Posted by ikando on 6/22/10 4:09pm
Msg #341956

Second Guessing Myself

It's been a very slow month for me so far. I usually have at least a dozen closings scheduled by this time, but have about 1/4 that this month.

Anyway, I got a call at 2:45 from a SS who needed closing done at 4:30 this afternoon. Okay, if docs are ready now, there's a possibility it could be done. I asked what they wanted to pay. $90.

Because I don't work from my post office box, the "crow flies" miles she used to calculate is about 15 miles short. Plus, in my opinion, this is a rush job. I quoted her a higher fee.

Now, because I'm behind on jobs, I am bemoaning the loss of this one. Please give me words of encouragement.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 6/22/10 4:28pm
Msg #341960

No words of encouragement from me. If someone called me with only 1-3/4 hrs notice, my minimum fee would be $150 or more.

I refuse to be an on-call notary unless I am paid for it. If you do a signing for the same rate regardless of how little notice they give you, then pretty soon, we'll never be given the benefit of advance notice.

Of course, I won't even accept a signing for $90 with advance notice. I never have...never will. My minimum is $125.

Reply by LMS on 6/22/10 4:57pm
Msg #341963

When it's really slow, it's hard to do "the right thing," but it was the right decision and you should feel good that you didn't sell yourself short and let them take advantage of you.
Kudo's to YOU!!

Reply by taxpro on 6/22/10 4:58pm
Msg #341964

Don't second guess yourself. $90 for any signing is ridiculous. I would have quoted $125 minimum, plus extra for mileage. Add another $25 for the rush job.

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/22/10 5:27pm
Msg #341966

In these times, Notaries need to be wise to the following: If a company offers the Notary a significantly lower fee than what the Notary normally charges, it is highly likely that IF the Notary does happen to get a call back from said company to accept your fee, the company is just doing so to get the job completed. When your check arrives (if it arrives), it will be shorted down to the lowball fee the company wanted to pay, regardless of what is on the email confirmation. They don't care and had no intention of paying your fee.

If their initial offer was within $20 of your stated fee, then it's likely your fee will be met. If it's significantly lower, for example if they offer $70 and your fee for that type of signing is $125, that's a $55 difference. They won't pay it, you'll get a shorted check. Do not be fooled and consider carefully when accepting a job from a company that initially didn't meet your fee - then calls back with the "good news" that your fee has now been accepted.

Reply by LMS on 6/22/10 5:31pm
Msg #341967

I guess I'm lucky because I've had tons of companies meet my fee (even when it was way over what they wanted to pay) and when I rec'd the check it was for the agreed upon price.

Reply by taxpro on 6/22/10 5:55pm
Msg #341974

That depends on the company...

I've had many who agreed to my fee and paid the full amount, even though it was $40 or $50 more than their offer. The deadbeats are the deadbeats, and we shouldn't work for them anyway.

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/22/10 10:24pm
Msg #342045

Re: That depends on the company...

If you're in a rural area, or an area with few notaries then yes - they have no choice but to agree to and pay your fee...and...they'll need you in the future .......saturated city notary.....forget it.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 6/22/10 5:36pm
Msg #341969

My personal philosophy is that once you make a decision, you don't look back... don't beat yourself up over it. They were offering less than you were willing to accept, so you made the only decision you could. You can't make a profit when you get paid less than what it costs you to do the job.

The only thing I would point out is this:

" I asked what they wanted to pay. $90."

Wrong approach, IMO - you tell them what your fee is, and let them counter. It's always easier to negotiate down (if you want to) than it is to negotiate up (if you have to).

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 8:02pm
Msg #342019

I have mixed feelings on this one. Perhaps you should ask for a little more info before making your decision. You may be surprised to find out that just by asking, you find out it's a 71 page chase loan instead of a 170 B of A. One borrower instead of three. One mile from home instead of 45 miles one way. Makes a big difference if you haven't done one for a while. IMO

Reply by Frank/NC on 6/22/10 8:14pm
Msg #342026

My thought is that you made a decision and it didn't work out and on to the next one. Don't get caught up in what might have been. Let's hope the phone rings more.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/22/10 8:59pm
Msg #342036

DON'T Second Guess Yourself!

Dang! You did good. They weren't paying enough; they fuzzed on the mileage (it appears as tho' you caught that.) You know your stuff, your worth and shouldn't take less.