Posted by DarleneF on 9/30/11 11:10am
Msg #399277

I got a call today

For a signing on Monday @ 9 am. I don't have to print anything. Doc's will be over nighted to borrower, all I need to do is show up Notarize doc's and send them back. She told me that it paid $50. I told her that I have been doing these for $*** she said you don't have to print anything. I told her what I would do it for she told me that she would look for someone else that would accept her base pay. If ya'll don't have to print any doc's would ya'll have accepted this? I have a base fee I try to stick with.

Reply by Les_CO on 9/30/11 11:14am
Msg #399279

Re: I got a call today/not for $50 n/m

Reply by Alz on 9/30/11 2:59pm
Msg #399315

Just received a call from my favorite TC for a signing at

their office because she was double-booked. Small package and no more than 3 documents to notarize per BO. Fee will be XXX.

Reply by Lisa Marie-Loan Closings on 9/30/11 11:23am
Msg #399281

yes, I reduce my fees if I do not need to print any docs, not a 50% reduction though...and it also depends on travel time as well...I would reduce $15 if it was in my local area.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/30/11 11:23am
Msg #399282

For me it would depend on location...

having to drop the package could have me driving 40-50 miles or better once all is said and done, depending on where the signing is in relation to the package drop location.

But no, I would not have done it for $50 unless they came to me AND took the package and dropped it themselves.

Reply by DarleneF on 9/30/11 11:28am
Msg #399288

Re: For me it would depend on location...

Thank you for your replies. I have been doing alot of signings for this company here lately and have been working with them on their fees. But I won't do it for $50. Wonder who did in my area?

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 9/30/11 2:14pm
Msg #399309

Re: For me it would depend on location...

You know what your time and services are worth and, imo, you did the right thing by sticking to your fees. Personally, as a NSA, I charge $100 for local signings with overnight docs (to me or the signer).

"Wonder who did in my area?"

It wasn't me, Darlene, but I do have a few ideas of who it might be.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/30/11 2:39pm
Msg #399312

Depends on location and size of pkg...

Could be a < 40 page package with 1 notarization in my neighborhood.
Less than 10 miles, less than 30 minutes would make it worth it.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/30/11 11:56am
Msg #399292

The breakdown

Cost of signing:

Use of $7,500-$30,000 vehicle plus fuel = $25
Time at signing 1 hour
Travel time portal to portal 30 minutes
Office time (phone calls, establishing files,
etc.) 15 minutes
Total time invested 1.75 hours
Hourly wage = $14.29

Annual income @ $14.29 hour = $29,723

Reply by 101livescan on 9/30/11 12:21pm
Msg #399297

I notarized two interspousal grant deeds yesterday which were emailed to me with a UPS label included for sending it back. The client came to me, I dropped at a UPS store. I was paid $75....

This $50 BS has got to stop!

Reply by BossLadyMD on 9/30/11 12:30pm
Msg #399298

5 Star post Cheryl!!!! ;) n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/30/11 1:35pm
Msg #399303

I just got back from one, quit claim deed, one signature 48 miles round trip $100.00

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 9/30/11 12:40pm
Msg #399301

Not advocting low fees, but as is the case with every

offered assignment , it is a function of the nature and size of the package, and YOUR
individual circumstances.
Some purchase or sale packages involve a dozen or so pages, two or three signatures and one or two stampsl.
In my area, I have numerous fedex/ups drop locations within a mile or so of whereever I happen to be.
What else would you do with that time?
Are you going to be in the vicinity of the signier anyway?
In the instant case, the signer has the dox in hand, and should have all questions answered befoe NSA shows up, and just be ready to sign bing , bam boom.
Could well be a 10 minute or so signing.
As I said, every signing is different and every NSA's situation is different.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/30/11 12:54pm
Msg #399302

Re: Not advocting low fees, but as is the case with every

I agree with Bob. I definitely don't think we should be advocating for low ball fees, however, I have been known to take a $50.00 signing here and there. 1. Doc's are overnighted to the borrower. 2. The package is a HELOC consisting of 22 pages with two notarizations. 3. The closing takes all of eight to twelve minutes depending on if I strike up a friendly conversation with the borrowers, or just stick to business. 4. Their home is typically no more than 5 miles from my home. 5. I drop the package at the Fed Ex drop box on my way home from the closing (which I have to drive by on my way home anyway). 6. Did I mention that I am usually back home 30-35 minutes later?

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/30/11 1:56pm
Msg #399307

I think what a lot of out

of state Notaries fail to remember is in Calif the fee per notarization is $10.00 Now two Docs, two signatures = $40.00 So a $50 assignment would mean a $10.00 travel fee. On the other hand we are allowed to discount our notary fee if we choose to do so but, who is stupid enough to give a discount to someone making at least twice the fee from the TC?

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/30/11 1:58pm
Msg #399308

Meant to say applies in Ca only n/m

Reply by Philip Johnson on 9/30/11 5:27pm
Msg #399329

$10.00 is the suggested rule here as well.

But the old guys down at the VFW, American Legion, the young girls at the beauty school, Grandma & Grandpa down at the wrinkle ranch, etc all get the glad to meet you discount of free.

My stamp now in its third year of use has more then been paid for, so to build my business on a fee because Washington says that's the max fee I can collect, is one I often disregard. There's plenty of $50.00 packages that I have done in less then 30 minutes (inclusive of everything) that help pay the bills. I built my business worrying about my bottom line, not what someone above made on their bottom line.

Reply by Les_CO on 10/1/11 1:36pm
Msg #399388

Re: $10.00 is the suggested rule here as well.

The ‘convenience’ of you coming to them is also something to evaluate. Not just mileage. Ever call a Barber and say come to me and give me a haircut. He not only charges for ‘mileage’ but loss of business closing up shop and coming to you. If you want state mandated charges come to me, If you want me to meet you on the observation deck of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day to notarize an affidavit of you proclaiming your love for someone….It’s gonna cost you!

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/30/11 4:34pm
Msg #399326

I'd do it

$50 pays for a corndog - not steak and lobster - so here's the service for a corndog order:

Signing within 5 miles of my home office
Package is 50 pages or less and overnighted to borrowers
I notarize only those pages needing so, then leave package with borrowers
Collect fee from borrowers on the spot, in CASH only - no invoicing and waiting 30 days for payment
Leave with cash in hand

Here's what the borrower's are responsible for:

Signing and initialing the rest of the package on their own time
Calling the LO with questions on their own time
Fax-backs
Making photocopies of ID and adding them to package
Ensuring the cashier's check is included (if applicable)
Driving package to shipper

Reply by Liz/OR on 10/1/11 1:29am
Msg #399367

Good one, that's funny n/m

Reply by Liz/OR on 10/1/11 1:28am
Msg #399366

I say stick to your fees. There is a reason they are your fees. For me, that is...unexpected half hours of phone calls to loan officers regarding misunderstandings, unexpected 30 page fax-backs, people who sign really extremely slowly because they need everything explained in detail or they're disabled or old or something, people who can't follow directions on signing or can't find paperwork or IDs they need.

Here's an example of my last "quickie":

SS: hey I have a quick signing for you in your city, there is only one thing to notarize, will you do this for $40?

Me: okay sure

(later checks email, 30 page package attached, print two copies - dang..)
Goes to house, BO on phone and talking to client in his office for - get this - 20 minutes before he "gets to me". I am feeling like I am at the DMV with my number, waiting my turn. He looks at the papers, gets mad, doesn't like them. Talks on phone with LO for another 20 minutes while I wait. We finally sign and as he goes through, he is talking to himself griping over every page. One hour after I arrived, I was done with my quickie that had "only one notarization" from this SS. Nice.

I know now to ask how many pages, I don't do loan mods, and I don't leave the house for less than $50 unless it's a mobile notary job for the public (that I need no fed ex paperwork for and can wipe my hands of rather quickly.)

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/1/11 1:36am
Msg #399369

feeling like I am at the DMV with my number, waiting my turn

If I were stuck in that situation, that's when I'd excuse myself, and notify the brw to give me a call when he is prepared to sign.
I don't play games with them, and don't allow them to play games with me.
My time is as valuable as theirs.

Reply by Liz/OR on 10/1/11 5:38pm
Msg #399413

Re: feeling like I am at the DMV with my number, waiting my turn

Yes, some words should have been exchanged. I was patient, he was rude. This is why I charge accordingly now. My fees include rude clients.