Posted by Marian_in_CA on 2/3/10 1:08pm
Msg #321047

Dear Lance...

If this puts me in good company with Brenda, that's great. I like Brenda. She knows her stuff.

You said, "...before strapping your seat belt and warming the engine kindly click "reply all" to the confirmation that the closing is completed."


That's great... for someone like me who has a Blackberry and may be able to do that, if I'm in an area with a good cell signal.

But here's the thing -- you'll find that a great majority of notaries do NOT have access to their email within 30 minutes of the completion of a signing. Especially "before strapping their seatbelt" in the car. There are multiple reasons why this could be.

And, even if we DO have access (such as with a Blackberry), the ability to do what you are asking may not exist. So you give them the option of making a phone call? They may not even be able to make a phone call within the time frame.

It's not about being able to send email or even make a phone call. It's about the over controlling, the babysitting and the excessive demands.

Before you send out another email, by the way, consider having your "instructions" rewritten by somebody with a better command of the English language. The email that went out was full of spelling and grammatical errors and it contained a overall tone that was pretentious and cavalier. You need to hire a professional writer, someone with technical writing skills who is good at writing instructions in a simple, clear format. Trust me, signing agents appreciate that more than you realize. Too many signing services and Title companies send out poorly formatted, difficult to read instructions full of errors. Big colorful font doesn't help, either. Since you're talking to all of your VP buddies today, please pass that along.

For those that say your requirements are normal... really? If that's the case, then why are signing agents laughing? I can tell you that those demands are NOT normal for me. Companies that work with me know that all they need to do is send me a package and I will get it done. I will send them the details, as a courtesy, when I can and they don't need me to send them an email every step of the way. I don't need to be treated like an employee.

Signing agents are NOT your employees. They are independent business owners who have the ability to get a job done. They have their OWN fees, policies and procedures and you do not have the right to interfere with them. The good ones don't need interference. When you treat your contractors as children who need babysitting, you're going to lose the good ones, and fast.



You also said, "Not many professions pay 100.00 for an hour."

What makes you think that the total job time is an hour? Are you paying your signing agents by the hour? I doubt it. You're paying them a flat fee. Well, guess what? That $100 isn't just covering an hour's worth of work at the table. It's covering travel and print time, paper, electricity, fuel, insurance, toner, car maintenance, time responding to your emails, time packaging and delivering paperwork, etc. I've NEVER, EVER had the "total" time on a signing be an hour or less. If that were that case, then $100 an hour might be acceptable. In fact, if you're paying $100 an hour, sign me up! I'd be more than happy to bill you by the hour. You'll get top notch service for that rate, and I'll answer any inane emails you require. I'll even wash your car and walk your dog -- and I'll confirm each of those with 4 emails, too.

Again, you're dealing with business owners who need to cover their expenses. When you make extra demands, you increase their expenses. It's that simple. Poorly written emails and silly expectations that makes seasoned signing agents laugh is not the way to do it. It also adds to YOUR expenses.

I guarantee you something -- if you guys met the fees of (paid more) and only hired the good signing agents, you wouldn't need to do all the babysitting. You would KNOW the job got done and would trust that the Signing agent will get you the necessary details to you as soon as they could. You would find that your notaries would NEVER want to give your name out to anyone because you become one of their bread and butter clients.

You'll also find that if you need a new notary, your existing ones would be willing to give you names of other GOOD notaries as a referral. You wouldn't need to advertise, such as you have today, that a lot of spots have opened up.

But now you're advertising for them to sign up and openly admitting that you're losing a lot signing agents? There's a good reason for that. Good luck with it because I'll bet a lot of the ones that respond will be the ones that need the babysitting.

Reply by PAW on 2/3/10 1:17pm
Msg #321057

Well said! n/m

Reply by CH2inCA on 2/3/10 1:24pm
Msg #321060

Perfect Marian; thank YOU!!

Reply by John/CT on 2/3/10 1:40pm
Msg #321068

Exactly! And as a matter of fact ...

I do get calls and emails from time-to-time asking how they can get started as a signing agent. After telling them about all the barriers they would have to overcome, I recommend they come here and search for Msg. # 3325. If they are still interested afterwards, I suggest they Google Nations Signature Closers, click on "Closers Corner" and click on "join our network". With all the hand-holding and follow-ups, I tell them, they should be good to go. I have no fear to losing NSC to my "competition".

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/3/10 1:34pm
Msg #321064

7 Star Post, Marian!!! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/3/10 1:37pm
Msg #321066

Once again, you've hit the nail on the head. Great reply. n/m

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/3/10 1:37pm
Msg #321067

<< For those that say your requirements are normal... really? If that's the case, then why are signing agents laughing? I can tell you that those demands are NOT normal for me. Companies that work with me know that all they need to do is send me a package and I will get it done. I will send them the details, as a courtesy, when I can and they don't need me to send them an email every step of the way. I don't need to be treated like an employee.

Signing agents are NOT your employees. They are independent business owners who have the ability to get a job done. They have their OWN fees, policies and procedures and you do not have the right to interfere with them. The good ones don't need interference. When you treat your contractors as children who need babysitting, you're going to lose the good ones, and fast. >>

Agree with this 100%! Thanks for posting, Marian!

Reply by Patricia/VT on 2/3/10 1:49pm
Msg #321070

Excellent post. Thanks, Marian.

Reply by Cari on 2/3/10 1:53pm
Msg #321072

I'm with you Marian....very well put....

Sign me up to0ooo!

"If that were that case, then $100 an hour might be acceptable. In fact, if you're paying $100 an hour, sign me up! I'd be more than happy to bill you by the hour. You'll get top notch service for that rate, and I'll answer any inane emails you require. I'll even wash your car and walk your dog -- and I'll confirm each of those with 4 emails, too."


THIS WAS GREAT!

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/3/10 5:28pm
Msg #321103

Re: I'm with you Marian....very well put....

I'm with you all on this....I don't get calls from NSC and not interested....Thanks Marian

Reply by Cari on 2/3/10 1:54pm
Msg #321073

can u link this? n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/3/10 2:07pm
Msg #321075

Looks like somebody already did. Sombody here is quick. n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/3/10 2:43pm
Msg #321081

:) n/m

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/3/10 2:11pm
Msg #321076

What I want to know

If you are requiring a reply all, which I assume includes the TC and Lender, what do you do to earn the cut you take of the fees? By my estimation, and since we are all assuming what the other does for what is perceived as 1 hour of work, you make triple of what we make in one hour in one phone call , a confirmation email, and doc email all in mayber 10 minutes total.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/3/10 3:22pm
Msg #321084

Re: What I want to know - Great, Zana!

**If you are requiring a reply all, which I assume includes the TC and Lender, what do you do to earn the cut you take of the fees? By my estimation, and since we are all assuming what the other does for what is perceived as 1 hour of work, you make triple of what we make in one hour in one phone call , a confirmation email, and doc email all in mayber 10 minutes total.**

NSC was a pleasure to work for years ago and they paid like clockwork, and somewhat fairly. Then they cut their fees. But, I still felt like they were a class act.

Obviously, times have changed in Kansas.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 2/3/10 3:37pm
Msg #321086

**Obviously, times have changed in Kansas.**

... but,
... but,

are Dorothy and Toto alright???

(LOL)

Reply by Frank/NC on 2/3/10 3:29pm
Msg #321085

Marian that was an excellent post. I am not sure whether NSC was attempting to advertise but he sure stuck his entire foot in his mouth. At this point the Notaries who were not aware that they were low ballers are sure aware now. They called last week for an assignment and offered a low ball fee. When I told him what my fee was, they actually hung up.
They may have taken people off their list to call but I think that more of us have taken them off our list.

Reply by MichiganAl on 2/3/10 4:02pm
Msg #321088

Welcome to the new NSC

And it's not just about this letter or this 30 minute requirement. As a whole, they've been going down this path for a while now. They used to be the kind of place that treated you as an individual. You built a relationship with your schedulers; they knew you and if you did the job for them they trusted you. But those days are long gone. Now they're just an assembly line. Hand-holding and incessant follow up, whether you've completed one closing for them or a thousand (and I've probably easily closed a thousand for them over the years). And the disorganization is astounding. If a file doesn't close, gets reassigned, gets canceled or rescheduled, it leads to mass confusion. You'll get six calls from six different people asking about status. And their attitude and manners, well you've all just seen that first hand. This from a supposed VP. Shameful.

Last year I had only two SS left that I could actually work with on a regular basis and THOUGHT I could sort of trust. NSC was one of them. Both showed their true colors. Now my regulars are all title companies. Life is better. Better fees, no babysitting, actual relationships, trust. Adults treating each other like adults, professionals treating each other like professionals. Amazing concept.

Reply by LisaWI on 2/3/10 4:44pm
Msg #321093

Re: Absolutey Al!!

This is the part I like that you said and it is so so true, " actual relationships, trust. Adults treating each other like adults, professionals treating each other like professionals. Amazing concept."
My experience also and the way it should be. Its a win win for everyone involved when we have a common respect for eachother. I absolutely adore the title comps I have established relationships with over the past couple of years. Business is business and we do it well together but we joke around and have fun too. The business relationships I have developed with these title companies are priceless <insert mastercard icon>

Reply by jba/fl on 2/3/10 6:39pm
Msg #321154

Re: Welcome to the new NSC

Are they Union shop now?

Reply by TRG_wy on 2/3/10 4:42pm
Msg #321091

Bravo! sign myae to that letter too. n/m

Reply by TRG_wy on 2/3/10 4:43pm
Msg #321092

Sign My Name to that letter too - down w/micro management. n/m

Reply by Les_CO on 2/3/10 4:57pm
Msg #321095

Wow! What happened while I was away? I haven’t read all this stuff yet but may I say to Lance.
Dear Lance, if you want to quit your low paying VP job, and start making $100 an hour like me. First get your notary commission, next learn what you need to know to do this job. Then be selective from whom you will take assignments, (I suggest you don’t work for your old company) and in your case I’d suggest some courses in how to effectively interact with the public, and your customers. Just think if you study hard and are diligent, in a few years you could be right up there with me, and the rest of us professionals making $100 an hour. Actually I make by your calculations $125 an hour.
Good luck!

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/3/10 5:31pm
Msg #321104

Les..you are too cold..even for Co. :) n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/3/10 6:28pm
Msg #321150

Interesting 2006 NSC tale...

One day I was called by NSC for an assignment. I asked $150 for it. They said NO WAY.

Later that day, I was called by usasigning dot com and was paid $150 to do the appointment.

The date was 7/31/06. Still have my confirmation. The confirmation looked VERY familiar. I looked up the address and noted it was the same as NSC.

Go to the link for USA Signing (where a red/white/blue website used to exist) ...and then tell me...Why would NSC go to all that trouble in 2006 to refuse to pay me the amount I asked and then gave it to me immediately as USA?

If you want to see the site that used to be up go to web dot archive dot org and use the WayBack Machine to look up USASigning dot com. I'm not making this up!

(For some reason, the post is being rejected with the regular links, etc. in it. Sorry for the incovenience.)

Reply by MW/VA on 2/3/10 5:59pm
Msg #321117

Thanks again, Marian, for a great post!

Can we vote for Marian as President of Notaries, or something? Where do they get the idea that we make $100/hr.? I figure 3 hrs. per transaction (initial call, confirmation, calling borrower, printing docs, travel, double-checking docs, shipping). If I do 6 signings per week @ $100 that would be $600, approx. 18 hrs. & about $33/hr. BEFORE expenses & taxes. It is the ss that are making the most money at this, not us!

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/4/10 5:43am
Msg #321217

Marion - you're one brilliant shining star! n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/4/10 5:45am
Msg #321218

SO sorry, I mean MARIAN! =) n/m