Posted by Buddy Young on 6/19/12 12:47am
Msg #423943

OK, What's going on

I live in a rural area, my town is approx. 13,000 population.

I rarely get more than 2 or 3 signings in one day.

Today I had 5 and turned down 2.

But it's the last call I would like to talk about:
I recieved a call at 6:00 PM to do a signing tonight at 10:30, I originally accepted and after my last 2 signings, I was exausted so I called the SS to turn it back, I also emailed them ( the scheduler) I then called the customer and told them that I just couldn't do i, I was about to fall asleep
The borower told me that today was the last day of their rate lock and they were going to lose a lot of money. It was in the next town 45 miles away so I told her that if she would drive to me we, I would do it, maybe in Dennys.

I hadn't had any thing to eat so after eating at 9:30 I called the borrower back and ask if there was a way to work it out, If she would meet me half way I would try to help her out.
She hung up on me.

SS calls and was upset because I backed out, but I told her that it was phisically impossibe for me to do it, I would be afraid to fall asleep at the wheel

Here's my question:

Why in the world would anyone wait until 6:00 on the last day of a rate lock to call and try and secure a notary? The town 45 minutes from me is about 8 times the size of mine and why didn't they get a notary from there?

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/19/12 1:10am
Msg #423945


<<Why in the world would anyone wait until 6:00 on the last day of a rate lock to call and try and secure a notary?>> My experience tells me that they're all procrastinators. Everyone sits on docs until the last minute when someone finally notices that the clock is ticking on a rate lock. Then they all start to scramble. This is not at all uncommon, as far as I can tell.

<<The town 45 minutes from me is about 8 times the size of mine and why didn't they get a notary from there?>> Who knows?

In any case, it's most unfortunate you were unable to keep your initial commitment to do the signing and then waited so long to turn it back. It reflects badly on all of us; but now you know your physical limitations and hopefully you will be unlikely to overextend yourself again. It's also unreasonable that the cranky borrower wouldn't meet you half way at least; but one thing I've learned in the NSA business is that it's not uncommon that the borrower is the only important person in the world (in their own mind) and that everyone else is there to serve them at their convenience when and where they say, etc etc. And the thought of putting themselves out in the slightest is just not on their radar.

Anyway, you are very fortunate to have 2-3 signings a day, not to mention living in a rural area! Many NSAs would love that volume!

Reply by Buddy Young on 6/19/12 1:21am
Msg #423947

Re: Thanks, GOLDGIRL

I got the call while I was doing my 6:00 signing and tried to cancell after that. I also had a 7:30 signing to do.

I hadn't had anything to eat in at least 8 hours as all my signings were in the afternoon.

I wanted to help, but I just couldn't. I guess you're right, I overextended myself. I won't be taking anymore if I don't think I can handle them correctly. This was the most signings I've ever had in one day.

I only had one scheduled for today, all the other calls came during the day.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/19/12 1:31am
Msg #423948

Did you find a lesson in all this?

Stock your car with energy bars, or whatever equivalent you will actually like and eat, and some bottled drink of choice. I keep a refillable aluminum bottle or two of water with me, V-8 juice so I get my veggies, and Cliff Bars. During hot weather, I have small cooler I take with me w/ice pack and some fresh fruit or boiled eggs. I take a towel with me always so that I can cover myself and save my clothes from spills, etc. and munch while I'm on the go.

Being dehydrated or lack of energy from lack of food is not a good place to be. Got to take care of #1.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/19/12 1:48am
Msg #423949

Re: Did you find a lesson in all this?

Great advice! And very important for us to know your limitations. Buddy, you don't do anyone any favors by trying to help, then bailing at the last minute, but I guess you know that now. Earlier, they may have been able to find someone else for earlier in the evening.

I've received many calls at 6:00 pm or later, mostly from companies that don't call a notary until they have docs. And I've learned to not over commit. I'd rather under-promise and over-deliver - and that applies to when I'll be available to take on another appointment, too.

As for the borrower not being willing to meet you half way, we never know what her experience has been up to this point. Sometimes people just have an attitude, but sometimes they have a good reason to have an attitude. I prefer to do whatever I can to not contribute to someone's attitude unless it's in a positive way.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/19/12 2:00am
Msg #423950

Oh, I see, Buddy!

And jba had some great suggestons. It's just too easy for us to get stressed out between long stretches of driving, fighting traffic, clueless borrowers, unhelpful SSs, too many back-to-back signings, etc.; and while the most enticing cure would be a good stiff drink, the better way is to have a healthful emergency pack to at least keep us hydrated and somewhat energized.

Reply by snowflake/PA on 6/19/12 6:11am
Msg #423955

Re: Oh, I see, Buddy!

I also keep snacks and drinks in the car for the long days. Today will be one of them. However, I also do know my limitations, I lknow when my evening fatigue starts to settle in, and I won't accept an assignment past a certain point. Driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as dui.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/19/12 6:50am
Msg #423956

Something similar happened to me recently... I think I posted about it. A TC called me really late (8-9pm), just as I'd come home from a long day, was ready for bed and had taken some Rx pain meds because of a recent neck injury.

As it turns out, the original notary turned it back at the last minute because he couldn't download and open the docs for some reason. TC was desperate... I was about to be high as a kite, but I took it anyway because I was the only mobile notary in the area that could even get to these people before midnight on a Friday. The TC and the borrowers were great, were all aware that it was an emergency and I might be a bit 'fuzzy' -- I made them give me a couple of hours so that the meds would flush through my system. WE started around 11:30pm. Fun times! It all went really well. I should have turned it down, but I'm glad I didn't. It paid very, very well. What made it successful was that they all knew up front my situation, and they were okay with it. They just needed it done... and were very patient and understanding as I triple checked my work before leaving. In fact, they even helped!

Julie (jba) had great advice, Buddy. For those of us in rural areas who have to do a lot of driving, having a stocked vehicle is essential! Since I'm a native Cali girl, earthquake preparedness is in my blood... so my car has a fully stocked 72-hour kit. Food, water, supplies, etc --- most especially (for me) lots of high protein items.... anything I could need is there, including pillow and bedding if I need a nap. If I need it to live for 3 days, it's in there, including changes of clothing. In my case, I also keep some professional, wrinkle free clothing that I can change in to in an emergency.

There have been several times where I've just been way too exhausted to get home, so I will stop at a truck stop, rest stop or a hotel to get rest or stay the night. That happens when you regularly drive 2+ hours from home. Even if all you can do is take a 10-15 minute nap in your car, it can help. They key is scouting out the safe places to do it.

I also, as a matter of policy, don't over schedule. If I'm booked, for the most part, and depending on who it is, I refer them to somebody else. I have no issues with that. If I'm booked, I'm booked. Sorry. My health and safety are top priority, and I don't believe in overbooking just to make money.

Reply by Clem/CA on 6/19/12 9:03am
Msg #423960

You started @ 11:30pm, Were some docs done one day and some done the next? That could be an issue for some Title cos. I had an electronic signing once that made me finish by 9:00 pacific time because of rate lock on the east coast.

Reply by MonicaFL on 6/19/12 4:51pm
Msg #424016

I had only one that was for a late night signing and here's what I did. I pulled out everything that needed to be notarized and needed to have a handwritten date on it and had them sign those first - so, if it went after midnight all of the "dated" documents were already done and had the appropriate date on them. Worked for me.

Reply by DaveCA/CA on 6/19/12 11:35am
Msg #423979

Another thing you can do

If you are feeling tired and I liked the suggestions below is have someone else drive you. You've done lots of favors for others, let them do something for you. Most would be happy to assist. This way, you might be able to squeeze in a cat nap on the way to the signing.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/19/12 11:37am
Msg #423980

Well, now, there's an idea. n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/19/12 8:24pm
Msg #424041

<<<Here's my question:.....Why in the world would anyone wait until 6:00 on the last day of a rate lock to call and try and secure a notary? The town 45 minutes from me is about 8 times the size of mine and why didn't they get a notary from there?>>>

THAT'S your question? The question should be: I overbooked my schedule, didn't get a chance to eat lunch/dinner, and was too exhausted to drive to the late night signing. I called and gave the job back. The SS is angry, the borrower is angry <and rightly so>......so how could I have handled and managed a very busy day differently ?


Keep an ice chest and a case of bottled water in your car trunk. Have fresh fruit, mixed nuts or trail mix, protein bars and/protein shakes. Also, have baby wipes for cleaning your hands. The other poster's suggestion of having someone drive you is a great idea. A sleepy driver can be more dangerous on the road than a drunk driver.

In addition to that, I would strongly suggest that you network with other notaries. Never turn a job back without a replacement notary to refer. If you don't network with other notaries then get on a notary directory and find one YOURSELF. Speak to the notary first - if they are willing, able and available, THEN call the SS/TC and turn the job back with the offer of replacement. If the SS/TC accepts the replacement, great. That notary and the hiring party can do their own fee negotiations. If not, then that's on them.

Tired or not, you flaked out on this SS and I doubt it's repairable.

Reply by Scriba/NM on 6/20/12 1:08am
Msg #424055

YOU ACCEPTED THE SIGNING - DO IT! NO BOO HOO.

How long you been signing? Eight weeks? This is a job of integrity. And you can say "No."