when that phone is ringing repeatedly, daily. It's more difficult when the ringing is sporadically, at best, if you make your living doing this. I surmise that the bidding war is more reality now, than fantasy. I'm not in a real competitive area, but I certainly see a difference. If they call and want you there at 2:00 p.m., you either accept it for that time and place, or someone else is going to get the job. No working with you on times. POOF...call the next notary on the list and it'll get booked because there's just not that much to go around right now.
JJ
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/6/09 6:17am
Msg #306333
John, you hit the nail on the head
<< It's easier for notaries to hold fees higher when that phone is ringing repeatedly, daily. It's more difficult when the ringing is sporadically, at best, if you make your living doing this.>>
John, you are so right!
| Reply by jba/fl on 10/5/09 8:11pm
Msg #306304
Sure - from 5pm to 9pm - yeah
now that daylight saving time is about to disappear and days are shorter, of course I want to wander to strangers who are behind in payments and try to avoid everyone anyway and pull out a flash camera and start taking pics.
Oh, yeah, sounds like a dream job - only in my dreams though.
| Reply by BrendaTx on 10/5/09 9:18pm
Msg #306313
Only if I were big enough to go bear hunting with a switch
would I do that. I cannot imagine how awkward this kind of field service job is. ICK!
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/5/09 11:52pm
Msg #306329
Exactly!
At least when we do loan docs or other notary work, they are happy to see us. I can't imagine doing this kind of work -- and for $30??? Not even close!
Geez, I was just wondering what it would have been like if the RM I did this evening was one of those... The woman's son was there to look over everything for her. He looked like, if his Harley was having engine problems, he could have picked it up, slung it over his shoulder and carried it back to his shop to fix it - with one arm!! Fortunately, he was very nice to me 'cause I was there to help his mom, BUT... well, I don't even want to imagine! 
| Reply by CF on 10/5/09 10:21pm
Msg #306322
Re: Sure - from 5pm to 9pm - yeah
I used to do a lot for them. I would always "piggy-back" with my loan signings. I did quite well when the market tanked and gas for $4.85 a gallon. For me it was survival. However, my area that I covered was very small. That is the key. I do not do many inspection these days as business has picked back up for me and I can pay my bills with my signing work. SandCastle is easy to work with and always pay.
FYI- I always took the pictures first then door knocked. People were not very mean or rude....I just handed them the letter and walked away. Most were embarrassed....but I live in a nice and safe area. Something to consider.
| Reply by Linda Juenger on 10/5/09 10:30pm
Msg #306324
Re: Sure - from 5pm to 9pm - yeah
I've also done 2 of these, both with the same person that was behind in payments. I had no problem doing it because of the area it was in. Very nice, clean town small town. I also worked it in with another signing as they don't pay much. I have turned many down due to the pay and the area. I really didn't like doing it although the lady was very nice to me. I doubt that I will do anymore. Not my cup of tea.
| Reply by parkerc/ME on 10/5/09 10:44pm
Msg #306326
I've done a handful of these and refuse to do any more. The ones I did were lease inspections. They end up not being "just a door knock". Usually I had to take pictures of the business and signage. If the occupants were there, I was to give them an envelope with the contact person's number for them to call. Then, from my car, I'd call the client and let them know I'd made contact. Then they'd say, well you need to go back and get them on the phone with us while you are there. Not worth the $30-$40, and not just a "door knock".
| Reply by A S Johnson on 10/6/09 9:38am
Msg #306346
Sure, $30. Say, John, in Texas process service is state mandated $65 plus milage.
| Reply by PAW on 10/6/09 12:10pm
Msg #306356
I wonder if they're licensed
My take on this is you would be acting as or for a collection agency. In Florida, any debt collection agency must be licensed by the Florida Department of Banking & Finance or exempt from licensing pursuant to F.S. Chapter 559. As an agent for Sand Castle, you too would either have to be individually licensed or working under their license, in Florida. I could not find a license for "Sand Castle Field Services" so my guess is doing their dirty work for them in Florida would be flying under the radar and may have some serious side effects for doing so.
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/6/09 12:18pm
Msg #306357
This e-mail is very similar to the one I received from another established Field Services company....the one thing about these is there is no payment for any "rechase" - them sending you back out for more info - you agree for $35-$50 (whatever you can negotiate) that's the end of your compensation, even if they have you go back out, it's on your dime...
I, like others, wouldn't want to do these - don't like the idea of knocking on the doors of people behind in payments. These just don't seem to pay enough.
MHO
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