Posted by Michelle/AL on 7/16/10 10:24pm
Msg #345318

General Notary Work

I've always enjoyed performing routine notarizations for the general public...until recently. Maybe it's the hot weather, I'm not sure but I had some challenges this week:

Appt #1: Quoted a guy my fee to drive to his location and notarize a contract. I asked and he confirmed: one form, one signature. When I arrived at his hotel he pulled out a stack of forms - he's buying a home and borrowing money. I question him about his idea of this being "one" form. His response was, "Technically it is one contract between me and the bank". There were actually six forms that needed to be stamped. We came to an agreement.

Appt #2: Arrived at the designated location to notarize a POA for a guy in the military. It was on base and I could only meet him at one location on base since I don't have military ID. No sign of him for 15 minutes. He finally calls and says he's at a different location and doesn't know how to get to my location. He wants to keep me on my cell phone while he tells me all about his day and how he got his "wires crossed". I'm waiting outside in 97 degree heat. I really wasn't that interested in hearing about his day. We rescheduled for the following day.

Appt #3: This just got scheduled for Sunday. The caller kept crying while scheduling the appointment. I had to ask her to keep repeating herself because I couldn't understand her. For awhile I thought it was a prank call because I couldn't believe that someone could be this emotional with a total stranger. I'm to meet her on Sunday to notarize her Will and anything else she has typed up. She has a chronic illness and she has this feeling she doesn't have much longer to live. Hmmm....this could be interesting.

Those of you who are thinking about getting into general notary work should think long and hard before making the commitment. There's very little screening taking place, like the kind we get when going to a loan closing. When I arrived at the hotel room of Appt #2 there were a total of five men in the room. The clerk at the front desk knew where I was and who I was with but I didnt' relax until the other men left. I

Friday evening and Saturdays can be your busiest times. Last May I had appointments scheduled every weekend, in advance.

Sometimes this type of work can be more rewarding than loan work. However, this week I found it to be more stressful. Maybe I just need a vacation.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/16/10 10:44pm
Msg #345321

I love it!!! I have much fewer problems with general work than I do with loans. But, maybe it's just that I try to screen them out better before I go?

In situation #1... I would have refused to enter the room and instead said that I wanted to meet in the lobby or a conference room at the hotel. I always do that when called to a hotel. If they insist on me comping to their room, then I might request a security escort at the front desk.

This week I've met lots of really nice people. I met a young woman trying to get in to the Air Force -- super sweet and she reminded me of my sisters. I also met a man from another state who was in a car accident, and his son who had flown down to take care of things. Lots of others. I find it far more rewarding that loan work, and frankly... better paying, too. It's less effort and I can schedule more appointments.

The trick with General work is setting the right price points.. one that will still fit your profit margin, yet still be low enough that people are willing to pay. In my area, that's really tricky because the income level is more modest.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 7/16/10 10:49pm
Msg #345322

So true about pricing point, Marian. n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 7/17/10 3:29pm
Msg #345395

Re: So true about pricing point, Marian.

I learned early to quote the price per notarized signature plus travel fee, cash in advance.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/17/10 1:41am
Msg #345331

I think it's the heat.

I have had 3 signings postponed this week. The heat is just oppressive (115 on Thursday). I almost feel like I have PMS (too old for that). I am just really grouchy and irritated. I know that you have terrible humidity in AL. I once spent an August weekend in Montgomery. It felt like a year!

Reply by Michelle/AL on 7/17/10 9:05am
Msg #345348

LOL @ a weekend that felt like a year.

Shoshana, the heat has been ridiculous this summer. You're probably right. Like Marian, I usually enjoy performing general notary work. But this week I was ready to walk away frrom it all. And it's only July. Gotta get through August, too.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/17/10 11:04am
Msg #345366

Heat what heat?

43 here this morning on the way to 75, I'd say that's just about right.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/17/10 12:12pm
Msg #345371

UGh, it was 93 at 8:30 this morning. n/m

Reply by Cari on 7/17/10 9:31am
Msg #345357

This has dramatically increased in my area ever since the new IL notary ID law. The new law has scared most banks and local currency exchanges from performing general notarization's. If I have to travel, I have the client pay in advance via Paypal. Either way, I don't go out until I get paid in advance. That way there are no misunderstandings about fee or what I'm notarizing.