Posted by Esther Bettum on 3/29/12 12:49pm
Msg #416474

General Statement about Signing Agencies

Just a general statement about signing agencies.
I am fairly new in doing signings (10 months now) and I am finding that most agencies have a bad attitude towards the Notaries. What is the problem?
They want us to print the documents, drive to the borrows, fax back docs and they want all this for little money and very little details for the signing. I just don’t get it.
I love being a traveling Notary and meeting with the borrows but I am finding the agencies are far from being professional.

Reply by MW/VA on 3/29/12 1:24pm
Msg #416477

General advice to you, Esther. If you use Signing

Central & focus on cos. with 4 or 5 stars you will rarely encounter that kind of attitude.
Many of the low-ball cos. are rude & crude--demand a lot for a little. If you are choosy about what work you accept & stick to a decent fee you will fare better, IMO.
This is a tough, highly competitive biz. It's rush, rush, rush. That doesn't excuse bad treatment, and I don't work with cos. that operate that way.
You're in biz for yourself & need to set your own standards. :-)

Reply by MW/VA on 3/29/12 1:25pm
Msg #416478

Re: General advice to you, Esther. If you use Signing

I forgot to add that there are some really good ss out there with whom I've had good relationships. I wouldn't be in business without them. :-)

Reply by cawest/PA on 3/29/12 1:26pm
Msg #416479

As time passes by you will be able to separate the bad apples from the good ones and you will have perhaps a bit less work but higher pay that will compensate. There are still good companies out there and when they call you one a low ball feed just tell them your rate of XXX and see what happens, sometimes when they cannot find anyone they will pay rather than to see another agency get the file.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 3/29/12 2:45pm
Msg #416491

With the little competition you have in your area you should have no problem getting top dollar for your work. I am 115 miles from you and have had many requests to service your area (which I promptly turn down). I regularly turn down $75-$85 and $90 deals and am almost always rewarded with a $100+ replacement in short order. Hone your negotiating skills, smile on the phone and politely dismiss the lowballers.....you'll be glad you did.

Reply by NJDiva on 3/29/12 2:58pm
Msg #416495

AMEN PA NOTARY!!!!! Awesome advice for EVERYONE!!!!

But this OP is in the PERFECT position.

These companies will only pay what you will take. They're not fools. They'll low ball you and try to intimidate you and even make you feel sorry for them or make you feel like an idiot for suggesting such a thing.

But has been mentioned, be sure to STICK to your fee. Bottom line. Be confident and firm in your conviction, yet professional and gracious; it goes a LONG way and you'll find your fee's will rise. A little bit of hesitation and they know they have you.

When they ask me my fee, I do not offer it (some people would disagree), I ALWAYS say, "well, what do you pay?" Many times they've offered me more than my normal fee. When they offer less, I say, oh thank you so much for considering my services, but I think you're looking for a different type of notary, I don't do closings for anything less than $XXX with edocs. Most times they'll say, okay! They're phishing. You're the one in control.

Know your worth and accept no less. You'll attract/get quality company and people IMO AND IME!

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/29/12 3:01pm
Msg #416496

Re: AMEN PA NOTARY!!!!! Awesome advice for EVERYONE!!!!

Ester, my advice is to sell yourself with your profile. All you state is your hours. Let them know your professionalism and what you can offer to them.

Reply by Karla/OR on 3/29/12 7:34pm
Msg #416524

Re: AMEN PA NOTARY!!!!! Awesome advice for EVERYONE!!!!

Cheryl, thank you for the reminder to be professional, in spite of the unfriendly calls from the lowballers. No sense stooping to their level. BTW, love the color on your Profile page!!

Reply by cawest/PA on 3/29/12 3:27pm
Msg #416501

is that for me or for the original poster? I have enough work and do not work fulltime right now and keepmyfees at XXX however I do know of 2 notaries in myarea that work for ND and take 60.

Reply by FeliseSoCal on 3/29/12 7:00pm
Msg #416517

I agree...don't waste your time with the lowballers...something higher paying will come along and you don't want to be booked.
Set your standards high and be in business to make a profit (for you!).
You do, however, need to be consistent and aggressive with your marketing efforts.

Reply by Esther Bettum on 3/29/12 6:39pm
Msg #416513

I want thank all my notary co workers you are all right. I needed to hear all your comments. I want you to know I will used all of them ... Have a wonderful evening

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/29/12 11:06pm
Msg #416541

In my experience, 4 and 5 star companies that pay professional fees ($XXX) rarely handhold, babysit, aren't full of headaches, don't play games, keep you updated on the status of docs, have a LIVE person answer the phone, pay as promised, are clear and truthful about the asignment.

On the other hand, the lowballers are poor communicators and can't be reached except through voicemail or email, which they don't respond to. They fail to mention details about the signing that they KNOW, then feign ignorance when you ask why you weren't informed of certain things. They want to micro manage the notary instead of letting the notary do their job. They want you to call them when you print the docs, when you leave for the signing, when you get to the signing, while you're at the signing, after you leave the signing, ad infinitum. Basically, they want steak and lobster service but only want to pay you for a hot dog.

I'd rather turn down the deadbeats and lowballers so my schedule is open for better paying signings. JMHO

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 3/29/12 11:23pm
Msg #416545

If you posted this on Facebook I'd "Like" it - well said n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/30/12 2:52am
Msg #416556

"they want steak and lobster service but only want to pay you for a hot dog."

AMEN!!