Accepted a job then received a text that it was 263 pages, I had to print two copies and there would also be an escrow package I’d have to print two of. Would that be okay for the same fee?
No fee that I quote or accepts includes 263 pages. When I indicated a small bump was required - they found someone else.
And that’s okay. 263 pages is just massive. Someone was probably happy with the order until they got the page count.
Oh well. Something more reasonable should come along. Did one earlier that was 230 pages, but they were okay adding $20 on top of the fee for printing.
Neither order came with an accurate page count when being made available. Hope services change that habit.
I think the largest package I’ve had is somewhere in the 220-230 range………..and that is VERY rare. The good news with them is that the very large packages usually contain a lot of fluff (pages that you print but don’t have to have signed). One downside is that it’s hard to find a binder clip that will hold all of the pages. If I got a package that was 263 pages, I would ask for more money. I consider that “above and beyond” what we should be asked to do for the fee that we typically get.
I just had a package that was this size, they had a family emergency where their son was airlifted and obviously the signing was canceled. I did get a $12 print fee. The SS reached back out the following day asking if I was available the following day to go do the same signing , I was not . My printer, & paper supply, were not sad about it . I told them when I was available and I knew I would not be reassigned as It was 2-3 days later . But after having a previous package that was over 220 pages in the same week I’m ok with it as it wasn’t the highest paying signing .
I believe that is one of my biggest peeves about being a Notary. Many, many times I have asked the number of pages and it seems that nobody at the signing service ever knows. So frustrating!
I know no one here uses FedEx to print their docs….BUT
I just went to that site and checked their printing prices - 230 pages on 8X11 paper was $188; 263 pages was $265
Now, again, I know you all don’t use them, but come on! Your resources - AND your time - are just as valuable and expensive as FedEx’s…and yes, you all also have overhead - so $12 or $20 for an additional fee for that number of pages??? Think about it…seriously…think about it. And I say this with all due respect to all of you…
Sorry - these services really need to start being made accountable for some of these costs…and you guys need to review your pricing for this ridiculous amount of work..
What it costs at FedEx has nothing to do with our own costs. In my opinion. Actual cost would be a fraction of that charge. While I agree it’s worth more to sign a huge time consuming package that’s comparing apples to watermelons. That’s not realistic.
@johnsonps306 okay..how about this - tell the company “I’ll print one set of docs of that size for an additional $ (however much YOU feel is fine) - but you’ll have to send the borrowers their copy” - I’m sorry, but $20 for over 500 pages is just not fair. But you do what makes you happy and, sadly, keeps your phone ringing.
You have said several times you are no longer doing mobile signings. I’m not sure how you are determining fair if you no longer do mobile signings? If you accept a fee and then find an excessive page count you have to determine what can you ask for and get without being unassigned. I don’t do anything else. It’s always a fine line. $20 extra for over 500 pages isn’t very fair. But the first fee accepted included printing. When is that fee not enough and how do you keep the job and cover the extra costs? I surely don’t make a profit on a printing fee. $20 might cover my extra costs. Fair is subjective.
Not only are you spending on paper and toner and jumbo clips. Think about the wear and tear on your equipment. Think about your time. You do spend time printing and reviewing to make sure everything printed out correctly … right? You do spend time presenting the documents to the signers … right? You do spend time reviewing the docs after the signing to be sure nothing was missed … right? The larger the package, the more time you spend on it.
We all have to remember: If we don’t value ourselves, no one else will.
It’s called economic common sense? I did them long enough - and also did real estate in CT for 25 years - to know what is involved and also the value of doing them. But, again, you do whatever you’re happy with.
yes I wasn’t pleased that it was only $12 as of course that didn’t cover the cost of 2 copies of a novel. I am happy I got something but these companies need to realize we have real costs associated with printing along with our time preparing the package.
I have a set fee for up to 150 pages. Anything beyond that requires a fee adjust. Most companies don’t want to honor that and will find somebody that will do it no matter how big the print is, for little to nothing. I have also noticed an increase in the page count for sellers packages. They have went from 25-35 pages on average to the last two I have done were 67 and 58 pages respectively in my area.
I think anything over 150 is considered excessive! Today the Title companies are taking advantage of Signing Agents. You will be printing over 500 pages of documents. And in today’s world they want scan backs which used to be extra and is now considered inclusive.
Good for you, but next time ask for a larger bump. Now it could have been the Signing Service, but they many times are at the mercy of the Title.
We need regulation and protection in our industry, and it’s gone too long without it.
Title, Appraisers and Escrow are making more money then they were 25 yrs ago. Signing Agents are expected to make the same fee as 25yrs. ago.
If people can pay $800,000. - $1million homes and afford to pay all the prices, then they can pay $300-500. notary fees.
Do not take those massive jobs without a fee that will commensurate not only the size,but the material and time that size job will take. Our time is money too!
You can make more money on easier and smaller jobs.
I recently had a signing the instructions said approximately 150 pages, however, the document was 142 pages inclusive of both legal and letter size which required two sets of prints totalling 284 pages. Unfortunately for me the client cancelled while I was almost at his home, the signing and I was only given $10 for printing including mileage, I will no longer taking any signings from that company…because they dishonest in their instructions. As well as, the majority requires you to wait 60-90 days for payment…this makes it difficult.
Invoice them for half the agreed full signing fee, at the very least! Some may say invoice the entire fee - I guess you could give that a try since this was not your fault. I always received at least half the agreed fee if cancelled after printing, and especially after printing AND travel.
Any time I make a trip and a signing is canceled or cancels at the table I always invoice 50%. Sometimes I get that and sometimes I get an email - the last one paid $35. I was glad it was close to me. Interestingly the signer called the lender from the table and the lender said “we have everything we need to fund it’s good to go” so all those pages and forms were for title. And with numerous errors - I didn’t hear back about a re-sign. Not sure what happened. But the Deed was wrong. Marital status was wrong. The signers just said no this is too many mistakes. I was glad to get some compensation. I did have to request it.
