Posted by enotary/va on 2/10/11 10:48am
Msg #372152

Re: finding signing agents

I don't know about other states, but in VA, its to easy to be a signing agent. All you have to do is be at least 18 years old, be able to read and write the English language, Have never been convicted of a felony, say you have read the book and have $45.00.

I was at Fed Ex the other day and in walks another notary with a set of docs. He told me he had just finished a signing. He had on jeans, a sweat shirt and tennis shoes...... I ask how were things going for him. He responded that things were great. That he only takes 2 or 3 signing’s a month because he works full time at a bank and he takes any money he makes from signing to buy his smokes. His wife wants him to quit smoking. He also said he only takes a signing if it doesn’t interfere with anything else he is doing. He told me his fee and its half the fee myself and others I know charge.

I’ve been a real estate broker in Va since 1969 and in the past we would joke that when you turned 18 and went to the DMV to get your drivers license for $10.00 more you could get a real estate license.

I feel the same about notaries....

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 2/10/11 11:33am
Msg #372163

Re: finding signing agents

Doesn't he realize that he could purchase 2, or more, cartons of cigs if he charged more? LOL

Reply by Sandra Clark on 2/10/11 12:06pm
Msg #372173

Re: finding signing agents

Sorry you have such a low opinion of notaries & real estate agents. Maybe you need to change professions. Some of the RE agents I've had to work with have dress much worse that what you describe for the banker. I don't judge all RE agents based on their appearance, I judge them as individuals. The same holds true in your judgement of all notaries.

I for one think the notaries in Va. are outstanding - I personally know several who take great pride in their work whether it's full time or part time. They do an excellent job, charge reasonable fees and dress professionally. I know for a fact that education does not preclude stupidity, dishonesty and total lack of caring about what type job is done.

Reply by enotary/va on 2/10/11 12:50pm
Msg #372179

Re: finding signing agents

Sorry you must be confused.... I don’t have such a low opinion of all notaries & all real estate agents. ( Your statement to me = Maybe you need to change professions.) As to changing professions I have been in the same one for 42 years. I’ve owned a real estate company all this time with as few as 6 agents up to 60 agents. Some of the agents I've had to work with should never have gotten into real estate. I don't judge anyone based on their appearance, but, when you go to a signing you should always look professional!!!!!

I’ve been doing signing’s long enough that I’ve had to go out and redo docs for some Virginia Notaries that don’t have a clue what they are doing. I for one think that some notaries just like some real estate agents should be flipping burgers.

I also personally know several who take great pride in their work whether its full time or part time. As to education I feel that in this profession it’s very important!!!

Reply by Sandra Clark on 2/10/11 1:28pm
Msg #372191

Re: finding signing agents

The qualified notaries that I know have taken the time and courses to educate themselves - I'm sure there are notaries in every state that shouldn't be in the profession whether the state requires educational courses or not. It is simply not just Va. notaries. If I've misunderstood your post, then please explain your comments ref no education, poorly dressed etc. ref. Va. notaries

To me, your statesments came across as self-serving and condemnation of Va. notaries as a whole. JMHO

Reply by enotary/va on 2/10/11 1:12pm
Msg #372186

Re: finding signing agents

read message # 302458

Reply by Sandra Clark on 2/10/11 1:39pm
Msg #372197

Re: finding signing agents

I remember it well! I have never said VA. notaries are perfect - there are some that do not belong in the profession but I don't put down all VA notaries - we are some of the nicest guys & gals you would ever meet - we are professionals, we dress professionally, we take good care of our clients, we do a heck of a job for them & we ARE educated. AND there are notaries in other states that deserved the same rant.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 2/10/11 1:42pm
Msg #372199

Re: finding signing agents

My post was about finding notaries, no where in your post did you indicate you were looking for a notary - at the time of that post, I was.

Reply by Mary Voelker on 2/10/11 2:31pm
Msg #372213

Re: finding signing agents

enotary/va - along with being so knowledgeable, please learn the English language. The plural of signing is signings, not signing's - this mistake in plurals is almost becoming a proscriptive right!!! Let's not promulgate this fallacy. (and yes, my word of the day calendar is at Feb 10th).

Reply by Patti Corcoran on 2/10/11 4:20pm
Msg #372245

Re: if you weren't bad-mouthing notaries, then what was your

point?

Reply by Ali/IL on 2/10/11 5:41pm
Msg #372260

Re: if you weren't bad-mouthing notaries, then what was your

Oh gee.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/11/11 4:16pm
Msg #372418

Re: if you weren't bad-mouthing notaries, then what was your

To me, it sounded like the point enotary/va was making was that it should be harder to become a notary in VA, so some of the riff-raff - like the person described - might think twice about entering the field and reflecting poorly on the rest of us. It didn't even occur to me that it was a dig at all VA notaries.

Over the last few years, it's become more expensive and more difficult to become a notary in CA, and I believe that has had a very positive impact. I've heard from lots of people who in the past became a notary on a casual basis that they decided not to renew. Nearly all of these people were part timers. I'm not claiming that they were all as unprofessional as this guy was, but if it's just something someone does for cigarette money, how serious are they likely to take it?

I think the original poster made a good point and I was very surprised that a few took it personally. jmho.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/11 9:02pm
Msg #372454

You're getting a lot of flack on these remarks...

I don't see you being condescending or self-serving. I think you are just making an observation that it is easy to be a notary. You need a pulse, a check for the right amount and a clean criminal record.

You're right.

You ran into someone who does not take the signing agent profession seriously and you were frustrated by it.

I interpreted you be self-deprecating and acknowledging that the so-called requirements are not high for what we do, but it is how we "professionalize" our image and perform our jobs that sets apart the professionals from the quick buck makers.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/11/11 9:22pm
Msg #372457

I have to agree that there some responding

that may be having a rough day and feeling a bit thin skinned. I think I understood exactly the way you intended.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/11/11 9:24pm
Msg #372458

response for enotary/va, not Brenda n/m