Posted by Tudi/CA on 6/6/13 8:49pm
Msg #472508

Cut rate/2nd rate Express Package Delivery Services

There's a cut rate/2nd rate express delivery service in CA that more clients seem to be requesting because it's much cheaper than FedEx or UPS. The service offers cheap rates ($20) for overnight delivery. The rates may be good for whoever is paying the bill, but it's a PITA for the Notary to deal with. Sending one package through this company took 3 hours of my time and cost me $15. The company doesn't offer packing materials, so the notary has to go to the store and buy a high quality envelope, label and tape to package it ($10-$13). Next, the drop boxes are all inside office buildings with no nearby street parking, so you have to pay $5. to enter the garage to drop the package. Next, the office buildings and their parking lots are often locked after hours, so you can't get to the box (although they advertise the last pick-up as 8:00 PM). Finally, since there are only drop boxes, you can't get a receipt showing you dropped the package. The delivery service says "just put the docs in a plain manilla envelope"...yeah, right...150 pgs in a flimsy manilla envelope? What if they don't make it there in one piece and you don't have a reciept to show you dropped off the package? I'm thinking about charging $30 extra for anyone requesting this delivery service, because it's three times worse than dealing with fax backs. In the past, I've just turned the case away if they're using this service because it is such a PITA to deal with. Is anyone else dealing with this type of thing and what you all doing?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/6/13 9:01pm
Msg #472509

$20 for overnight delivery isn't a deal by any stretch of

the imagination for title companies with volume - the discount they get through UPS and FedEx is phenomenal and they pay maybe $10 for overnight delivery...

Judging by the way that particular company is doing busienss I'd guess they're not going to be around for long.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 6/6/13 9:56pm
Msg #472512

Re: $20 for overnight delivery isn't a deal by any stretch of

When I use any of these type of type of services I use FedEx or UPS envelopes and no one cares.
In fact a couple of months ago I was walking FedEx packages to the drop box by my office and I noticed that one of the airbills was UPS.
I got to the UPS store in the same center and told them I had put the docs in a FedEx envelope and the manager said "we don't care what envelope it's in" and took it from me.

Ontrac, California Overnight, Norco? (not sure of spelling), Goldenstate are just some of the ones that I have dealt with and they will pick up at your office/home.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 6/6/13 9:31pm
Msg #472511

GSO? n/m

Reply by Tudi/CA on 6/6/13 10:22pm
Msg #472515

Re: GSO?

Yes...GSO

Reply by ananotary on 6/6/13 11:55pm
Msg #472520

Re: GSO?

Hate GSO. Closest box is 6 miles from me. All the other cut rate services are near me. At month end I had a company want docs back via GSO next day. My response; send a FedEx slip or it goes out the following day. I think you have to have the account number to schedule a pick up.

I also use whatever envelopes I have. FedEx or UPS.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 6/7/13 12:04am
Msg #472522

Account #

I haven't had an issue with getting an account number for these types of services.

Perhaps that's just my experience over the years.

I mostly deal with OnTrac and that's because I do a lot of car loan signings for one company.

Reply by Tudi/CA on 6/7/13 12:37am
Msg #472525

Re: Account #

So if you have an account number, they'll pick it up at your house? Whose account number do you use...the Title company where it's being sent to? Or would I have to open an account myself? Do they pick up packages at residential addresses?

Reply by Luckydog on 6/7/13 10:26am
Msg #472546

Re: Account #

Hope they stay away from Florida! The more notaries who "accommodate" these guys, and they get their packages on time, they will continue to use them. Perhaps you all need to be late on the docs getting back to them. Soon they will stop with that garbage trying to save a few bucks.
I agree, if they use a 2nd class service, you have a $25.00 service charge for the inconvenience to you trying to a find a box, and/or arrange for pickup.

Reply by Tudi/CA on 6/7/13 12:49pm
Msg #472558

Envelopes & air bills

I went to their web-site last night & it showed a picture of their envelopes & air bills. So I emailed them & asked how I could get a supply of them to keep in my office. They replied that there's a supply of them kept at their box locations....yeah, right...that must be why they also tell their clients to use plain manilla envelopes...and why everyone is using FedEx & UPS envelopes to drop off in GSO drop boxes. I think this outfit are a bunch of liars as well as being a PITA to deal with.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/7/13 4:05pm
Msg #472573

Re: Envelopes & air bills

I set up an account with them in order to do some apostille work a while back and was able to get some supplies. (This reminds me I need to request some more...) They have a drop box reasonably close to a FedEx ship center I'm at almost every day, so I've never had a problem with them. I also use FedEx envelopes in a pinch, and have been told to just write the address and account number on the outside, although most of the time I've been sent a shipping label. If there's a problem with deliver, it's not my mine, as they're the ones who requested that shipper.

I do, however, prefer to use a service that has tracking numbers - and a place where I can hand the package to someone and see that it gets entered into their system on the spot.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 6/7/13 11:35pm
Msg #472622

Re: Account #

Get an account number from the company that hired you. Yes, they will pick up at house or office.

I don't think these companies are as difficult to deal with compared to a UPS Store
UPS Stores are very difficult to deal with as they won't take "hand written air bills".