Posted by ILsigning on 1/14/13 1:00pm
Msg #450341

Which companies pay $125 or more?

I'll share if you do. You can also PM me.

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/14/13 1:22pm
Msg #450347

All of them when you refuse to work for less. n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 1/14/13 3:12pm
Msg #450382

Good answer Lee! n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 1/14/13 5:40pm
Msg #450402

That may be the best response I've ever seen in DW n/m

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 1/14/13 8:21pm
Msg #450430

You are right, Lee.

As a business owner, you have to be willing to say "No thank you" to some people that call and want to cheapen the value you offer (your services, knowledge, skills, convenience, etc.).

Some of those that call are not your customers. Businesses cannot stay in business marketing to and discounting their fees to people/companies that are not in their target market.

I've had some companies that paid me my fees without any issues years ago then they wanted to start dropping what they were willing to pay. I refused to lower my fees and allowed them to move on. Some returned and some didn't. Some have even gone out of business but not before stiffing a lot of NSA's first after they lowered what they were willing to pay.

Either way, I refuse to do 3-5 times the work to have higher overhead and make the same, or less, profit while putting more wear and tear on my car, printers, and myself.

Reply by 101livescan on 1/15/13 10:07am
Msg #450480

Re: You are right, Lee.

Right on, Moneyman and Lee. Now, if we could just get everyone to follow this business plan, we wouldn't have low ball companies on the playing field. They'd be forced to leave the game.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 1/14/13 1:22pm
Msg #450348

Re:New month, new year, more newbies? OH BOB where are you? n/m

Reply by ILsigning on 1/14/13 1:25pm
Msg #450350

Re: Re:New month, new year, more newbies? OH BOB where are you?

I've been in this business full time since 2006.

Reply by ABR on 1/14/13 1:32pm
Msg #450353

Re: Re:New month, new year, more newbies? OH BOB where are you?

IL, although I'm not a new notary, I occasionally get on notary rotary to pose a question or two.

It appears that sometime you will run into other notaries who really want to help and give good advice and then you have some that see to only want to lurk around, find interesting subjects and respond negative. I simply ignore them, keep moving forward and I do just fine. There are companies that are willing to pay $125, I will personally email them to you.

Thanks,

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 1/14/13 1:43pm
Msg #450357

" OH BOB where are you? You talkin'n' to me???!!! n/m

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 1/14/13 1:43pm
Msg #450356

there are lots...need to market yourself a bit more

aggressively...

and keep in mind, what one company will pay for an nsa in CA may not be the same for one in IL.

asking to share $$$ client lists from other nsa's could result in a fruitless effort...but good luck there...

Reply by nccltnotary on 1/14/13 1:45pm
Msg #450358

I am trying to get my fees to that level, however, I have to wait and see if I will get calls from the companies I have requested the updated fees. However, it seems that most are wanting you to keep the same fees for years and it is just not possible if you want to be profitable.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 1/14/13 2:26pm
Msg #450367

Nccltnotary. Which companies pay $125 or more?

Have you heard this....we don't pay that high in NC other places yes but not there.

Reply by nccltnotary on 1/14/13 2:37pm
Msg #450373

Re: Nccltnotary. Which companies pay $125 or more?

Yes, but I do think it is time that the fees reach this rate because cost of living is higher, taxes are higher, fuel is higher, and supplies are higher. I have been doing this for 4 years and I can see that it is time for higher fees be it NC or anywhere else. The XXX should now be $125 or higher. We can't keep the same fees forever.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 1/14/13 2:26pm
Msg #450369

That's just one of the problems with accepting low-ball fees. Once you're tabbed as accepting $60, it's almost impossible to get $XXX.

If you market to companies requesting references and the references you give are those low-ball payers, the company you've just approached knows you accept $XX. Why should they pay any more?

But, I do wish you good luck in changing your fees to a more reasonable level.

Reply by La Trese Breaux on 1/14/13 2:54pm
Msg #450380

you are soo right.

Reply by Luckydog on 1/14/13 3:10pm
Msg #450381

I have been doing this almost 9 years and have remained the same price since day 1. Whenever I try to raise, my work decreases. Good luck trying to get $125.00, they have to get it approved and then never call back. I am in Florida, and unless it is a large package or something out of the norm, $100.00 is about average here. Sad, but we are at the end of the totem pole, and volume makes up the difference over being the highest and not getting the calls. We get shafted on every end it seems. Personally for me, I will eat the price difference to stay busier. At that price though, If something is extra, I let them know about it, such as large fax backs, large package etc. and will not go less than my standard fee. It's your own call and your own business.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/14/13 7:21pm
Msg #450415

In my ten years in this business, I've found that the best - if not ONLY - way to get a fee increase is to find new, better clients who are willing to pay more. In all those years, I've had many companies tell me that they were having to cut their fees and could now only pay so much, etc. I've NEVER had a company voluntarily raise their fees (apart from extenuating circumstances; I'm talking base, standard fee). During that time, I've upgraded my knowledge, skill and technology (and I'm still working on all of that) and I believe I'm worth more. Many times, earning more has meant letting go of high volume clients.

It's a never ending process - and geography does make a difference. But we each have to decide what we're willing to live with and what business model we want to pursue. For some, that may mean "I will eat the price difference to stay busier" and for others it may mean I will do the necessary work to find better clients and get better at what I do so they will want to call me. (And some of us will find that membership in an active, quality, statewide notary network (if possible) will help. )

One more thing, though, is that I don't believe it's reasonable or fair to come anonymously to a forum like this and expect someone else to turn over their list. I have no idea who the OP of this thread is, how good they are at this business, or where they're located. They may be wonderful (or not...) but could be in the backyard of someone who has been an active contributor to this forum for many years and who currently works for some of the same companies on any list I might have to offer. Why should I potentially risk undercutting someone from whom I've learned much over the years (or whatever) by just handing over that info to an unknown person who never contributes here?

I'm not trying to be mean, just offering a different perspective and my honest opinion....

Reply by anotaryinva on 1/14/13 4:02pm
Msg #450385

Just say no to those $100 jobs

The $125-$150 will call. Really they will. I have one favorite co who will only go to $110. I say sure if within 5 miles and not 5-6-or 7pm

Reply by Jack/AL on 1/14/13 4:13pm
Msg #450386

I don't know. We've not found each other, yet. n/m

Reply by CarolF/NC on 1/14/13 5:14pm
Msg #450399

JackAl I hit the LIKE Button can you see it (lol) n/m

Reply by BobtheElder on 1/14/13 5:00pm
Msg #450393

Re: Just say no to those $100 jobs

Business might slow down for a while, but it seems to pick back up once it sinks in that you aren't going to work for less. Be firm and just ignore the ones who always lowball anyway. They'll either come around or go away.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/14/13 7:26pm
Msg #450416

Re: Just say no to those $100 jobs

I know who you are talking about who offers $110 - I just received a payment from them at day 56. Had to remind them to pay me even though I followed their invoicing instructions. I rarely work for them and when I do it's only in my zip code. Now with 56 day pay I will say no when they call. They usually call me for areas way outside my zip code and no-can-do for $110.

You are right - the $125/$150 companies are out there and they will call. Notaries in populated areas will never get that from the large national TC's, but there ARE companies out that that value QUALITY and will pay for it.

Reply by BarbaraL_AZ on 1/14/13 4:53pm
Msg #450390

Set your fees and ...

stick to them! They are asking for YOUR services, you are not asking them for THEIR services! You can negotiate your rate(s) a little if you desire. It works for me all the time.

Reply by LKT/CA on 1/14/13 6:22pm
Msg #450406

Business owners CHARGE

If you wonder what a company PAYS, you have an *employee* mentality. I'd rather work *smart* than hard - meaning, I'd rather handle 4 loan signings at $125+ each, than handle 8 loan signings at $65 each. Volume = more work at lower fees to be on par with less work at professional fees.

Several posters here except the 2 bit, lowball fees then under the guise of "venting", they bellyache, whine and moan about the lowball behavior that comes with 2 bits fees (i.e. whole package fax backs, 100+ mile roundtrip travel distance, the handholding, call the SS before/during/after the signing, 90+ days for payment, etc.).

If notaries on this board want to accept 2 bit fees - go for it. But nobody wishes to hear your griping about what you WILLINGLY agreed to.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 1/14/13 8:03pm
Msg #450426

Exactly! n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/14/13 8:19pm
Msg #450429

Amen to that!!!!!

One of the most important lessons to learn is that we are NOT employees. We are individual business owners. These companies are the customers shopping around. We set the fees and they choose to purchase our services or not. They do NOT tell us what to do or how to run our business.

It's like I always say, do you walk in to Best BUy looking for a top of the line refrigerator and go up to the sales guy with $100 and say, "I need this this unit but I only have $100 for you."

No... they'd laugh you out of the store or direct you to the little mini-fridges to find something in your budget.

We sell our services based on our own individual business needs and profit margins requirements. These companies can meet your fees or not.