Posted by Susan Fischer on 2/4/10 9:40pm
Msg #321355

It occurred to me today, after hand-addressing a

FedEx label, just how long it had been since I did the last one by hand. The inclusion of a return label with docs is juch so much more efficient - for all parties.

If not in the pkg, I've found that a simple email request generates a cheerful "can do" and I'm loving it.

Thank you all who take advantage of the easy labels via the Web for we, out here in the field, the thankful Notaries.

A pre-labeled Notary is a happy Notary. > '' <

Reply by Alz on 2/4/10 10:38pm
Msg #321357

You know that your request makes too much sense... n/m

Reply by John Schenk on 2/4/10 11:19pm
Msg #321360

LOVE to have the labels already made, as long as they are FEdEx. I hate UPS. It's a terrible shipper for me here. The hub is only open from like 5-6:30. Saturday...you'd be lucky to get it on there at all. FEdEx is GREAT now! UPS....I actually used to be able to ship docs, and get them on the truck for next day delivery up til about 9:30 p.m.., but those days with UPS are long gone.

TOMORROW, near closing time at FedEx, I'm going to take them a few pizzas. Multiple times I have closings at 6:00, and its very hard to make it there by the 6:45 cutoff. There's ONE truck coming out of here at night. IF that truck is still there, I can get the docs on that truck even after the 6:45 cutoff. You treat those people at he hub right, and you get the docs on that truck, even after the door is locked. I do it almost daily, as I always have a 6:00 signing and I run very close to getting there past 6:45. A pizza now and then goes a long ways. They see your face, knocking after hours, or I know where they fill up the FedEx trucks and I get them on there sometimes after hours...it goes a long ways. Tomorrow...pizzas for FedEx. It's a part of the cost of doing business for me, and a write-off (keep your receipts).

JJ :-)

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/5/10 2:07am
Msg #321363

Boy, not here. Last drop off here is early afternoon.

Both carriers' local depoes are rural airports, and the weather's a Coastal crapshoot.

The best customer return delivery for me is the pick-up, and Grandpa's generous with his cookies, so I use clothespins to attach the zip-locksfull.

As for UPS and FedEx? Both are great here, and I've even done some signings for the local drivers.

I've had some critical moments over the years, and both companies have come through like champs - many times above and beyond the call of duty.

Cheers to our Carriers!

Love my drivers.

Reply by Laura_V on 2/5/10 5:28am
Msg #321366

Pizza idea is super smart, John

I use warm brownies at 3:30pm.

It's a girl thing.

But pizza is far better for guys, esp at the dinner hour. Kudos to you!

Reply by Cari on 2/5/10 5:33am
Msg #321367

just posted something about pizza & Super Bowl Sunday in

the leisure section....

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/5/10 6:14am
Msg #321370

I've actually written about doing something

similar to your pizza idea in an article/publication in the past.

Good way to grease the wheels!

Reply by PAW on 2/5/10 7:12am
Msg #321371

That would be nice much of the time. However, I prefer to make my own labels (using the shipper's software). Why? I can determine the ship date which will appear on the label, as well as other identifying information, like file number, invoice number, etc. But the biggest benefit, for me, is the ability to provide email notifications. Not only for my tracking purposes, but also to the receiver of the package, as well as the person who assigned me the job, if it is not the receiver. I use both FedEx Insight and UPS Quantum View for tracking purposes.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 2/5/10 8:20am
Msg #321376

I like to generate the labels online myself too

I like the email notifications that are generated by the carriers' systems. In a lot of cases, the receiving company wants that information emailed to them anyway and it serves as my confirmation to them that the assignment has been completed.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/5/10 9:18am
Msg #321382

I don't have the shippers software but I access their website with the tracking number and also provide email notifications for all parties concerned. It lets everyone know I'm done and no need to call accept to say thanks and check is on the way or here's another assignment.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 2/5/10 9:09am
Msg #321380

I don't understand why they all don't use pre-generated

labels.
I believe that fedex/ups give a lower shipping rate to hight volume users
who use 'power ship" type labels.
Eliminates "writos" and poor handwriting by NSAs
Better chance of arriving on time
Eliminates inquiries for shipping info
They know TK # and can track automatically and wthout waiting for
NSA to provide TK #
Much easier for NSA. (note at bottom of list)

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/5/10 9:57am
Msg #321389

B..b...but...Bob, that makes too much sense~

So it'll never catch on.

Reply by PAW on 2/5/10 10:14am
Msg #321396

Re: I don't understand why they all don't use pre-generated

I don't either, but I don't necessarily agree with your statements, either.

Yes, title companies and lenders probably do get much lower rates (volume discounts), but I don't know if using 3rd party billing or billing to recipient doesn't qualify for the discount. I assume it does, but we all know what 'assume' means.

Handwritten labels can be very hard to read. My handwriting is atrocious. However, using shipper's software, including online services, eliminates that problem. It also eliminates the possibility of delayed shipping due to poor handwriting.

Even when I have received shipping labels, I still go a call asking what the tracking number was. The clerk makes up the shipping label but apparently neglects to let anyone know what it is.

As for easier for the NSA, maybe, maybe not. When I print the shipping labels, it's printed on label paper so it is very easy to peel and stick the label on the package. Using the label printed on regular paper takes time to slip into the clear plastic parts or sleeves (that have to then be peeled and stuck on to the envelope).

Just my 2¢ worth from a different perspective.

Reply by SharonMN on 2/5/10 9:45am
Msg #321384

Why is everyone worrying about persuading the FedEx and UPS folks to accept packages after the deadline? Since I can usually only do signings in the evening, I can rarely get a package out same day, and nobody's ever complained. I just drop it off the next day unless I know I have plenty of time to get to the drop-off without worrying about traffic, whether the FedEx guy came 10 minutes early, etc.

Good customer service is one thing, but there's a limit if you want to run your business efficiently.

Reply by John Schenk on 2/5/10 11:33am
Msg #321410

Sharon, I don't go crazy making FedEx after a 6:00 signing, unless the loan is going to fund the next day, and if I make it I don't have to fax that whole package back. THAT gives me some incentive to get those docs on the truck as I hate faxing docs. Let's see, 15 minute round trip to FedEx, and I'm finished with the closing, or 20-30 minutes at the fax machine faxing all that crap back and then I still have to go to FedEx the next day. Not a hard choice for me to make, but I don't have a fax fetish. LOL

JJ

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/5/10 11:35am
Msg #321411

I was wondering the same thing

If they absolutely need the docs back the next day, then they can tell me and I'll tell them if it's feasible or not. Then they can decide if they want to pay for faxbacks or send a courier or wait an extra day. Otherwise, I'll get them out the same day if I can, if not then they go out the next day. The bulk of my signings have a 3 day RTC anyway, so it really doesn't matter.

If you're gonna spend money to grease some wheels, do it on the people who can throw more work your way.

Reply by Art_PA on 2/5/10 12:38pm
Msg #321428

Of course it is easiest if the title company provides a label. For those of you who do labels online, if this identifies you as the shipper, you will be billed if the recipient defaults. Remember the recent posts from notaries who have been back-charged by FedEx & UPS.

Reply by PAW on 2/5/10 12:41pm
Msg #321429

As I've said in the past, I've only been billed once, and that was because of my own mistake. Before preparing an airbill, confirm the account number. Works for me.