Posted by Linda_H/FL on 3/4/10 9:46am
Msg #325284

Phone call...good grief..

Caller: "Hello, is this a notary public?"

Me: "Yes it is"

Caller: "How much is it to get something notarized?"

Me: "$10 per notarial certificate and a fee for travel and time"

Caller: "ohhh..Okay...thank you very much".....click

Oh well..

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/4/10 10:28am
Msg #325289

I get those calls a lot. They figure it is more convenient for them to just go to an Amscot or UPS store to get it done for $10. I generally charge $10 for the first and a discounted rate for each additional same-day same-time notarization.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/4/10 10:32am
Msg #325291

The ones that get me are the ones who say "Oh, my cousin is a notary and she never charges" So, why didn't they get their cousin to notarize for them!
One customer told me $10 is outrageous - of course they are snowbirds from states that can only charge a couple of dollars for notarizations.
The place that sends me customers regularly has a notice with the fees on it, so the customer knows before coming to me what the notarization fee and that they need identification etc. But they still ask!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/4/10 10:42am
Msg #325293

Almost all my general notary calls end this way

it just amazes me that people don't think they have to pay for the services...I have the statutory fees on my website but no one up this way thinks they have to pay - they're surprised to hear they do...

Reply by MW/VA on 3/4/10 10:58am
Msg #325302

My phone calls for general notary work go differently. I explain to them that my service is a mobile service & that my fee structure is different, with a minimum fee of $25 w/travel. I also give them the names of a few places (like UPS stores) where they can go to get their notarization for the $5 state fee.
If they need my services, like for a POA, etc., fine--otherwise I refer them elsewhere.

Reply by Notarysigner on 3/4/10 10:58am
Msg #325303

I usually say the same, sometimes I feel it's the competition. I almost always refer them to the UPS store because they think I'm being unfair by charging ten dollars signature. They what to pay per document with two, three signers.

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/4/10 11:21am
Msg #325308

I am fortunate to have a Starbucks on one corner and a McDonalds on the other corner, less than 5 mins. from my home. I give callers the option to meet me at one of those (usually Starbucks) and the travel fee is waived or pay X dollars for travel to their home or office depending on the city. In stances where they don't want either option [they won't travel to me & won't pay for travel to them] I refer them to the UPS Store or AAA (auto club) office during business hours. Outside of business hours I give them a directory so they can find a Notary in their city. I have very few callers squabble about the notarization fee or the travel fee (about one in 50).

There is this one lady who's called me four times already about getting her and hubby signatures notarized on their loan mod papers. She works late and a lot of overtime, he works late and a lot of overtime, always tired....yada, yada.....can't seem to coordinate a time for us to get together yet she keeps calling me.....If she calls back a fifth time, I will suggest that on her lunch hour, she take the paperwork to a UPS Store, get her part taken care of and then give hubby the papers so he can do the same on his lunch hour. Yikes!!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/4/10 3:36pm
Msg #325350

I do the same thing, i.e. give people a choice. For those watching their expenses, they're happy to come to me, but others are willing to pay a decent travel fee for the convenience. My minimum travel fee is a good bit higher than what was mentioned here elsewhere, to where it is definitely worth my while to make the trip. Think about it... what's the least you've ever paid to have someone come to your home, whether it was the cable guy, carpet cleaner, handyman, etc.? To be qualified to do what we do, as has been discussed here many times, we have many expenses and certain required knowledge, just like those other folks do.

Maybe it's just that everything costs more around here, but people seem to expect to pay something and often realize what the going rate is. I find that the $10 per signature, at minimum, is seldom a problem. Of course, the other side of that equation is that everything costs more around here!

Reply by RickG/CA on 3/4/10 11:47am
Msg #325313

I have a google local biz ad that clearly states fee for single document up to 2 signatures to be notarized. I get a lot of call that go like this...

Caller: Hello I'm looking at your ad on google for mobile notary, are you available xx/xx/xxxx at xx:xx

ME: Yes I am

Caller: What do you charge

ME (I wish): I'll be right over with your sign!

In most cases I end up referring to UPS/FedEX. But for some quick pocket change, it's not a bad gig.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 3/4/10 1:41pm
Msg #325328

I always tell the caller that the bank or UPS store is the better option. I even told one gal if she would come to my house I would do it for free if she wanted to use her gas to get it done. She lived about 20 minutes away.

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 3/4/10 9:32pm
Msg #325429

I received a call last week..Caller can a notary notarize their own signature?? Um no..put the stamp down give up your commisssion and walk away!!

Or how about this one?? Caller I am an Ohio notary I am about 5 miles into Michigan..Can I notarize here?? I asked her where are your feet? She said Michigan..Ok is this in Ohio?? She say "Oh I get it I can't do this"!!

These are calls from the last couple of weeks!!

Reply by Shelley Pahn on 3/5/10 8:05am
Msg #325458

Re: Phone call...good grief..We should stand together

we know it costs us money
to do this job. I get
calls from people
who think this a public service
they get angry. "its free at
my bank" I love the one
do i have to be there?
Can u just stamp this paper?
I will send my son there with
the paper.

it would be nice
if I could pay my own house note
with this job thatI love.
buts the whole country
is broke too. but some
who have and get bonues
are breaking the middle class etc.
greed is a sin!