Posted by Bravo on 7/6/10 3:28pm
Msg #343913

Insulting!

I am getting so fed up with some of these signing agencies! These are agencies that I have worked for now for years and suddenly my services aren't worth the same fees. They are offering me $50 for signings that previously would have been at least $90 AND they are justifying it by sending the docs directly to the signers. When I refuse to accept their measley fee that have an attitude! IWhat is really insulting is that I realize now that they have never understood, valued or appreciated my experience and my ability to save their sorry ass-- from their ineptness! I can't tell you how many times recently I have been flabbergasted by the ignorance of the signing agency employees and or the escrow/title employees. I WAS an escrow officer! I KNOW when they are ignorant! WHO do they think they are kidding???? What in the world is happening out there???

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/6/10 3:35pm
Msg #343915

I totally agree. The only way I can see these types of fees working is if the package is sent to the borrower, the notary is contracted to show up at a specific date and time and ONLY to notarize signatures on the docs that require it (no identifying docs, no making sure all docs are signed, no faxing anything, no checking to make sure all initials and sigs are present, etc). And the borrowers must sign the rest of the package and send it back themselves.

Of course this would only be feasible for the notary if there is not a lot of travel involved. In states that allow $10 per signature or notarial act, this may not even be anywhere close to a feasible fee arrangement. Otherwise, these companies are just lowering fees to the point where it absolutely is not worth it any more for notaries to bother with this business.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/6/10 4:10pm
Msg #343919

This is why I always itemize my charges. Printing fees are in addition to NSA fees.

If a SS calls me, and they've sent to docs to the customer? Great... but they still owe me the NSA fee.... unless all I'm doing is notarizing signatures. If that's all I'm doing, then it's $10 a signature plus travel.

Itemize...itemize...itemize!

Reply by cadmonkey/CA on 7/6/10 5:07pm
Msg #343920

Marian is right, if they want to nickel and dime then do the

same thing right back at them! If they give you less than a two hour notice, charge them an extra fee for it! If they want a weekend appointment, charge them extra for it. If the package is over 100 pages, charge them extra for it. If they quote you a ridiculous low fee, charge them extra for it! You have the power to accept the assignment, stick to your fees and refuse lowball offers!

Reply by Bravo on 7/6/10 5:51pm
Msg #343933

Re: Marian is right, if they want to nickel and dime then do the

Thanks! I like your thinking about charging them. I think I've been way to lax in this area and I'm sick and tired of it. No more Mr. Nice Guy. If we ALL would adhere to a similar pricing schedule maybe this nonsense would stop.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 7/6/10 6:15pm
Msg #343939

no about the pricing schedule...to each their own... n/m

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/6/10 7:22pm
Msg #343951

Agree! n/m

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/6/10 6:17pm
Msg #343941

Marian, I itemize my fees, also. Loan signing, edocs, faxbacks, notarizations. I list everything out...and my QB invoice is usually completely filled up. I've been told by signing services that they ahve never seen such a detailed invoice.

I set up templates in Quickbooks so that all I have to do is type "Loan" and the template pops up for me to type in all the pertinant information. Same with "Edocs" and then I type in the drop dead deadline, the time the docs actually arrived, the page=count as promised, and the actual page count...plus I put in that I printed 2 copies.

And on and on. Templates for every faction of what I do. Plus, at the bottom, I add that my invoice is due by n/30 or else interest will accrue.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/6/10 7:18pm
Msg #343950

I think I love you!

That's what I do, too! Everyone also tells me that my invoices are really detailed.

I detail each an every notarization, too. I never want to be accused of overcharging. With loans, it is especially dangerous, because a borrower could easily come and argue, "I was charged $300 for 'Notary Fees' - yet I only had 8 signatures notarized... therefore, the maximum I should have paid is $80." And they'd have a very good point.

I've never been able to just take a "lump sum" fee like most do. I always break things down.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 7/6/10 6:12pm
Msg #343936

IMHO, when you agree to "at least" $90 bucks, you attach

a huge target on your profile as one of those notaries that will take whatever fee comes their way....

And I find it amazing that your actually pissed because they offered you $50, when you normally accept $90....huh?

Perhaps, you're one of those notaries public working only for "beer money"?

The once lucrative profession, that paid very very well, has now turned into this ridiculous 'how low can you go' game, which is just insulting and sickens me.

Perhaps now you'll reevaluate your fees and stick to what you deserve...you work damn hard for these companies, let them know this when they call you....stick to your well deserved fees!
Can't stress this enough on this forum.

Hope it gets better for you...

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/6/10 6:13pm
Msg #343937

I agree and I am insulted, also. And, what really takes the cake is when they respond to me "Well, we have plenty of wonderful notaries in your area who are happy to accept our fees!"
So, why did you call me??

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/6/10 6:16pm
Msg #343940

Julie... I've actually said that before to a few of them... and EVERY time, they stammer and say, "Well, because I haven't found anyone yet."


And I think to myself, "Do you even realize what you're saying?"

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/6/10 7:26pm
Msg #343952

"So, why did you call me??" Exactly! n/m

Reply by Les_CO on 7/6/10 6:28pm
Msg #343943

They only do because they can.
It’s tough out there, and many Title Companies and Signing Services are competing for the same business.
Just as there many Notaries out there competing. And unfortunately for us all, some that will take low fees.
If we all would keep our fees at a reasonable level (read profitable) then these companies would offer higher fees or go out of business.
I don't see that witness closing fees in ‘attorney only’ States have gone down recently

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/6/10 7:34pm
Msg #343953

Yes, it is insulting. But .... "would have been at least $90..." is also an insulting offer. Once someone begins accepting lower fees it really becomes a game for them to see just how low the SAs are willing to go.

I am curious just how many of these types of loans will have to be re-signed due to missing signatures or initials. Plus, the fact that the borrowers are still being charged $250-$400 for notary closing fees. Great customer service these TC's are offering as well. So unprofessional all the way around on their part.

Reply by Frank/NC on 7/6/10 8:58pm
Msg #343960

I personally understand what you are saying and what your feelings are about most of them. Personally I just ignore their stupidity when they call and give them some unbelievably high price. Even at that they say they have to get it approved.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/7/10 2:43am
Msg #343976

What cracks me up is when they say they have to get it approved from the title company or some other third party. To me, that says that they're not willing to give up any of their big percentage of the overall fee - which I'll bet is still pretty healthy in most cases - regardless of the situation. They want any extenuating circumstances to be paid for out of the notary's already meager portion. It says a lot for their attitude towards the person who is actually doing the work. (BTW, by "they", I mean the ss owners, not the schedulers - who are just doing what they're told - unless they're the ones making the calls themselves.)

Reply by CH2inCA on 7/7/10 10:59am
Msg #343993

:0/

I quoted 125.00 for a refi last week. The schedular said that they normally pay 80.00 but since they needed a spanish speaking Notary, he'd try to get it appoved for 100.00. I said let me break it down for you, (tone of the MasterCard commercials)
2 signers, probably about four notarized docs...$80.00
printing fee; normal package.....25.00
basic travel fee w/in 20mi....20.00
Greeting, conversing in Spanish...Priceless (free) :0)

I don't/won't charge for speaking spanish; however I won't translate docs either. That's a completely different service that has nothing to do with being a Notary; and the fee for that would be four digits before the decimal...

Go try to get that approved...

Reply by taxpro on 7/7/10 11:04pm
Msg #344093

I love it!!! N/M n/m