I have been replying that a fee is too low. I have gotten the fee raised at times. But a lot of times they can find someone to accept the lowball. Or I immediately reply I am not available, but I don’t fill in a time. I get raised fees from this response at times. They raise them all nearly instantly when I do that. I believe they know the fee is too low to begin with when they respond quickly with a higher fee.
My issue is some companies wait it out for another notary with lower fees instead of accepting my fee in the first place. Then day of the signing the company responds with a higher fee. I am a Realtor. My schedule gets made every day. No week is ever the same. A lot of the times I have filled the date and time requested with other appointments. So, I am no longer available and if I am they have created an emergency.
I don’t like scrambling to get the documents printed. I like to have time to look over the documents. At these times, when I sit down with the signer, I say, “Due to the rush you and I are both seeing these documents for the first time. But! If I miss something you get to see me again!” I try to keep it light. I also feel like if I say they may see me again, I don’t make mistakes.
Plus, I have seen on the settlement statement the notary fee is higher than what they are paying me. But that’s another subject. I am just curious what responses you guys’ feel are best.
Most everything on platforms is AI automated. So it’s first reply.
I’ve gone to accept an order for $100 and when I refresh it’s been countered at $125 and accepted. Some title companies want notaries who can do same day First American is big for that.
Some notaries like me do nothing else. So responding fast is what has to happen. But I’ve said many times we really don’t know what the fees are that are getting booked.
I’ve noticed this as well. I had one that I accepted but somewhere in the documents after printing, the expected notary fee stated was $150.00 to 250.00, way less than what I anticipated in accepting. So now I counter offer more because of distance & size of document. I’m in the “learning” phase of my new career for sure.
Don’t look at notary fees on a CD and expect that to mean you should have been paid that amount. The settlement company prepares documents, balances the CD etc etc.
Just charge what you believe to be a fair and equitable fee where you don’t lose money. Reviewing what the notary fees are on the closing disclosure is really counter productive.
It’s common that they will pay higher fees when the signing is “same day” rather than when it’s a few days out. If they don’t get anyone to bite on their “offer fee” immediately, they’ll wait it out either until someone does or time is getting short to the signing and they have to raise the fee to attract a notary. That is standard operating procedure by signing services.
Generally, state the following Response with a Fee Counter:
'Considering the amount of Time & Travel, the requested Professional Services, and including Turnpike Fees/Ferry Fees, etc. the Fee for this File would be . . . ’
Sometimes there is a Field Limit regarding the # of characters, so you could shorten it up a bit.
Just remember that being Professional in your responses will normally result in a ‘gentle landing’ of the Fee Increase request as well as kind reciprocity regarding their return response.
Do you feel upping the fee for distance or schedule is better than letting them know (sweetly) they are being cheap? I’m sure it’s just a guess, but do you feel you may get passed over for a “low fee” response?
I know we all take this seriously and make sure we do error free work. I’m confident in my expertise. I read every one of the directions and have great feedback. I’m hoping companies learn this about me. I’ve got two that ask me first in my area. That makes me really happy.
buuuuut… as I write this I’m wondering if I care what the cheap companies think. Ya know?
I suppose it’s more of a dance—getting them to notice your work and paying for a great chance you’ll do it right.
thanks for all the responses! It’s truly appreciated. I only have about 2.5 years loan closing experience. But I’ve sat through hundreds of closings. It was easy to slide into this. I’m really grateful for that.
I find it works better to lead with a positive. I’d rather just quote my fee rather than get into telling them about theirs. They already know (and don’t care) that their offer is low.
On the “they wait me out, then panic day-of” thing — if an offer meets my fee, fits my schedule, and doesn’t have me scrambling to print and rush through it, I’ll take it. But I don’t usually drop what I’m doing to accommodate someone else’s last-minute emergency just because they waited too long to book me.
I will reply with either “fee is too low”: or “too far”, depending on where the signing location is. They’re both the same to me, as the signing service is most likely across the country or at least in another state, therefore not really familiar with my local logistics. In most cases I will counter with no more than 50% above the offer fee. If the offer fee is really ridiculous, I probably won’t respond at all, since they would never pay what I would ask for. It’s been kind of difficult lately getting them to bite on my counters. It saddens me that there must be a ton of newbies out there taking those $70-$75 signings (some from companies who used to pay double those fees).
@steves11 Yes, truly sad, but honestly the unconscionable component is that Signing Services [SSs] are knowingly taking advantage of others - immoral . . .
So, when we observe that type of negative demeanor, the onus is upon us (business owners) to:
call it out (as you’re doing)
push back on lowball fees
identify & post the names of SSs that engage in these antics
be supportive of those who are new to this business sector to help them avoid these (and other) pitfalls
Remind those who are new to this business sector to Research the Notary Cafe database for posts/threads on SSs during their vetting process PRIOR to providing their Professional Services
I HAVE found if a low fee comes in and I immediately respond “not available” without putting in a time I will get a quick response with a better offer. Thanks for your input!
I just referenced it. I know it’s not the same. But, considering that, they have hundreds of dollars in fees already. Seems silly to take an extra $30 from the notary. I am sure that extra adds up over time.
Same! But at times I have accepted something else and can’t take advantage of the company accepting a nice fee. “A Positive” is always great advice. Thanks for your input!
Absolutely Accurate Statement! 
Great question! 
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LOVE this response! 
Concur 
“A Positive” is always great advice. Thanks for your input!