Posted by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/3/13 10:26pm
Msg #479201

JanetK CA made this interesting comment yesterday:

<<<I don't know how long the archives of this forum go back, but lets say it's 10 years.>>>

As far as I know, the archives start with Message #1, which, naturally, was from Harry himself, welcoming notaries to the general discussion forum, on Dec. 30, 2002.

It wasn't until Jan. 3, 2003, that the first notary was brave enough to post. Message #2 was from Fay Hudson of CA, who asked what she needed to know about out-of-state docs. (Can you imagine going 4 days without a post here these days?).

The first response to her was from "colorless/AZ," and it was indeed colorless, because there was no message. Just blank. (Colorless probably had nothing the say; was just fiddling around trying to figure out how the forum worked. Obviously, these were the days before "n/m.")

And the second and final response was, fittingly, from the best of us, PAW, who gave an overview on state witness requirements, as well as some great pointers in his always helpful, professional manner.

So, timewise, JanetK wasn't off far. We should have celebrated our 10 year anniversary last December! Now, our messages have topped 479,000, and there's no end in sight!

Reply by Les_CO on 8/4/13 6:35am
Msg #479203

Yesterday you posted ‘your’ rules about posting here, today it’s about “our” anniversary and messages, with a nod to Harry about the first post….While I would agree that the discussion here is driven by the guest members and participants, is it still not Harrys site; and is this this forum is still titled “Discuss Work”?

Reply by HisHughness on 8/4/13 8:39am
Msg #479205

Could someone please recommend a good laxative to Les? Perhaps that would help his sh!itty outlook.

Reply by Les_CO on 8/4/13 10:05am
Msg #479207

Caution another out-of-topic-post

Yesterday I had All Bran for breakfast, about as interesting and flavorful as the posts here. And I would assume that it should have been spoon fed to me. But today I plan on having Huevos Rancheros with hot green chili, and a side of grilled Serrano’s, spiced with use the orange search button, Google is your friend, and experience is a great teacher. JMO

Reply by 101livescan on 8/4/13 10:13am
Msg #479208

Still the Finest Notary Forum in Existence

It's refreshing to see this board has survived so much, many have come and gone, some more outstanding than others, some were exiled. It's a great forum, my hat is off to the Shoemakers who have supported this forum through thick and thin.

Since we missed our tenth year anniversary, I think it is appropriate to salute notaryrotary.com and its founders on this day, August 4, 2013 and be grateful we have such a fine forum to share information with for so long a period. Clearly, some of our members are a long way from adulthood, but managed to survive infancy and puberty.

There will always be newcomers, there will always be those who see the glass half empty, not half full, those who can't make lemonade from lemons, and the doomsayers.

I prefer to align myself with those who have positive outlooks, those who bring much to the table and have stuck with this biz through thick and thin since the beginning of this forum. These are the troopers, movers, shakers and doers, they are the ones I treasure the most. We will always have people coming onto this board who will only earn $50-$95 a signing for edocs and faxbacks because that is all they aspire to. Those who will tolerate payment 45 to 90 days out, those who say, oh well, I'm being dinged for $5 to $35 by a three time loser company, and other companies with the same business model, skim the cream off the top and the bird seed to the little NSA who does 95% of the work.

We can draw all kinds of maps on Treasure Island and where/how to find the gold, but few will discover it because you have to lead them by the nostrils, hand them the shovel and point to the exact digging spot. That's just how it is. We just need to be NICER forum of professionals if possible. If we are asked for advice, we need to be nicer about it or not give advice and refrain from negative opinions.

Posters have been talking about $50 companies for over 10 years now, as well as the slow pay, no paying ones. It's our own fault if we allow them to prosper by working for them. How was SOX able to sustain their business for so long? Because people worked for them, they always found someone who would accept their policies of low pay, slow pay, and finally NO PAY when they went out of business this year. THERE ARE MORE TO GO DOWN THIS YEAR...beware of these new companies who cropped up last year, you'll begin to notice they are already not answering their phones and not paying notaries, but keeping the entire signing fee for themselves and folding their tents.

By only working for the best, it is possible to avoid all this drama.

Have a great day, everyone!

Reply by MW/VA on 8/4/13 11:59am
Msg #479214

Thanks for giving us the history of the Forum. I've been

around for a few years, but not back that far.
Yes, IMO it's the best site/forum there is, and I don't even bother with the others.
Thanks to all who contribute their wisdom, knowledge & expertise on a daily basis. I learn something new (g/b/u) every day. :-)

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/4/13 8:56pm
Msg #479244

Good ole days (are still here)

Just to show how much things *haven’t* changed, here’re some excerpts from some of the very first NR posts 11 years ago:

LATE DOCS: I have a problem with documents getting to me on time. I do my best and always get them sent out on time, but I have lost jobs because the docs have not been sent to me in time. Anyone have this problem?

NONPAYMENT: I would like to Express my condolences to a Signings company who operates Nationwide who does not pay their notaries! Shame on you! I have asked you for payment 6 times and it has been three months since I signed for you. Believe me, it is the last time! She should be ashamed of herself!

I have a signing service that has went out of business and left owing me $$. Want to know if anybody has shared my experience with this Co. and if they have gotten any satisfaction.

I have been doing mobile signings for loan docs for over 5 years and I would be willing to give you the name of companies you should not do any business with.

I've been signing for these companies for quite sometime and neither of them have bothered to pay me. The only other company that has failed me is Express Signings and I filed a complaint with the BBB in California on them. I can't live off love alone! I'm considering sending them to collection if they don't make an effort to pay me for my services. Any other suggestions? Notary America our of Tucson has really nice gals working there but their payroll dept isn't sending the money to me for my services-they owe me around 800 to 1000 already. Needless to say-they must like my services or they wouldn't use me-sure at free it's a good price-don't ya think?

A gal out of Florida got me to do a signing over a 100 miles away from home and still hasn't paid me-she owes me a 100.00.

Just thought I'd post to let everyone know that this company "skipped town."
I tried to contact them by every means I could and even had a friend stop by their offices to see if they are still in business. Sure enough, they have disappeared. They also owe me $50. Further, I contacted the Settlement Agent (the title company that I did the actual signing for) and they have agreed to pay me the money.... it DOES pay to keep good records AND to see if the Settlement Agent could pay you if this ever happens to you.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: I'm looking for a company that has a good track record (title co) that will pay more often than monthly.

FIRST NEWBIE POST: Hello. I am a new notary. I've had my commission for a couple months. The gal who got me into this biz has stopped providing me with assistance (I think she's very, very busy) in the loan doc area. I've recently become the exclusive for a lender and now (Yikes) I have several loan doc signings to do this month BUT NO EXPERIENCE. The good news is that I am a Realtor, so I have a basic understanding of loan docs, but I don't know which ones require a notary's seal. If anyone could help me, I would really, really appreciate it. Thank you for your time. Cathie

FIRST NICE RESPONSE TO A NEWBIE: Hi Cathie - Here are some resources: Signing Registry Training Guide, Just Point and Sign, Reeves-Hary signing agent training, NNA signing agent certification course - prices vary. There's a no-charge loan signing overview at columbusnotary.com. Good luck to you! Myla Holmes.


FIRST (AND MAYBE LAST) ‘THANK YOU’ FROM A NEWBIE: Myla, thanks for the information. I read so much yesterday that my head is spinning! Again, thanks for the answer to my question. It is very much appreciated. Take care, Cathie

SECOND NICE RESPONSE TO A NEWBIE (and first ‘take your time’ mantra): Cathie, Go through your docs. Look for where your notary is required. Take your time. You will be fine. The mortgage may require initials (look on the bottom of the page). The note may require the same initials. Take your time. You will do great. I must say that the Columbus Notary Signing Training is a great help. Join NNA you can’t go wrong. Make sure you get proper ID. Docrunner.

NEWBIE STILL DOESN’T GET IT: So they say where to notarize, Docrunner? I went through my personal loan docs and it was unclear. Again, thanks for the info. If anyone wants to email me privately, please do so in order not to bore all the seasoned signers. Cathie

FIRST PIA POST: I was looking for this so that LES CO might have some company, but nothing popped up. Guess he’ll have that distinction all to himself (thank gawd).