Posted by DHartley_PA on 1/27/10 8:17am
Msg #319722
Received an Unusual Request
Hello everyone,
I received a phone call last night from a fellow who is running for a political office and is having a petition signing day. He wants to "hire" me to sit from 1:00-6:00 to notarize the petitions. Has anyone ever done this? What would you charge to do this? Thanks for your input.
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Reply by jfs/IL on 1/27/10 8:29am
Msg #319723
What is your time worth for five hours and how will you verify signatures and record them??
Think about what you would charge for a signing and adjust from that point.
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Reply by Cari on 1/27/10 8:45am
Msg #319728
I've done this...no big deal...just calculate what ur worth,
on an hourly basis with the time ur asked to stay, and require to paid upfront, via paypal or check on site.
Be prepared to sit, comfortably, bring water, snacks, watch the crowd, and your notary journal, and be ready for a long day...you'll need to check every single persons id, carefully, and fill out a few acks.....
But be very careful if not diligent about checking everyone's id and actually looking at them..sounds weird but trust me....the last thing you need is someone countering the petition, saying they never showed up to sign or that there was fraud involved, or was coerced, etc.
Easy money...no big deal....have fun!
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Reply by jfs/IL on 1/27/10 9:02am
Msg #319730
Re: I've done this...no big deal...just calculate what ur worth,
But be very careful if not diligent about checking everyone's id and actually looking at them..sounds weird but trust me....the last thing you need is someone countering the petition, saying they never showed up to sign or that there was fraud involved, or was coerced, etc.
Historically speaking about election events in this country....Cari makes a good point here about fraud....you do not want to notarize petitions with any of the names of the dearly departed!!
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/27/10 8:41am
Msg #319725
Determine an hourly rate you're comfortable with - your fee should be (1) per notarization fee plus (2) travel fee plus (3) hourly rate for 5 hours. Keep in mind you'll be unavailable for any other work, be it general notary or loan signings, for that entire time.
MHO
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Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/27/10 10:00am
Msg #319739
I agree with Linda that your fee should definitely include a per-notarization fee. Someone posted here or somewhere else a while back that she was hired to attend something similar to this (could have been for a petition, or maybe an HOA meeting - I don't remember for sure) but she ended up doing something like 300 notarizations! She had agreed to an hourly wage and that arrangement ended up not adequately compensating her for the work she performed.
On th flip side, you additionally want to have an hourly fee in place, in case you're just sitting there with nothing to do! (Again, I agree with Linda!)
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/27/10 8:41am
Msg #319726
Determine an hourly rate you're comfortable with - your fee should be (1) per notarization fee plus (2) travel fee plus (3) hourly rate for 5 hours. Keep in mind you'll be unavailable for any other work, be it general notary or loan signings, for that entire time.
MHO
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/27/10 8:42am
Msg #319727
Aww jeez...sorry for the double post... n/m
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Reply by DHartley_PA on 1/27/10 9:23am
Msg #319732
Thanks for all your input. I'm sure he probably won't want to pay my fee. We'll see.
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Reply by Hessam Haddawi on 1/27/10 9:54am
Msg #319736
Hello DHARTLEY-pa
FOR 5 hour work may be you can ask for $100 dollars,I think
Good luck
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Reply by John Schenk on 1/27/10 10:06am
Msg #319742
LMAO n/m
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Reply by DHartley_PA on 1/27/10 10:21am
Msg #319750
Re: LMAO
what is LMAO?
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Reply by jba/fl on 1/27/10 10:27am
Msg #319752
Re: LMAO
Laughing my A off
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Reply by jba/fl on 1/27/10 10:29am
Msg #319753
For additional
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
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Reply by NJW/FL on 1/27/10 2:46pm
Msg #319807
Re: For additional
That website should be at least "R" rated. JMHO
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Reply by DHartley_PA on 1/27/10 10:38am
Msg #319754
Re: LMAO
you think this is funny?
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/27/10 10:52am
Msg #319757
Re: LMAO
$100 for 5 hours' work and travel and notarizations? No, that's not funny - that's absurd...
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Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/27/10 10:58am
Msg #319761
Re: LMAO
Agree with Linda - to charge $100 for 5 hours of time is waaaaayyy too low.
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Reply by John Schenk on 1/27/10 2:53pm
Msg #319808
Re: LMAO
That's what I was LMAO about. $100 for 5 hours,l travel and notarizations...yah...I think that is funny.
JJ
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Reply by Laura_V on 1/27/10 10:20am
Msg #319749
Would someone pls help find old thread perfect for DH?
Hi, All
I just tried and couldn't find that terrific thread posted a couple of months ago by a guy who did a group notarization and wanted tips about pricing and quick handling of each signer.
Lots of ppl posted great stuff. Can you locate the message # for DH?
DH - suggest to the guy that each signer pay your fee, not him. Tell him to let the signers know it is sort of like donating to his campaign. Each person pays you seal fee and a portion of your time/travel/accomodation/whatever fee. Ask him how many ppl he expects so you can calculate that.
Bet this would fly.
Good luck! LauraV
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Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/27/10 10:55am
Msg #319758
Yes, I saved it to pdf - see message 302734 n/m
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/27/10 10:56am
Msg #319759
Re: Would someone pls help find old thread perfect for DH?
"suggest to the guy that each signer pay your fee, not him. Tell him to let the signers know it is sort of like donating to his campaign. Each person pays you seal fee and a portion of your time/travel/accomodation/whatever fee. "
I like that idea, Laura....Then you just charge the guy the hourly rate for 5 hours - at least you'd be guaranteed a minimum amount to sit for 5 hours and it's worth your while to pass up the other work that may come your way. It's not like you can juggle times - you have to SIT for 5 hours - that's where you command the base fee.
MHO
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Reply by Bob_Chicago on 1/27/10 11:27am
Msg #319766
Disagree as to having each signer pay. These are generally
notarizations of the signatures of those who secure the signatures on
the petitions, not of the voters signing the petitions.
They are volunters or working for the campaign.
The candidate's campaign organiztion is the one hiring and paying you.
I would base it on a hourly basis, taking into consideration, the fact that you
will not be able to accept loan signings while you are there.
Your fee would be the same if you end up doing none or 100 notarizations
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Reply by Kay/IL on 1/27/10 11:49am
Msg #319773
Thanks Bob......I was about to post the same thing
You're only notarizing the signature of the person who's circulating the petition(s), not the persons actually signing it.
I've notarized petitions in the recent past. Thanks everyone for another idea for notary services.
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Reply by Christine Hall on 1/27/10 10:25am
Msg #319751
I would charge about $250 flat fee for 5 hours
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Reply by LKT/CA on 1/27/10 11:48am
Msg #319771
<<<I would charge about $250 flat fee for 5 hours>>>
Me too.....but I'd require cash only (for which they'd get a receipt).
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Reply by SheilaSJCA on 1/27/10 12:05pm
Msg #319775
Why cash only? n/m
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Reply by LKT/CA on 1/27/10 12:24pm
Msg #319781
Re: Why cash only?
When hired by an individual (as opposed to a company) that I'll see one time and never again, plus blocking that much time out of my schedule to the detriment of possible general notary work, greater chance of a bad check, stopping payment on the check, person disappearing, etc, I want guaranteed payment. I do three times the general notary work than loan signings, I'm more concerned with missing GNW than loan signings.
Two other times I require cash - jail/detention center appts and 11pm - 6am appts. I make it crystal clear to caller - cash up front (they get a receipt) before I notarize. If money is not given at beginning of appt., I gather my stuff and leave. I'm diplomatic and convey the message as warmly and sweetly as possible - no attitude. I've not had any negative feedback from customers for doing business this way. As much as I like people, I have to be firm and businesslike. If I don't, I'll lose money or get taken advantage of.
So far, so good.
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Reply by DHartley_PA on 1/27/10 3:07pm
Msg #319812
Re: Why cash only?
Good point. I called him and got voicemail and left a message saying I'd do it for $200. He hasn't called back yet. I'm kind of hoping he doesn't, but if he does I think I 'll take your advice and request cash up front.
Thanks everyone!
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