Posted by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/7/12 1:10pm
Msg #422833

Reflection...

Today I got a GNW call from a couple who had obviously checked with UPS or the corner notary store and found they would charge $80 for 8 notarized signatures (a seller pkg, evidently), so they were shopping around for "affordable" notary service. I could tell they were still really put out when I told him $50. I guess they wanted it for free. They even offered to come to my office (I don't have one, that's why I'm a mobile notary) to save a few $$. But it was his arrogance and "deal-making" attitude that was really annoying and offensive and made me think about the way I have treated people when using their services; the fence guy, gutter guy and irrigation guy come to mind. I know we're all looking for the best deal, the lowest price, etc. but I would hope that in the future I would treat service people the way I would want to be treated by people seeking GNW: not try to get something for "free," not insult them by devaluing their services as a necessary evil, and acting like they have some nerve expecting to be paid. Just something to think about.

BTW: the conversation ended when I was told the receiving agency wanted my business card (no problem), copy of my commission (no problem) and copy of my DL (big problem). (Then it was my turn to be rude, I know I laughed when she said that, but I was just so shocked). I know from reading posts here that many notaries have no problem complying with whatever anybody wants, including handing over all their ID to anybody who asks. But try asking any other public official for a copy of their DL while in the performance of their duties! LOL. (Besides, I wasn't the one needing to be ID'd.)

Reply by bagger on 6/7/12 1:16pm
Msg #422834

was told the receiving agency wanted my business card (no problem), copy of my commission (no problem) and copy of my DL (big problem).

I have a big problem with all of the above requests.
I would be hired by the borrower, not the receiving party. Let them ask the county after the paperwork is filed.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/7/12 2:58pm
Msg #422843

I would be very happy to have someone pass on my business card to a receiving party who may be a potential client for me. I could also understand them wanting to confirm that I was, in fact, a duly commissioned notary - especially if I was from a different state, where someone could potentially just go to the local Staples (or whatever) and order a notary stamp. (That's not possible in my state.) The ID? Not gonna happen.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 6/7/12 2:26pm
Msg #422841

"I do not prize the word 'cheap'. It is not a badge of honor. It is a symbol of despair. Cheap prices make for cheap goods; cheap goods make for cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country."
~William McKinley

Reply by Jessica Ward on 6/7/12 4:14pm
Msg #422864

Love that quote!! n/m

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 6/7/12 4:45pm
Msg #422868

I am not implying that you are cheap, GG...

...just how I feel about the concept of "cheap".

Reply by ikando on 6/7/12 3:28pm
Msg #422852

Is the receiving agency a title company? Is this becoming a trend? I've had people call saying they have a few real estate docs to be notarized. I explain to them that I am a signing agent, and what my fee is to help them with their very important property documents. Some agree; some don't.

Unfortunately around here there are a lot of people who have obtained a commission and put themselves out as mobile notaries, but who are totally unfamiliar with the statutes, the responsibilities, or the expense of running a business. People call them because they're cheaper than me.

And Goldgirl, I know you've been around long enough to know all of the above, so I'm surprised you agreed to $50. Did you actually do it? If so, hope it was close to home.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/7/12 4:22pm
Msg #422866

I knew someone would zing me, Ikando ...

for offering $50. My defense is I was totally asleep when these idiots called me at the crack of dawn (not at the top of my game). But, also, I've done plenty of seller pkgs, and usually one or two at the most signatures are needed to be notarized. This was an out-of-state pkg, which I've never done before (seller side), so maybe there were more, but I'm thinking there cannot possibly be 8. Also, I had no intention of walking them through the pkg as an NSA. I would not have charged $80 anyway.... maybe $60 or so even if I had been awake and thinking. And, yes, it was about 2 miles from my house. That's the first thing I asked them, where they were.

And he!! no, I didn't do it. Nobody's getting a copy of my DL. I was rudely informed at that point that they would find a notary who would provide them "with the service they need!" (I'm sure they found someone who would).

Reply by JulieD/KS on 6/7/12 3:28pm
Msg #422853

This would annoy me also, on several different counts. First of all, the title company for being so cheap as to throw their borrowers to the wind to find and pay for their own notary.

Then, the borrower for thinking that a notary should work for little to nothing. After all, his problem is not our emergency. I'd rather go to the pool than deal with a rude, cheap borrower.

And finally, the cheap title company who has the nerve to try to screen the notary in arrears by demanding all this documentation of our identity. Too cheap to hire you themselves...but by golly, you' better dance to their drumbeat.
I'd say No...to all of it. (under my breath, I'm saying things far worse!)

Reply by ikando on 6/7/12 3:35pm
Msg #422855

Julie, I don't have a problem with the borrower paying me immediately rather than waiting for title to close and pay me a week later. Borrower pays for it anyway.

I do frequently find people believe Notaries Public are a free service. But anyplace they go, they're going to be charged something (unless it's a friend or relative who takes care of them). For those calls that begin, "How much do you charge?", I take a breath, list my criteria, then quote a number. I used to say, "How long is a piece of string?", but that goes over too many heads.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 6/7/12 3:59pm
Msg #422863

I don't have a problem with that, either. I have a problem with the guy's attitude. I think $50 is reasonable to notarize 8 documents.

Reply by MW/VA on 6/7/12 7:29pm
Msg #422876

I guess we're so defensive because of low-ball ss calling

us, that we forget the public usually has no clue what fees we charge. I'm not defending them, but a lot of people listen to Clark Howard & are convinced that they can get everything for free. ;-) LOL
I think I would have explained that the standard fee in CA is $10/per notarization. Yes, you did give them a discount & they should have been grateful for that.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/7/12 7:46pm
Msg #422880

Re: I guess we're so defensive because of low-ball ss calling

I use the phrase "state-mandated fee is"....not that it makes any difference to those who just don't want to pay.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/8/12 3:08am
Msg #422914

Re: I guess we're so defensive because of low-ball ss calling

I do the same thing.

BTW, just for the record, CA allows $10 per *signature* notarized, so I'm assuming that there were 4 documents to be notarized in the example GG gave us. So under state law, we'd be within our rights to charge $80 - plus a travel fee, if we choose. For that many sig's, I'd probably waive the travel fee, but I don't know if I'd do it for $50. Well... if they balked on the fees, I might negotiate down to that amount - if it was close and convenient. But I'd probably quote them $80 up front.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/8/12 10:53am
Msg #422943

6 mi. RT, 1 Notarization, Sr. Citizen, $11 all-inclusive fee

And they're balking. I do give seniors a break, but, geez, it would be nice to be paid for my time, gas with enough after expenses for a cup of coffee & a donut, eh?

Reply by sheltn on 6/8/12 11:43am
Msg #422952

Re: 6 mi. RT, 1 Notarization, Sr. Citizen, $11 all-inclusive fee

HOW MUCH IS IT? not hello, I need a doc notarized, but How much is it?
one day this women called me and I asked well what is the doc? I asked
can you come to my office or do I need to travel? Then she said
just give me a figure. I said it was xx she said I will have to
call you back.