Posted by Negrete on 6/5/12 3:48pm
Msg #422668

Is it really that busy

Harry, please don't consider this advertising, cause that is not the intent, just venting.

I never in my time as a SS have had so many No Call/No Show notaries as I have had in the last 4 weeks.

Is it really that busy that a notary just forgets about a closing ?

Anthony J Negrete

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 6/5/12 3:57pm
Msg #422672

That's pathetic, there is NO excuse for not going to an appt. There are too many backup systems to screw it up. I have no patience for people that do that to a homeowner or the lender. So sorry to hear this, apparently many don't think they are obligated to fulfill their commitments. I closed a loan at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, yesterday, he told me he was scared to buy another investment property due to the last closing agent. He said she was a nightmare.
So folks believe it or not we as Settlement/Closing Agents DO have impact on this industry.
Stand up to your commitments or have the courage to call the hiring party to tell them they need to find someone else.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/12 6:16pm
Msg #422705

***there is NO excuse for not going to an appt.***

About three months ago I had an assignment near my home from a company that over the years I had closed for once or twice. I kept calling the borrower, who would not call me back; she was calendared for a Tuesday morning, and along about Sunday evening I was getting quite edgy.

Monday morning she called me back and told me most abruptly that the loan had already closed. Puzzled, I called the title company, where I was told that the loan had closed Friday -- AS SCHEDULED. It seems that I had somehow put it on the calendar for Tuesday, four days after the closing was actually scheduled. The title company had to find another signing agent.

Anyone who has been in the business for a while knows how I felt. It was devastating; in 10 years, I had never missed a closing. The worst thing was that there was just really no effective way to make amends. It wasn't an error where a free re-sign would help make up for my error. I told the scheduling manager that I understood I would not be called for future closings, but I nonetheless would be more than willing to give the TC a free closing just to make myself feel better. He declined -- quite graciously, but a declination nonetheless.

Last month I received a check for the closing I had missed. When I finally tracked down what it was for, I got the scheduling manager's boss and told her the company apparently was determined to make me feel even worse than I already did, by paying me for a closing I had blown. When I offered to send the check back, she made a counteroffer: I could keep the check, and take care of a closing in Austin the next day. I calendared it in two places and set two clock alarms and my watch alarm.

Sometimes, things come together even for those of us who don't deserve it.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 6/5/12 9:09pm
Msg #422718

Had they not called you to see where you were?

I'm surprised that you could miss an appointment by several days and not have heard about it from them--that strikes me as bizarre.

Very, VERY cool of them to let you have another try though. :-)

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/12 9:24pm
Msg #422719

Re: Had they not called you to see where you were?

I had heard nothing from the title company.

As to giving me another try, I have no illusions that is what is happening. I think having me handle the closing was just an easy out for them for a fast-approaching closing. One I was most grateful to accomodate.

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 6/6/12 11:35am
Msg #422751

Kudos to you Hugh for you gutsy post


Given most of the opinions in this thread were unforgiving of someone missing an appointment, you stepped out and laid claim to having done so. Thank you, because I too recently missed a business appointment. Details are unimportant, the fact is I just screwed up and yes, I was horrified. It will never happen again.
The good news is that we always have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. The question is, of course, do we do something to improve or do nothing and repeat. I now have a back-up reminder system on my phone-thanks to the “icloud.”

I find it interesting that in this post, started by a SS, that most all poster were very quick to assassinate the wrong doers. Yet in the post “Worst Day of My Life” posted by a notary sharing how she made a major mistake shipping docs from two transactions to the wrong company, everyone was quite understanding and supportive knowing that we all make mistakes at times.

Just kind of makes me wonder...

Reply by jba/fl on 6/6/12 11:54am
Msg #422754

Of course, there is method to the madness here...

"I find it interesting that in this post, started by a SS, that most all poster (sic) were very quick to assassinate the wrong doers."

Well, of course, Donna, they would assassinate them as they are talking to an SS owner and attempting to let him know 1. their disapproval and 2. they would NEVER do that.

"Yet in the post “Worst Day of My Life” posted by a notary sharing how she made a major mistake shipping docs from two transactions to the wrong company, everyone was quite understanding and supportive knowing that we all make mistakes at times."

Now, it is notary on notary...and we can afford to air our mistakes to each other. It takes a certain amount of bravery to post here that one made a mistake.

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 6/6/12 12:15pm
Msg #422755

indeed, you spoke my thoughts exactly. n/m

Reply by bfnotary on 6/6/12 6:10pm
Msg #422788

Re: Of course, there is method to the madness here...

I don't know about some, but I have missed one appt, and was horrified, totally on accident, (was scheduled way in advance and on a day where I was really sick. I was simply posting that there is one notary in my area whom does it at least 2-3 times a week that I know of. I feel bad for the hiring parties kinda that she does it, but not to bad, cause I get a lot more work that way. I just wonder why they keep on calling her. Maybe they will learn sometime not to.

Reply by MW/VA on 6/5/12 4:00pm
Msg #422675

I don't think "busy" has anything to do with it. I've had

reports of notaries who don't call to confirm the appt., don't show, etc. It must be a trend. It's so unprofessional & there's no excuse for it.

Reply by JimAZ on 6/5/12 4:02pm
Msg #422677

Sorry to hear about no show notaries. That just gives us a bad name. It may get hectic at times, but I use a two calender system that has yet to fail. When I get an order I enter it in two separate calenders (paper and Iphone) and continue periodically to compare the two to make sure I'm not missing something. Please check my PM.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 6/5/12 4:20pm
Msg #422679

We may be busy but a "no show" is totally unprofessional. I'm sure 99% of the notaries on this board have never been a "no show". Maybe screening your notaries a little better will solve the problem. Just a thought...

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 6/5/12 4:25pm
Msg #422682

not that I'm busting your nut or anything....but perhaps

there are other issues with some of the nsa's, like they'd rather take a higher paying closing from a TC versus a SS, where they're most likely to receive their money in 2 weeks instead of 6 weeks? Not that I'd do this, because you know I haven't. You've always been straight with me, I have no issues with you or your company.

And, I agree, as someone previously posted, there's really no excuse for an nsa to just NOT show up? Totally unprofessional. I've yet to have that happen to me, but would be absolutely livid if it did.

I truly find it hard to believe that many bailed on you in that short amount of time.

Curious though, were the majority of no-shows random (nationwide) or based out of one particular city/area, like mine for example?

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/5/12 4:26pm
Msg #422683

Sorry, Tony, but it begs the question: Who are you hiring? n/m

Reply by Piper Reasy on 6/5/12 4:28pm
Msg #422684

Hey Anthony if it's in Seattle you can count on me.

Reply by Ronnie_WA on 6/5/12 4:38pm
Msg #422687

Sometimes they say the notary backed out when the real reason was that they didn't get docs in time to make the appt and stay on schedule for the following one. The borrowers often aren't advised of the doc delay and the notary is blamed. I've encountered a lot of those in my day and often the notary blamed is someone I know and they don't pull a "no show". It is easier for the parties to blame someone the borrower will never see than to blame lender or title and have them take the flack. I always call the borrowers when docs are so late I have to pass on the closing and, invariably, no one has advised the borrower of any issues. I personally don't mind them doing this to relieve the heat on themselves since so many folks have no forgiveness with delays.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 6/5/12 4:43pm
Msg #422688

Amen! Have had the same thing - closing cancelled and no one calls the borrower unless the notary does, because docs not ready and don't know when they will be so notary has to keep his/her other appts. It's so much easier to blame the notary then it is to place it where it belongs.

Reply by Luckydog on 6/5/12 4:50pm
Msg #422689

AND...Your lucky if they (SS or Title) call the notary to let you know it has cancelled. Lately been waiting with no word from anyone, and then 2 hours later, they canceled! It is frustrating trying to build your day, turn down other closings, tand then, the one you has cancels with no consideration for the notary. We are always last to know!

Reply by bfnotary on 6/6/12 7:01am
Msg #422739

Well i know, one notary in my area, she is very well known for either no call, no showing, Or cancelling at last minute. BTW. when she cancels at last minute, she actually has the nerve to call the borrowers and actually tell them that the closing has been cancelled. Does she really think that title or SS will not find a replacement? She is a very bad name to this biz.. I have had about 10 of my signings be after her, doing one or the other, (since december).. My mother, whom is also a notary in my area, has also had that happen about 7 or 8 times in the same time frame. I just wonder why companies still continue to call her.

Reply by Dennis_IN on 6/5/12 5:05pm
Msg #422692

I have received a lot of last minute calls because of

a Notary's no-showed. They usually are from low ballers that normally would not call me but they were put in a bind by a Notary no-show or last minute cancellation by the Notary (I'm guessing they got a better offer?). Whatever the reason they pay me fee. I tell them that they would not have this problem if they had just called me first but they won't because they don't want to pay a fair fee...
But, keep it up, it is a great way for me to fill in the gaps in my schedule.

Reply by Luckydog on 6/5/12 5:10pm
Msg #422696

Re: I have received a lot of last minute calls because of

Dennis, do you actually get paid? I found that when I accept these closings from low ballers, it's hard to find the check in the mail, and end up chasing them down. Just curious...

Reply by Dennis_IN on 6/6/12 12:08am
Msg #422735

Re: I have received a lot of last minute calls because of

Just because a company has a low pay scale doesn't mean they don't pay, I won't work for NREIS or Genuine Title, and the like..., but several of these calls came from companies I do business with but they call other local Notaries first because they will work for less. I told them that if they would have called me first they would not have had the crises of a no-show.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 6/5/12 5:15pm
Msg #422697

There's no excuse for a notary who doesn't bother to call!

Stuff happens, things change, but really, not showing and not calling? There's ABSOLUTELY no reason, unless somewhere out there is a cache of hidden/abducted notaries being held without telephone access.

Sorry you're having a bad experience Tony. When the economy gets bad, our business gets flooded with amateurs who aren't familiar with the demands of running a business, scheduling, billing, etc.

It's important to stick with experienced pros!

Here's hoping next week is better for you!

Reply by Linda Juenger on 6/5/12 6:04pm
Msg #422704

Re: There's no excuse for a notary who doesn't bother to call!

The last time I worked for you Tony, I received a phone call that docs had been sent. Did you do this with these notaries and what was their response??? Don't know what they are thinking. If you don't work, you don't get paid. Plain and simple.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 6/5/12 8:29pm
Msg #422716

That didn't come out how I meant

I didn't mean to seem bitter and hostile about that, but I've just seen an overwhelming amount of amateur work out there, either when I've gone to a notary for my own personal documents, or when I'm part 2 of a two-part closing. It's awful. I have a major concern about this in WA because we have no training/testing requirements here, but I've seen plenty of shockingly bad work from other states as well.

My complaint/concern is that this puts us in the unenviable position of either:
1. Watching our profession decline into a reputation for disaster/shoddiness or
2. Training our competition--to what end?

I'm sure that Tony understands my position of commiserating, not finger-pointing, but I didn't want to sound like a kvetching whiner when I didn't intend to. (I'll save that for times I do intend to whine).

Reply by ME/NJ on 6/5/12 7:36pm
Msg #422710

Sorry to hear Tony

The last ten days have been decent, lost a ton of work for one reason or another. One client called 4 times in last two days and I know not to call back because someone else got the job.

As far as no show's were these people you used in the past? When I have a full schedule I always give the time I need doc's by and I also know what companies to say no to at EOM- Just some companies no matter what docs are always late.

Reply by Sha/CA on 6/5/12 7:57pm
Msg #422713

Slow for me!

I live in a sparsely populated area within 15 miles of a state university and a community college, both of which offer classes to become notaries public and certified signing agents (not to mention the classes offered by NNA two or three times a year). I School is out for the summer for them. I haven't changed my pricing, but I know for a fact I have a mountain of newbie, low ball competition, now. I did not renew my membership this year to NNA. Most of the business I do have comes from my listing here. Thanks to Notrot, I have a solid base of business, but it has definitely slowed down for me!

Reply by Frank/NC on 6/5/12 10:06pm
Msg #422723

I don't think the no call/no show issues have anything to do with how busy it is. Over the past year or two, there has been a huge number of people getting into this business and unfortunately, quality of work has gone right down hill. Just read the postings by notaries asking how to get clients, how much to charge or, can anyone give me names of TC and SS that will give me work. None of those people have any business experience nor the common sense to research what the business is all about before jumping in.
I think that a good portion of the problem lies in Title companies as well as SS looking for the lowest prices. There are plenty of notaries who conduct their business as a business and turn out perfect work every day. Good notaries and business people don't "forget" about closings and maintain good records of appointments, times, confirmations, billing etc. For the most part they charge professional fees for professional work.
I think it's most important, prior to hiring someone to represent you, to ask some pertinent questions that they can't lie about. What is a Quit Claim Deed, What is APR, What are recordable documents as well as a host of others that will disqualify many. All of our businesses depend upon turning out excxellent quality to exist as well as grow and thus, command higher prices rather than grovel just to maintain a mediocre living. As most successful people know, in most cases it takes years to establish a solid client base that depends on quality and is willing to pay for it.

Reply by CJ on 6/5/12 10:15pm
Msg #422725

My worst nightmare is not showing up for a job.

I really do dream about this: I dream that I wake up, and it's not "tomorrow", but "the day after tomorrow", and I didn't show up at ALL my jobs. And I am in agony and trying to fix it and it can't be fixed. Everyone is mad, all the docs expired, it's all my fault, they are going to sue me, etc. . Then I really DO wake up and I feel like Scrooge at the end of A Christmas Carol: It's not too late! It's today! I'm here! I didn't miss the jobs! WHEW!!! I dream that A LOT.

Reply by BobbiCT on 6/6/12 6:55am
Msg #422738

Sorry to hear that ...

Seems there are more and more people jumping into this business. With the big conference this week, I expect another influx of new arrivals looking for make-your-own-hours with fast, easy money.

On an aside LOL the day note for us real estate oldtimers: I mostly work with lawyers, often with title work. Saw an amusing Connecticut mortgage deed, proudly "prepared by" a person in Florida, returned to a company in Texas, and almost notarized correctly by a CT notary. Not a dealbreaker; however, the person signing the mortgage deed didn't own the property referred to in it.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/6/12 7:02am
Msg #422740

Oh, my...LOL n/m

Reply by WINotary on 6/6/12 8:44pm
Msg #422810

Tony,
On behalf of the prompt, reliable notaries that would like work, please contact us. Don't judge all by the few. Thanks!