Posted by Susan/CA on 9/27/11 11:49am
Msg #398858

What would you do?

Scenario: You tried reaching the borrowers but only got voicemail. Left to other appointments, had the number on your cell and every so often continued to try to reach the borrowers to no avail. Then, you are stuck in traffic and would run about 30-40 minutes late. You could not read the entire confirmation in the dark while driving, to get the signing companies phone number (who are out of state and all sleeping at this point anyway) Would you chance it and go to a borrowers home nearly an hour late (after 9pm)?

Would love opininons and experiences.

Susan

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/27/11 11:58am
Msg #398860

Under your scenario... I honestly don't know. However, when I can't reach the B after a few tries and some wait time, but before I even print, much less start the car, I advise hiring party of no contact and ask if I should still go without B contact, and, if their answer is 'yes', they must agree to full fee, regardless of outcome.

So far/so good. Also tends to light a fire under someone who contacts the B and tells 'em to call me now. Works almost every time. Think I've only had one no contact/no show/full fee in some 19 years now.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/27/11 11:59am
Msg #398861

"You could not read the entire confirmation in the dark while driving, to get the signing companies phone number "

Pull over and read entire confirmation - probably an after-hours phone number there to help solve your dimemna...are you sure you had the right number for the borrowers? I've been given many confirmations that have incorrect phone numbers on them.

"(who are out of state and all sleeping at this point anyway)" never never assume this.\

Without being able to confirm with borrowers, not only would I not go - I would not have printed. I'd report to the company that their borrowers didn't appear to be available.

Reply by Les_CO on 9/27/11 12:19pm
Msg #398865

YES!! I WOULD GO!
Firstly I only take jobs that I feel I can do. I try and limit myself to three a day. Stuff happens both to us and the borrowers, but if you accepted the assignment you are OBLIGATED to go and try and do it, Late of not, dark or not, raining or not. NEVER just ‘blow it off’ You could be liable for some very serious damages by just blowing it off.
JMO

Reply by NJDiva on 9/27/11 1:09pm
Msg #398873

I agree with Les. I may have to take a loss because I

didn't contact the hiring party to acquire another number, or to at least let them know I was unable to make contact with the bo. I am fully aware that I should have confirmed in advance. It's one of the basics of this business, unless instructed otherwise.

I would follow through and accept the consequences nonetheless.

Reply by Sal Servin on 9/27/11 12:32pm
Msg #398866

Because of those reasons you stated. Your should always confirm with the borrowers as soon as you get the order. after a couple of mess, contact your rep for assistance or better numbers.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/27/11 1:46pm
Msg #398893

Here is a copy of an email

I sent just yesterday. The end result about 15 mins after my email, the borrower called me. The problem was, they didn't recognize my phone number so wouldn't answer. Gheez!

From: James D [mailto:[e-mail address]]
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 11:52 AM
To: signing service
Subject: Re:update sent email as requested, no response, (email address) 9/26/2011 1:00 PM

Just completed 4th call. no response.....Not driving out there without confirming contact with her.

Reply by Les_CO on 9/27/11 2:06pm
Msg #398899

Re: Here is a copy of an email

I always call to confirm. If I can’t reach the borrower I call the SS or Title that hired me. At that point I may cancel or not, depending. If they say go, I go. The people I work for pay me a FULL FEE If I go wait 30/45 minutes and the borrower does not show. Because of my ‘perceived’ liability if I don’t cancel, or can’t reach someone to cancel, I GO. In years I’ve only had 2 no-shows and I was paid in full for both.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/27/11 2:12pm
Msg #398902

sorry for the confusion..the email

was to the hiring party. They had asked me to email the borrower as well. They would not answer my question about "waiting and being paid" which ended with pls advise.

So I guess they didn't want to pay me for waiting.

Reply by Les_CO on 9/27/11 2:27pm
Msg #398910

Re: sorry for the confusion..the email

I get paid not only for my vast knowledge and expertise, (my statement…. disputed by some) but for my time. If I did/could not officially cancel, I would go. I would not work for a company unwilling to pay a print fee if the job cancels, or my fee if the borrower resends, or a full fee if I go and wait, and the borrower is a no show. These things should be agreed upon before the acceptance of any job. JMO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/27/11 2:21pm
Msg #398907

Re: Here is a copy of an email

Good idea, James.

Also, I've found on a couple of occasions that a text to the BO worked better than a phone call - especially with younger folks. While they can't take a call in a meeting, they can respond to a text. Sometimes, they're just more programmed along those lines - and it's easier to get their attention about the reason you're contacting them.

I don't generally use text messages to confirm appts because I have a series of questions to ask them, but if nothing else is working, it's often worth a try.

Reply by Elaine Carlton on 9/27/11 6:16pm
Msg #398962

After three tries at contacting the Borrower I would have called the signing service and the title company. If I got no contact still from anyone I would go to the signing. even if I was going to be late, because I had accepted the job. That way, the next day I could work out the problems and I would know that I had done my part. I agree with the others though, I try not to print or leave for a signing without confirmation from the borrower, or letting the signing service know that I was having trouble contacting the borrower to confirm.

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/27/11 7:28pm
Msg #398977

I understand that some Notaries are rural and it's just not feasible to print docs or travel to the borrowers unless they've actually spoken to the borrowers to confirm the signing appointment. For me, I leave voice messages if the borrowers are not answering. I print and show up to the loan signing location at the appointed time. In *my experience*, even though some borrowers never responded to my voice messages, when I arrive, they are expecting me and ready to sign. And they mention that they did get the voice messages I left.

I'm just glad they were home and ready to sign so I don't ask why the heck they didn't bother to call me back to confirm the appt.

Reply by rolomia on 9/29/11 3:50am
Msg #399145

I only accept signings from TC/SS willing to email me confirmation that they will pay an agreed-upon minimum fee if the BO is a no-show or rescinds (not "resends"). Also, I only accept the orders if I can confirm the appointments with the BO's, beforehand.

Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. So, email confirmations from hiring party is no guarantee of payment just as contact with BO is no guarantee of BO agreeing to sign, when I get there, even if they said they would. But, my success rate is much higher with said confirmation emails from TC/SS and phone calls to BO's.

Also, I installed my laser printer in my truck. It is hooked up to an inverter. Now, I load docs onto my flash drive from my computer at home. I call BO just before I leave, again on the way there and just before arrival. Then, when I do arrive at BO home, usually 15 - 20 minutes early, and I have visual confirmation that the BO is actually there along with verbal confirmation from them that they agree to sign, only then do I print the docs.

Each NSA has their own way of doing things. As long as the job gets done to the satisfaction of the TC/SS that hires you, the method of job completion is less important. Do what works for you. I have yet to encounter a BO that feels that my method is an inconvenience to them, probably because ALL docs (2 copies) are printed and ready to be signed by the actual appt. time. I even tell the BO about my MO (Method of Operation) during my first call to them, to confirm the appt. Most compliment me on my organization.