Posted by nez on 9/11/09 4:18pm
Msg #303590

Valuamerica

I did a search, nothing been discussed since June, has anyone signed up with them and are u getting business?? They are actually asking me to sign up to work for Equity National. I know they charge u, but small fee for more work might not be too bad. Just wondering how it was going for someone that has signed up.

Thank you

Reply by MW/VA on 9/11/09 4:23pm
Msg #303592

Equity National sent an email & asked us to sign up for the new "platform" they are going to use through Valuamerica. I was told it wouldn't go into effect for some time to come. Equity also told us to increase our fees by the $5. They don't expect the notaries to pay for this. The part I like is that it will include direct deposit of fees, instead of checks. Equity is a great company, and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize their business. I'm confused here. Who contacted you--Equity or Valuamerica?

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 9/11/09 8:31pm
Msg #303617

About 3 weeks ago I received an email outlining their new procedures and I chose not to participate.

I was contacted by Equity National by telephone yesterday. We discussed the fees and was encouraged to increase my fees to cover this. What I am not comfortable with is giving my credit card info so that I can be charged for a signing!
She also stated that they pick the notaries by price and performance! I have people in my area doing closings for $ 60.00 I cannot compete with these low fees.

The sign up procedure is quite extensive in my opinion! I do have the email with all the info if someone would like this please PM me!

Reply by Ardel Richter on 9/11/09 8:52pm
Msg #303619

Also, as I understand this 'system', you are NOT shown/listed for anyone who uses this system--only the co. who asked you to sign up. So, I guess if another co. were to ask you to sign up, you'd have to go thru the whole procedure again---for each & every co. This sounds like a great system for them, but a total PITA for us. Who dreams these things up, anyway???
That was a rhetorical question.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/12/09 7:46am
Msg #303629

I'm not understanding this, Claudine. Did Equity ask you to take signings for $60?
They are one of my best companies--good pay, easy to work with, & pay quickly.
The person to speak with is Julia Berman, Partner Relations, 800-237-8489 x 4382.

Reply by jojo_MN on 9/12/09 9:18am
Msg #303634

I was told by Equity to add $5 to you normal fee to them. This will cover the additional $4.95 (or close to it) that Valuamerica charges you to download the docs. Valuamerica charges your credit card at the end of the month. If you do 10 closings, it would be $50.

If you don't want to give your credit card information, you can purchase a Visa card from Walmart to use for this purpose. Just make sure you keep enough on the card to cover the monthly charges. (Obviously you only want to use it for this purpose).

Reply by Cari on 9/12/09 4:08pm
Msg #303654

hmmm...maybe I'm not understanding something here...

but do I have this right.....some of you on this post are actually paying $5 (or close to it) to receive assignments from Equity, which gets work from ValueAmerica (or visa versa)....is this right?

Sorry but why on earth would anyone pay to make money? That's like paying for those annoying websites that guarantee you work if you dish out $$ for their service.

But then again, if Equity or ValueAmerica pays your price of $$$, and gives you work at least 4 times a week.......mmmaaaayyyyybbbbeeeee....but I dunno....I quiver to think that it may come down to this....nsa's succombing to pay for work....ouch..

Reply by Jim/AL on 9/12/09 7:51pm
Msg #303668

Cari, you are a member of NotRot, did they guarantee u work?

"Sorry but why on earth would anyone pay to make money? That's like paying for those annoying websites that guarantee you work if you dish out $$ for their service. "

I pay money to NotRot and a few other sites in hopes that I can make money, but I do not consider them annoying and they do not guarantee me any work.

Where on the other hand you would be paying a whopping $5 to know for sure you were going to make money from the job they give you and as a matter of fact if I read correctly you do not pay upfront. but at the end of the month.

Reply by PAW on 9/12/09 7:53pm
Msg #303670

You're not understanding something here...

Equity is going to be using ValuAmerica as a secure distribution host for their documents. ValuAmerica charges ~$5 to access and download the file. Equity is offering to increase your fee by $5 to cover that expense.

You are not paying anyone for work. Unfortunately, ValuAmerica charges the recipient rather than the provider. That's the way the work. But it really becomes a 'wash' (or moot point), since Equity is willing to reimburse you for the fee charged to download.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/12/09 8:02pm
Msg #303673

Good luck trying to explain it....

we've been 'round and 'round the mulberry bush how she won't be "paying someone to work" because she can't see past that perception.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/12/09 8:27pm
Msg #303680

Re: Good luck trying to explain it....

Well put, Brenda. That's the only perception some get of this concept. The gal at Equity explained it to me, and clearly stated that they don't expect the notary to absorb the cost. Just like PAW said.

Reply by Cari on 10/3/09 4:37am
Msg #306003

yep...I see it now....and I agree with you PAW... n/m

Reply by nez on 9/12/09 8:27pm
Msg #303679

Thanks for the comments. Equity National contacted me, of course to work for them you have to go thru this process. I did not like the credit card idea but I do like the Walmart card. I guess it will be worth the paper work.

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 9/14/09 9:24pm
Msg #303870

After looking at this with a different mind set I have signed up with Equity National.

My hesitance at first was using my credit card to pay for this fee! When contacted by Equity by telephone it was stated that they will look for NSAs with the best fees as well as performance. I hesitated because I know there are low ballers in my area and I do not want to compete with them.

But I came to realize..Maybe they are not even in Equity system.

Reply by RedBaron/IN on 9/15/09 9:52am
Msg #303908

I am going to sign up and use a pre-paid credit card to limit my exposure. I do receive very good orders from them and they pay promptly.