Posted by pat/WA on 7/1/10 12:28pm
Msg #343399

Motel room

I have been asked to do a signing in a motel room. My husband will be coming with me!
Is this above and beyond?

Reply by Michelle/AL on 7/1/10 12:37pm
Msg #343400

It depends. There are motel rooms and then there are MOTEL ROOMS. What I mean is that I have no problem meeting someone at the Marriott, Hyatt, etc. I usually suggest that we meet in the loby. Most [H]otels have a small business center in the lobby and we go in there. Once a woman said her small children were sleeping so she wanted me to come to her room. I did, BUT, I gave my card to the clerk at the desk and told her where I was going and for what purpose.

I have NEVER EVER gone to a [M]otel room to meet a male customer in the room it self. I would feel too uncomfortable. If the person is ill or disabled that's one thing. If he/she is just too lazy to come downstairs to the lobby that's something altogether different.

Good thing you have hubby to take with you.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 7/1/10 12:39pm
Msg #343401

No, its not above and beyond IMO. I have actually closed several in lobbies of hotels. I won't go to the actual room but they have no problem coming to the lobby. Makes no difference to me if its McDonalds, Starbucks, Taco Bell or a Motel lobby to me. Its work.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/1/10 12:44pm
Msg #343402

Yes. Alone in a hotel/motel room...

Me and a man.

Check in at the desk and tell them where you are going and why.

Drop a hint that you've spoken with the clerk to announce your arrival when with themotel client if you are worried.

Pat, why is this odd? Mobile notaries are a convenience. So are "signing agents". If the borrower is in a hotel then you need to go there.

I have done signings in both motel/hotel lobbies and in rooms and in suites.

Hotel/motel room=temporary little house.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/1/10 6:43pm
Msg #343453

Let me clarify re: Alone in a hotel/motel room...

I would not go into a m/hotel room with a signer if it were not a loan signing. I would insist on the lobby. I would also NOT go to a seedy, nasty motel, ever. My meetings have been arranged in very nice hotels.

Loan signings are pre-arranged with several parties involved. SOMEONE knows that you are with the signer and the signer knows that. They just want their docs signed and probably aren't any more comfortable than you are in a small space.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 7/1/10 12:45pm
Msg #343403

Just make sure it's not the Bates Motel! hee hee

It may sound weird to you, but it's entirely appropriate if borrowers are staying there from out of town. Maybe it's a nice motel, with a big lobby or a small coffee shop - you could suggest signing there instead of the room. It also depends on the motel, the part of town it is in, etc. Maybe you're signing the owners of the motel - and that's their "spare" office or whatever...? But if there are other circumstances you haven't told us about and that make you uncomfortable or suspicious - demand to meet them somewhere else! I've done 4-5 motel signings - all were perfectly fine. They were all for out-of-towners here for graduations, temporary work, etc.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/1/10 12:57pm
Msg #343404

When I'm asked to go to Hotel/Motels, I always ask that we meet in the lobby or in a conference area. I do not like going in to the rooms of I can help it... but I have. In each of those cases, I've always gone to the front desk, given them my business card and told them why I'm visiting, and which room. I've also asked the person to let the front desk know I was coming to visit.

Hotels are usually never an issue... but there are some seedy motels in my area that are known to be long-term residences for sex offenders and host to other nefarious activity. In those places, I always insist on meeting outside of their room. I think it just depends on the place itself. I've scoped most of them out at this point and know the best place to meet at each one. The smaller ones will usually have a small table right around the lobby area that we can use.

Reply by Grammyzoom on 7/1/10 1:01pm
Msg #343406

I had to meet someone in the bar at a Ramada Inn once. Noisy as h____ but I will not go into a hotel or motel room alone with a male signer.

Reply by meganPA on 7/1/10 1:15pm
Msg #343409

If it's a seedy motel with no lobby for you to meet, and if it's a single male, I don't see a problem with bringing your hubby to sit in the car while you're in there. The most awkward place I was ever asked to do a closing was in a sex shop! The manager was refi-ing his home and wanted to close at work b/c of his schedule. They ended up switching the location to his residence, thank god!!

Reply by jba/fl on 7/1/10 1:12pm
Msg #343408

I would lose a fair amount of business if I didn't go to hotels/motels. Not just the Mouse House, but very high tech area with many business travellers.

I let the BO suggest the actual area - most don't really want you in their bedroom anyway and they are comfortable in lobbies, business areas, restaurants or lounges. I've been in many suites when the whole family is here, usually when the day's activities are done, so some are reluctant to leave kids alone in the rooms.

Use your judgment and common sense will guide you. For me, parking is the bigger issue - is there security, is the lighting good, will someone see me to my car after dark, how far am I from rooms, etc. Do I have to pay or will someone "comp or validate" me?

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/1/10 1:32pm
Msg #343412

Not at all. I've done at least one signing in a hotel room. The places where I've done signings shows we go above and beyond the call of duty.

Not to mention the illnesses I've been exposed to. It's funny how people aren't worried about passing on their illness to the signing agent. I've noticed that of tax clients as well.

Reply by VioCa on 7/1/10 3:02pm
Msg #343421

What difference would it make to meet a single man in a motel room or at his home with nobody else around. For me it makes no difference. If I go to his home and there is nobody else around then what, am I going to ask him to meet me somewhere else, or will I refuse the job, no way this is part of the risk that we take in this business.

Reply by CF on 7/1/10 3:56pm
Msg #343431

Meet in the lobby or common area...that is where

I have signed them. If no lobby or common area...suggest fast food down the street or somewhere else close by. Call the hotel/motel and ask if then if there is an area to meet in. If not have them tell you what is close by...they will know the area if you do not.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/1/10 10:36pm
Msg #343491

In general, I would say you are correct. I think it would really depend upon the size of the room. A small motel 6 style, or smaller room, would be a no go. A large extended stay hotel room would be acceptable IMO, for a woman to go into alone. As for me, a guy, I don't have an issue, but will often meet in the lobby without any resistance.

Safety concerns always outweighs any customer service issues.

Reply by OR on 7/1/10 3:51pm
Msg #343429

Re: NO room NO room NO But in a Motel loby yes. n/m

Reply by Jayhawk/KS on 7/1/10 6:22pm
Msg #343449

Re: Motel lobby

I had to do one in the lobby of the hotel. It was the owner. She was Oriental of some kind, sorry, not profiling. The only place to sign was on this coffee table. She provided these little stools, like little kids sit on for time out, in fact the one I sat on said something like, "this little stool is mine, I use it all the time, to reach the thing I couldn't, and lots of things I shouldn't." The worst part for me, is, I am not used to sitting on that level, and by the time we finished, my knees and back were killiing me, and I prayed I didn't need to call for assistance to get up. Seriously, one leg had gone completely numb. Made me think about carrying a folding table and chairs in my trunk or a fold out picnic table!

Reply by taxpro on 7/1/10 7:06pm
Msg #343459

Re: Motel lobby

Jayhawk, I hate it when they want us to sit on the couch and sign docs on the coffee table, for that very reason. By the time we're done, my back hurts and my legs are numb. Now that I've done this long enough to have grown a backbone (figuratively speaking), I always say "Do you have a table we can use? We don't need much space, but this is a lot of paperwork and I'm afraid my back won't hold up." Not only that, there usually isn't enough light in those situations to see what we're signing!

The signings I've done in hotels were in nice hotels with a lobby or breakfast room. We always found a nice table with chairs, which worked fine. Once I did a signing in a hotel room, but it was a married couple who were attending a convention. I met them in the lobby, and we went up to their room to get away from all the noise and chaos. Their room was a mess, but they didn't seem to care. We had a nice table and chairs to use, so I didn't care either. Afterwards, they insisted I join them for the lunch buffet, which was a real treat!!

Reply by Frank/NC on 7/1/10 3:52pm
Msg #343430

Even if the borrower is staying at the motel, have them meet you in the lobby. If they refuse to do that, fuggaboudit.

Reply by garland/CA on 7/1/10 7:51pm
Msg #343470

I live in a place people often like to come for vacation, so it does come up that signings occur in hotels. Most are very nice in places like Pebble Beach or Carmel-by-the Sea (also got invited by the staff to enjoy the breakfast buffet afterwards!). Almost always we meet in the lobby or conference area. Rooms are usually too small without enough seating or table space, though a few times I have done this also. Never with a single male signer. That would be lobby or public area only.

Which reminds me that I was talking this over with a friend last night. If we enter a situation that doesn't seem safe, it is important to have a plan. Whether it be excusing yourself to your car and making a phone call - perhaps needing to reschedule when you can meet in a public place, arranging to have someone you know meet you there or excusing yourself all together. I've never had to do this, but it is important to be prepared if you do.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/1/10 9:18pm
Msg #343484

Great idea about having a plan.

I've done a signing at a table in a restaurant that was closed, in a hotel lobby, and yes, in a single man's room. BUT it was one of those extended stay places where he had been living for months and there was an office area with a very big desk, separated from the bedroom by a door. (I got all the details up front.) Finally, he said his girlfriend (or wife? I don't remember) was going to be there, and that was true. This place didn't have a lobby, and there really was no other spot - short of leaving the area - where we could even sit down outside of his room. Because of the circumstances, I agreed and once I got there, I felt fine about it.

Like someone said, other people knew where I was. And to the comment about the difference between a hotel room and someone's home... we usually aren't in the bedroom! It just seems to set a different tone.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/1/10 10:26pm
Msg #343490

The others here have given about the same advice I will. If the hotel or motel has a breakfast area you can use a table there, in the lobby. If you absolutely feel the need to go to the room, make sure others know you are there. you could even ask the desk clerk to give you a few minutes then call the room and ask for you so that you can pretend to carry on a small conversation to assure the signer knows someone else knows you are there.

If the motel charges by the hour, or has a sign that reads "No refunds after 15 minutes!", they will meet me at a nearby cafe` or Barnes & Nobel. I personally don't even want to be in the lobby of that motel.