Posted by sealed/CA on 5/22/12 11:04am
Msg #421496
Is it worth keeping?
I am seriously considering dropping one of my advertising spots. I feel like the yearly excessive price hikes are just not worth it. I wish they were all fair and decent to the notaries like Notrot. I am sure you all know which site I'm talking about. Please let my know of your experience. If you are a SS, and don't mind sharing, I would love to hear from you also. You can send a pm.
Thank you.
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Reply by Les_CO on 5/22/12 11:15am
Msg #421498
Sorry I don’t know what to answer. My membership here is worth the cost for the information alone. That coffee site has many SS and title Co’s that use their data base (and it’s free) so worth it to me. The numbers site does a lot to get itself out there, and advertises in many markets. There are many others. If they don’t work for you…just drop’em and see.
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Reply by MW/VA on 5/22/12 11:17am
Msg #421499
I know many who have stopped advertising there because of the ridiculous cost. I kept mine up this year, but will reconsider when it comes up for renewal.
Yes, too bad everyone doesn't do business like the great folks at NR. NR got smart & offers supplies, insurance, etc. Cost of membership here & supplies are always great! :-)
I also didn't know until this past year that apparently that other site has ties to XYZ. grrrrrrr :-(
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Reply by loancloser46 on 5/22/12 11:38am
Msg #421502
Also wants checks 6!!!!!!! weeks prior for renewal
Which is ridiculous. Says they take that long to process. Total BS. Prices have gotten way to high over there. I am not renewing. I have two listings with them and started asking this year when new clients call where they found me. 90% say Not Rot. Dont care for the dudes cocky attitude either. Not very personable.
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Reply by bagger on 5/23/12 7:56am
Msg #421607
Re: Also wants checks 6!!!!!!! weeks prior for renewal
I quit expressly because of that dude's cocky attitide. He wsa going to cancel me in the middle of the year because I had not logged in for a certain time period. He said I was going to be cancelled ans their would be no refund. "All you have to do is follow our very simple rules". Well, all I had to do was not renew.
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Reply by Sandra Clark on 5/22/12 11:41am
Msg #421505
My membership on the numbers slot went from $85. to $130. without buying additional placement spots and I was basically told to take it or leave it - no explaination as to why such a big jump when I inquired. So I left it. With that attitude I think alot of people will leave. Personal choice. You do what's best for you. Not worth it to me. Most of my new business comes from NR anyway.
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Reply by NJDiva on 5/22/12 12:38pm
Msg #421515
I get a lot of GN work from the
very expensive site and pay a hefty fee. In order for me to get even the next town over, I have to add that county.
My marketing costs are almost $X,XXX (all inclusive, not just that one) but I have a thriving business as a result. Is it worth it? For me it is...ALMOST.
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Reply by MW/VA on 5/22/12 8:15pm
Msg #421566
One of the major complaints has been that there are no
set or published fees. It varies by area, how much competition, etc. Some have gotten free listings are first because there are so few in that particular area. Not true here. I've paid some big bucks to advertise on that site.
There's a gal who operates as a ss who bought #1 position for every area in the state. That really sucks & will certainly influence any further advertising I do there.
I know Carmen follows this site, so she's aware of all that. Apparently, they don't care as long as the money keeps rolling in.
My loyalty is to the fine folks here at NR who do business with integrity, offer us supplies, bgc's, insurance, etc. at reasonable prices.
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Reply by BrendaTx on 5/22/12 10:04pm
Msg #421581
Well said, Marilynn!! n/m
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Reply by Moneyman/TX on 5/22/12 3:00pm
Msg #421537
I stopped paying for my spot on that site (if we are talking about the same site) and it hasn't hurt my business at all. In fact, I am busier now than when I was paying for the #1 spot.
I was prepared to pay the same thing I had the previous year because I thought it got results, however, when he doubled the amount he wanted I decided that I could spend less than what he wanted, actually less than what I paid him the year prior, to advertise locally and get better results; which I did.
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Reply by sealed/CA on 5/22/12 4:30pm
Msg #421546
Thank you all for the replies and pm's.
It's a hard decision to make because I don't know how leaving it will affect my business. Having a signing service listed above me does make the decision a bit easier. Doesn't seem right to have a signing service listed on a notary site. Yes. I was told that they know that it's a signing service and they don't care. It apparently does not matter who you are as long as you pay!
I would rather give my advertising dollars to companies with integrity.
Thanks again for all the replies. I really appreciate it.
Blessings...
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Reply by LKT/CA on 5/22/12 4:55pm
Msg #421552
<<<It apparently does not matter who you are as long as you pay!>>>
Exactly. With them, money talks and everything else walks.
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Reply by MikeC/TX on 5/22/12 7:25pm
Msg #421563
"It's a hard decision to make because I don't know how leaving it will affect my business."
It's only a hard decision to make if you haven't been tracking where your business is coming from.
Please don't take this the wrong way because it's not intended to be a slam, but this is Marketing 101 - if you're going to spend advertising dollars, you have to track the results. It's as simple as asking the scheduler "how did you find me?" Unless you ask that question, you have no idea how your advertising is working and whether it makes sense to pay more for the same channel.
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Reply by sealed/CA on 5/22/12 9:11pm
Msg #421575
Very true Mike. Point well taken.
I have to admit, I don't always ask.
To be honest, most of my calls are from established clients. I do get new ones calling occasionally, but most are wanting to pay less than I'm willing to work for and we don't get too far into conversation.
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 5/22/12 4:30pm
Msg #421547
It really depends on your area. For me? I don't pay right now... I got myself 'certified' and have a permanent free listing. But, since I'm really the only one around my area... there's not much of a reason to upgrade. That could always change, of course.
I do get the occasional call through them... one GNW appt that I had today came from there, actually.
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Reply by sealed/CA on 5/22/12 4:40pm
Msg #421548
Permanent free listing? Do you have that in writing? Check the home page. The first year is free, and then you can request an additional free year but they have the right to decline.
It's great that you don't have the competition for top spots. When you do, that's when the price is exagerrated.
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Reply by jba/fl on 5/22/12 4:55pm
Msg #421551
I got my free year, then notice I would have to start paying. I asked that I be removed. He decided that I should remain, and I have for past several. I consider it highway robbery and won't pay. I still get some work from them. I think the guy is a flake of major proportions and that too much inaccurate stuff comes from them. I am consistently amused of FB antics.
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Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 5/22/12 10:02pm
Msg #421580
I have been # 1 listed in Riverside CA
for years and consider it well worth the money. I pay an " arm and a leg" but if you can get the 1-4 th spot in your city/county it will pay for itself many times over.
Many of the notaries who say it's not important, don't have one of the top 4 spots; believe me, it's like having an annuity.
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Reply by jba/fl on 5/23/12 5:22am
Msg #421598
Since the top 4 spots have never been available here
except once at a super inflated price for #3, I cannot see the reasoning. Good for you Joan, sad for me. That is life. I also dislike that there is no firm pricing - it appears to be at whim of the moment. After several years experience I also do not feel that his little "courses/tests, etc" are of great value except to him.
My money will stay here and with coffee - just can't go wrong.
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Reply by ikando on 5/23/12 6:52am
Msg #421601
Re: Since the top 4 spots have never been available here
I am also considering the cost vs. benefit of the number site. On the down side, if I Google "notary" in my area, that site comes up toward the top, oftentimes earlier than mine or NR. That's a factor to take into account. Because most people go to the earlier listings, I get quite a bit of GNW calls through them.
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Reply by MW/VA on 5/23/12 7:19pm
Msg #421669
I do have the #2 spot in my area & pay to hold it. All I'm
saying is that it's a game. The price varies depending on who knows what--phases of the moon, maybe.
Here at NR there is one price for EVERYONE! and you're placed in order of distance in a zip code. It's a fairer system, IMO.
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