Posted by GOLDGIRL/CA on 3/5/12 10:00pm
Msg #414027

Need suggestions, plz

I have to fill out this TC sign-up form which asks me to list my fees (printing, signing and notary) and how many miles I'll go for such and such fee and how many more miles I''l go for another fee and so on and so forth. I don't want to fill in any numbers for fear that they'll be too high (or worse) too low, since signing fees are all over the map these days. Can I just write "negotiable" in all the blanks? Seems kind of obsteprerous to do so when all they want are some simple numbers, but I hate to commit to anything.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Reply by Roger_OH on 3/5/12 10:29pm
Msg #414028

I never post fees. Every assignment has its own nuances, and everything is negotiable; can't see being held to a certain price level.

Reply by Buddy Young on 3/5/12 10:33pm
Msg #414029

You could just list your base fees for overnight and for edocs, Then list xx per mile mileage.

I would just try to be as vague as possible.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/5/12 11:10pm
Msg #414032

I have one site that I just list base fees for services within certain zip codes with a disclaimer that extra work is extra $$. If you choose to post fees, post your beginning fees and list them as that. Fax backs, excessive mileage, off road or winter mountain where 4 wheel conditions exist extra charge.

I get the feeling that almost no one looks beyond your phone number when contacting you. My fee page is a separate click from my profile page and according to the log for every hit on my fee page there are 50 hits on my main page and I think that one hit is a private citizen looking for a notary and wants to see what I charge per signature and travel fees.

The companies call, tell me what they have and what do I charge. When there is a lot of fax-backs, extra travel distance or other extra work, I raise the fee, they never say "but your site says $X."

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/5/12 11:49pm
Msg #414034

Agree with Glenn

Give 'em a 'base fee' as a clue and let it go at that. Fact is, there are so many variables that it's simpler to quote on the job as it happens. Like Glenn, I don't think anybody ever looks at the stuff or I wouldn't get calls for $65 signings that start the negotiations.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/6/12 3:30am
Msg #414036

I think you're talking about two different things. GOLDGIRL/CA didn't say she was posting fees on her site or anywhere else. She mentioned filling out an application for a title co's private database that wanted to know her fees.

I've been pondering the same issue lately myself. There are some who require you to provide your fees in order to be in their data base and if they end up calling you, that's what they pay - no negotiating, irrespective of any variables outside of whatever specific guidelines they create. Doesn't matter if they're inappropriate for you. It sometimes feels like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

If your fee is too high, they just call someone else - unless they can't find anyone else at a lower fee, even if you might have normally quoted a lower fee for those circumstances. If you price yourself too low, you're stuck with either living with that regardless of the situation or just saying no. There are other factors that come into play, too, which I'm not going to get into, but it IS frustrating. I wish I had a good answer. It's a shame that these companies have decided to be so rigid about the way they approve payment.

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/6/12 7:23am
Msg #414042

Exactly right, Janet...and quite frustrating n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/6/12 12:06am
Msg #414035

In business, fees are interdependent on costs. There

is, hopefully, a Bottom Line = Your Fee.

One of the benefits of a working budget - an accurate budget - is a Bottom Line of income vs. outgo, all things considered.

Each contract is unique - with many variables, from compliance to execution, therefore, inherent in the job is flexibility ...the wiggle-room varies with the job, no?

So, it boils down to Business is Business, doesn't it? Either we are in Business to make a profit, or we're not. We are confronted with *offers* - which, are always *negotiable.* In our line of work, no two assignments are alike. I submit that personally, in a line of service-work, my price was my price, and that was my price. My work was legitimate and professional, with consumer satisfaction the primary goal.

Jmnsho.

Reply by janCA on 3/6/12 8:42am
Msg #414053

Re: In business, fees are interdependent on costs. There

A title company solicited me about a month ago. Actually, it was last December and I just couldn't find the time to fill out their long application, fee forms, etc. And then I got another solicitation from them around the last of January. I filled out the app, scanned and emailed in. Heard nothing from the person that had sent me the email solicitation. About a week later I get another solicitation from the same company but a different person. So I told her that I had already sent everything in to the first contact person. She said I was not active in their database and she would check into it. She then calls me and says, the only reason I can think of why you weren't put into the database is your fee structure. Mind you, I started high. So I said, I would amend and send the new fees to her. I was immediately put into their database and was called the next day for an assignment. The new fees were still high, according to what many companies want to pay today and in line with fees from 5-6 yrs. ago.

So I would start high and work your way down because if you start too low, you're stuck. Just make sure you follow-up and have a contact person.

Good Luck!

Reply by 101livescan on 3/6/12 8:37am
Msg #414051

Fee schedules are cast in concrete, unfortunately. Once you fill out the form, you'll hear schedulers recant, we have you down for $xxx. Or, I'll have to get that approved.

There is no loyalty out there with these huge companies who have your profile up on a screen and they are scrolling for the lowest fee they can pay.

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/6/12 9:44am
Msg #414067

Hmmm...what I'm taking away from this thread is

that filling out fees is simply a fishing expedition looking for the cheapest notary in any given area.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 3/6/12 10:31am
Msg #414071

Re: Hmmm...what I'm taking away.......BINGO,LEE

Whether it is a TC with fees "up on the screen" or a low baller, they are all trying simply to fill a "spot" as cheaply as possible. They could care less that a gallon of gas went up 30-35 cents in a day ( at least until they fill up their own car) or the cost of a barrel went up $5, which affects toner cost (oil based), paper (delivery costs higher), etc. Gas has roughly doubled in the last four years. Have fees gone UP in the last 4 years or has there been great DOWNWARD pressure? (Thank you XYZ) When I see a fixed fee requests from a TC, I just throw up my hands. I'm not directing this at you Lee, as I know I'm preaching to the choir, I just don't know any more.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/7/12 2:10am
Msg #414153

Exactly right, as well. It's just a cr@pshoot sometimes :>) n/m