Posted by Taylor on 7/7/10 5:25pm
Msg #344037

Fee's, Newbies & Hand Holding Thoughts

I've lurked on this site for quite a while. Fairly "new" to signing, been doing this for about a year. Have done several signings to date with no issues and what I do have I ask a lot of questions and find valuable answers on here and other notary boards. Giving you a "newbie" standpoint here.

The conversations about notary pay remind me a lot about the problem everyone faces today. I am also a singer/songwriter and if you want to see a lot of the same conversations go to a musicians forum. Not only will "newbie" musicians play for reduced fee's, these guys will play for NOTHING! Yeah imagine if you will traveling time, set up, 5 hour exhausting set, tear down and go home at 3am and get paid squat. Meanwhile the establishment comes away with door sales and liquor money while the rest of us "professional" musicians are finding it harder and harder to find work. That's like new signing agents agreeing to work for free. Let's hope that never happens!

Most anybody these days are money driven so if they get paid more then they will hire whomever will do it for the least amount regardless of quality of work. That just seems to be the ongoing thing these days. Walk in and watch a band playing for free, you may be lucky, mostly you get what you pay for........... garbage. Some of it makes sense. A signing agencies who used to get say 20 calls a day for a notary are now only getting 1 or 2. They are going to have to cut back what they can offer. Supply and demand.

I personally believe this industry is one that deserves more. Signing agencies, borrowers, and loan companies should be demanding that their notaries are skilled. And that doesn't mean that "newbie" signing agents don't have the skill, common sense or ability to take the job seriously. I'd be perfectly happy with any test a company wanted to give me to see if I knew what I was doing if it meant that they would consider me for a closing opportunity. And some do. I'm fine if they want to hold my hand, walk me through the process even if it seems redundant. Their company is on the line if I do my job wrong. If that's what it takes to earn their trust and their business I'd take it any day.

"Newbies" aren't going to NOT take on jobs who low ball when many companies will only hire experienced over new. I know this from experience and I've yet to have any documents sent back because I screwed something up. Doesn't matter, some companies still won't hire me because I don't have enough "experience". So before you pick on a newbie, they wouldn't be one if someone would offer them an opportunity. Just because they are new doesn't mean they aren't competent, detail oriented and wanting nothing more then to do an outstanding job.

Above all I highly respect those who have been in this industry for a while. There are so many "if's" and details that can be overlooked when matters become complicated. This industry is always changing and although I try to learn everything I can sometimes I feel I will never know all there is to know. Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to enlighten me.

Best of luck to you all. Let's hope this economy turns around soon not only for us notaries needing work but also to struggling homeowners, homeless, and those who have had homes on the market and need to sell.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 7/7/10 5:51pm
Msg #344038

Very well put, Kim. I applaud your taking the time to

research and your courage to voice your opinion on the open forum.

I think sometimes we forget we were all newbies at some point. If, as you, all newbies did their due diligence and researched and asked questions when necessary, this would be a much more respected profession.

Welcome and I hope to read more from you as time passes.

Reply by James Dawson on 7/7/10 5:58pm
Msg #344039

I'd like to commend you on your post. Your value as someone posting after "lurking" and then expressing yourself about your views certainly warrants the respect of everyone on the board IMO. Good job. None of us are better than any other but your post certainly adds to this forum's credibility.

Reply by taxpro on 7/7/10 10:15pm
Msg #344083

Good post, Taylor

It's good to hear from a newbie who sounds like he/she has done his/her homework, and understands business. I think there is a major difference between the business of musicians and loan signing agents, though. Most musicians are hoping to be discovered, or to get a big break, and that will change their lives forever. However, most of us NSAs are just hoping to earn enough respect from our clients that they will continue to call us exclusively and pay a decent and fair fee for our services, knowing that we will give them the best service available. We will ever get rich and famous doing this; we'll never sell a million records or go on tour. Well, except maybe BrendaTx or Sylvia.

So, while there are differences, it sounds like there are also some similarities from what you said. Some musicians are willing to work for nothing just to get their names out there, and to get their music heard and appreciated. There are some NSAs who will do that, but it just doesn't work because there really is no big payoff at the end.

Also, many of these title and signing companies don't reward excellence and loyalty anymore. They just want the cheapest notary they can get, and then they get upset when they get the bottom of the barrel and the poor service that goes with it. And when I say "bottom of the barrel", I don't mean "newbies." Some newbies have worked hard to learn, are very knowledgeable, and are great at what they do! It's all about attitude, attention to detail, knowing your stuff, and providing good service. It sounds like your focus is on these qualities, and you have your head on straight. I wish you the best of luck.

Reply by taxpro on 7/7/10 10:24pm
Msg #344086

Re: Good post, Taylor

I said, "We will ever get rich and famous doing this", but I meant "We will Never get rich and famous doing this." Sorry, it's been a rough day, and it's late.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/8/10 9:30am
Msg #344151

Good post, Kim. IMO it applies to every business--there

will always be those who don't know the difference between a "hobby" and a "business".
The IRS distinguishes between the two, by setting rules on claiming expenses/profit.