Posted by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/20/11 6:00pm
Msg #394382

Grrr

Called borrower.
Agreed to meet at 1:30 p.m. at deli, corner of Main and Oak streets.
Got there at 1:25 p.m., cruised through deli, nobody matching description of borrower (we had already shared descriptions of each other).
Called borrower (went to VM) to say I was at deli, I'm sitting in the front at middle table, I'm wearing a black top, white skirt, etc. Will be waiting.
At 2:45 p.m. I text borrower, saying Hi, I'm at the deli, corner of ....blah blah, just making sure I'm at the right place.
At 2:50 borrower called and said he had been sitting in his car the ENTIRE time watching people go in, waiting to spot me, somebody who "looked like a notary" (whatever that is). (I guarantee we did not agree to meet in the parking lot, that I would be 20 minutes late, and that I would go car to car to find a person inside, hoping they might be the borrower!)

This kind of thing used to happen too often so I became very explicit with borrowers, saying I will meet you INSIDE (at a table or I'll be standing) or I will wait for you in the LOBBY or OUTSIDE the front entrance. And repeat it 10 times. Still... one time I was meeting a couple at a library. I told her 20 times (at least) to meet INSIDE at the ENTRANCE, right by the front doors. DO NOT go find a table and sit because I will never be able to find you, I said. I guess that made too much sense. I stood the entrance 30 minutes, then decided to roam the library (thank goodness it was small) asking every person if they were so and so. Sure eunff, there they were, sitting at a table. What would make anyone think that a total stranger would walk into a library and know who was sitting at every table? I wanted to smack 'em.

Reply by Alz on 8/20/11 6:07pm
Msg #394384

Grrr..is right. Sometimes people refuse to follow directions

Were you able to meet finally meet with the BO to get the documents signed?

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/20/11 6:24pm
Msg #394385

Aaaah I think you need to park where you can see the entrance..and wait. That's what I do. You will always be able to spot them, they'll be the ones with the folders. LOL Of course it would help to be 6'4" 300 lbs then in that case, They'll spot you. ROFLMAO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/20/11 9:12pm
Msg #394389

I had to laugh when I read your story because it reminded me of my very first assignment, but in the reverse. We arranged to meet in a coffee shop and I got there about 20 minutes early to review the documents... one more time! I told the hostess that I was waiting for two people and as the appointment time approached, I kept looking up for someone who was looking for someone else. But no one who walked in was looking around. I finally went to check with the hostess again and found them sitting at the front entrance of the restaurant waiting for me. It never occurred to them that I might have gotten there earlier than they did - and I guess the hostess forgot. They were not happy, but the signing went OK other than that!

I've also run into the situation where people sit in their car and wait. That makes absolutely no sense to me. The last place I would be looking for someone who I'm supposed to meet is in the parking lot. Some people just don't think, I guess.

What I've learned to do is always ask for a cell phone number so that we can be sure to find each other. These days, if I have any say in it, I only meet people at smallish places where it's easy to find someone. (I don't go by descriptions: on a Saturday, I once had a guy tell me he would be wearing a black t-shirt and a baseball cap... yep, that described about 4 or 5 different guys there. ) Awwwkward...

Reply by jba/fl on 8/21/11 9:27am
Msg #394401

I put the onus on them to find me. I tell them I will be wearing a bright pink shirt or yellow Hawaiian shirt and I will be carrying a briefcase. Works all the time. Or, look for kayak on top of car - that sure makes them see me.

Even vacationers down here tend to look bland most of the time - preppy beige, preppy olive, etc. I thought they came here to have fun but they are still looking to be upwardly mobile. LOL

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/21/11 7:55am
Msg #394399

I often meet people at Starbucks and that same thing has happened to me many times!!! So frustrating!!! In fact, it just happened a couple of days ago and the people said they were looking for me outside the Starbucks!?! I specifically tell people that I will meet them inside the front doors, and I tell them that I will be holding a black briefcase so just let me know when you see me. I learned a long time ago to make THEM responsible for seeking me out, as I find it embarrassing to go from table to table asking people if they are waiting for the notary. I give them 5 minutes and then I call. At 10 minutes, I leave unless I have heard from them.

I recently decided to start meeting people at my other local Starbucks, which is located inside a Target store. It's much smaller, bigger tables, and they cannot sit in their car and wait for me!

People just do not listen!

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 8/21/11 11:34am
Msg #394409

Tell them to look for a devilishly good looking guy carrying

a FEDEX/UPS envelope. If I end up sitting down, I leave the envelope right on top of the table.
But you are correct, people don;'t listen, don't think or have the attention span of a two year old.

Reply by Les_CO on 8/21/11 11:39am
Msg #394410

Re: Tell them to look for a devilishly good looking guy carrying

I thought it was Brad Pitt’s twin?

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 8/22/11 8:58am
Msg #394459

I thought it was Brad Pitt’s twin?

Brad is getting on in years.
I am far better looking.
Working on a Justin Bieber look, but can't get the hair quite right yet. Not enough of it.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/22/11 9:04am
Msg #394461

Puh-leaze - not JB! ugh! A bit of maturity would be nice. n/m