Posted by Nick Getzendanner on 6/14/10 8:54pm
Msg #340897

ASAP Notary - Bakersfield California

Be leary of their contract. It has many bad statements in it. Great for them - Not great for the signing agent. They tried to get me to work for them. Offered fair payment amount. the only questions is when would or if I would...ever get paid. Not to mention the non-compete clause is so horribly worded that it says if i ever did a job for say...Chicago Title, that I could not work for Chicago title for another signing service for another two years.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/15/10 12:50am
Msg #340932

Sounds like they have O D' on gas fumes...

Reply by Les_CO on 6/15/10 8:35am
Msg #340955

I find it totally laughable that some semi-literate lawyer want-a-be that has just started a soon-to-fail SS wants me to sign a non-compete agreement.
I’ve been a notary, real estate broker, and in title related business for over 20 years. If anything THEY should sign a non-compete agreement with me.
I find it difficult enough to work with knowledgeable, intelligent professionals, the morons I pass on.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 6/15/10 11:36am
Msg #340975

I refuse to sign any and all 'signing agent' contracts. I will provide a W-9 and my signing agent resume, but that's it.
I was just hired by a company that has a 25-page sign up package. I'd worked for them prior to them coming up with this signing package. I refused to fill out any of it except the W9. They call periodically anyway but today is the first job I've accepted. I verified via email that i will be paid for the job and that my payment will be held hostage until I fill out their signing agent packet. I've had other SS try to pull that and it ticks me off.
These companies will try to bully us but all it takes is standing to them and they back down.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/15/10 11:43am
Msg #340977

It's been 11 months now for me that I haven't been paid because I refused to sign U.S. Certified Signers notary agreement which the Judge basically said was just a disclaimer. Arrogance is the name of the game but you don't get old being stupid!

Reply by A S Johnson on 6/15/10 12:00pm
Msg #340979

Reeve-Hary pulled this on me 5 yrs ago. They still owe me.
Recently LSI said they could not use me unless I signed thier contract. I now get signing from them thru SS.
I do regret not signing contracts as I have had a number of SS and title/escrow companies I would love to work for not use me because I won't sign. If they would understand, I am an independent contractor who has been doing this for 10 yrs and know or have done work for many of the same people/companies they do business with.
But, most importantly, they are trying to protect themselves. If they would put a clause in the contract about when we can expect payment and have some kind of "bond" posted that we can access if we are not paid with in those terms, I would look at things differently.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/15/10 12:28pm
Msg #340989

Ditto! n/m

Reply by Shelly_FL on 6/15/10 1:13pm
Msg #340994

In my mind, contracts are a two way agreement. If I sign one

I usually make a note that the agreement is contingent on my receipt of a copy that is signed by their representative in authority. To date I have never received a response either way. I'm not sure if this would hold up in court, but it seems to put the ball back in their court.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/15/10 5:04pm
Msg #341022

Re: In my mind, contracts are a two way agreement. If I sign one

All these non-compete clauses/contracts are just pure Bullcrap. It’s just another way to try and get out of paying the notary their just do. If ANY company asks for this, tell them NO! The FIRST rule in this business should be “DO NOT work for MORONS!!!!” Not only will you not get paid, you could end up explaining your position to a Judge. Now if a reputable company asks you to sign a ’non-disclosure’ agreement, to keep their clients info private, I believe that’s okay (JMO) An unenforceable, vague, poorly written, ‘non-compete’ clause by a newly formed entity is as I said before…..LAUGHABLE!