Posted by Sandra Clark on 9/1/09 10:29am
Msg #302458

How not to run a NSA business

Don't answer the phone most of the time. Don't return repeated calls to give you business from a TC. Give 4 different numbers and then refer your callers to another number. Answer your phone with a "Hello" that sounds more like a question. No personal name or co. name. When asking your caller to leave a message, let it go to a generic vm box.

Had a call from a client TC asking for help in locating a notary near Roanoke VA. Of course I went on NotRot and pulled up the listing for that area. Found 1 group that met the critieria based on listing. Mom, Dad, daughter and son. Called and spoke with daughter, asked a few generic questions ref experience, equipment. insurance etc. Told her I had a special client looking for a notary in her area. Gave her all the particulars ref. co. name, name of lady that would be calling her, package info. and a fee of $150. She sounded delighted and wanted the work. In general discussions she goes on to tell me how bad business has been this year for them. TC calls 2-3 times, all the numbers listed, finally leaves 2 messages asking for a return call. 3 1/2 days later, no return call, nothing. Client calls me today and relays the info. I feel terrible for the referral. And they wonder why business is BAD!

Get another line of work people!! Thanks for letting me vent.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/1/09 10:40am
Msg #302460

That gives us some idea of what tc's & ss have to deal with. It is also why it is hard for the rest of us to get decent fees. I had one company recently include a picture of a Fedex Express envelope in their instructions, which also were written for idiots/morons. How about some of the email address--hotmail, etc. We're independent contractors and can only be responsible for the quality of the service WE provide. Poor quality in the industry affects us all. Many are against stricter qualifications for getting into this line of work, but it would weed out the jokers. I've heard some unbelievable stories.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 9/1/09 10:54am
Msg #302463

I'm re-signing a reverse mortgage today that the first NSA totally mucked up. There's a QCD to be signed by borrower's brother. First notary had QCD signer sign all docs and then dated everything July __, 2009. Signing took place in August.

Sue Dean at Notary Signing Network may lose her client but is trying to make things right for borrower by having it re-done by someone who knows what they're doing and not returning original notary to scene of crime.

Reply by Alice/MD on 9/1/09 12:34pm
Msg #302478

I am always going out to correct mucked up DOT mostly. My fee is high for this service. I am trying to send a message to these signing services, and title companies that it cost them more in the long run when they choose to pay lower fees to people who do not know what they are doing. The last DOT I went out to get done, the borrower told me the SA did not ask for ID and therefore her name was misspelled and could not be recorded.

Reply by LisaWI on 9/1/09 1:04pm
Msg #302483

I ran into that a few months back Alice. Except it was five people and the SA didnt ask a one for their ID. One of the ladies had gotten married since date of first mortgage, and it created quite a mess for the title company. And get this, on the signature page of the mortgage, she (the previous notary) signed her name on the lines next to everyone elses signatures! Not sure why she did this, we are not a witness state and the title company told me it was not requested of her to do this by the lender. She also didnt have anyone initial the first few pages of the mortgage that was calling for initials. She just had one person initial.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 9/1/09 1:29pm
Msg #302484

Seems some people somehow, by the grace of God, get their notary seal and proceed to do loan signings without any clue as to what's required. And, worse yet, they don't even attempt to ask or learn the requirements. Little do they know their ignorance may be costing the borrower(s) their rate or loan.

Outrageous!

Reply by dickb/wi on 9/1/09 4:29pm
Msg #302508

marilynn i take exception to your stab at hotmail etc.....

many people use hotmail, gmail, or yahoo.......i use hot mail and it is a PAID acct......i have very large capability for large packages.......i can open all pks sent to me......i would never use an e-mail acct from my ISP because if i change carriers i eff lose my e-mail service and it is a big problem to reconstruct your address book......i also have a yahoo acct, a gmail acct and an acct [e-mail address]

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/1/09 4:32pm
Msg #302510

Re: marilynn i take exception to your stab at hotmail etc.....

".i would never use an e-mail acct from my ISP because if i change carriers i eff lose my e-mail service and it is a big problem to reconstruct your address book"

Yeah, I learned that one the hard way. I kept a basic account with Earthlink for over a year after I dropped their internet service just to keep the email account active. I finally bit the bullet and switched to Gmail and it was a PITA to get everyone updated.

Reply by Alice/MD on 9/1/09 4:44pm
Msg #302512

Re: marilynn i take exception to your stab at hotmail etc.....

How did hotmail get involved in this subject about "How not to run a NSA business"? Must be the EOM.

Reply by dickb/wi on 9/1/09 8:02pm
Msg #302529

tajken from marilynn's post......



I had one company recently include a picture of a Fedex Express envelope in their instructions, which also were written for idiots/morons. How about some of the email address--hotmail etc.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/1/09 6:15pm
Msg #302521

Re: marilynn i take exception to your stab at hotmail etc.....

It was meant more as a general statement than a literal one. I have seen people using personal email addresses as their business address. I can remember one very well. It was something like "stillditzy@hotmail". That's the one that was sticking in my mind. No offense intended.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/1/09 4:07pm
Msg #302503

Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

I can see giving them a referral of somebody you know personally, or referring them to Notary Rotary to find somebody, but for you to do the search, as well as call and interview the person just seems like you're WAY overstepping your bounds. Especially when you end up referring a complete flake to the TC for the signing, as was the case here.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 9/1/09 5:01pm
Msg #302515

Re: Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

That's your opinion - you're entitled to it. I don't need to explain to you why I did it.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/1/09 5:07pm
Msg #302516

Re: Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

No, you're right, Sandra - you don't need to explain why you did it - but you HAVE to admit Cali's right. Unless you're subcontracting jobs out for this TC, then a simple referral to NotRot or a couple other directories would have sufficed. Unfortunately, you did more and now it's you with egg on your face for it.

But I DO agree with you your example of these people is no way to run a business.

MHO

Reply by Sandra Clark on 9/1/09 5:17pm
Msg #302517

Re: Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

Linda - TC swamped with eom. I'm waiting for docs on closings that night, so I had some extra time on my hands. TC asked me to do it for them. They give me a large amount of business each and every month. No, I do not subcontract ever. Company not the least bit upset with me - just wanted to give me a heads up. We laughed about it. I did refer her to NotRot and think she found someone to do the closing on the 3rd.. I do go out of my way to help my clients whenever possible and if others think thats wrong, I really don't care

Reply by Keystone_SA on 9/2/09 5:39pm
Msg #302644

Re: Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

If I were the title company, you'd be first on my call list. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to help out a company that you've built a great relationship with. I, personally, have done the same. It's nice to see that you go above and beyond in your business.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 9/3/09 11:34am
Msg #302749

Re: Why are you doing the TC's job for them anyway?

Thanks Keystone. I am, that's why they called me and will continue to call me. Thanks for the kind comments - I don't pay much attention to the posted comments by naysayers. They have way too much time on their hands and just need to nitpick. Maybe if they had enough clients they'd be busier. Hope you stay busy!