Posted by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 7:20pm
Msg #318911
Added note to profile..for all to see
I thought it was appropriate to show I support this forum, Not every respondent but this forum in general for what it represents. I just added to my profile, I WILL NOT ACCEPT LOW BALL FEES!
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Reply by SueW/Tn on 1/21/10 7:45pm
Msg #318916
While I admire your openess about support
I would rethink the "low ball" comment on your profile. "Low ball" is in the eyes of the beholder and you may turn them all off from contacting you because they don't know what you consider "low ball".
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 8:20pm
Msg #318920
Re: While I admire your openess about support
Granted but my fees are listed.
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 8:21pm
Msg #318921
I concur with SueW/Tn. n/m
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 8:24pm
Msg #318923
Re: I concur with SueW/Tn.
O k I didn't want to start a fire storm......I will NOT work for under $100.00 dollars okay?
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 8:26pm
Msg #318924
UR missing the point n/m
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 8:28pm
Msg #318925
Re: UR missing the point
which is?????
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 8:31pm
Msg #318928
Not a good idea to state in profile. Negotiate as required. n/m
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Reply by LKT/CA on 1/21/10 8:38pm
Msg #318929
<smile!> I smile because I thought of adding something similar in my profile - maybe adding a minimum fee accepted but then realized if I add a minimum, I will probably only be offered the minimum (even though they may have offered more had they not seen my minimum dollar number). Unfortunately, I think each assignment request will have to be negotiated. Yes, it's annoying having to turn down individual lowball calls - wastes time and cell minutes. Though I don't get many calls, the ones I get are good offers, meet my fee, no handholding, etc.
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 8:42pm
Msg #318932
Ability to negotiate is the key! Part of the business n/m
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 8:42pm
Msg #318933
Ability to negotiate is the key! Part of the business n/m
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 8:50pm
Msg #318936
let's see...signing between 8 - 5...$XX 5PM - 10 pm $XX Rush/last minute jobs $XX. One borrower, $XX..Two borrowers $XX..Three borrower $XX. 5 miles $XX ..10 miles $XX......OR, GIVE me what I want no matter what......or get somebody else. 14 signings in the last four days means somebody is buying my product. I stand by what I stated!
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Reply by Regal/NC on 1/21/10 9:01pm
Msg #318939
It's your business to operate as you desire.
As you noted, there are many variables to consider. Continued success in your neck of the woods!
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 9:04pm
Msg #318941
Re: It's your business to operate as you desire.
thanks you and I wish you the very best also..!
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/21/10 9:03pm
Msg #318940
I'm with you....I turn down more work the I accept..10 -15 calls a day is wearing out my accept button on my keypad. 
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Reply by Dorothy_MI on 1/21/10 9:47pm
Msg #318949
How about something like
Professional Services at Professional Fees dependent up distance, travel time, etc. etc. or something to that effect?
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Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/22/10 2:19am
Msg #318975
Re: How about something like
I agree, Dorothy. I think it gets the point across in a nicer way. The issue to me isn't the content (or the idea) so much as the style. Why not have it worded in a way that isn't off-putting -- 'cause you never know who will be turned off by that phrase. Our profiles are all about PR for us, after all.
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/21/10 9:25pm
Msg #318944
I think your intent is in the right place... but the problem with saying "low ball" is that it's a relative concept. What one company considers low may not be low at all... and what a notary considers to be "low ball" will vary from notary to notary. So how is a TC or SS supposed to know what "low ball" really means? is it $65? $75? $85? $95? $110? There are no clear rules. Obviously, there are extremes where it's obvious, but between those extremes is anybody's guess.
May I suggest something like this? This is similar to what I have on my (still building) website:
"Because each order is unique, fees may vary greatly and are negotiable much of the time. My total fee for an average single loan with edocs is usually $1XX.00 - $1XX.00."
That gives them the idea that you're open to negotiation, but that you expect $XXX per signing. So when they call and you scoff at their "offer" of $65, they shouldn't be surprised.
I mean... I walk in to a Coach store and I see the Madison Leather Carry All with the $398 price tag. I love that bag, but I don't love the price. But, I am NOT dumb enough to go to the salesgirl and say, "Well, I only pay $35 for my handbags, so you better take it or I'll go somewhere else."
If I only have $35, then I will be happy with the barely used Nine West bag I saw at Goodwill for $10 instead.
If you think about it... Coach would get a very bad reputation if they posted a sign outside their doors that said, "If you can't afford at least $200 for a handbag, don't even think of walking in here!"
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Reply by John Schenk on 1/21/10 9:32pm
Msg #318946
Pretty nice analogy, Marian :-) n/m
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/21/10 9:55pm
Msg #318950
It's a true story, too!!
I'm not a real material girl by any means. In fact, I'm a thrift store diva. But dang, I saw that bag in the mall and it made me smile. But there's NO FREAKING WAY I'm dropping $400 on a purse.
I might spend $150 if it were EXTRA super duper special, but for every day? Nope. It's Goodwill or DI for me.
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/21/10 9:33pm
Msg #318947
Excellent post, Marian...
and I agree with the others - I'd find another way to get my point across.
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Reply by CH2inCA on 1/21/10 11:39pm
Msg #318969
I agree, good analogy Marian.
However, note that Coach pricing doesn't read like,
"$298-$398". There's a reason. They expect their bag to go for $398, all others are welcome to go to Goodwill, Coach's marketing EXPECTS it's clients to be willing and able to pay it's price.
I'm relatively new at this. But the longer I'm in it; the more I'm thinking that negotiations are NOT a good idea. This is my fee; pay it or I'll find something else that will occupy my time...
that's not to say that there aren't variables priced accordingly, but I don't see that as negotiation.
Nations direct for example will try to haggle every single time. Geez enough already! :0)
Most of the time you'll get the 'I'll get that approved and call you back." that's their "I'm going to good will..." scenerio. But every now and then when they can't find anyone to do the 4:00 when it's already 3:00; every now and then they do call back...and you get your professional/not discounted because it's right around the corner fee.
Just my silly opinion.
Signed
Your Hungrier/Poorer than Most Notary
;0)
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Reply by Lee/AR on 1/22/10 8:04am
Msg #318985
Nothing wrong with negotiation, just gotta know your minimum
Lots of old adages to refer to---first person to name a price loses. They might (& often do) offer more than your minimum. You can always shoot for the moon, but agree to not less than your minimum, preferably more. It's all about KNOWING what your costs are and KNOWING what your minimum is--with all the variables accounted for. Negotiation does not mean you accept less than your cost + labor + profit is worth.
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Reply by Les_CO on 1/22/10 8:02am
Msg #318984
Clearly you’ve never been shopping in Hong Kong n/m
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/22/10 8:20am
Msg #318988
Marian You used a very analogy. How about looking at it from the hiring party prospective? Would you hire someone at $125.00 if you could get them for $100? Hmmm The people I want to work for are the people the usually state. "this is what we pay"! If it matches, I get the job. It is very interesting to find out that in my short career as a notary, I have gone from SS taken me to court for loss of income, paying me in 30 - 60 days to SS that pasy me in seven days, so help me god! I think my business plan is working...for me. BTW, the last five shirts I purchased, Thrift town, next to Norstrom's.
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Reply by Notarysigner on 1/22/10 8:21am
Msg #318989
pls add "good" before analogy...sorry.
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Reply by MW/VA on 1/22/10 10:33am
Msg #319016
Wow--what a can of worms. I see your point with all the low fees being offered these days.
I don't publish my fees because I always leave room for negotiation. I'm disgusted by the $90 trend these days, but understand where it's coming from.
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