Posted by SheilaSJCA on 6/17/10 1:18pm
Msg #341395

"stick"to""it""ive""ness" Works!

This subject is discussed alot, but I wanted to show you that it does work! ... Don't give up and don't give in.

I have a base fee that I rarely budge down from, and almost daily, I end up saying no when callers (SS & Title) will not meet my minimum. A notary friend of mine, here in town, is also dealing with the same situation; she too has a minimum she will accept. We often get called by the same companies, and with business being slow, it is tempting to accept some of those lower fees, right? Wrong! Tempting, but not wise, as was so readily proved (again) today!

A title company called, and would not meet my fee, called friend next, would not meet her fee. An hour later they called her back and agreed to her fee. I am happy for her. It doesn't bother me that they called her back, instead of me. This could just as easily been my deal, but when she wins, I win. We both benefit from NOT lowering our standards.

This is what comes from sticking to your plan, and knowing that if you do give in, there will be no going back. What goes down, does not come back up. Working for less than makes sense to you, will only hurt you in the long run. Why not leave that time frame open to a call from a good client, or a lucrative general notary assignment?

Nothing is more fustrating that to take a low offer, only to be called by a better paying client, for a time that cannot be accomodated because you took that low ball assignment!

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 6/17/10 1:40pm
Msg #341397

I agree. n/m

Reply by janCA on 6/17/10 2:23pm
Msg #341410

Re:

Sheila, great point.

I am still receiving the same fees I was receiving 3 years ago from both SS's and Title. And the minimum is not $100. Do I turn down alot, you betcha, but it's that working smarter, not harder thing. So many SA's have cut their fees to unbelievable rates, which does hurt us all, but I do have some loyal clients and fee is usually not even discussed, unless there is something extra that has to be done. I worked too hard to get those fees, I won't give them up.

Reply by JAM/CA on 6/17/10 4:00pm
Msg #341419

Re:

And believe me, Sheila is a great friend I have been in turmoil over turning down so many signings, because of companies not meeting my fees and Sheila was kind enough to listen to my woes. By the end of our conversation, I knew what I had to do, stick to "my" base fee that I would take. I sort of already knew the answer, but it's so nice to have a fellow Notary buddy to discuss things with.

Sheila is correct, we all win when we stick to our guns. I turn signings over to her when I'm busy and know she will not low ball and the signing will be completed correctly.

Thank you Sheila for being my sounding board and a great friend!

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 6/17/10 9:20pm
Msg #341472

Re: Re:

Its awesome that you stick together. I wish the other NSAs in my area would do the same! I turned down one today for 75.00 with edocs..they would call back if they could meet my fee..I know there are lowball takers in my area..too bad you could be making more money! I attempted to have a get together with them and no one even bothered to return inquiries..So we go on..very frustrating!

Reply by 101livescan on 6/18/10 8:32am
Msg #341504

Re:

You are so right, Sheila. I do have a lot of competition in my area. Notaries working for cheap, but I will say, I still get a lot of calls at my rates. I've got my bottom line to watch, and I'm not spending hours working for so little money, it makes no sense to be in the business. The cheaper notaries usually have other work that is full time, try to change the appointment times to accommodate their schedules and will drive over 30 miles to get the work, coming up from Ventura to Santa Barbara. the traffic is ugly, so they are climbing all over themselves to get the work.