Posted by wv/or on 3/19/12 10:05pm
Msg #415428

Getting irritated

I received a call from a SS tonight asking to do a signing for tonight. I was in a meeting, but I asked how far it was away from my address. They said about 6 miles. I asked approximately where it was and then I realized it was not 6 miles, it was more like 26 miles one way. Last week the same SS called and said again the meeting place was only 6 miles away when in fact it was about 25 miles one way. Tonight, I did not take the call, mostly because they irritated me about the distance.

Has anyone else had a SS lie to you about the distance?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/19/12 10:16pm
Msg #415429

I think that's been discussed here just this week. I think it's more likely laziness or ignorance than outright lying - but some might be intentionally using a lazy system to try to get away with something. Who knows... But it's likely that they're just going from zip code to zip code and that's how the system they're using is set up.

What their reasons are for doing things that way, I don't know, but I never accept someone's word on how far away something is unless they can tell me that they have specifically input my physical address and the borrower's into a mapping program. Occasionally when I'm in an appointment, a good client will be willing to do that for me and I can then give them a realistic idea of whether or not I can handle an assignment.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 3/19/12 10:25pm
Msg #415430

All my rates are based on zip code. I ALWAYS ask what zip code the signing is in and then I KNOW the approximate distance. In fact, the companies I sign for on a regular basis know this and they will tell me what zip code before I even have to ask for it.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/19/12 10:26pm
Msg #415431

THis happens all the time... never fall for it.

Their "distance" calculations are based on a zip code, not an address. Zip code searches are done from geographic center to geographic center. They are only meant to be an estimate, and are never accurate. When they call me, I ask for an exact address before I do anything.

I live in a town that is, geographically, the THIRD largest city in the state of California at over 200 square miles. A big portion of that is covered by one zip code... because there are only about about 14,000 people living here...you can do that math! That's just in town... I'm surrounded by podunk desert towns that involve tons of driving.

I got asked to go to Death Valley last month, to meet someone in a little town on the outskirts of the national park, near the CA/NV border. They were willing to pay me for 130 miles of driving because by "their" calculations, I was only 65 miles away.

Yeah... 'cept I'm not a bird... and there are a lot of mountains and two military installations in the way... and not too many roads. In reality it was 200 miles EACH WAY. I was happy to make the trip for them... but not for the $225 they were offering ($150 + mileage). That would have been an ALL DAY job and 400 miles of driving. At that point, I told them I'd do it for a flat hourly rate. They didn't like that. Ultimately, they actually paid the borrower to travel in to their office to Bakersfield instead, because it was less expensive.

Zip code searches are more accurate in highly populated areas where there are lots of zip codes. The San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles is a good example of that. The larger the geographic size of the zip code, the less accurate the search distance will be.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 3/19/12 10:50pm
Msg #415432

For you, you are right....

Your zip code structure is a bit more spread out than San Diego County (to say the least!)

Reply by Karla/OR on 3/20/12 1:12am
Msg #415441

Hi WV~ was the signing by chance in Pleasant Hill??????? Just curious. I received a similar call earlier today.

Reply by wv/or on 3/20/12 7:50am
Msg #415446

It was in the Garden Home area.

Reply by snowflake/PA on 3/20/12 9:44am
Msg #415451

Yes. Happens to me alot and I gently remind the scheduler of my physical, home zip code. All my contact info is readily available in my profile on this and other sites. I think the scheduler just looks at my billing address as opposed to the physical. It does get frustrating and then they won't meet my fee and find a "closer" notary. Always tell them I am happy to close for them, but my fee is $xxx.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/20/12 5:25pm
Msg #415498

An afterthought...

There must be some who use more basic methods even than zip codes, like just looking at a map, or have systems that are very rudimentary. Every couple of months or so, I get calls to go to a community that's roughly 25 miles due east of me. The only problem is that there's a fair size mountain in between, so to get there I either have to go around it (via a toll road) or take a mostly two lane, somewhat dangerous road partially around and over it. Either way is about an hour each way, not accounting for traffic, which could add another hour each way.

I'd do it for a title co willing to pay a reasonable fee, but these are invariably signing services that won't bend on fees. Not happening.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/20/12 8:00pm
Msg #415528

Re: An afterthought...

I have the same issues... but in my case I have the added frustration of being told I can drive through restricted military bases. Heh.

Now, there is one road I know about that would be a great shortcut for a lot of things for me...it's on the base, but not controlled by gates. I know a lot of people take it that say it is rarely patrolled. But all those people have base stickers and I don't. I'm too much of a wimp to pass all of those RESTRICTED signs without permission. I'd rather go around than be detained for trespassing.