Posted by FeliseSoCal on 8/19/13 6:32pm
Msg #481072

Extra large packages...

I'm seeing more and more of these and wondering what the rest of you consider an extra-large package and what extra fees you charge.

I consider anything above 120-130 extra large.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/19/13 6:38pm
Msg #481077

Me too. My fee is based on a package size of 120-130 pages. Anything over that is extra...

Reply by FeliseSoCal on 8/19/13 6:40pm
Msg #481078

Thanks Linda...

I'm also wondering if others are noticing this trend and charging more.

Reply by Lee/AR on 8/19/13 7:13pm
Msg #481086

yes & no...

I figure $25 gets you up to 125 pages +/- (as previous poster said 120 - 130). You've undoubtedly noticed that some will ask you to drop the print fee some as 'it's only a small package of 50 - 70 pages'. So, if less is OK, then, darnit, so is more $ for a higher page count. I loosely figure $5/25 pages. If it's a very good client, I'll let up to 150 go without yowling.

Reply by linda/ca on 8/20/13 12:15am
Msg #481123

Larger packages mean more time at the table also. So more $$

is definitely in order.

Reply by FeliseSoCal on 8/20/13 1:30pm
Msg #481198

Re: Larger packages mean more time at the table also. So more $$

Exactly. They will try to tell you the cost of the paper is minimal. but I value my time, and if the package is huge, it will take longer with more notarizations.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 8/20/13 5:35pm
Msg #481286

Re: Larger packages mean more time at the table also. So more $$

not to mention the toner and use of the printer (which eventually needs a tune-up or repair).

Reply by MW/VA on 8/19/13 7:23pm
Msg #481087

I set a policy a couple of years ago to charge $15

extra for anything over 140 pgs. Most cos. haven't had a problem paying it.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 8/19/13 8:02pm
Msg #481100

Just found an appraisal stuck in the middle of the

package. The package was larger than normal so I opened it up before I printed and bingo there was the appraisal with about 30 pages and quite a few pictures. I did not print the appraisal and told the hiring entity that I charge $40 to print.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/19/13 8:11pm
Msg #481102

Re: Just found an appraisal stuck in the middle of the

I recently charged a company $15 extra to print an appraisal and they were really incensed - they felt it was my responsibility to print ANYTHING they send me. They are my rock bottom payer - large national TC that goes by three letters.

Reply by loancloser46 on 8/19/13 9:15pm
Msg #481110

More work or use of business supplies is more $$....

Kudos to all of you for charging for ADDITIONAL BUSINESS SERVICES like any business does. Try calling a plumber to fix your sink and then tell him he needs to fix the bathtub too.......extra service = extra money !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/19/13 10:09pm
Msg #481117

I don't really charge by the package size so much as the number of total pages printed. I will print up to 300 pages (including lender and borrower copies, etc.) for $30.00. After that, I charge 5 cents per printed page. Sometimes, depending on the client, I will drop it to $25.00 rather than $30.00... but only for certain clients.

Reply by janCA on 8/20/13 11:33am
Msg #481175

Cosmopolitan Title tried slipping an appraisal in one of their packages to the tune of 33
pages. I let them know I would be pleased to print for an extra $30. They said to let the borrowers know that they would receive an appraisal "after" the loan funded.

My gosh, borrowers are charged astrnomical prices for these appraisals. Isn't this the responsibility of the appraiser to make sure they actually receive a copy? And aren't they suppose to receive this 3 days before the closing?

Reply by Darlin_AL on 8/20/13 12:50pm
Msg #481183

Re: Appraisal in pkg

have noticed the form where the borrowers "waive" the 3 day rule (whether an appraisal was done or not, in some cases). TC advised borrowers to contact LO to get their copy. Borrowers are pretty much put out that they have to sign a form waiving their right to something they shoulda had days ago, if not weeks. It appears some companies LO's are better than others at making sure the borrower has rec'd all the "required" stuff.....that they pay a steeeeeep price for! I call every time this pops up, as I am not the one to advise the Borrowers what to do to get it. I figuring bothering the "call us from the table" personnel is apropos for the situation.

Reply by Marazz/AZ on 8/20/13 2:14pm
Msg #481222

No, the appraisers do not provide a copy of an appraisal to the borrower. The borrower is not the appraisers' client (for federally regulated transactions anyway) and you are prohibited from even providing the borrower a copy, or discussing it with them, without the lender's permission.

The borrower is entitled to a copy, but the law states the lender is to provide it. Some appraisers have that law printed out, and give copies to borrowers when they show up to head off any (understandable) calls from homeowners later, looking for a copy.

Some appraisers will provide a copy to a borrower at the request of the lender, as a courtesy if the lender is a good client. But those "good" clients are not appraisal management companies, who are keeping up to 1/2 of the fees people pay for appraisals.

Reply by famena on 8/20/13 2:01pm
Msg #481215

JMT Document Services is offering me their Staples

Premier Platinum Member number to save on paper and ink after asking for additional fee for a Large Package of over 160 pgs.

“I’m sorry but due to recent changes in JMT’s payment policy were are no longer able to pay extra for printing, JMT does not get paid any extra for printing larger packages from the title company.

Premier Platinum Member number to save money on paper and ink.

This is the letter that I received after asking additional fee for a Large Package of over 160 pgs.

"We were able to develop a tool that is able to calculate the cost it actually takes to print these packages and we were surprised that on average it costs most of our notaries around $11 to print these packages including copies.

We have also received permission from Staples to use our Premier Platinum Member number, this will allow you the notary to save on your paper, toner and other supplies. JMT does not profit or gain anything from notaries utilizing the code. This is JMT way to help notaries cut down on the cost of printing docs. This is our way of extending our appreciation for all the work that you do for us and we hope this will enable you to cut costs and continue working with JMT.”

Reply by MW/VA on 8/20/13 2:40pm
Msg #481232

They quoted "that on average it costs most of our notaries

around $11 to print these packages including copies". I wonder how they got that data. We have to buy & maintain the printers, toner, drums, paper, etc. The industry standard used to be a fee of $25 for printing. That included, of course, the time factor, etc. Is this their way of low-balling you?

Reply by Mary_in_VA on 8/20/13 5:44pm
Msg #481291

Re: They quoted "that on average it costs most of our notaries

I read something similar sometime back, too. And, of course, it's not just paper and toner, or even just hardware, like drums, and eventually, replacement printers. It's MY TIME to check for receipt of documents, download and print them! JMT usually works with TS/Quicken, so I usually don't have the extra time I have with so many other companies: call and/or email to find out where documents are, call/email again, call borrowers to tell them I'll be late, thumb-twiddling...

I believe FedEx and Office Depot charge at least 10 cents per page to make a photocopy, and that's if you make it, not if they make it. And again, a photocopy, not a laser print! So, I think charging 10 cents per page, i.e. $25.00 to print two copies of a 125 page package, is very, very reasonable.

Reply by Mary_in_VA on 8/20/13 5:47pm
Msg #481292

Re: Sorry...meant to add...

And I consider $20 simply a minimum print fee, no matter the size, because I still have the "check to confirm documents received, download, print...." etc.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/20/13 8:09pm
Msg #481315

I'd let them do the printing if they can do it for $11, and

then overnight the docs. ;-) haha hehe
It costs more to overnight docs than it does for us to print at $25. ;-)