Posted by bagger on 2/13/10 8:33am
Msg #322681

APAT new poloicies

Anyone recieve APAT's new policies? Specifically, if the loan doesn't close, pay to the Notary is $0.00.
Opinions? Has anyone signed this agreement?

Reply by JulieD/KS on 2/13/10 8:38am
Msg #322682

They can have whatever policy they want. If I do a job, I expect to paid...and will pursue it.
I had a local title company hire me a couple of years ago. The job was a nightmare...and then the lady wound up using her RTC. Title company was pretty rude to me and said they wouldn't pay me a dime!

They paid in full. My demand letter works, even on creepy companies.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 8:39am
Msg #322684

Yep..I got it..posted about it in #322400 but

didn't identify them at the time...

I replied that I can't agree to those terms and asked to be removed from the database. I can't sign that agreement.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/13/10 9:08am
Msg #322686

Re: APAT new policies

Yes, and I found it astoundingly ridiculous! In addition to the absurd fees and reduced payments, including $0.00 if the loan doesn't close, there were so many micromanaging rules in there that I just could not believe my eyes. I'm sorry, I don't work that way.

And the thing about $75 for 5/3 Mtg, it says "volume account". Who's volume??? Not ours. And who in their right mind would even think about doing a Provident loan for $100?

I've worked for APAT before (not $100, that's probably why I'm not their "Top Notary" in my area). They sent me the order. I got 'er dun. They paid me. Why does it have to be so hard?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 9:25am
Msg #322687

How about this part...

"....I request all invoices to be sent by 9:00 a.m. the next business day. If the invoice is not
received by this time, a $10 fee may be deducted"

Reply by jba/fl on 2/13/10 9:29am
Msg #322688

Re: How about this part...

Why? Do they start paying at 9:01?

BS

Reply by bagger on 2/13/10 9:35am
Msg #322690

Re: How about this part...

My Fedex doesn't open until 9!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 9:38am
Msg #322692

Richard, your invoice, not the package... n/m

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/13/10 9:38am
Msg #322691

Re: How about this part...

"Please DO NOT call anyone except me if there is a problem (i.e. at the table..) Sooo....I call you, you call Title or the LO, you call me back. Most BOs will stop the closing until they have an acceptable answer to their question, so we wait. 20 pages later, another question. Here we go again and I look like an dolt who can't be trusted to talk directly to the person with the answers. Nawww..

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/13/10 10:02am
Msg #322695

I got them too. That sounds a bit unusual... I thought Nicole was above these petty SS games.

Anyone who signs that agreement agrees to the terms.... I know I would never do it. Payment for my services is never dependent upon the loan funding. My agreement is with the services, not the lender ot title company. If I do the work... I expect to get paid. If the loan falls through, it falls through. Somebody still needs to pay for the work.

Reply by TRG_wy on 2/13/10 10:13am
Msg #322698

My complete thoughts exactly.....

Do they then contact the apraiser and demand that payment back on the borrower's behalf?

The apraiser is paid in advance. All problems would be gone if we were paid at the table for our services and a line item on the HUD gave the borrower credit for our fee.

Rusty in WY waiting for more snow today

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/13/10 10:19am
Msg #322699

Re: APAT new policies

I really don't get this part:

Effective February 2010
1) All NO CLOSES will result in $0 payment to notary
2) All RECLOSES will result in $50 flat fee to notary
Exceptions – Fifth Third Bank:
1) All NO CLOSES will result in $0 payment to notary
2) All RECLOSE will result in $0 payment to notary

So, we absorb all risks and costs for a no-sign with zero payment. And then, to go and re-close the loan we agree to be paid $50 or $0.00??? So on 5/3 Mtg we are reclosing a loan for $0.00 - a loan that we already did not get paid on???

What on earth is she talking about???

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 10:36am
Msg #322700

Re: APAT new policies...inconsistencies

Beginning of agreements states "current policy on no-signs - 50% agreed fee"...later the fee is quoted as 0...

Beginning of agreement - send invoice by end of next business day...later by 9AM next business day...

Those are the first two I found - didn't see wording about volume...

Reply by jba/fl on 2/13/10 10:43am
Msg #322701

No problems here, never did have problems...

I found her too rude to sign up with...haha!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 10:50am
Msg #322703

I never found her rude...quite the opposite

She was always very pleasant and professional with me...

The agreement is ruder and more insulting than she ever was...MHO

Reply by jba/fl on 2/13/10 11:05am
Msg #322704

Of course - she wanted something. Always nice then.

She's the one who came on her requesting notaries sign up with her. So I contacted her and her response to me: Who are you? I never heard of you before.

So I wrote back: I never heard of you either. Who are you? Tell me more.

Response: nil

MO: rude, challenging, not worth my time.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/13/10 2:04pm
Msg #322713

Re: APAT new policies...inconsistencies

Here's the volume reference:

Bank Exceptions
1) Fifth Third Bank
a. If you are the assigned notary for the branch you will be contacted for each closing for availability
b. Total fee $75.00, including edoc fee
c. Volume closing for this account

Reply by Calnotary on 2/13/10 1:15pm
Msg #322712

Re: APAT new policies

They also don't want you to share this info with anybody!


This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received it by mistake, please let us know by e-mail reply and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or disclose its contents to anyone.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/13/10 2:08pm
Msg #322715

Re: APAT new policies

I hadn't noticed that on the email... so her procedures are secret? If she's a business and these are her terms and she's soliciting us, the terms should be public.

Reply by JandB on 2/13/10 10:48am
Msg #322702

Simply refuse

I know...I need to work too but I'm not going to be used so hard. I'll focus on those companies that are still willing to pay a fair wage and continue working on my plan B.

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/13/10 11:17am
Msg #322705

Re: Simply refuse

Seems condescending to me. I can see how everyone is so put off by this. We could use the work, but not under those conditions. No thank you.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/13/10 2:05pm
Msg #322714

Re: Simply refuse, I agree.

If I were to accept a job from this company, they would have to accept MY terms which include, but not limited to; meet my fees, true Net30, payment for services rendered (not contingent upon loan funding), professionalism, and respect for all parties.

Can't do that? There are plenty of others that will. I will not be loosing sleep when your doors close.

I, like everyone else, am tired of these SS companies asking for professional service, then treating NSA's like children they can treat anyway they wish. There are good companies in the mix, but unprofessional companies that try to pull this crap give all of them a bad name. To these SS companies: You don't work for free, Don't ask me to! Grow up and start showing some respect.

Reply by Jack/AL on 2/13/10 3:59pm
Msg #322721

Re: Simply refuse, I agree.

I simply responded to the email with one that said something like "Sorry, can't agree to that."

Within minutes, I received a notification that I'd been removed from the list of available Notaries Public. That was easy. Now I don't have to worry about getting $0 for a No Sign.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/13/10 5:30pm
Msg #322727

Hopefully they are reading the profiles before contacting people. If they are, I'm glad I put "will not accept low-ball fees" in my profile.

I want it to be a turnoff. I know a lot of the members here think it's a little too harsh but I'm not getting those emails either.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/13/10 5:34pm
Msg #322729

I got a rating on Merchant Circle today

posted anonymously - 1-star...gee...wonder where that came from -

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/13/10 6:48pm
Msg #322739

Re: I got a rating on Merchant Circle today

Are you kidding!? Wow, that is so unbelievable and vindictive!

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/13/10 6:53pm
Msg #322740

Re: I got a rating on Merchant Circle today

Well, you just got another 5!

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/14/10 2:32pm
Msg #322787

Re: I got a rating on Merchant Circle today

Linda, Well, you just got another 5!

Reply by BossLadyMD on 2/13/10 9:39pm
Msg #322748

will no longer take their calls

i got the new policy and its not working for me...buh bye APAT!

Reply by Jana Drury on 2/15/10 1:41pm
Msg #322889

I have worked with APAT for over 6 years. I have found Nicole to be honest and professional at all times. The checks are mailed within the correct time frame and I have never has an issue with payment. When at the closing table and an issue occurs, I call APAT and recieve an answer quickly. This expedites the closing and presents a comfortable environment. During my past 10 years as a Certified Notary, I have come across some companies who change their names, go out of business or just don't return phone calls especially in the past 2 years. Like many of you, I work hard for my money and would like to work for a company who is honest. The new policies posted give you the right to either agree or disagree. But how many companies have you worked for that will change their policies without any notice. It happens all the time.

Reply by Brian D. Poe, Esq. Brian Poe and Associates, Attorneys At Law on 2/17/10 10:44pm
Msg #323278

I agree wholeheartedly with Jana's assessment. I wrote a testimonial many years ago regarding Nicole, but on LinkedIn and on her website. And I stand by it, 100%. I know many of you are probably thinking that just because I am an attorney - signing companies will treat me differently. Not true! . . . I have experienced payers and "no payers" just like you all have, though I must admit that there are several who probably regret they ever crossed me . . . Though that is another story, I digress . . . Again, the main thing is with Nicole you get what you see . . . She does not play games, i.e. she's in the business to make money with you, but not "take money" from you . . . She is incredibly visible, clearly works her butt off to establish her brand, clearly stays educated on the industry (and distributes information - free of charge), and most of all after all of these years, she's not only still around, but there is not a whimper of a complaint about her integrity . . .