Or are some signing agencies just clueless?
I got a text this morning from someone I've never had any contact with (except for a previous text I ignored), that just said "Request:", followed by date (today), time, complete address, a fee offer, request for scan, followed by "Available?" and the name of the agency. They're in SC, but no reviews or comments, and the website link didn't work. An online search found another site, but the About Us page was blank.
My reply a few hours later, (admittedly a little snarky, but not as bad as what I first wrote): "Don't know where you got my contact into, but I've never heard of your company, your offer doesn't match my fees, and I'm very selective who I work with - especially via a text blast. I'm sure you'll find someone else." [I wouldn't have bothered, except this one was down the street from me and caught my attention. Also, I've been trying to reduce these types of texts.]
Their reply: "Sorry, already assigned"
My reply: "Please remove me from your data base."
Their reply: "Found you on [another directory] Remove there"
LOL!! Seriously?! I just had to share this...
BTW, a heads up for newer notaries who may have been trained/indoctrinated to think differently... When we accept an assignment, we're essentially extending credit to the hiring party. We're committing a segment of our time that could be used for something else, using up our own supplies, and burning our own fuel & time to get there, on the hope that they'll actually pay us as agreed. That can be a very risky assumption in this business.
I want to know something about a hiring company before I extend them that credit. If someone sends me a blind request like this with no introduction, it's showing zero respect for me as a professional. They're saying we're a commodity, and anyone with a stamp will do. Great. Then go find someone else with a stamp who doesn't know any better...
If a company wants to hire my expertise, then show me the courtesy of a phone call to give me a chance to ask about them. I get that schedulers/owners are busy and just trying to fill a slot, but this person found time to send replies to my texts...
There are a couple of very small regional operators I work with from time to time because they did make a phone call, answered my questions, and were open about their experience, procedures, policies, or whatever, for me to have enough trust to accept at least one assignment. It went well, I was paid timely, and have continued to accept some occasional work, when available.
Just saying... |
