Posted by Yoli/CA on 7/8/10 5:44pm
Msg #344248

Express Notary, Irvine, CA

just called offering me e-sign for 2 hours from now. This is a re-sign as original notary "botched the whole thing up." According to Shane, I wasn't available when they first called on this. This is an Amtrust. It's relatively close by, access and printable docs are ready. He starts talking like it's a done deal. I quote my fee for an e-sign.

Oops. Stop the presses. They only pay $XXX.

I'm using my equipment and it is last minute. My fee is $XXX. He understands but, we're miles apart.

Sorry.

So, the first notary obviously was offered a low fee, accepted AND most importantly messed up. Get a clue: You get what you pay for! JMHO.

Reply by Bravo on 7/8/10 6:20pm
Msg #344250

Yes Yoli! You are probably right about the scenario. Good for you for sticking to your guns. I can't tell you how many times I am called to do re-signs due to other notary's errors.

I have recently decided that I am going to do a survey of the notaries in my city alone to see what percentage of their signings are being done for $50, $75, etc. This is not in order to chastise them but just so I have an idea of what is really going on. The story I always am given when I turn one down for low fees is that "you are the first person we called and I will see if I can find someone in your area to accept the base fee and if I can't we will call you back." They NEVER call back, so someone is accepting these fees.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/8/10 7:17pm
Msg #344260

There is a guy listed on the cafe site in my zip code, he shows up first in my zip code because his last name begins with a "B", and he's actually 40 miles away from my zip. He lists my zip in his coverage area and his fee is listed as $65!!!!!

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/8/10 7:45pm
Msg #344271

Perhaps the guy rides a scooter that gets 100mpg and prints docs at his employer's office. Low overhead!
It's ridiculous to charge such a low fee, but....the old mantra...they get what they pay for.

Reply by cadmonkey/CA on 7/8/10 8:55pm
Msg #344277

they are lowballers and do not appreciate experienced professionals. They took me off their call list because I called them out in this forum! I wouldn't be surprised if u get booted off their call list after making this post!

Reply by John/CT on 7/8/10 9:07pm
Msg #344278

Altho nine months have passed since they last engaged me, they had always met my e-dox fee and paid in a timely manner, and rated four stars from me on SC. Could be times have changed? Maybe like a lot of middle-men (er, "middle-people") they low-ball their fee, then try to pass their lower-ball offer onto us ... at the end of money food chain? I hope not.

Reply by John/CT on 7/8/10 9:11pm
Msg #344279

Opps, I was thinking of Express Notary in Tustin. Sorry .... n/m

Reply by Yoli/CA on 7/8/10 9:26pm
Msg #344280

You may be right, cad. He did say they listed me as #1 on list for this area but I was unavailable for original assignment.

Hadn't heard from them since July '09. Gee ... guess they don't have very much business in the SF-Bay Area ..... #1, yeah right!

Reply by KODI/CA on 7/8/10 10:07pm
Msg #344283

Called me for one two days ago. E-sign, 1 hours notice. XX fee. LOL

Reply by Henry Davidson on 7/9/10 9:49am
Msg #344309

Hi all. Things are just fine here in notaryville. I hope they are for everyone else.

@Yoli: In 09 when we worked togeher met your fee of $150 and you were paid timely. Last day of the month, last minute. You were #1 in our zip code search....not our #1 in your area. We might have been able to work together again last night but you were unwilling to negotiate below a fee of $175...and going on about my equipment...last minute...these are my fees..had you just said well, the best I can do is $150 you would have had it. It was done at $130. I think we were pretty reasonable but hey..Stick to your guns! We did.

@cadmonkey: After doing hundreds? of deals over the past year? or so together we thought things were going well. You chose to raise your fee schedule so we were no longer able to work with you on or ordinary business. If not for your comments here, we would have called you on things where we were able to pay more but you seem to think we are now horrible. Whatever...just remember it like it was. Nobody cut you off, until you spout crap about us.

Just had to check in a bit. Enjoy!

Reply by Yoli/CA on 7/9/10 11:21am
Msg #344326

Henry:

So glad you follow our forum!

You're absolutely correct about '09. Your SS called me on 5/29/09 (sorry about the incorrect July date on OP). I received that confirmation at 3:10 pm that day for a 7:00 pm e-sign in a zip code 18.39 miles from me. The fee agreed to and paid was $150 and I did receive it on 7/8/09 (ck dated 7/6/09).

Yesterday's call, I quoted my fee of $175. When Shane hesitated at that fee, I explained I'd be using my equipment and it was a last minute call. He stated you pay $100 and (his words) we were miles apart. At no time did he attempt a counter-offer. Negotiations work both ways.

Bottom line: Glad the job got done - and truly hope, for the borrower(s) sake, it was done correctly this time. Glad that notary accepted a better fee than your low offer to me. And, finally, glad you were able to join us in forum and check in.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reply by cadmonkey/CA on 7/9/10 1:11pm
Msg #344344

I agree w/ James and Yoli

if a SS doesn't leave any room to negotiate on fee, treats you like a commodity, and has little respect for what you do, then you should part ways with them.

Reply by CaliNotary on 7/9/10 6:44pm
Msg #344401

I see Henry hasn't changed one bit

Still as disdainful toward the people that keep him in business as ever. Can't say I regret firing them one bit.

Reply by James Dawson on 7/9/10 1:26am
Msg #344294

I'm positive I've been removed from lot's of list as a result of my post. They are entitled to hire who the want, that's a given. They are not entitled to abuse and belittle me, that's definitely a give. I'd rather not work than accept what I see happening.