Posted by Scriba/NM on 6/20/12 1:00am
Msg #424054
What in the ^#%%$^@ is going on?
So I wake up this morning to an email from LSI telling notaries how to dress. Has it really come down to that? I had some spare time this morning so I contacted one of the title companies that I work for and they have confirmed that yes, sadly, there are so-called notaries (obviously masquerading as NSA's) showing up in the crappiest of clothing. In fact, I was told that they are now calling their recent borrowers to determine how the signing went and what the agent was wearing. They are considering handing over their notary locating services to a signing service just because of the recent influx of notary problems. The only bright spot is that they have only been using me for the last three years and if they go to an SS, Albuquerque business will stay with me.
So, here we have yet another aspect of what one can only call "stupid notary syndrome" infesting what used to be a good business. I am re-signing a loan tomorrow because the borrower told the notary "his wife doesn't need to sign," even though her signature was all over the place. So she never got the wife's signature. The good thing here is that they won't be using this stupid notary again. McDonald's, here's another applicant! Accepting moronic fees, improper completions, sloppy dressers, and the list goes on and on. To add insult to injury we then have to receive emails with instructions on bathing and dressing. I don't care what anyone says, this is absolutely disgusting.
| Reply by Lee/AR on 6/20/12 3:25am
Msg #424056
Could it possibly have something to do with their constant pressure on reducing fees?
McDonald's solves their low wage/improper dress problem with uniforms.
And, of course, if they go with a signing service and slice the pie into smaller pieces, this is going to solve LSI's problem--how?
| Reply by CinOH on 6/20/12 5:57am
Msg #424058
I also don't understand how hiring a SS is going to solve any of these issues. I think you get what you pay for. Don't order chopped steak and expect sirloin.
For anyone going out to people's homes poorly dressed or without bathing: Shame on you. Do better.
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 6/20/12 8:12am
Msg #424061
I received the LSI email too. They made a big point of saying that the notary is the only one that the borrower sees in person, and the notary is a reflection of everyone in the process - the lender, loan officer, and TC. LSI is great to work with, but they do pay on the very low end for fees. I have to limit my travel area for them because of it. Their packages are not small and often come in 10 attachments, and often docs come in right before the appointment time with little time to print and review. I know that some notaries will accept as low as $85 for their closings. When I received the email about how to dress for appointments, the first thing I thought of was that they pay low and so they will get low quality notaries (duh!). They want five-star notary service for the price of one-star.
There was also a recent survey sent out to LSI vendors, asking about how they dress for appointments and also asking the notary about their signing practices, such as do you point and sign or do you give a brief explaination of each doc, etc. Again, they seem to want five star service but they pay for the cheapest notary possible.
I agree with others that I don't see how hiring a signing service is going to make a difference in the dress of the notary, especially when the SS is probably paying the notary an even lower fee that LSI direct.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/20/12 3:38pm
Msg #424134
This does not compute!!
"They made a big point of saying that the notary is the only one that the borrower sees in person, and the notary is a reflection of everyone in the process - the lender, loan officer, and TC."
Let me see if I have this right... First they say how valuable we are to the process and that our appearance and actions are a reflection upon everyone else involved. At the same time, they're continually reducing the amount they're willing to pay for the valuable services provided by the person who is the "face" of all the other players in the transaction - all of whom make more on this than we do??
What part of "You get what you pay for" do they not understand?? All of it, I suppose... I don't mean this to diminish the function of the other people involved, but clearly, doing that to *our* role doesn't seem to be getting them what they want or they wouldn't have to keep adding all these 'must do's and rules!
| Reply by bfnotary on 6/20/12 7:01pm
Msg #424156
Re: This does not compute!!
I don't know bout yall, but I love working for them, I do only handle my primary county. (very rural here), and they can't pay enough to travel to those counties, But i get a descent volume from them and get paid $xxx.00.
But as far as notaries not dressing the part... That is awful. I hope tc's start to call borrowers and ask people are dressed, maybe then the quality notaries will get 90% of the calls. I know I personally go dressed in business, no matter what. (and not business casual). That is the professional thing to do. I even go in business at very last minute, weekend, late night, etc.
| Reply by Scriba/NM on 6/21/12 12:05am
Msg #424182
Maybe I didn't clarify well enough - the reason they are going to go to Signing Services is that they don't want to DEAL with all of the headaches (of which dress is only one facet). They can tell the Siging Service what they want, and if they don't get it, they just won't pay. Of course it won't make a difference in the dress of the notary........Groan.........
| Reply by Mike Goodey on 6/20/12 1:30pm
Msg #424117
We;re supposed to bathe too?
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/20/12 5:47am
Msg #424057
" The only bright spot is that they have only been using me for the last three years and if they go to an SS, Albuquerque business will stay with me."
But not at the fee you've been getting directly from LSI unless you've made an agreement with them to still contract directly with them - you're going to lose a percentage to the SS for their fee - THAT, IMO, is what is "absolutely disgusting".
| Reply by janCA on 6/20/12 8:41am
Msg #424063
The requirements for becoming a notary in many states is almost zilch. I believe this is one of the problems in this industry. Joe Blow off the streets hears through the grapevine (or one of those advertisements on the radio) what a signing agent will receive for taking a bunch of papers to someone's house, telling them to sign wherever they see their name and then putting those docs in an envelope and sending them off. And then collects that fat check for $50-$60. How simple was that???
SA's and signing services are coming out of the woodwork again, just like they did 5-6 yrs ago
I'll bet the XYZ is marketing like crazy right now too. In fact, I haven't been a member for over eight years and I've started receiving mailings from them again. Coincidence? I think not.
A friend told me about a month ago, her and her husband refinanced their home recently and their SA was a real doozy.
My friend's husband was having a beer when the SA walked in, and the SA said to her husband, "I'll have one of those". The SA then proceeded to just hand the docs over and said sign where you see your name. I was sick when I heard this. I asked my friend to check the SA's stamp as the SA was a "close" relative of the person hired to do the signing. And then, the docs never arrived to the title company. BIG SHOCKER! I also check all the major sites for this particular SA, nowhere to be found.
The signing of course, had to be redone, and my friend was going to speak with her LO at a local Chase Bank, as this was their loan, but why in the world would LSI think they're going to get more competent signing agents farming these assignments out to an SS? Seems like they're just asking for more trouble, depending on the SS, of course. If they hire a 4-5 star agency, that would be great. One can only hope
| Reply by A S Johnson on 6/20/12 9:05am
Msg #424064
1st - Is not LSI really by inveators in India.
2nd - a uniform? Would a uniform not make us a employee of the Title/Escrow company or Signing Service?
| Reply by Claudine Osborne on 6/20/12 10:40am
Msg #424080
I have seen how other NSAs dress..I am appalled! Just recently I walked into a local bank and the NSA was wearing a very casual outfit..including sandals..I just dont agree..business attire does not include a sleeveless t-shirt, capris or sandals..Would you be greeted by the bank manager that way? I would hope not! Then again the bank employees have uniforms..I wish people would take pride in their work and appereance!! I dress in a professional manner and act in a professional manner!
When my friend had her closing the NSA asked her to pay him! When he and his wife came in they were trying to solicit her to purchase a product that they were selling..Luckily my friend knew better and did not pay them and she made a complaint to the TC.
I also agree that going to a SS will not solve the problem!
| Reply by Buddy Young on 6/20/12 10:29am
Msg #424073
Reguarding dress:
I've alway dressed appropriately, slacks and a polo.
Now that it's summer here, 100 degree weather, I wear shorts from June through September or October. I have some that are slacks but they are shorts. Do any of you think that is appropriate for a signing?
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/20/12 10:36am
Msg #424076
Shorts? No..not appropriate at all...JMO n/m
| Reply by shawna on 6/20/12 11:36am
Msg #424094
Re: Shorts? No..not appropriate at all...JMO
It is 114 degrees here and I always dress professional. If LSI caught me in shorts I would never receive another call from them. LSI Vice President Al stated they may be requiring Business suits instead of business casual dress from their NSA's in the future.
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/20/12 12:37pm
Msg #424107
Re: Shorts? No..not appropriate at all...JMO
Well, LSI, if they want to start making dress requirements needs to hire EMPLOYEES and not Independent Contractors. They cannot require independent contractors to wear business suits. If they do, the IRS sure should be told about it. We own our own businesses and we set OUR own dress codes, not them.
I think there's a line between contractors who understand professional dress for their areas and requiring business suits. If I showed up in a business suit to a loan signing in my area I would stick out more than I would if I showed up in a t-shirt and shorts.
I can tell you if a notary showed up to MY house in a business suit, I'd probably dislike them from the start, just as I would if they were in jeans.
We aren't sitting in an air-conditioned office full-time all day. We are exposed to all kinds of environmental 'hazards' that often require a change of clothing during the day (pets, wind, mud, smoke, If they want to require business suits, they need to start paying more to cover the costs involved, including the dry cleaning. And let's face it... all of these companies who start harping on dress codes are the ones who pay nothing. Even still... they cannot enforce a dress code and still classify you as a IC.
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/20/12 12:10pm
Msg #424100
SHORTS? No way...
And this is coming someone who lives in the middle of the burning desert near Death Valley. Never, ever would I wear shorts, not even "dressy" ones.
I don't even wear capris...mostly because I look awful in them, but also because I've rarely seen a pair that look properly professional. To me, (and it's just a personal taste thing) the only capris that look appropriate for work are those that are tailored and are paired with some kick-but heels. Ann Taylor has some really nice ones. But, to me, if you go with capris, you have to really dress it up. In the heat of summer and with this job, jackets, heels and lots of dressy accessories are more trouble than they're worth. I feel far better wearing a pair of long pants and a blouse.
It's either a skirt or long pants. In the summer, I wear a lot of light skirts. I don't go overly dressy because of the culture, but shorts are too much for me as a professional unless it's a specific, well recognized uniform (like the UPS guy).
| Reply by HisHughness on 6/20/12 12:22pm
Msg #424104
Re: SHORTS? No way...
***I don't even wear capris...***
I agree on the capris, Marian. I have yet to find a pair that show off my calves the way I like. And they always seem to add two sizes to my butt, even with my best heels.
Buddy, for the life of me, I can't think of a single lender, TC or signing service that would tell you shorts are acceptable. Whatever gave you the idea that would be okay?
| Reply by LynnNC on 6/20/12 12:29pm
Msg #424105
Buddy - No shorts! n/m
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/20/12 1:46pm
Msg #424121
No (male) hairy legs at a signing! Yuk! n/m
| Reply by Clem/CA on 6/20/12 1:56pm
Msg #424125
Re: No (male) hairy legs at a signing! Yuk!
What about female hairy legs, are they OK
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/20/12 5:51pm
Msg #424151
Yes. Definitely n/m
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/20/12 5:53pm
Msg #424152
At least LSI hasn't ordered women to shave legs! n/m
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/20/12 7:06pm
Msg #424157
Or wear makeup...
I recall a few years ago some notaries were reporting a SS insisted that women were to wear full make-up.
| Reply by LKT/CA on 6/20/12 7:33pm
Msg #424160
Re: Or wear makeup...
Many years ago, a flight attendant was fired from a major airline because she refused to wear makeup. As much as some of us NEED makeup on.......many have sensitive skin and can't wear it.
| Reply by MW/VA on 6/20/12 8:57pm
Msg #424164
Sounds like a class action suit waiting to happen. We are
self-employed, not employees, and they really can't tell you how to dress. They can "suggest" business casual, of course, but can't require it.
Even the churches are allowing casual attire now.
BTW, I am all for being appropriately dressed. Again, it's a common sense issue, if such a thing still exists. ;-)
|
|
