I have had a lot of cancelled signings, some just an hour or so before the appointment. I wish we could all get compensated somehow for them. I have turned down others because I’ve committed to that time slot and just like that, I’m out $100+. Too many lenders get away with it and no appology. Frustrating.
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If you’ve printed the docs, you should be compensated with a print fee and maybe a shredding fee also. Otherwise, do a research on the company on some of the other notary forums. You might find that a certain company is famous for giving you the assignment but continues looking for someone else who will work for less. Cancellations happen, but they shouldn’t happen frequently.
I had one scheduled for yesterday morning at 11 am. Received and printed the docs the night before and spoke to the borrower. Borrower told me she had questions on the fees. I told her to contact the mortgage broker or loan officer and we would talk the day of the closing. I never heard back from her. I emailed the company that assigned the closing as well as the title company numerous time. Finally at 4pm on the day of the signing I was told it’s not closing today. I don’t blame the assigning company or the title company I blame the mortgage broker loan officer. I’m out the closing, paper, toner and 8 hrs.
Only if you let yourself be - I’d send an invoice for the printing fee - as for the 8 hours, that’s your call. If you have a cancellation fee built into your contracting agreements, I’d bill them also for a cancellation fee for waiting on them all day keeping your time open for them.
Remember - it’s in your hands. You’re out those fees only if you allow yourself to be.
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I agree compensation is due to notaries and I also don’t think we should not settle for half the fee when a borrower decides not to close after we have done our job entirely, printing and traveling and many times remaining at the home longer than normal while the borrower tries to get the error corrected… We are penalized for errors by the lenders and or title companies. I doubt this will ever change - Title source is a stickler for this rule.
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Appointment set for 3 o’clock,
Printed docs at 2 o’clock, 1 hour before appointment .
At 2:15 received notice loan has been canceled and I’ve been removed. Next message is signing date and time is T.B.D.
At 3:30 I get a call from the client ( quite peeved ) as to why I am not there with the paper work.
Neither the loan officer or lender bothered to notify the borrower.
I see these last minute cancellations quite a bit. It should be up to the Loan officer, lender or title company to inform the borrower…
At least the title co paid a print fee…
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Cancellation fees should be stated in each company’s term or service. If it is not, then I make sure when I speak with the either the title company or notary locating service to set a cancellation fee. However, ever since I became a notary, over a year ago, I have always been compensated for any cancellations, usually about half the total fee, which I feel is very fair especially, if they cancel with short notice or at the signing table. But a cancellation fee, just like the signing fee, is something that should be discussed and settled on at the time of accepting the assignment. Our time and efforts are worthwhile and we should NEVER WORK FOR FREE. After all, we are not in the business just for fun or as a hobby. We are businesses and, just like every other business, we are in it to make a profit.
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What you describe goes with the deal. If the signing cancels and you’ve printed the docs and made a trip for nothing, you should receive printing and a gas fee of some sort. Like you, I’ve turned down many signings because of stupid stuff. The lenders or signing service won’t apologize because it’s not in their DNA. The notary is at the bottom of the food chain. I get it. 
What if the signer gets cold feet once you’re already AT the table? Her husband read the fine print and they realized this debt settlement program would not be appropriate for them. National Paralegal & Notary kept 40% of my fee.
Your thoughts?
Well, that’s but one reason why many experienced NSAs won’t do this type of signing.
Did a signing on 8/07/19 for a refi by an signing service. 4 months later signing agency asked if I could "resign the same borrowers on 12/30/19. I agreed got a new confirmation for second signing about 60 pages and sent a confirmation for 12/30/19 with a new fee, confirmed the fee with signing agency 12/30/18. I even copied the notes by the signing agency about the fee and second signing. My invoices, and collection letters go unanswered. So I called title 2/28/20 for payment.
I believe the consumer financial protection bureau would be very interested in my documents 3/2/20 I am doing my complaint to CFPB. Who out there is with me? Or wants to reply?
from your month/keypad to Gods ears. But in wr signing agencies will do anything to protect their profit, and could care less about what costs notaries expend to complete a signing for a borrower or 2.
Bottom line is you completed a 60 page signing on 12/30/19 and as of 2/28/20, you’ve not been paid and so contacted Title co to let them know SS they hired is not paying you. OK. So, what is Title going to do? Hopefully, lean on SS. CFPB isn’t going to do anything as you are not a ‘consumer’. Just keep bugging both SS & Title every. single. day. Not being paid for 60 days and longer is not uncommon. Disgusting, but not all that rare.
Thank for your reply. This is my very first post anywhere and my second notary commission in california. Looking for more good postings here,