Posted by HisHughness on 4/14/11 6:37pm
Msg #379826

Nine years I've been in this business...

...and I just got the strangest call I have ever received as a signing agent.

Out of town signing service I had never heard of nor worked or. Called, wanted me to get an affidavit signed at a location 100 miles away, then send in certified mail. The hitch: The business signing the affidavit requires a $60 payment up front. I'm supposed to pay the business plus the cost of certified mail, and invoice the signing service.

Well, no. I'm not going to front $65 for a company I've never worked for. In fact, I'm not going to do that for one of my regular clients. However, let me give you the name of an Austin signing agent who has a Pay Pal account who might be willing to help you.

Sorry; I can't do that, the signing service responded. <The client insists that it be done this way.>

Below is the entirety of the company's record in Signing Central; it has an average of one and a half stars. Think I dodged a bullet?

2/24/2011 I live in ***. I'm ashamed there's a company like this in my hometown. OR
2/1/2011 just called me to do a closing for $25. i'm still laughing TX
1/19/2011 Said one thing then did something else (long story). Rude. Beware. CA
1/17/2011 Cheap, Shady, Dishonest. Tried to hire me for a edoc Refi $65! CA
12/21/2010 Cheap not trust worthy CT
12/6/2010 Bad signing service and they do not pay notaries for services CA
10/22/2010 Cheap not trust worthy AZ
10/19/2010 Low pay; have to FAX everything back B4 they send U an airbill to ship! CA
10/18/2010 Have you read their agreemment? Mostley OK, but the non-compete is unacceptable LA
10/4/2010 Cheap is an understatement!!!! They may think I am a day laborer.... CA
9/24/2010 CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP company; what are they thinking??? CA
9/21/2010 Lot of work required with little pay CA
8/19/2010 You guys...Call ESCROW/TITLE and the borrower!!! Don't let them take your $$ CA
8/2/2010 VERY LOW PAY. VERY LONG TIME FROM SIGNING TOPAY . NO MORE TX
4/21/2010 Called me for an illegal loan mod also. Took me off their list when I refused. TX
1/9/2010 slow pay but did send check w/i 5 days after my call. OH
12/11/2009 Instructions provided with template emails are not always clear or appropriate. FL
8/14/2009 Called me for a loan mod app signing w/upfront fees charged to borrower. Illegal NC

Reply by James Dawson on 4/14/11 6:43pm
Msg #379827

Seems to me you would be paying the SS's fee and the client WAS the SS. Now that's creative to say the least. Strange but not unimaginable.

Reply by NJDiva on 4/14/11 6:44pm
Msg #379828

OMGosh!! I just thought of something. This is the IDEAL closing for people that take low ball fees. Afterall, they're paying for the closings they're getting anyway since they are (the notaries) supplying the paper, toner, free travel...it's PERFECT. LOL!!!

Reply by Linda Juenger on 4/14/11 6:46pm
Msg #379829

I figured it out without even looking. The very first comment is the clue.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/14/11 10:13pm
Msg #379849

Hey, NJ! - not a Diva for nothing - you nailed it... n/m

Reply by NJDiva on 4/14/11 10:21pm
Msg #379853

Re: Hey, NJ! - not a Diva for nothing - you nailed it...

lol...this way the SS's will make their money, the agency's money and they'll make the notary's money too...lol

And the notary? Oh, well they get an "Ataboy!"

Reply by SouthernOK on 4/14/11 6:49pm
Msg #379830

I just accepted a job from them for this coming Monday. An ANR one page doc for a local medical practice. But they are paying me $35 and I'm fronting $0 for them.

This first read like one of those Nigerian money scams, but they can't want you to pay someone to sign a document.

I hope I get paid.

Reply by James Dawson on 4/14/11 7:05pm
Msg #379831

based on the comments in SS that Hug provided, you won't. Please let us all know.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/15/11 1:46am
Msg #379859

Don't be a maschoist - give it back! Wash your hands of this one.

Reply by Jarrod Chambers on 4/14/11 7:21pm
Msg #379833

0_o

Whose the company?

Reply by indaberry/LA on 4/14/11 8:22pm
Msg #379835

N3 Notary Public of Portland, Oregon.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/14/11 10:14pm
Msg #379850

Bingo, Indaberry. Merci. n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/14/11 10:19pm
Msg #379852

You dodged that slo-mo bullet, alright. Treats for Lucy,

who ~so~ adorable when she smirks... heehee

Reply by sanjqnvly on 2/9/12 12:39pm
Msg #411228

Re: You dodged that slo-mo bullet, alright. Treats for Lucy,

Received call from this bottom feeder and thank goodness I checked their review on here! They wanted my Bond and E & O policy numbers and when I told the "manager" that I would need their bond number and liability insurance policy number also she became very hostile. At this point I told "manager" to take me off their sucker list and hung up! Thanks again Notary Rotary!!!!

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 4/15/11 11:09am
Msg #379898

BBB Accredited Business since 01/17/2007...has an A listing?

Nationwide Notary Network
Phone: (503) 208-2010
Fax: (503) 296-5503
310 SW 4th Ave Ste 825, Portland, OR 97204-2374

They have an "A" rating with NO COMPLAINTS filed...why hasn't anyone filed a complaint if this compay is so damn bad?

Hmmm...gives me an idea...

Reply by James Dawson on 4/15/11 11:50am
Msg #379907

i LIKE YOUR IDEA and will use it in the future n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 4/15/11 11:48am
Msg #379905

Ha,ha,ha...yep, good for your dodging that bullet. We can only get wiser in this biz and faster at hearing offers that are, yes, too ugly to accept.

A few years ago, in the pouring rain, I bought into meeting a borrower at the City library in the pouring rain, with a chocolate mocha latte from Starbucks. The woman stood me up. And, silly me, agreed to second trip, I would be paid for both and yet another latte, at the request of Paige Tiffany. WHAT A SAP I WAS. Not only was I out the two lattes, but Paige never paid me for these signings. it was a neg am World Savings loan that went into foreclosure this past year.

I now know the right questions to ask. I also have to say that recently I did the same kind of signing for another signing service, the first set of docs was misplaced by UPS, and the SS had the nerve to call me for another signing. I said let's get me paid for the first two before we rack up any more fees. Want to be paid for the prior work. We'll see. It's a crap shoot for sure, you ever know when you're going to get crapped on these days!