Posted by Ernest__CT on 4/20/11 9:26pm
Msg #380739

Equifax Settlement Services Webinar: Disaster

First, we were required to attend. No attendance == No signings.

When we clicked on the link, we found that we had to call in IN ADDITION TO logging in via the 'Net. Many of us use only cell phones; no landlines.

98 Notary Signing Agents participated. (The browser showed the number.)

After ~12 minutes, the presenter could not get his act together to have the Internet portion work.

After ~38 minutes, they called off the presentation.

Some people were openly hostile. Some had passed up signings in order to attend. (Please remember, attendance was _mandatory_ at one of the Webinars. This was the third [or so] they'd presented.)

While I was unhappy, and seriously unhappy that I'd spent more than 30 minutes on my cell phone for no reason, I will give them one more chance.

While technical glitches do happen, for ~100 Notary Signing Agents to be kept busy with no revenue and having to pay for the long-distance calls (or cell phone minutes), especially since there had been several previous Webinars by the same people on the same topic, is beyond rude.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/20/11 9:32pm
Msg #380744

Aren't they one of the companies that only pays $70, and that *includes* the printing?

Reply by Ernest__CT on 4/20/11 9:33pm
Msg #380746

While I can't speak for other NSAs, ESS has always me my fees. (Otherwise I would not have attended the Webinar!)

Reply by Alz on 4/20/11 9:32pm
Msg #380745

Mandatory? Are you an employee now? n/m

Reply by Ernest__CT on 4/20/11 9:36pm
Msg #380748

Hmmm. No attend == No signing. Guess so! n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 4/20/11 9:33pm
Msg #380747

Agree that. Waaay beyond rude. More like an abusive relationship.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/20/11 9:39pm
Msg #380750

Geez Louise - first, it should be held during free-minutes

hours.

Second, if they were stand-up people, they'd send all participants - who ~did~ have their stuff together - $25 for your trouble/expense/time as a gesture of good faith.

Third, use the money their tech people would get to pay for the good-will to the remote closers who are their bread and butter.

Now, if I only knew the magic words...

Reply by Ernest__CT on 4/20/11 9:41pm
Msg #380753

Right on, Susan! n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 4/20/11 9:43pm
Msg #380754

That's all just too wierd. I wonder what gives with this

webinar thing. Someone is selling these co's. on that & I always suspect XYZ in these matters.
I recently "attended" a webinar for one of my fav tc's. First it was supposed to be 2 hrs., then got a notice that day that is was 1 hr., and finished in about 40 minutes. It was all pretty basic, but it's a co. that I want to keep in good standing with so I registered.
There's no way I would have gone along with a "mandatory" attendance, and no consideration for the fact that we don't sit in an office all day.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 4/20/11 9:50pm
Msg #380757

I'm beginning to think that they scheduled the Webinar ...

... 8 Eastern because they couldn't get enough attendees during the hours the previous Webinars were scheduled. I couldn't attend the others because I _did_ have closings scheduled.

The Webinar was supposed to be recorded so that people could access it later. That makes it smell even worse: We have to attend live, but other NSAs will be able to just watch at their leisure?! Bogus, Equifax Settlement Services, boh guss!

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/20/11 10:02pm
Msg #380766

I just made up a new name for them - but I can't print it

here, I just changed an 'a' to a 'u'...(disclaimer - doing so, then pronouncing the new name, is R-Rated.)

I see myself being totally booked for any inquiry from whatever their name is...

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 4/20/11 11:49pm
Msg #380780

LOL - Sounds to be about the right name, Susie. n/m

Reply by mtnotary on 4/20/11 11:59pm
Msg #380781

I also attended the webinar tonight and was eating my dinner (6:00) during it. I am sure that the man running the show did not want his equipment to fail. Apparently Murphy was working over time and things just happen.
I was on my cell phone because my landline is wireless and seems to screw up my wireless laptop if I am on the wireless phone at the same time.
It did get rather noisy with so many people complaining and/or asking questions at the same time.
One thing that they did say (if I heard it correctly) is that they will be having this seminar on line as a movie soon. So is it necessary to join this live webinar again?

Reply by Ernest__CT on 4/21/11 9:36am
Msg #380802

If ESS is going to have a recorded version available ...

... then why did they _require_ us to attend live?r

Their email left no doubt: Attend or we won't give you any signings.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 4/21/11 1:52pm
Msg #380859

Re: If ESS is going to have a recorded version available ...

Maybe they will show the recorded version to all the notaries they are going to hire to replace those who didn't take the time to participate in the live webinars when they were being offered.

Reply by JandB on 4/21/11 2:07pm
Msg #380865

The e-mail I rec'd "strongly encouraged" attendance

but did not make it mandatory. I registered but had to work so didn't attend. Now I'm glad I missed it.