Posted by 101livescan on 9/28/12 3:51pm
Msg #436345

$75-$85 work

On my way to an REO purchase loan escrow signing, I get a call from SoCal Signings (prevly DOCUSERVUSA (or, DOCURPAYUSA), as they ended up stiffing me for around $300.

I told the scheduler that he wouldn't work with my fee, he asks what is your fee. I tell him, and he says he pays $75 to $85 all day long! REALLY! Well, good luck.

So apparently there are some idiots in my town who are working for peanuts, and if I ever meet up with you, I'll slap you stupider than you already are for accepting these paltry fees. Shame on you. You don't have to.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 9/28/12 5:29pm
Msg #436353

So, why's he calling you if he's got all those others who take his lousy fee "all day."


Anyway, it doesn't matter because SoCal doesn't pay (as we both evidently found out).

Reply by 101livescan on 9/28/12 5:38pm
Msg #436357

I forgot to remind him of their lackluster payment schedule and and historic methodology of reducing notary paychecks, hand holding, rudeness, lack of professionalism, yada yada yada.

If I'm doing nothing, it's better than working for these infidels.

Reply by bfnotary on 9/28/12 5:30pm
Msg #436354

AMEN to that!!! n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/28/12 5:36pm
Msg #436356

"...I'll slap you stupider than you already are for accepting these paltry fees."

LOL!! [No doubt figuratively speaking, of course... ] Key words = "You don't have to."

Reply by Pro Mobile Notary on 9/28/12 9:09pm
Msg #436399

I know for a fact there are many desperate people out there that are desperate to legally generate cashflow in this seriously bad economy. It is a bit cavalier to condemn someone for taking a job for a lower fee than you might accept when they are trying to fee their children.

If you do not think this is a possibility, then I suggest you are not paying attention to what is going on in our national economy. Yes, I am an economist and have been one for the past 40 years. I pay very close attention to what is going on.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 9/28/12 10:49pm
Msg #436414

<< It is a bit cavalier to condemn someone for taking a job for a lower fee than you might accept when they are trying to fee their children.>>

We all gotta eat. We all got kids to feed.

Reply by Barb25 on 9/29/12 10:15am
Msg #436454

Good for you Pro Mobile Notary..

I think we need to stop the "bottom" on our industry. However, we need to stop judging each other.

What's the old proverb: You need to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you judge them. About anything.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/28/12 9:40pm
Msg #436404

I recently took a job from So Cal Signings because it was paying $100.00......isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing.......only taking jobs that pay $xxx.xx or more? I checked Signing Central before accepting the job......isn't THAT what I'm supposed to be doing......only taking jobs from signing companies and title companies that have good ratings on Signing Central? There were a few people complaining about them.....but there is always gonna be someone who needs to complain about something. For the most part though they had some five star ratings and some very nice compliments about them. I signed the loan, had no problems with Lisa and So Cal Signings, and I was paid my $100.00 within 45 days with a very pretty check with an orange flower on it.

So now were not supposed to take any work from So Cal Signings because they didn't offer you what you wanted? Everyone has to make a decision of what they can and cannot work for and who they can and cannot work for and people need to stop bullying and making their fellow notaries feel shameful or stupid for taking work for a fee that does not meet with your high standards or for a company that you dislike.

I am sorry that So Cal Signings did not offer you $xxx.xx and they did me. I am sorry that So Cal Signings did not pay someone and they did me. I am not sorry that I cannot jump on the don't take any business from So Cal Signings bandwagon because they are offering $75-$85 for work because I know this is not the case......they offered me $100.00 for a signing, they paid me $100.00 for the signing, and they paid me within 45 days. I will continue to work for Lisa and So Cal Signings any time they need me.

Reply by Buddy Young on 9/28/12 9:54pm
Msg #436407

Re: Lisa pays

I'll work for her, she meets my fee.

Reply by ToniK on 9/28/12 10:09pm
Msg #436411

They meet my fee of $xxx

I dont have a problem with SoCal. I dont do many signings for them but when they call me they meet my fee and pay within 45 days. Never had a problem. Will work for them again.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/28/12 11:10pm
Msg #436415

I have no idea why this fool offered me 75 to 85 if you're all getting 100. Tonight I had a call from Ken who was willing to pay $125 for an esigning about 15 miles from me. I don't take that kind of work, although not a horrible fee, because I then have to turn work down while I'm having to travel in Montecito gridlock and esignings should really pay more for the extra equipment, aircard and laptop. I'd rather stick closer to my base and less hassel.

Now, if I had nothing else to do, would I have said yes? No, because I've had some experiences with SoCal Signings that werent that great and I've replaced them with nicer vendors. I'm glad some of you are having better experinces and getting paid more than 75 to 85.

And finally, I'm not an economist, but I've weathered three foreclosure periods in my adult life, I know how bad the economy is, I'm in it daily. I feel lucky to put bread and butter on my table, ,pay my insurances, tithe and make my mortgage. I have a brain injured nephew who will never be self sufficient. I know exactly how crappy the world is, but it's what we've all been dealt and this is what we get to play.

I think $100 is not an unreasonable amount of $$ to pay for most refinance loan packages, fees can be negotiated, and DOE, some people can command more than others. I am amused by companies who think we should be jumping up and down at the offer of 35, 50, 60 to 90 a package. I think it's paltry for the skill and time, diligence and knowledge involved in performing loan signings.

Reply by Barb25 on 9/29/12 1:08pm
Msg #436463

Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

I really think you need to re-read some of the thing you write on the forum. You seem to live in a different reality than most of the people who post here on the forum. Your "reality" is such you had a call 15 miles away but although the fee wasn't horrible, etc. etc. You need to say closer, etc. How and where and why you have gotten to where you say you are in this industry and why your skills are sought after from all over the country, I do not know. But obviously, it is so. You are a legend.

Most of us out here are in a different reality and are just tryiing to earn a living, get the respect we deserve, do a job and do it well. So until the day when you can stop spouting platitudes, it is all meaningless. Please tell us specifically how you have mastered the art of controlling the "fee" to such heights, the schedule to fit yours, and every other thing you tell us about.

Because until you do that we are just going to have to live in our "reality" and work and try to keep our fees descent and our profitabilty so that we can make it worthwhile to stay in business.

Of course, I don't speak for everyone. But perhaps, a few.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/29/12 2:57pm
Msg #436481

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

Oh my, oh my....well I thought everyone had their own secret sauce....

market, network, like there is no tomorrow. ALWAYS answer your phone, know your market and court it! Energize, energize, energize. None of us has a minute in life to spend on being negative, more productive to move forward in the most positive manner possible. I've been doing this for more than 30 years...I've learned the game and work hard, harder to stay in it than most signing agents I know. There are however others out there like me, so it's possible to hone your craft.

Reply by Barb25 on 9/29/12 4:55pm
Msg #436500

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

Again, platitudes. We will all start answering our phones tomorrow. Look it was never my intent to insult you, publicly or otherwise.. And I can see you are not getting the point so I won't go any further.

But take this example, in other posts there have been a lot of talk about the LSI and Chase form that has been requested and has everyone talking. You said

"Re: Chase Loans....New Requirement effective Oct 1
Posted by 101livescan of CA on 9/28/12 7:11pm Msg #436382

I made up my own template as soon as I printed it out and saw what had to be done to stay in the CHASE game.

I can only say, GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!"

Karla/WA asked that you share that.... That is the last anyone every heard from you on the subject. You do this alot. In the meantime....

Karla/WA has posted a form for everyone to use if they wish. No Platitudes there.

Does this make any sense... BTW, we are not talking about, the form. Do you get that... It is the value/usefulness of the info...

Reply by 101livescan on 9/29/12 7:17pm
Msg #436513

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

I was responding to Brenda Stone. Not to Karla. I missed request for my form. Happy tp oblige. You seem benf on crifiauing. Look if you dont like my posts don't read them. I'm too busy for all this bs

Reply by 101livescan on 9/29/12 8:53pm
Msg #436522

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

Android ran out of juice...that is, you seen bent on crucifying me on this board....I really don't care what you think of me. It's not my problem.

Reply by Barb25 on 9/30/12 10:20am
Msg #436569

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

I think you are clearly very successful. I don't think badly of you at all even if you don't care what I think. I get you just don't get what point I was making and we can just agree to disagree and I will stay away from your posts. As I said it is not my intention to rip you apart or insult you or try to embarrass you. I guess I have and for that I am truly sorry.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/29/12 3:16pm
Msg #436487

Kudos to Barb25 n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/29/12 11:59pm
Msg #436549

Re: Cheryl, I am going out on a limb here but

"You need to say closer, etc. How and where and why you have gotten to where you say you are in this industry and why your skills are sought after from all over the country,..."

Barb25, I'm kind of scratching my head on this one. Personally, I don't think she "needs" to do anything of the sort. What some might call platitudes, others might call a proprietary business model - or unique personality traits or skills. I agree that Santa Barbara is a different type of community, but I prefer to take inspiration from posts by people like Cheryl, apply what I can to my own business, and modify as appropriate. There are still general principles there that I believe most of us can learn from. And to whatever extent we succeed in using what is learned - individually and collectively - we will be better off.

BTW, IMO there is nothing wrong with "just tryiing to earn a living, get the respect we deserve, do a job and do it well...", but a key component of respect is reasonable compensation, commensurate with the service provided. I suspect there are lots of newbies on this board who appreciate Cheryl's willingness to give some real numbers about what the possibilities are so they can take that into consideration when setting their fees - and hopefully not undervalue their work, as many are obviously doing in this industry.

Reply by Barb25 on 9/30/12 10:15am
Msg #436568

To JanetK CA - I ended my post to Cheryl with the following:

Of course, I don't speak for everyone. But perhaps, a few.

That should cover it.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 9/29/12 6:43pm
Msg #436510

Re: $75-$85 work "Paltry"?

Yes, I happen to share that opinion. I turned down an offer of $70 today on a signing. I have no wish to be demeaned/devalued, and frankly I don't think I could stomach the "bread and butter" on my table if I accepted.

But, as I've mentioned before, we all are responsible for our business decisions - and to me fees are personal ones. My only concern is to justify why MY fee is what it is.

Reply by Lola Killackey on 9/29/12 3:01pm
Msg #436485

I've worked for socal for over 8 years, and it's always be "socal signings". where do you get your information that they were formerly docuservusa?

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 10/1/12 4:21pm
Msg #436671

There are 2 "SoCal Signing" companies having similar names. n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/29/12 9:25pm
Msg #436527

I really do not understand the problem with this post.

*he says he pays $75 to $85 all day long!*

I don't believe it. Otherwise, he would have said, "Thank you." and hung up with no lecture.

If Cheryl chooses to accept only higher fees and state that, what is the problem with that? What does it bother anyone to hear what she thinks is shamefully low? If you are okay with your fees and you are actually profiting on that fee, what does it matter? Laugh at Cheryl all the way to the bank.

I cannot help but wonder if perhaps the gross of $75 seems high to someone who has not yet paid taxes on their income, run up the miles on their vehicle, bought a few toner cartridges, paid insurance, etc. No way they will see that job as a profitable one if they put a pencil to it.

It is a temporary cash flow. It is not profit. Profit is all that we are left with when it is all said and done, bills are paid, and the tires are replaced. $75 is cash flow and nothing but a temporary band aid. Each of those that you're taking gets you a little further behind.

Gross is not net. If someone would give me $75, bring me the a set of documents I'd clear nearly $75. Expenses would be only about $5 in that situation. That's worth it! It would be worth $50 or lower in that scenario.

When you leave your house you have already spent $25-$35 if you are going 10 miles one-way and printed documents. Every mile you roll is less value in your vehicle. That's the way that I see it. It costs money...at the end of the day, you'll have minimum wage or will be in the hole...in the red...not earning a penny.

I'd recommend a course at one of the Small Business Development Centers and free business counseling just to see if you really are earning a little bit, or if you are digging a hole.

Even Howard charges for the services of his SS. He knows it costs money and he never leaves the office or has to print your documents. He charges for his time, administration of an office, phone calls, etc. You do all that too, but you also print, pay for toner, and put a lot of miles on your vehicle.

Anyhow, this is not directed at anyone. It's just practical plain language information.