Posted by Heather/NH on 2/17/10 4:18pm
Msg #323179

some advice please..

I had some work today that was regarding an insurance claim. When I accepted the job I was told it was 35 pages and that all needed to be faxed back. A fee was agreed upon. I met with the client today (who had the docs) and it ended up being 55 pages. I think it is fair of me to request an increase in fee since it is 20 more pages then quoted. Thoughts?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/17/10 4:28pm
Msg #323184

I don't think I'd nitpick it....faxbacks should have been accounted for when you quoted your fee...I wouldn't nickel and dime them, especially if it's a company that I've worked for before and is a "steady" for me. (Example; My signing last night the TC sent me the wrong set of title docs - had to resend and that was AFTER I questioned them - I had to print an additional 58 pages - I didn't say anything because they're a good steady customer who pays me well and within two weeks so I let this one slide - now if it happens again.....<<shrug>>

I think I'd just suck it up but remember what happened next time they call.

MHO

Reply by Todd/OH on 2/17/10 5:05pm
Msg #323193

I can't say as that I would nit-pick either. Now if the package was double the size, then you have an issue.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/17/10 5:12pm
Msg #323195

I have never had a multi-page job where it came out the exact amount of pages talked about before I accepted the job. Usually, the conversation is "about 30 pages of faxbacks" . When the term "about" or "approx" are used, then there is some room for extra pages. If the job had only been 25 pages, would you have given a refund?

What you could do, and actually what I do a lot of the time when page count is uncertain, state that my fee includes up to "X" number of pages of fax backs. Then for each additional page over "X" amount, the additional charge is "y" per page and I invoice accordingly. Your values for "X" and "y" would depend on your business model.

Personally, if I had not told the client up front of an additional charge per page if the count ran high, then I would not charge additionally after the fact.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/17/10 5:27pm
Msg #323200

I agree with Glenn and Linda. If you are incurring an extra charge for faxing more docs you might try to scan them into a PDF file and send them via email, with their approval of course.

I think I have only had one assignment where the original number of pages were the exact amount I was quoted. If you are getting a lot of these, you might want to incorporate Glenn's suggestion and mention additional fees if measurably larger.

I would use this as an assignment to build client relations by letting them know about extra pages and that you didn't charge them. Usually done with laughter and a wink.

Reply by MW/VA on 2/17/10 5:50pm
Msg #323212

IMO faxing 55 pages is a lot. Only you know if the fee you quoted covered your costs.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/17/10 6:24pm
Msg #323220

All of you have very good reasonable opinions regarding Faxbacks, I would do any and all of what you guys suggest except, I don't do faxbacks. Often I am asked, why not? I just say, I don't want to stand/sit in front of my Fax machine and feed it X # of sheets of paper,..Of course you know what happens next, I never get those jobs. LOL

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 2/17/10 7:06pm
Msg #323224

I agree with the others... not really a big deal to make a fuss since the client already had the paperwork. You didn't actually print anything, right?

You said this was an insurance claim? Sounds like a standard notary appointment to me. In those cases, pages don't matter that much...but the number of notarizations. I can't imagine that you notarized a signature on each and every page, did you?

If they wanted you to fax the pages back... well, for me that wouldn't matter, either. Since I just pop the file on the document feeder and let it go.