Posted by bfnotary on 1/21/13 6:04pm
Msg #451428

Quick question.

Ok this weekend I unexpectedly was admitted to the hospital. From the veteran notaries on this board, What is your experience with turning back signings due to real emergencies. I felt so bad, but had to return signings due to being admitted to the hospital. I guess my concern is, do the companies believe us or just think we are coming up with excuses? I felt awful, and one of them was from one of my favorite companies. I guess that is why I am worried. They give me a bulk of my signings, I don't want to burn any bridges with them. If this post isn't typed properly, sorry. I am still medicated. Trying to recoop.

Reply by Karla/OR on 1/21/13 6:16pm
Msg #451430

First of all, sorry to hear about your emergency and hope you are well soon.

I have only turned back because of being so sick and it, too, was to a company I do volume with. I could hardly get out of bed and had laryngitis as well.

My feeling is that if you have a professional record with them already that they will not think anything of it. Everyone gets sick and they don't want you going to a BO's home that way and the BO would not want you to either. There is sick, and then there is SICK! You were the latter obviously to have to end up at the hospital.

I would only worry if you have a crummy relationship built with them, and I'm sure that's not the case!!

Take care.

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 1/21/13 6:20pm
Msg #451432

In my nine years of signings, I've only turned back one and it was recent. It wasn't due to illness, but safety. Our road conditions were terrible. I personally would not worry about it. It happens. They know it happens. Notify them immediately. Even if it is only by email / voice mail. Use whatever means you have possible to reach someone. That way they can be working on reassignment asap.

Once you are well contact the companies that you have worked with, and had to cancel on, and let them know that you are once again ok and back to business. At that time you can apologize again.

Hope that you are doing ok. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Reply by ananotary on 1/21/13 6:23pm
Msg #451433

I have found that networking with notaries works best

In this circumstance. I have kids and things just plain happen. I always call my fellow notaries and see if they can step in for me. That way when I call the SS I already know who is available to step in and not left the SS scrambling.

Not all notaries network, I get that. It works for me.

Reply by bfnotary on 1/21/13 6:29pm
Msg #451437

Re: I have found that networking with notaries works best

My mom is also a notary, I emailed the companies, and also had her call on my behalf, and she picked them up for me. I guess I am a worrier, when It comes to business. Thanks all. All is well for now, I am on a couple antibiotics, and some more testing in the near future. But for now all is well.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 1/21/13 6:41pm
Msg #451444

First of all, Belinda, sorry you ended up hospitalized and pray your recovery is complete and quick.

Late in December, I had just accepted a signing from BancServ. A few minutes later, I put my back out and had to turn that signing back. When I inquired with them early January why I hadn't heard from them, I was told I was under management approval/review as I had turned something back. Of course, I questioned this. Asked them if that's what they did when people got sick or had an accident. My contact person, forwarded my inquiry to management and they decided to take the flag off.

If at some point, you notice you're not getting some of your usual calls, you may want to contact them and inquire. It may just be fluke. If not, at least you'll know and can proceed accordingly.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 1/21/13 7:20pm
Msg #451447

You're not a super-hero - you're a notary. This stuff happens, especially around this time of year. If these are companies that you have a good relationship with, they will understand. If they don't, maybe you should reconsider that relationship.

Reply by MW/VA on 1/21/13 9:11pm
Msg #451468

Good answer, Mike. I hope you're ok, Belinda.

Also, good that you had someone to refer the biz to.
I had that awful URI recently, and didn't work for most of 2 wks. I called & had to turn back some signings, but no co. that's worth anything is going to hold that against me.
Everyone needs to be extra cautious this year--there's a lot of extra bad stuff going around, not just the "flu" that's getting so much press.

Reply by LKT/CA on 1/21/13 7:29pm
Msg #451451

I hope you have a quick and speedy recovery. Rest and eat lots of chicken soup and sip lots of tea (if you can)!!

I also network with other notaries and if my schedule is booked and I cannot take a job, I refer callers to them, simply giving the scheduler the other notary's contact info. In a case where I've already accepted a job and need to cancel, I call the friend first and see if they are willing and available. If yes, then I call the hiring party and cancel with the offer of the referral. It is then up to them to accept or decline the referral but at least I didn't leave them scrambling for a replacement. That's how I handle it for jobs I've already accepted.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 1/21/13 8:02pm
Msg #451457

In 8 yrs, I've had to turn back 3. 1st one was the snow was too bad, 2nd one was I had a sinus infection, fever and 3rd my hubby's big rig broke down and I had to go get him. Stuff happens, we are human. I don't feel I ever lost any work because of any of them.

Reply by Julie/MI on 1/21/13 8:04pm
Msg #451460

Re: Quick question no biggie!

Happened to me a few times a year ago when I had to be hospitalized while pregnant and then when I had her earlier than my due date.....I simply called and they reassigned. No biggie and I wasn't held against me and I had more closings this past year than any of the past 11 years.

Reply by HisHughness on 1/21/13 11:05pm
Msg #451479

You're trying to recoop? Does that mean you had the bird flu?

Sorry, that was just such a layup I couldn't resist.

Reply by bfnotary on 1/22/13 7:11am
Msg #451492

lol hugh. I didn't want to spell recooperate wrong, which i know I just did. I wish it was just the flue. They think I have a auto immune disease in my small intestine. The hospital even had me on morphine, which in fact I did not like at all. They can't run any more tests in the intestine area until after the abscess they say I have in there is all cleared up. (which is what the 2 antibiotics are for). Then I can further the testing and get the proper treatment for the actual issue. But I am back to the signings today. Yesterday I had cancelled one for today, just in case i was still hospitalized. I called them back yesterday and was able to get the signing back. However before I realized I was going to be released last night, I had turned down 3 calls yesterday for today. (they were booked by the time I called back tho). Have a wonderful EOM all.

Reply by HisHughness on 1/22/13 7:20am
Msg #451493

Did not mean to minimize what you're going through

Sounds like quite a siege. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

Reply by bfnotary on 1/22/13 7:29am
Msg #451494

Re: Did not mean to minimize what you're going through

yes, that is what I meant. Lol, it has been a long weekend. I do feel refreshed today tho. I actually got a good night sleep last night. First time in a while that I got totally interrupted sleep. The hospital was awful, I was a walking pin cushion, constant iv's and bloodwork, and vitals every half hour. Thanks for all the thoughts everyone.