I got a sellers packet that was scheduled to be signed yesterday at 9AM. I was ready to go, met with the signer and the appointment went very smooth. The notes from the signing service were that no scan backs were required and to drop immediately in order to get docs delivered the next day. I again, followed the instructions exactly. This morning I got a frantic call from the signing service saying that they need to close on the sale today and I didn’t get docs to FedEx in time for cutoff. I said, that I did and I have a receipt I would upload to prove it.
I uploaded the receipt, but the signing service and the title company are frantic and tell me that I need to reprint the packet, go meet and sign again so that I can come back and upload scans to them.
This seems wild to me. I did everything exactly as I was instructed. I asked about a fee and they said they don’t know, but they would figure something out, but nothing definitive so far.
Currently, I reached out to the signer and left a message telling them what is going on, but have not heard back. I have not reprinted the packet, and I am hesitant to do anything really. All they had to do was request scanbacks if it was that tight and I would have done that as well, but it saved me from driving all the way back as FedEx was on the way for me.
I’m not really sure exactly who takes the blame here, but I am sure it’s not me. I did it exactly as I was instructed….
What do you make of this crazy situation? I feel it’s only fair that I get another fee, probably in equal amount to the first one, but I am sure they are going to sqawk at that, but on the other hand, all I have to do is say no thanks.
The onus is on them! You follow the instructions to a T! If the timeline was that tight, why wouldn’t they request scans? They request scans for any other reason. You’ve uploaded the FedEx receipt and if they are requiring you to go back out to the signer, reprint and then scan - yes that will be a fee! If it were me, I will get the fee in writing first before I print an inch of paper. You did everything that you were required to do as per their instructions. They can’t come back with a switcheroo and make it imply that somehow this is your fault. This is not your fault. Stand your ground, you will do it but for a fee. This is a complete resigning (not for any error on your part) and the fee should be as the original, not a watered-down version!
They said they would do it for 1/3 the fee of the original. It’s pretty frustrating. They opened a new order and just assigned it to me with the new lower fee, but it’s the same amount of workload for me, print, arrange, sign, scan etc…I feel bad for the situation, but I also have other things to do, and for a fraction of the fee it’s now more of a charity case for me, as I would pass for this fee typically…. Super frustrating situation.
With seller documents when a close date is missed that can be very bad. If we miss the pick up time at FedEx the tracker will show it is stalled at a ship center and not moving. It’s really unfortunate they didn’t ask for a scan. If I get assigned to something that time doesn’t allow for same day shipping, I always say so and if i can move an appointment up to accommodate shipping I will. There are a few title companies in my area who know I will bring them the package on rush rush rush and they will pay extra.
I don’t know how long you’ve been signing - a learning curve can be brutal. In that situation I’d insist the fee is the same. But I’d do it and leave the fee argument for later.
Who’s Zoomin’ Who? I guess you’ll never really know for sure about this “incident”. Here’s a tip, though. This one time (ONLY), do what they ask and get it done well. No complaining, no demanding, no nuthin’. You’ll probably eat the fee and the time and effort, but so what. Do the “right” thing and be as professional as you can. If you’re lucky, you’ll be a hero and someone they can count on in the future. If you’re unlucky, you’ll feel like a sucker and you’ll get nothing for it. Sad.
I have always taken the high road when problems arise, probably to my own detriment. But my conscience is clear, my record is clean and I move on having learned some kinda a lesson. To do otherwise just blemishes my rep and leaves me feeling awful.
It’s a tough decision and I’m not suggesting you be a wimp.
In my opinion notary followed instructions the first time. He has a receipt from Fedex as proof. That notary should be paid as agreed on the first signing.
Insofar as the 2nd trip, notary should be paid an agreed-to fee including an additional fee for scanning. No discount. It’s not the notary’s fault the package didn’t make it to its destination. It could be a weather-related issue … or anything really … just not the notary’s issue.
So I feel real bad but I replied to the signing service and said it’s not going to work out. The signer was working all day and had to leave right away for a trip. He said it might work, but then the problem is my own schedule. I did not anticipate on having a rush situation today, which is why I was extra diligent to do all the right things the first time.
I know they are stressed but I had to just walk away from this one.
You did as you were instructed for this signing. You were not at fault. That said, here is what I do and would have done.
When told scanbacks are not required, I do them anyway unless there is absolutely not enough time to do that and make the drop off deadline. My dedicated Fujitsu Scansnap scanner is fast and easy to use.
Unless the distance to the appointment was a great distance away, I would have offered to do the re-sign for no fee and asked them to please use me on the next appointment in my area.
I have a preferred vendor status and 5 star rating with many signing services.
For this very reason, I always scan a completed package before dropping, if I have time. This is helpful if a package goes missing, I can then upload the scan
It also helps to resolve/verify issues such as missing signatures, initials or notary stamp. (If they were indeed missing, the scan will verify that fact.)
@RickOShay Regardless of the type of client; i.e., Signing Service [SS], Title/Escrow Company [T/EC], Attorney, etc. => This Order Request COULD be accommodated an ADDITIONAL FULL FEE + the Fee for the added scanback service.
.
Otherwise, NO.
NOTE: In General, a re-do with no notarial error requires a FULL Fee.
Yep. The lesson I learned here is I’ll try to grab scans regardless of if they are requested like @kromedome42303 mentioned. A seller’s packet is easy, but a buyer/refinance packet can be a significant sized packet sometimes to scan in.
Sometimes “no thanks” is the best answer when they’re asking something of you that is literally beyond the scope of your agreement with them and was caused by something not your fault. I’ve learned that bending to their will doesn’t pay off in the long run. They will still take you for granted and take advantage of you whenever they can.
I agree 100%. After being in the “corporate” world for 20+ years as a director of sales, I applied the same principals to my notary gig. When you first start out, think of it as an internship. Your main goal is to gain confidence, trust, and respect that you will go out of your way to do what is needed.
Just Do It!
First though, I would send a message. Something like, “I am fairly confident that I followed the instructions exactly as instructed but I will do my best to help you out, as I am well aware of how important time-sensitive real estate documents can be. I hope that by showing how committed I am to making your company look good (and me), that you have put me on your preferred notary list as someone that gets thing done no matter what.”
I’m not quite there yet. I still have a full time day job. I do this on the side and when I leave the corporate world I will take as much notary work as I can, but I don’t have the luxury of just doing it. I have to be strategic with every job I take and I didn’t have time the next day.
