Posted by leeinla on 3/17/12 10:27pm
Msg #415280
Thinking about leaving the NNA?
I don't know if I want to renew my NNA membership. The only thing that is good about the NNA is their helpline. I believe that is a valuable service. For all of you that are not members of the National Notary Association, how do you go about it when you need help right away? Besides the help line, I believe the NNA is worthless.
| Reply by desktopfull on 3/17/12 10:49pm
Msg #415281
IMO, even the helpline is worthless. They constantly give out wrong info, use the orange search key and you can read all about their errors. Save your money, they only care about filling their coffers.
| Reply by leeinla on 3/18/12 1:44am
Msg #415285
If you need help, who do you call? I am in CA and their helpline is open until 7 p.m.
| Reply by desktopfull on 3/18/12 9:35am
Msg #415289
I'm in Florida, I either pull out the Governor's manual and look it up or post here on NotRot.
| Reply by HisHughness on 3/17/12 10:51pm
Msg #415282
Lee, if you ever decide to give up on being a signing agent, there are just lots of comics out there who need straight men of your caliber.
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/18/12 8:08am
Msg #415286
I, personally, would call another seasoned notary
or notary instructor before I'd call the NNA for help - and if it's with regard to loan signings and questions on the paperwork I'd be calling the hiring party/title company...
You in CA have, hands-down, one of the best notary handbooks out there...your SOS takes the time to address just about everything. Any questions you have about your notarizations can be answered by referring to that and applying your handbook to the situation. And that handbook, and those laws, apply to notarizations within a closing package. As I said, questions outside the scope of the notarization go to the hiring party/title company.
I have never called the NNA hotline - I didn't renew back in 2008 and never looked back.
JMO
| Reply by Allison_MI on 3/18/12 9:21am
Msg #415288
I started doing notary closings in 2004. was with NNA for only a year and cancelled. Signed up with Notary rotary the same year; NNA is Money hungry; hundreds of emails; nothings free with them; AT least here you get free stuff; and tons of help!
| Reply by jba/fl on 3/18/12 11:31am
Msg #415292
See that Orange Search button? That is open 24/7. If there is a question to be asked, I feel positive it has been answered already here and is archived for your convenience when you need to look/ask. But, you have to make an effort and may have to refine your search by providing the right key words.. If for some reason you don't find what you need, say so and ask. Usually someone is awake 24/7 here so you can get answers pretty fast as well.
NotRot is a great resource. Don't be shy - leave that org that wants your $$$ and learn something every day.
| Reply by Yoli/CA on 3/18/12 2:01pm
Msg #415297
Totally agree with most of the above posters. I, too, was with NNA my first year ... total waste of time, money and energy.
Welcome to Notary Rotary! This is, in my opinion, THE BEST notary source. As stated, absolutely refer to your Notary Handbook. Know your Handbook forward and backward and inside out. Then, if something's not clear to you, come to this forum and use that Search button. That something has been discussed, dissected and explained.
As a California notary, we are required to take a class prior to being commissioned. You can try contacting that instructor for clarification or instruction. However, if that's not possible, NotRot will never let you down.
| Reply by Julie/MI on 3/18/12 1:52pm
Msg #415296
Your quote: "For all of you that are not members of the National Notary Association, how do you go about it when you need help right away?"
I've NEVER had a question that about determining if the people before me are the people that applied for the mortgage.
If you feel their helpline is necessary, then keep your membership.
| Reply by Karla/OR on 3/18/12 4:07pm
Msg #415311
Lee (and others) ~ I, too, am questioning whether or not to renew with NNA after being with them this past year. My main question being: will I lose business calls by not being on NNA's site????? Admittedly I was not proactive enough with my clients to determine if they found my name/number on the NNA site or not. I LOVE Not/Rot and spend 99% of my time here. Thanks.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/18/12 5:52pm
Msg #415320
I was a member of the NNA before I became an NSA, but I quit back in 2003, I believe. The few calls I got from their website were from companies that wanted to pay lowball fees. I also didn't like the fact that I could never see how my listing showed up - or if it was even showing up at all. Their data base for signing companies was chock full of errors and I can only imagine how many errors there could have been on their notary listings. Things may be much better these days, but I don't really care.
I called their hotline once or twice, but got bad info and never looked back.
I have the SOS notary section phone number programmed into my cell phone. That came in handy one time many years ago when at an in-house signing, a lender branch manager was yelling at me because I wouldn't accept an expired ID. He showed me a page from the NNA handbook that had incorrect info in it about how long an ID is good for (it was a technicality in wording, but I don't remember the details). The SOS person set him straight. The only way I could stop him from screaming at me was by handing him the phone and having them back me up.  (He was trying to make his EOM numbers - in the bad old days...)
I don't miss my NNA membership at all.
| Reply by Karla/OR on 3/18/12 8:06pm
Msg #415330
OMG Janet, what an experience! You handled it beautifully! It's good to air things like that in case it happens to another. The only thing I have appreciated about the NNA are their array of discounted supplies for members, i.e., reference books, sheets of certificates, sheets of Loan Signing Prep Sheet (this really helped me out in the beginning when taking calls from SS's), great carrying bag @ reasonable price and holds everything I need. Not sure that is enough reason to stay with them though. They definitely fall far behind in other characteristics that Not/Rot has.
| Reply by MW/VA on 3/18/12 7:37pm
Msg #415328
I didn't have to think alot about not renewing with that
organization. When I was new & niave I bought into it. I paid for cert/bgc, only to have them want more money a couple of years later to renew it.
BTW, I found that a lot of their info was incorrect, and is based primarily on CA law.
IMO it's all a big-profit game for them & I won't give them another dime.
The best & most reliable info I can get here on NR.
| Reply by CJ on 3/19/12 1:02am
Msg #415347
NNA only wants your money.
You can thank the NNA for flooding your area with competition. The hotline is only open until 7:00. Are you done signing at 7:00? What if ou need someone at 10:00? So what about their discounted supplies: you can get them here at NR.
And lastly, and most importantly, if you need a question answered, call your Signing Service that hired you for that job! They know the notary law, they know what their client wants, and they know how borrowers can be. They need the docs signed too, so they want to help you. I have one SS that says, "If you run into ANY problems, even ones that you can solve, DON'T solve them. I don't pay you to think, I pay you to CALL ME!" I'm sure he's had some notaries make some bone-headed decisons. I call him every time there is any teensy little concern. I have discovered that he picks up the phone 24/7, and he can always get a hold of title.
I know that not all signing services are available after hours, so I keep track of which ones are up all night. If I am REALLY stuck, I call them. I say, "This is not your signing, but I am really stuck and I need your help." They have always helped. It's not like you call every night. The biggest problem that I run into is people getting irate when I won't accept their invalid ID. I always have my handbook in my notary bag, and I have that part tabbed and highlighted to show them.
What if there is a misspelling on the docs? Should you cross it out and initial? Or will title reject that? What if there is something on the hud that upsets the borrowers and they don't want to sign? Is the NNA going to help you with these problems? NO! But your SS will.
NNA just wants your money; they really don't care about helping you.
| Reply by Karla/OR on 3/19/12 2:03am
Msg #415350
Re: NNA only wants your money.
I so agree with your points CJ. I never felt comfortable with the answers i got on the hotline so I stopped using it. I get my best answers here at Not/Rot and have a couple Oregon notaries that have been very good to me and I occasionally call on them.
I have been very fortunate with signings to have an after hours person to call and get answers so haven't run into an issue there, yet. I love that the SS told you to not think about it and just call! How supportive is that!
So i've made the decision to drop XXX and instead sign up for membership where the benefits are worthy of my dollar.
Have a good week!
You can thank the NNA for flooding your area with competition. The hotline is only open until 7:00. Are you done signing at 7:00? What if ou need someone at 10:00? So what about their discounted supplies: you can get them here at NR.
And lastly, and most importantly, if you need a question answered, call your Signing Service that hired you for that job! They know the notary law, they know what their client wants, and they know how borrowers can be. They need the docs signed too, so they want to help you. I have one SS that says, "If you run into ANY problems, even ones that you can solve, DON'T solve them. I don't pay you to think, I pay you to CALL ME!" I'm sure he's had some notaries make some bone-headed decisons. I call him every time there is any teensy little concern. I have discovered that he picks up the phone 24/7, and he can always get a hold of title.
I know that not all signing services are available after hours, so I keep track of which ones are up all night. If I am REALLY stuck, I call them. I say, "This is not your signing, but I am really stuck and I need your help." They have always helped. It's not like you call every night. The biggest problem that I run into is people getting irate when I won't accept their invalid ID. I always have my handbook in my notary bag, and I have that part tabbed and highlighted to show them.
What if there is a misspelling on the docs? Should you cross it out and initial? Or will title reject that? What if there is something on the hud that upsets the borrowers and they don't want to sign? Is the NNA going to help you with these problems? NO! But your SS will.
NNA just wants your money; they really don't care about helping you.
| Reply by Karla/OR on 3/19/12 2:05am
Msg #415351
Sorry all - I copied CJ's info and forgot to remove it. :O( n/m
| Reply by janCA on 3/19/12 10:58am
Msg #415370
Re: NNA only wants your money.
"And lastly, and most importantly, if you need a question answered, call your Signing Service that hired you for that job! They know the notary law, they know what their client wants, and they know how borrowers can be. They need the docs signed too, so they want to help you. I have one SS that says, "If you run into ANY problems, even ones that you can solve, DON'T solve them. I don't pay you to think, I pay you to CALL ME!"
This is just disturbing to me, CJ, that you would think that all SS's know all notary laws from every state. The majority, from my experience, are not notaries at all. Some might have title or escrow experience, but that is even doubtful.
And I certainly would take offense to someone telling me that "I don't pay you to think", Holy Cow. I guess if you are a point and sign NSA, that works for you, but there are problems at the table that a signing agent can solve without having to call the hiring entity for every little thing.
Evidently, the person that pointed out to you that you basically don't have the brains to solve certain types of issues at the table has hired NSA's that don't know what they're doing in the first place.
I think if someone would have said that to me I would have told him to take a flying leap and take me out of their database. Talk about disrespectful.
And this is all JMHO.
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/19/12 11:22am
Msg #415373
Re: NNA only wants your money.
Talk about insulting instructions - these are from a TC:
WHEN THERE IS AKA VERBIAGE ON THE SIGNATURE LINE – THE BORROWER MUST SIGN THEIR NAME BOTH WAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU MUST ALWAYS CALL THE BORROWERS WITHIN 24HRS OF RECEIPT OF CONFIRMATION FROM US TO CONFIRM APPT. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING FROM NOTARIES THAT THEY CALL BORROWERS WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, OR NOT UNTIL DOCS ARE RECEIVED, OR NOT UNTIL DAY BEFORE OR OF CLOSING!!
For those of you who do a great job and appreciate & value our working relationship: I thank you, I commend you and I am grateful for you for keeping us all in business!! For the rest of you this is your last chance!
| Reply by jba/fl on 3/19/12 11:45am
Msg #415375
Re: NNA only wants your money.
And this is in all caps? Wow, they have lost patience with those who cannot follow instructions. That last sentence should have been all caps.
What they need to do is pay a bit better and raise their qualifications and check the notaries out. Who is this?
| Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/19/12 12:08pm
Msg #415378
Re: NNA only wants your money.
Yes all caps on the first two - I copied and pasted. It's Vantage Point Title.
| Reply by NJDiva on 3/19/12 12:33pm
Msg #415379
I agree Jan.
I usually like when CJ shares, but I must agree that I was a bit surprised at that comment. In my experience it is quite on the contrary. They bear no legal responsibility (that I'm aware of) and need to get the signing closed in order to get paid (the full fee or at all? I don't know this to be sure.) IMO, their objective is to get that signing closed.
I'm not even so sure I would have the audacity to call another company and say "This is not your signing, but I am really stuck and need your help." Wow, that takes a whole lot of...(how do you spell it, chutspa?)um, er, echem, nerve, IMO. lol...but more power to ya.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/19/12 4:35pm
Msg #415405
Re: I agree Jan. Me, too.
And I was also thinking this: "IMO, their objective is to get that signing closed."
The kind of response you get will vary greatly by the quality of the signing service, but many will try to convince you to do all kinds of things that may or may not be correct - or even legal in your state - just to keep their client happy. There are a few gems out there who are experienced NSAs and notaries themselves and will not only offer help, but back you up if there are any issues. I suspect, however, that they're considerably in the minority.
It's up to each one of us to know our state's laws well enough to be comfortable with what we can or cannot legally do from a notary perspective. However, when it comes to signing agent issues or client-specific questions, many times the signing service will have the benefit of greater experience with that particular client and can offer some worthwhile guidance. That's if you're dealing with the owner or someone in charge...
If you get to a scheduler or someone who is just an employee there, they may not have a clue, but they might try to give you an answer anyway. In those cases, I have no qualms about just prodding a little to find out if they're guessing or if they really know, or nicely pushing back and asking to talk to someone else. It's amazing how often they back down. Sometimes, though, they put you on hold to ask. In those cases, I definitely want to try to get to the person who knows, as much can get lost in translation, frequently because they don't even understand the question. (I love it when you can hear them asking and your question comes out completely different... NOT!)
| Reply by sanjqnvly on 3/19/12 4:32pm
Msg #415404
Re: NNA only wants your money.
I did ONE year with NNA and then discovered NOTROT was the best by far!!!
| Reply by sparky/NM on 3/30/12 7:43am
Msg #416567
It's another monopoly in my opinion and I can call our Governors Office - Notary desk and get my questions answered for "free" which works for me. Also, re-reading and then re-reading our state's notary manual is another thing that I do (this should be done at least once a month in my opinion) and I carry a copy of it in my brief case. This is really the back bone to what I'm doing and I don't allow signing companies and or title companies dictate my job to me. If they start doing that I just say that I work for the State of NM, Governors office and not them. That usually stops the b.s. and I can go on with my day.
One of the best things to do in my opinon (to stay sane) is to stay aware that when I'm speaking to "booking agents" that they mostly likey have never notarized anything and or done a job traveling to meet consumers - day or night or weekend. So, I'll just remind the snarky ones that I'm working in the trenches for your company (not them) and you have no idea what it takes to do this job. Then they either stop being rude or I get them off the phone.
When companies ask what associations do I belong to I state "none" and so far it seems that has never prevented me from getting work. I use that as a red flag and not as a compliment.
The three notary blogs; NotRot, 123Not and Not Cafe are the folks that I want to support and pay as I get so much out of reading the posts and of course referrals. Otherwise, I've had to grow up and depend on myself more and more and to run my business like a business as well as myself.
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