Posted by Gilda Murray on 7/10/13 4:10pm
Msg #476241
Signings completed at Restaurants.
Ok notary family I need your advice again because this has happened to me twice so far this year. I sincerely want to keep up my professional image and patience, "However" how should I express the issue of business tactfully when the homeowner wants to sit in front of you on your assigned time, order and eat, because they don't want their food to get cold "prior" to signing the docs. The appt. was at 10:30am today, I arrived at 10:20am and they decided to order food which came rather fast, eat, then begin signing. In the future when I notice the meeting place will be at a food place, when calling to confirm the time and place, shall I inform them if they will be ordering a meal to respectfully do so either prior to the scheduled time or after signing is complete? What would you suggest? This signing ended wrapping up 45 mins. over my usual consistent time.
| Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 7/10/13 4:14pm
Msg #476242
<<"shall I inform them if they will be ordering a meal to respectfully do so either prior to the scheduled time or after signing is complete?">> ABSOLUTELY.
If they're buying for everybody, that's another story. I would personally think I was being rude if I ate in front of someone and didn't offer them the same.
| Reply by ToniK on 7/10/13 4:24pm
Msg #476244
I would politely say that this obviously isnt a good time to close. Would they prefer to reschedule when they can provide their undivided attention or are they willing to put the food to the side and complete this closing.
You are the professional. Take control of the signing. I dont get paid to watch people eat food. Also they may spill stuff on the docs. Who wants to send back docs with syrup stains?
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/10/13 4:35pm
Msg #476245
Yes, but be kind about it... AND be sure you'll be doing it at a restaurant that doesn't mind you taking up the table. That's really important! Some of them do NOT appreciate you having a business meeting when they have customers waiting for a table.
I also ask that we always meet BEFORE they eat, not after. I've found you don't have do deal with possible dirty tables and after eating people are more chatty, have to get up to smoke or use the restroom... and a few have had a little too much wine or beer with their meal and have a hard time focusing.
| Reply by Jack/AL on 7/10/13 4:41pm
Msg #476247
As Marian in CA does is how I do. Also, I usually show up before the borrowers, but in case they arrive first, I ask them to inform the server that we'll be doing a bunch of paperwork before they eat, and to please assign us table in a back corner. That prepares the waitress/waiter and gives her/him a chance to put us in a place that is not a prime spot with high visibility.
| Reply by vegaslady/NV on 7/10/13 4:38pm
Msg #476246
I had a signing in a restaurant. When I arrived she was half way through her breakfast, offered to by my breakfast, I declined and suggested we move to a vacant table to complete her signing. We did. She was happy, I was happy.
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 7/10/13 5:53pm
Msg #476254
I always strongly discourage signing at restaurants if a borrower suggests it ... for all the obvious reasons. Also, if signing site has already been set at a restaurant I'll still suggest not. I usually say that unless they plan on ordering something that the restaurant will not like their table tied up for a business transaction. (Very uncomfortable situation when the server comes by every 5 minutes and asks if you're ready to order. Been there done that. No more.) About 90% of the time borrowers say they hadn't really thought about that, so we meet at a fast food place or Starbucks, where I always order something to drink even if borrowers don't ... and often they don't. (BTW: I always set my drink on the floor, seat next to me, windowsill, whatever, NEVER on the table). However, if borrower insists on meeting at a restaurant, I ask if they want to sign before, during or after they eat ... and schedule my arrival accordingly. If they say "during," I'm shoveling pages at 'em as they're shoveling food in their mouth.
I'm not too picky about grease stains on returned docs. Not my fault they insisted on a restaurant signing. Besides, I've seen plenty worse at their kitchen tables.
| Reply by Ireneky on 7/10/13 6:00pm
Msg #476257
McDonalds' lunch time 4 toddlers under 4, 2 highchairs, and the kids are already eating, food everywhere. What a mess !! The wife forgot to bring check as she was leaving to go home only 10 minutes away to get check ( it must have been my expression) she looks at me then turns and says oh, maybe I should Take the kids with me. Husband's food got cold as we signed his portion and were done before she got back 30 minutes later but then he took over with the kids and the food. She signed fast and I was gone. Sometimes it is longer to meet in restaurant but IMO mostly not.
That's what makes our line of work interesting. You just never know where the day is going to take you.. By the way it's really slow here or maybe I'm just too expensive.....not IMO
| Reply by Luckydog on 7/10/13 6:33pm
Msg #476262
I never sign at a restaurant where you have a "sit down" service. 1st, the server is working for tips and does not appreciate you holding up his or her tables and not eating much, or if they do eat, it takes 2 hours of her time. If you move to another table, even worse, because another server is losing out if not in their section, and they deserve to be paid, just like we do. I feel it is very inconsiderate.
I try and recommend a Starbucks, Panera Bread, McD's etc. vs a family style restaurant, and if they ask why, I tell them the truth nicely. I never had buyers eat at a closing, or if they did, they have always stopped and continued afterwards, but cannot even recall the last time that ever happened. Taking a table for a long time is no big deal in those places, and if you have to move to another one, no big deal. As a closer, you have to sort of take charge, clear a path at the table, wipe off the water rings etc. and do your stuff.
| Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/10/13 6:36pm
Msg #476263
Be upfront when confirming the closing if at a restaurant ask if they will be eating a meal? If so to please eat long before your appointment or wait until your appointment is concluded. Let them know approximately how long it will take. You can explain to them you have another appointment and must be on time.
| Reply by Gilda Murray on 7/10/13 6:54pm
Msg #476265
Thanks to each and everyone of you for your input today. I sincerely appreciate it and will follow through with your suggestions. Hope all of you have a blessed year. 
| Reply by BobbiCT on 7/11/13 6:47am
Msg #476308
Signings scheduled at Restaurants
I suggest the "waiting area" or the bar. Politely stating that there are A LOT of papers for everyone to sign, we will need Clean room on the table, and we can't afford to have food or drink spill on them, not even water.
Note: My mother and I have the privilege of listening to a couple's entire loan signing discussion while having lunch last week. We heard all about their CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT SCORES, income (apparently the loan application had it wrong), the amount they were borrowing, interest rate on loan, lender and lender fees (philosophical differences over lender, notary and title charges), escrows, etc. It always amazes me that NSAs are constantly told to keep information secure and confidential while borrowers don't seem to care that at least 3 tables of strangers around them heard all about their "confidential" refinance.
| Reply by ReneeK_MI on 7/11/13 11:58am
Msg #476346
Excellent point, Bobbi, about confidentiality
I absolutely detest 'public' closings - and I have one client who will NOT allow us to go to a borrower's home, under some imagined threat to our security (which I don't share, but I don't get to vote on it).
In public, or in purchases where the seller is present, I point but don't speak those items which are the borrower's private information. Sometimes they'll indicate that they don't mind everyone hearing - and then, so be it, it's their choice to make.
I find that a lot of people just don't think about it - it doesn't occur to them that others might be finding their personal & private information pretty interesting. Once you draw attention to it (which is what I'm doing, when I say "...and this {point} is your interest rate ...", they're more on game about it.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/11/13 6:05pm
Msg #476444
Re: Excellent point, Bobbi, about confidentiality
Totally agree, Renee. I do the {point} routine even around their dining room tables most of the time. The only exceptions might be if one of the signers has a problem seeing or reading the numbers/info. Sometimes people don't even want their kids to know the details - and we often have no idea who might be in the next room. (Could be a housekeeper, caregiver, babysitter, neighbor kid, nosy mother-in-law, etc.)
| Reply by TeriW/CA on 7/11/13 11:05am
Msg #476330
I've never had a signing at a regular sit down restaurant and agree that the servers would not want you taking up table space. They work for minimum wage (some states $2.14 an hour) and rely on tips to live on. (Tip your servers well. It could be my son 
If I have to meet at some place other than their home, I choose Del Taco because the one near me is never busy inside and has huge booths. I always order a little something and eat before the borrower gets there, then set up the table.
I've been asked to meet at Starbucks, but will suggest Del Taco instead as they are right next to each other. Starbucks has a reputation for being a good place to meet but in my experience, they play the music way too loud and the tables are too tiny.
One other thing, one of our local banks has a "community room" which anyone can use as long as they call to see if it's available. Also, community and senior centers usually have a quiet area you can use.
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