Posted by Alz on 6/11/11 7:19pm
Msg #385965
Is it too much to ask?
As of late, there has been a common thread of discussions about low-ball fees and who accepts or who rejects, in addition to becoming a collection agency, i.e. not being paid and/or pursing payments.
Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about being paid because of your worth or weight in gold?
When was the last time you were contacted by a new client that didn’t bother to ask you about your fees because they were just happy to know that you were available and willing to accommodate their schedule.
Yesterday, I went to my new client’s office to notarize a few documents. Upon completing the assignment, I was escorted to the door and thank for my professionalism and interaction with the signers. My client asked that I please submit an invoice for payment and that they will pay upon receipt. Not once was I asked about the cost. This leads me to believe that this company comprehends the value-add that we as notaries bring to various industries and businesses.
This recent experience has really encouraged me to aggressively market to and pursue certain types of businesses. Maybe there is a niche in there…..somewhere.
| Reply by Jack/AL on 6/11/11 7:34pm
Msg #385966
I've always found it best to agree on the fee before performing the service, in any business. Your new client probably has a "reasonable" amount in mind. That amount could be much lower than what you'll ask, perhaps because others before you have asked that amount. If your fee exceeds whatever amount the client is expecting, perhaps you'll get paid and never be asked to provide a service again, or perhaps you'll just not receive that amount, if any. Either way, you've left yourself wide open for misunderstanding and disagreement. Better safe than sorry. JMHO........
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/11/11 8:34pm
Msg #385968
I can see your point, Jack, but I believe there're
big differences in the levels of sophistication within our client bases.
People who deal on the levels of transactions presented above don't sweat the petty stuff. The price was the price, the service and professionalism was outstanding, and when you hire the best, you get, and pay for, the best.
It seems to me that we undervalue ourselves just to get an assignment, and our value has been "decreasing" because the principles aren't willing to cut into *their* generous profit margins. I believe that charging too little sends a terrible message: "I'm not worth any more."
I would send an invoice that represented a highly skilled professional's well-earned fee, with a 'thank-you, let's please have lunch to discuss any questions and thoughts as we develop our mutually beneficial business relationship' cover letter. (Some of those luncheon meetings at attorneys' offices would blow some minds.)
Just as Dress for Success works, even in these casual times, Charge Appropriately for Success even in uncertain times will eventually win the day. There are a lot of wealthy people, and moderately wealthy people as well, who order off the menus without prices because the food is delicious, and pay financial/legal professionals' invoices without question because the transaction was handled once, and handled well.
If we don't value ourselves, who else will?
Just my .25 cents. 
| Reply by Moneyman/TX on 6/11/11 8:44pm
Msg #385971
If we don't value ourselves, who else will? - BINGO! n/m
| Reply by Notarysigner on 6/11/11 8:38pm
Msg #385969
Yea Jack, even that won't guarantee anything. I'm currently dealing with an attorney who is obviously W O D (Way out there). I did some work for them in Mar, billed them at the end of the month. Apr sent them another invoice, past due reminder. May, I send another invoice and email..." I'm so sorry, I knew I should had paid you while you were here", was the answer. June, another invoice, email and this time it's, "sorry, at least I respond to my email!, I put it in an envelope but it's still on my desk!"
This is a good client, paywise.
Now ALZ.........No offense, they are suppose to pay with no problems because we take the assignment, do the job with no problem. My .02
| Reply by Les_CO on 6/11/11 8:53pm
Msg #385973
James
I agree. I guess in today’s world we could post when we surprisingly get paid, but I’m kind of the old school…I EXPECT to be paid for my services. What and when I ask for it.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/11/11 8:59pm
Msg #385974
You're right James, there are the sleeze balls. One fat-cat
highrolling, pouch-bellied, whoopdedoo developer in Idaho tried the old string-along-song, but his secretary was easy pickin's to get his location (19th hole at the golf club) whereupon I got cashola on the Corona-head practically tossed at me while he yukked it up with his buddies. But I digress.
And I think it's fair to say that both doctors and lawyers are miserable at payables for what could be considered petty cash for our piddly little invoices (comparitavely.) It's why I like cover letters with invoices to first-time creditees - it's a message that I intend to collect my pay.
Ever optimistically speaking, that is.
| Reply by Alz on 6/12/11 11:26am
Msg #386000
I hear what you are saying as this is not my normal
mode of operation. My business associate setup the appointment and I went with it. Additionally, I had a great conversation with the client prior to meeting with his clients which lead me to believe that he gets IT.
Stay tuned. I will provide an update next week.
| Reply by Moneyman/TX on 6/11/11 8:42pm
Msg #385970
While I agree with your main thought, that is that there are businesses that will pay a professional fee for a professional, I have to say that I agree with Jack. Without an agreement on your fee, you leave yourself open to misunderstandings which could cost you business in the future or money on this job if you decide to lower your fees in hopes of getting future business.
I had a company call me a few weeks ago that found me on NotRot. Paid $150 and since it was a last minute signing and at the realtors office, I was told to just show up (i.e. no printing on my part) and provide an invoice to be sent back with the package. Paid in less than 10 days.
I had another TC call me Thursday for a closing scheduled for yesterday, $150, no problem. Payment terms Net 15.
You are correct, there are good companies out there. 
| Reply by HrdwrkrVA on 6/13/11 11:26am
Msg #386046
Business 101 - Contracts: 1. offer 2.terms 3.acceptance 4.
consideration (pay) 5. performance
The restaurant analogy was ok except:
We are mobile notaries dealing w/ remote clients (TCs & SSs). When I first started the remoteness was my main concern getting paid. I think the deadbeats/scammers & lowballers use this to their advantage:
-Scammer just don't answer the phone/ emails
-Lowballers wouldn't have the nerve to offer someone $45 to their face for a closing
Just as people are so insulated in their cars you have little old ladies getting road rage, I believe that for some cos, their true character comes out in the remote aspect of our industry.
You have some SSs that have pages & pages of ways that they will reduce/ not pay your fee. Yet, when you've performed your job to the LETTER, they still take MONTHS to pay you. And they're soooo casual about it: Oops, we missed ur chk; It's slow/I've been on vacation; We haven't been pd by TC. Legally - contract is btwn SS & SA NOT TC as I've had to point out to an SS recently. My pay is my pay - their pay is their pay - I didn't take this job on a contingency basis. Some SAs are rresigned to the fact that this is the nature of the business...blah,blah,blah... Great for u if this is ur hobby/part-time job; u have a spouse/roommate/SO to help pay thge bills or u have mtge/rent/cable/gas/elec bills that don't care when u pay them _ I have to pay MY bills on time! As posted by others, u shud have $$$ of capital to become an SS, so u can pay ur SAs in a timely manner!
Now there are some SSs who state they don't pay print or trip & I ALWAYS modify that & have them agree IN WRITING to pay print & trip. Otherwise, I don't take the job.
That being said, I agree that leaving urself w/ an open fee means u could get $150 or u could get $45. Again, not only are u dealing remotely, ur dealing w/ a first-tme client, so u have no establihed precendent btwn the two of u on which to determine what u both consider a fair fee.
The flip side is that I've had an SS try to fast -talk the fee: thispays$$(mumblemumble)andI'llsendutheconfirm. Before they could hang up, I've had to practically yell: wait a minute...! So, again, the resaurant scenario is one thing - ur in a (usually expensive) public place & it's understood that u WILL pay WHATEVER they ask. The SA scenario - it's best to have a contract: 1,2,3,4,5. Even when we agree on the phone on a fee, if the confirm doesn't have my fee, I ALWAYS have it re-sent w/ fee. I explain this is my contract & I invoice accordingly. JMHO
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