Posted by Penney/CA on 1/22/13 4:19pm
Msg #451552

Low ballers are back.

Just figured out why I am starting to get calls for signings for $65-$90. Someone in my area is accepting low fees including signings for companies that require "critical doc" faxbacks. 30+ pages. GEEZ! Wake up! You are just hurting the rest of us. These signing companies get anywhere from $150 to $200 per signing. Think about what you accept as a fee next time. Consider the time and expenses to print 2 COPIES, DRIVE TIME and FUEL, PLUS THE TIME AT THE TABLE. Then you get to come back, pull all notarized documents, scan and fax/email them, then wait for approval to send out docs. Is it really worth it? If you would hold out, all of us would be able to make a decent fee for our expertise.
Sorry....had to vent.

Reply by Bear900/CA on 1/22/13 4:27pm
Msg #451555

Sit still on hold to your price. When they get busy they will call you and then impress them with your quality work.

Reply by ToniK on 1/22/13 4:28pm
Msg #451556

Sounds like Mortgage Connect n/m

Reply by Penney/CA on 1/22/13 4:32pm
Msg #451558

Re: Sounds like Mortgage Connect

So right on ToniK...and I plan on holding firm on my fees. In my mind, you get what you pay for.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 1/22/13 4:31pm
Msg #451557

It's probably not just "someone" in your area. It's probably many, many in your area. Many who have no idea about what fees they should be charging and moreso have no idea NR even exists, so they are completely out of the loop as far as professional loan signing goes.

That the lo-ballers are calling you now indicates that the NSAs who were accepting the low fees are either no longer around or are otherwise occupied. But like sharks circling the waters, once lo-ballers got their fangs (I know, sharks don't have fangs, but SSs do) into cheeeeap notaries, they won't give up.

Just ask them why they're calling you and not their favorites who accept those fees. They'll probably just hang up on you. Or they'll say, "Everybody's accepting those fees." To which you reply again, then why aren't you calling them?

Reply by Penney/CA on 1/22/13 4:34pm
Msg #451559

They even quoted my requested fees to me and asked me to take less. I asked her, "if you have my required fees, why are you calling me for something less?" I will not accept less so don't call unless you can get your "Supervisor" to approve it before calling me.

Reply by bagger on 1/22/13 6:38pm
Msg #451573

I agree with GG 100%

It's happening to me right now.
Worked for a company several times, then they started low-balling.
Declined MANY, and I do mean MANY requests.
Just called me today and met my fee.

Methinks the low ball accepting notaries are trying to raise there fees now.
Tough to do.

Reply by Sherry_CA on 1/23/13 2:24am
Msg #451628

I never accept fax backs and i don't accept low ballers. Guys and gals...ya gotta stand firm. We are worth it and they need us! Sometimes it might take a little time for them to get that but stand firm. Isn't your time worth it too??

Reply by Bear900/CA on 1/22/13 4:55pm
Msg #451560

Here's why you don't go lower. My later reply to the last agency who tried to lowball me but paid my price"

"WOW! Customer asked me to park in the alley which was a red flag. When I saw the actual street I recognized the location as being the most dangerous in the city. There are murders, shootings and knifings there constantly. He said (jokingly) that I was safe til about 7PM. We finished at 7:30 so he walked me to my car and we joked about it still being there. There were plenty of night creatures walking about.

This is one reason I hold to my fee. Every signing has some unusual, weird and in this case, dangerous, very dangerous, aspect to it. I would never venture into this neighborhood otherwise."

Her response: "Wow is right!!! I am so sorry that you had to be in that situation last night. I really appreciate you for going out and doing this. I received everything from you. I will look forward to doing more business with you."

Reply by leeinla on 1/22/13 5:34pm
Msg #451565

I just had a conversation with a SS co. that has gotten good reviews on Notrot. She said that she can not pay above $100 because that is what she charges title. Wow, I politely told her that I guess we can't work together. On the other hand, don't complain about incomplete loan docs because you paid a notary your low fee. I also need to add that borrowers get upset (at title) when I show up and clean the mistakes of the inexperienced signing agent made during the first appointment.

Reply by LAgal on 1/22/13 5:58pm
Msg #451570

I was asked to take $60................no way

Reply by LatteLady/NV on 1/22/13 9:34pm
Msg #451601

Recently I called a SS that I had done tons of work for last year. The phone had literally stopped ringing from them. Zero calls. I asked them "What's Up?" They said that $100 was way over their base pay and that there are many other notaries willing to work for cheap. They said if I want any calls, I would have to bend over and cower to the $50 base pay with $25 for e-docs. My reply back was courteous but my inside voice was saying "Kiss my _ss."

The funny thing was, just yesterday I got a call from them and I took the job. They didn't say how much they were going to pay me for the job, but when I got the confirmation, it was for my standard $100. What gives?

Reply by MonicaFL on 1/23/13 6:24am
Msg #451631

Here is what I tell anyone who is a lowballer or tries to "negotiate" a fee (a lower one at that) - you solicited my services, thus you are "buying" my services and the fee for my services is XXX. Then they can take it or leave it. I had a call the other day - they wanted to pay $100.00 for a refi and the WHOLE package had to be faxed back. I told him my fee and then added "there will be an additional fee of $1.00 per page for faxbacks". he said, "what, you are going to charge me $100 JUST to fax back the package?" I told him, sorry I won't budge, for what you want me to do, my time is worth more than the $100 you want to pay for all of that work.

Reply by 101livescan on 1/23/13 8:57am
Msg #451653

I won't even answer their phone calls. I know who they are instantly as I program them into my contacts. NO TIME TO SAY NO to their ridiculous offers.

Had a call from Roger at SOCAL signings the other day, didn't recognize his number. Had to tell him not just NO, but HELL NO! Too low, too slow, and they take deductions!