Posted by RIcloser on 10/17/13 9:06pm
Msg #488527

SigningStream

Thanks to the Orange Button search, I am spared! After I declined $80 for a 150-page package with fax backs, requirement to call immediately upon arrival or $5 fine, immediately updating website or $5 fine, immediately faxing back or $5 fine...I got a call from Chris Parsons explaining their stringent requirements are to satisfy and keep their lender and title expectations from professional notaries and how their system is state-of-the art. I replied that I declined because of the inordinate amount of negative comments. He said they've improved and they now pay within only 60-75 days. I told him the entire offer was unacceptable to me. He continued to defend his company policies and could increase the offer by $5. I told him that he can give another notary the opportunity the be a part of his prestigious team.

Reply by RIcloser on 10/17/13 9:12pm
Msg #488530

Well, it wasn't only bc of the negative comments. Even if there weren't any, I would never had accepted his ludicrous offer! Wonder who will??

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/17/13 9:44pm
Msg #488538

OMG!

He sounds delusional. Really. First of all, Signing Stream is TOXIC. As are all of its previous permutations that ended in LOTS of misappropriated notary fees. Additionally, unless I'm mistaken, Signing Stream was the author and creator of Bad Notary ... or whatever the name of that short lived shred-the-notary Web site was.

I also don't think much of his deduction system - kinda like grade school. Demerits for chewing gum, talking in class. If you ask me, he should be going the other way... adding $5 for each of the insane things he expects for no money .... faxbacks, huge packages, calling upon arrival, etc. In any case, he's treating notaries like the baffoons he thinks we are. Let him go ... well, you know .....

Reply by 101livescan on 10/18/13 12:21am
Msg #488556

Re: OMG!

They are also good buddies on Facebook with the owner of Quick Loan Signing, Inc. wherever they are located these days, as there is no business license out there to match their corporate filing with the CA DOC.

It's like trying to guess which walnut shell has the bean?

Reply by RIcloser on 10/17/13 9:49pm
Msg #488539

Notary Service Agreement
This agreement ("Agreement") serves as the entire agreement between you ("your", "Notary"), a Notary Public asked to conduct a document signing on our behalf, and Signing Stream Inc. ("We", "us", "Signing Stream"), a nationwide document signing corporation. Your acceptance of this signing appointment constitutes your agreement to the following Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully.

Fees And Compensation
Your payment for this assignment will be disbursed within 30 days after we receive funds. Our clients will usually pay Net 30 after the month in which this signing took place. Please remember this and allow enough time for your payment to be made. No late payment penalty will be charged by you for any variances in agreed upon payment amounts or dates.

In exceptional circumstances beyond our control, some Escrow Companies do not pay for completed notary agent services in the event the loan file does not close (or fund). If Signing Stream does not receive payment for your services rendered (either from Escrow or the Lender), then you may not receive any compensation. Signing Stream Inc. cannot be liable for any fees or expenses you incur in the event that we do not receive payment from Escrow or the Lender for any reason whatsoever. Please note that we make every effort to collect payment from Escrow clients for services rendered, and files that do not close or fund are uncommon.

a) If the signing is refused by the borrower, you may receive up to half the original agreed upon signing fee. Your agreed upon signing fee is for a full loan package signing. In cases where the signing turns out to be a partial signing with a smaller subset of docs from the loan package, your fee may and will be revised downward to reflect the reduced time and expense.

b) If you do not attend and successfully complete a signing assignment, otherwise known as a "no show", you agree that this may cause us irreparable harm and loss of revenue, the total amount of which may be difficult to ascertain. In the event of a failure to attend and complete a signing appointment on time, you agree to forfeit your fee for any and all assignments you have completed for Signing Stream Inc.

c) For every mistake that occurs on your signing, including failure to complete any requirements, we reserve the right to deduct a portion or all of your signing fee. If your mistakes result in a redraw, we may deduct your entire fee. Delays in completing and/or returning loan documents may result in additional fee deductions. Also, you accept financial responsibility for any delays resulting in expired rate locks, losses by the client, lost revenues by Signing Stream Inc., or any additional expenses incurred by Signing Stream Inc. as a result of your signing errors, mistakes, delays, or omissions. Signing Stream Inc. may reduce your signing fee to offset any such losses or expenses.

d) If you are asked to Check-in from your appointment, complete a Quality Control Check or a Status Update online, faxback signed documents, or accept appointments, and these critical steps are not completed, we may deduct from your signing fee the portion we are paying you to complete those activites.

e) You agree not to contact our clients directly for payment because this will inconvenience them. If you do contact our client directly to inquire about payment, we may share your misconduct with other title companies and signing agencies nationwide and on public forums online.

f) We reserve the right to cancel your assignment or signing appointment for any reason whatsoever at any time up to one (1) hour before the appointment time. In the event that your appointment is cancelled more than one hour before your appointment, you agree there will be no fees or expenses owed to you by Signing Stream. If your appointment is cancelled within one (1) hour of the appointment time, we may, at our own discretion, credit you for printing fees.

Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Signing Stream Inc. harmless from and against any and all liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims and causes of action arising out of, or in connection with, your performance or non-performance of duties and obligations hereunder, whether as a result of your negligence or willful misconduct.

Independent Contractor
It is expressly agreed and understood that you are performing services on behalf of Signing Stream as an independent contractor and not as an employee, partner, joint venture, or representative of Signing Stream. Furthermore, this Agreement does not create a partnership or joint venture between the parties, and is exclusively a contract for service.

Assignment & Modification
You will not assign, subcontract, or otherwise delegate or transfer any of the rights, obligations, or duties under this Agreement without the express written consent of Signing Stream.

Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the sole and entire agreement and understanding between you and Signing Stream with respect to your engagement by Signing Stream as an Independent Contractor.

Waiver And Governing Law
If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, all other provisions will continue to be valid and enforceable. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, Orange County, exclusively.

Signing Stream Inc., a California Corporation. 2013 All Rights Reserved.

Reply by sueharke on 10/17/13 10:31pm
Msg #488542

in reading the terms, I think the IRS might take them to behavioral control and thus making notaries employees. This would me that SS would have to issue a W-2, withhold medicare, FICA, income tax and pay matching to the government. What do other readers of this post think?

Reply by John Tennant on 10/17/13 10:41pm
Msg #488544

I agree with everything you have stated Sue. Anyone who has worked for them under this agreement should inquire to the IRS regarding those deductions and matching payments. JMHO

Reply by RIcloser on 10/18/13 12:01am
Msg #488554

Interesting! "Refer to your copy of the Notary Service Agreement GOVERNING your work for us." - (from email...Caps added.)

Reply by sueharke on 10/18/13 12:46am
Msg #488558

For any CA notaries, contract the Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization as these agencies are leading the misclassification of Independent Contractors. All information from these agencies are shared with the IRS.

Notaries in other states, determine your state taxing agency for this issue.

Reply by RIcloser on 10/18/13 1:37am
Msg #488561

Re: SigningStream n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/18/13 3:23am
Msg #488563

Whoever said "delusional" was right, imo.

Better yet, just don't work for them at all. I can't imagine being desperate enough to agree to sign a contract like that. It's just plain insulting.

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/18/13 7:40am
Msg #488569

Ditto to the Max! n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 10/18/13 7:47am
Msg #488570

Who in their right mind would sign a self-serving contract like this one? And then wait 60 days for payment? Are they out of their heads? Completely one way street in favor of Signing Stream. Hail 4 and 5 star companies. Leave the rest to the novices who think they can run a notary signing business on peanuts.

Reply by 101livescan on 10/17/13 10:23pm
Msg #488541

I had this very conversation with Chris a few weeks ago. They are huge joke. Maybe they will shut down if we shut them off.

Reply by HrdwrkrVA on 10/18/13 9:26am
Msg #488585

Every other paragraph end w/ "at our discretion". the only

thing missing is the paragraph that states "upon perfect completion of all of the above requirements, we reserve the right to pay said notary at our dicretion".

Business will never be slow enough to work for an outfit like this:
- lowball fees
- excessively large package
- faxbacks w/o compensation
- excessive hand-holding
- they only pay print fees if cxld within 1 hr... at their discretion!!! The nerve!
- with all their deductions, they are telling you: WE WILL NOT MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THROW THE NOTARY UNDER THE BUS!!!

Anyone who works for them, almost deserves them. Even if you're not aware of NotRot... run - run like the wind in the opposite direction!

SMH!

Reply by Kelly Tucker on 10/18/13 9:54am
Msg #488595

Thank you all for warning me about Signing Stream. Not knowing their reputation, I accepted an assignment form them last night. this morning I reread the Service Agreement. The rules seemed set to use any means to either not pay the Notary or reduce a Notary's pay. I was concerned about what I read, so I went onto Notary Rotary to check them out. Wow! I cannot thank you all enough!!! I have cancelled the assignment.