Posted by John Schenk on 2/2/10 4:05pm
Msg #320814

Email from Nations Signature Closers...rots of ruck

Why do SS's send these emails? Why not just send instructions with the confirmation, or with the edocs, and we don't need them with both? I'm not going to go look up instructions for a SS when they book a closing with me periodically. If I was doing half a dozen a week for one, then sure, I'd pin it on the wall just to have them handy. 'REPLY ALL?" WTH is that? I have a "REPLY" button. I'm guessing they want you to copy and paste all the recipients in there, but the instruction is pretty ridiculous. Here's a dandy little provision. Figure out how not to get docked for not complying with this one! LOL

4. Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing.

Yah, I don't do wifi yet so unless it's a 15 minute closing, and I'm not more than 10 minutes from the office, that ain't gonna happen within 30 minutes of the time the closing is scheduled. LOL

Anyway, here's the email:

JJ (still got the bug but feelin better. I have a closing tomorrow evening I'm planning to make. Didn't go to work today either, but planning on hitting it tomorrow. Got tons of work done at home the last 2 days, while I was sick.)

Valued Signing Agents,
I wanted to reach out to all signing agents to discuss a few requirements that all signing agents must perform as part of the closing.

Once Nations Signature Closers has contacted you and you have accepted the closing, the following steps must be preformed.

1. Click REPLY ALL and type "CONFIRMATION RECEIVED" to all parties on the emailed confirmation that you received from Nations Signature Closers.

2. Contact the borrower immediately to confirm the appointment. (Do this even if you don't have documents) Once confirmed, click REPLY ALL and type "CONFIRMED" to all parties on the emailed confirmation that you received from Nations Signature Closers.

3. Once loan documents are received please click REPLY ALL and type "DOCUMENTS RECEIVED" to all parties on the emailed confirmation that you received from Nations Signature Closers.

4. Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing.

A. Did this loan close? If so, please also provide the tracking number. If not, Please contact Nations Signature Closers at 866-291-8891 extention 5113.
B. Were any documents required to be faxed back to the title company and has that been completed?
C. Were the borrowers required to provide any funds at closing?
D. What time is the loan package going to be dropped at FedEx? Also, please provide the latest pickup time for that box/office used.

This will reduce the amount of phone calls your receiving daily.

Please make sure all these requirements are being completed. Nations Signature Closers reserve the right to adjust fees accordingly.

Signing agents that perform these tasks completely will continue to get the signings.

If you have any questions please email [e-mail address]

Thank you,

Lance Lopez
Vice President
Nations Signature Closers.
[e-mail address]

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/2/10 4:17pm
Msg #320820

Oh, dear. n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/2/10 4:19pm
Msg #320821

ROFLMAO! Thanks for the laugh, John. n/m

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/2/10 4:26pm
Msg #320824

Re: ROFLMAO! Thanks for the laugh, John.

I used the automated system once and kept getting "I do not recognize that number" or something like that. Finally I gave up and replied to every email sent to me regarding this particular closing. I got 3 phone calls from them the following morning. Unfortunately, I was in the dentist chair 3 hours and missed em all. I guess now I'm out 5 bucks! Oh, well!

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 4:36pm
Msg #320828

Here's what I wrote back...and I'm in a grouchy mood LOL

It's fine to send these emails out, but if they don't accompany the confirmation or the edocs, nobody is going to go back and search for these instructions. I'm guessing you're just sending this as a heads up, which is appreciated. I do have a couple questions though.

What does click on "REPLY ALL" mean? What kind of program are you using? I have a REPLY button, which just addresses the reply back to the sender. If you want folks to reply to all you have emailed something to, you probably should instruct them to copy the sender and the cc recipients. I'm guessing that's what you mean, but it's certainly not clear. Maybe it's something on your site you're referring to? Really not clear at all.

What is this?

4. Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing.

I have a 1 hour signing scheduled to begin at 5:00 and you're wanting that info in 30 minutes, or at 5:30? Unless it's a 15 minute signing that's within 10 minutes from my office, I'll never be able to comply with that request as I have no wifi, and couldn't comply with that request even if I did as it requires me to comply with something before I have even completed a closing. Maybe you mean "within 30 minutes from the conclusion of the scheduled closing?"

Thanks!

John J. Schenk

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 4:45pm
Msg #320831

Umm...John? They did say it..they said

"Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing. "

Once the closing has been completed...

Don't know about you but that's difficult for me in my rural area - most times my signings are an hour away...longer at the end if I have to travel to drop the package.

Also, I have yahoo - if I get an e-mail where they've cc'd someone on it (like mine today) I can Reply or Reply to All - there's a little button next to the Reply - it's a dropdown menu as to who to reply to..

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 4:56pm
Msg #320838

Re: Umm...John? They did say it..they said

"Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing. "

...within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing."

The closing is scheduled at 5:00. ..."within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing," to me, means 5:30. I still believe that is poorly drafted.

Please see the post below regarding the call I got from Lance.

JJ

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 5:04pm
Msg #320839

Ya know the saddest part??

It's that they've had such bad experiences with bad notaries that they have to sit on everyone like this now...

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 5:26pm
Msg #320846

Re: Ya know the saddest part??

I have no problem at all making a call within 30 minutes from the time a closing is finished to give a company the closing info. With many, that's all that's required, but I still follow the call up with an email that includes the closing info i.e. TRK#, No issues at closing, unless there were some which I spell out, funds collected, or none due, docs dropped for delivery tomorrow or docs dropped for delivery the day after tomorrow due to time of closing. That's just standard info for me that I email on every single closing, even if I phone it in to get them to not call me. LOL

I get real aggravated by companies that call me at the time a closing is to begin, which I never answer that call once I've entered the borrowers house, and then they proceed to call the borrower to see if I'm there and want to talk to me. Unless there is some NEW info, i.e. the HUD is screwed up and I need to reprint it, I don't want to hear from them until I contact them to let them know we're done. I've had them say something like "I just called your cell number and you didn't answer." Well, duh...I'm at a closing and I don't answer calls during a closing. Don't ever call me again during a closing. Haven't had one of those calls at, or during, closing in a while, for which I'm thankful. Those calls make the borrowers feel that their lender may have hired someone incompetent, and that's just not the way to start a signing. I try to praise them for their efficiency, while being pissed that they called me unnecessarily during a signing.

All I need is a decent set of docs, then leave me alone and it will go down, as scheduled, and will be completed quickly, and efficiently. I'll email the company, or call if required, as soon as I get back to my puter with all the closing info they need. CLOSED! DONE! NEXT!

JJ :-)

Reply by lowerAL on 2/2/10 7:20pm
Msg #320880

Re: Ya know the saddest part??

AMEN!

Reply by desktopfull on 2/2/10 6:00pm
Msg #320855

Re: Ya know the saddest part??

If they didn't pay such low ball fees where all they got were newbies or part timers making a little extra spending money unless they are in a real jam and have to pay the higher fees to experienced NSA's, they wouldn't have to do the hand holding in the first place. Because they wouldn't have so many bad experiences with bad notaries.

Reply by lowerAL on 2/2/10 7:21pm
Msg #320881

Re: Ya know the saddest part??

AMEN TO YOU TOO!!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/3/10 1:05am
Msg #320929

Re: Ya know the saddest part??

I think lots of companies have calculated that it's a risk they are willing to take, sadly. Clearly, they've chosen to instead send all these inane, micro-managing, detailed instruction sheets. I think some of these folks need to re-read the regulations regarding what constitutes an independent contractor - especially the part that says something about an IC not being under direct management supervision, etc. This is so overboard, they're practically telling you how to walk:

1) Begin upright in a standing position;
2) Lean your weight onto your right foot;
3) Next, lift the left foot off the ground approximately three inches, then swing it in a forward direction, parallel to the ground, moving it approximately two feet (the distances may vary based on your height);
4) Place the left foot down on the floor, then transfer your weight to that forward foot;
5) Repeat the previous steps in order with the opposite foot;
6) Go back to step one and repeat steps one through four alternatively until you are able to maintain a smooth flow from one foot to the other...

[Meant to send this out earlier this evening, but had to rush off to a signing. Looks like there's a lot more been added here since then, but I'm posting this anyway... Sorry - just couldn't resist! ]

Reply by jba/fl on 2/3/10 7:54am
Msg #320945

Very good technical description Janet! Smooth flow! LOL n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 2/2/10 5:19pm
Msg #320844

Re: Here's what I wrote back...and I'm in a grouchy mood LOL

If I click "reply all" it goes to everyone in my address book. Read your post below on the reply from NSC, but they need to realize that everyone doesn't have the same features as AOL and some times the same features do different things than does AOL.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 5:33pm
Msg #320849

I don't get the "Reply All" option unless the sender has

sent the e-mail to multiple addresses - then those are the ones who get the response ..... that's yahoo.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/2/10 5:50pm
Msg #320853

Re: I don't get the "Reply All" option unless the sender has

That's wilth all of them.

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 6:59pm
Msg #320871

Never done "Reply All"..so sounds like that still sucks! LOL

Don't have time to try one now as I'd have to find someone that sends emails to lots of folks that I'm on the list, and I don't send, or receive, a lot of emails. Sounds like it could still be a problem.

JJ

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 7:09pm
Msg #320872

Heh...I did once prior to my closing the other day

It was in response to a blast e-mail offering a signing for a very low fee...I replied to all saying I couldn't take the job due to their extremely low fee and low pay/slow pay reputation...<G>....

I didn't make any friends there..

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 2/2/10 4:35pm
Msg #320827

They've gone completely overboard this time

<<<4. Once closing has been completed Nations Signature Closers needs the following information within 30 minutes of the scheduled closing.

A. Did this loan close? If so, please also provide the tracking number. If not, Please contact Nations Signature Closers at 866-291-8891 extention 5113.
B. Were any documents required to be faxed back to the title company and has that been completed?
C. Were the borrowers required to provide any funds at closing?
D. What time is the loan package going to be dropped at FedEx? Also, please provide the latest pickup time for that box/office used. >>>

Questions: How do they want this information - there's no phone number supplied. Are we expected to type all this info on an e-mail?? And who would this e-mail go to? And what makes Mr. Lance VP think we can get back to our computer to do this within 30 minutes of walking out the borrower's door?

These are the same idiots who came up with the idea to pick up docs at FedEx so they could save on the printing fee to notaries.
Anyway, they are so completely OCD about responding within 30 minutes of the closing that one time I was still AT the closing, and they called me, interrupting the signing, to find out why I hadn't confirmed the closing! Yikes!

Second time, the docs were two hours late - yet I got an e-mail, saying, yes, we know docs are late - but it's still 30 minutes past the original closing time, so just to let you know, we're waiting for closing confirmation. I am NOT kidding.

If they spent half as much time cleaning up their own act as they do sending us these stupid instructions - and John is right - put this on the confirmation! - they'd be alot better off. And doesn't Mr. VP Lance have a proofreader? OMG! So unprofessional!

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 4:45pm
Msg #320832

Anyone calling me during a closing is wasting their time

I don't answer calls during a closing, no matter who it is from. There has only been one exception to that rule and that was when my Mother was in the hospital, but that was a special circumstance.

JJ

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/2/10 4:45pm
Msg #320833

Re: They've gone completely overboard this time

I figured it out...they have cut back their staff and are trying to operate more...ahem..."efficiently". I'll bet that's one pressure cooker to work in with all those ridiculous, controlling, rigid rules!

And, did they forget that nsa-types are ind. contractors? Good grief!

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 4:52pm
Msg #320836

MY APOLOGIES TO MR. LOPEZ...JUST GOT A CALL!

First of all, Lance seemed like a very nice fella, and, to my edification, there actually IS a "REPLY ALL" button on AOL! LOL I never knew that, so MY APOLOGIES TO MR. LOPEZ. I feel enlightened, and thank you for enlightening me to that fact. Never used it before, but now I at least know that it's there.

As for the 30 minute provision in paragraph 4, it's meant to let us know that they want that closing confirmed as immediately as we can after it is performed, as if it's not you may be getting a call at 6:00 a.m.. I explained I don't have mobile email, and he said there would also be a voice number to call with the info, but that an email confirmation would also be a good idea to be sure it goes out to all on the list that are following up on the loan closing.

I was satisfied with the call, and it came quite quickly after my email to him. Seems to be on the ball. I haven't had any problems with them in the past on anything so appears to me, at least for me, it's business as usual.

JJ

Reply by desktopfull on 2/2/10 5:14pm
Msg #320841

Re: MY APOLOGIES TO MR. LOPEZ...JUST GOT A CALL!

I quit doing their closings several years ago when I showed up at 3 confirmed closings and another notary was already their doing the closing. They said it was a glitch in scheduling and that I would be paid a trip & printing fee. NEVER GOT A DIME! Didn't take anymore of their closings either.

Reply by desktopfull on 2/2/10 5:15pm
Msg #320842

Needed a good laugh for the day. TYFP n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/2/10 5:17pm
Msg #320843

John I have found out that once a SS exercises behavioral control of the SA that makes you an employee NOT independent contractor. They are then responsible for paying your medical, taxes, etc. That is one of my problems with signing these types agreements.

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 5:29pm
Msg #320848

I'd have to look, but doubt I signed an agreement with them. Don't keep my records on this puter but will look it up when I head to the office in a few, which I need to do now. The may be on my shit list, but got a quick reply from him on my email. LOL Gotta run. BBL

JJ

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 9:31pm
Msg #320906

"John I have found out that once a SS exercises behavioral control of the SA that makes you an employee NOT independent contractor. They are then responsible for paying your medical, taxes, etc. That is one of my problems with signing these types agreements."

Well, Dear Lord, let them start matching my WH, SS, and MCare, and I'd be a happy camper. LOL

I respectfully disagree with you, if you're referring solely to the email. I haven't read their agreement, and can tell you that I didn't sign it. No requirement for anyone to pay medical in Texas, so must just be where you are. Here, if they exercise control over the actions of the independent contractor it could make them independently liable, but that still doesn't make them liable for medical or matching WH, etc.. Therefore, at least in my neck of the woods, I respectfully disagree.

JJ

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/3/10 9:18am
Msg #320954

Yes, I guess I should have been more precise. What I stated were IRS rules about employee vs independent contractors. SS exercising behavior control, i.e. liability list, agreements, etc. well, heck...here smile

http://taxes.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=taxes&cdn=money&tm=150&f=00&tt=13&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040sc/index.html

Reply by A S Johnson on 2/2/10 5:44pm
Msg #320851

John,
Got same earlier today.
They called mid afternoon last Sat for a 6 pm in Graham (One you may have turn down) Met my $250 fee (Which should have been close to yours) and I did it with the "Do NOT call Browwer, just show up" wavied.
Thier confirmation did not have a pm or Sat phone # to call but asked to email them before 8 am the "next business day" (Mon).
Sun am, about 10, am I get a call to see if the signing closed. I may not go to church on Sun am, but it "my" day and that called "pissed me off". Caused me to "unload" on an new hostess at my favorite eating place because she wanted to seat where I didn't want to be seated.
Because of their client's requirement "NOT call the Br in advance, just show up", I had determined not to accept any asignments from them unless that requirement was wavied.
Now with ALL thier "deduction threats", I will even more careful in working for them. I correct my mistakes but I expect to be paid as agreed.

Reply by Bob Schick on 2/2/10 7:12pm
Msg #320875

I'm biting my tongue as I have only one nice thing to say and 7 not so happy with.

Bob

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 7:19pm
Msg #320879

Interesting, and I kept very poor notes on NSC

However, my notes say "NEVER SIGN FOR THEM." That was regarding a closing that was supposed to occur on August 21, 2009. I didn't document the reasoning for that very well, although I may have actually posted it on here and will look for it as soon as I get time. I missed that memo regarding them, and did a closing for them on January 22, 2010.

I recall back in August telling them to never call me again, and to take me off their list. Didn't get a call from them until a closing on 1/22/10 that they had scheduled out of town at the borrower's home for a HELOC, which can't be done at a borrowers home in Texas. The HELOC closing went just fine. Had no issues with NSC on the 1/22/10 closing, and maybe that is because it was a HELOC, and my fee for a HELOC is $175.00, period, unless they overnight the docs and then it's $150.00. I obviously had a good reason as about the only ones I have ever written on docs received from the company "NEVER SIGN FOR THEM" are ones that have gone bankrupt, or really have a bad rating.

The call from Lance was a nice call, and appreciated. Gotta search a little more to see why I was ticked at them for the occurrence in August. I have no doubt I vented on it because of what I wrote in my notes.

JJ Gotta get back to work...be back later and I'll find it. I'm sure it's on here.

Reply by John Schenk on 2/2/10 7:29pm
Msg #320885

Msg #301264 That's when it happened

And another notary from here also posted in that thread.

JJ

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/2/10 8:12pm
Msg #320893

Re: Msg #301264 Jnsc Bnsc also posted in that thread

...fussing at notaries for complaining about them.

Cute lil' rant.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/2/10 8:13pm
Msg #320894

LOL..yeah...impressive, wasn't it?..:) n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 2/2/10 7:34pm
Msg #320888

Are they willing to pay extra for all these requirements? n/m

Reply by Jack/AL on 2/2/10 8:54pm
Msg #320899

Re: Are they willing to pay extra for all these requirements?

I've repeatedly asked NSC to cleanup the order confirmation page. It still has directions to report the signing completed within 2 hours after the closing..... and to use extension 5108, or the fee may be reduced by $10. Ya can't get 5108 anymore. For some reason, somebody prefers to let me make up my mind to ignore those instructions, and then I'll hopefully read the attached pdf which dedicates 1/3 page to tell me to call the same number, but extension 5, within 30 minutes after the closing, or have a possible deduction of $5. Given the choice, I'll just go for the 2 hour option. By then, they've called my cell phone, home phone, and sent an email threatening to deduct $5 or $10 (depending on which set of instrucitons they're using). Seems like they're wasting a lot of their time in a frustrating way. Some of those actions happened last week, after a late closing in a rural area, before I could get back to a good signal area at 11 PM. Yep, docs were late and I had a 1+25 hour drive to get there.