I have been working with ServiceLink, and I have some dirty experience to share with others Notary.
For the first few signings, I sent them the documents, and when they received them, they started checking and found one word was missing (they normally have 175 to 375 pages, and the fee is $65). After that, they reduced the fees by 40-50%, and I stopped sending documents until approval. They approved the documents and came back after one and a half week that a few words were missing and reduce 40% fees. I am confused how other signers work with them!
Service link has been around almost as long as I have and that’s a long time. I fired them 15 years ago when they dropped their pay to $65. With the ceiling at $250 and the floor being $0 they found their sweet spot at $65 and stuck with it.
I have some dirty experience to share with others Notary. I agree, 175-375 pages for $65 and words were missing so they docked you a 40-50% reduction in fees = $26 to $32.50. That’s almost criminal.
I am confused with @LindaH-FL, what words were “missing”.
I recently received an email from ServiceLink requesting my fees for HELOC and Refi signings. They also noted that they do not pay any additional fees for scanbacks. After providing my standard Southern California rates, their response was:
“Average fee for HELOC is $56 and Refi $67. These fees do include the two sets of documents required by the lender.”
I replied professionally, explaining that loan signings involve multiple components that justify my pricing structure. It’s disappointing that some companies continue to undervalue the work and responsibility notaries public take on during these transactions.
While some may choose to accept these lower fees, doing so often results in operating at a loss. That may work for others, but it does not make sense for me to take assignments that put me in a deficit. Especially with packages greater than 150 pages with 2 sets printed.
I just saw someone complaining about them on a facebook group page. Apparently no matter where notaries are located they are telling notaries that fees in their area are $65. That’s comical. I was told the same thing, so I didn’t sign up to work with them. I would have never done a package for them that big for that low price.
They did the same to me, told me my fees were too high. I told them thank you for the information, but I was also passing on them. That was when I was just beginning and I promise you I was no where near that desperate to gain experience.
I do work with ServiceLink … when they call me. Per their request, I sent them a copy of my spreadsheet for rates several years ago. None of those rates are less than $150 and go to $475. When they call, they are usually ready to do business.
My strong recommendation to newbies: NEVER put yourself in the bargain basement “to gain experience.” Once you’re in that bin, companies expect you to stay at those horrendous fees and it’s extremely difficult to climb out. Instead, take some time to figure out what fee you need to cover all your business expenses and to make enough profit to pay yourself and to put some away for future investment. That’s what your fees should be. This is YOUR business. YOU set your fees.
So glad we talked about Servicelink yesterday. They called with a signing for today. Yep, after all pertinent questions, I quoted $250 and they accepted. It’s a 107-page purchase (that includes shipping label), single signer with scan backs with less than an hour’s drive to signing location.
Good for you Yoli. Negotiation is the key. Mr. B is located in Boyle Heights, not the nicest or the safest area of Los Angeles. He should be adding a “please don’t murder me” surcharge to every assignment he accepts.
It doesn’t make it bad for other notaries to make money.
If a notary accepts a low ball - they get scheduled and become unavailable. The low balls you turn down leave room for the jobs at the fees you want. I don’t know why people insist on blaming other notary’s pricing on their success or inability to charge what they charge.
I sent in a request to raise my listed prices (that they chose for me). I received a message “we are not adjusting prices at this time.” Now I counter for more than what the change would have been AND get the assignment. Go figure!
You can’t possibly really believe that. The jobs left are still offered at a lowball rate…they’re not going to automatically raise the fee “just because” - that’s where negotiating comes in. Also, keep in mind there are notaries who double and triple book, sucking up all the jobs.
And @earl226 there’s a difference between blaming people and stating facts - FACT is notaries who have agreed to accept $40-$65 fees have dragged the market to a horrible low. If you get your fee, that’s good for you. But it doesn’t always work out that way
. I stopped working for them 15 years ago. They have probably plowed under 10,000 notarys since then.