This is just an FYI . Ive accepted signings in the past where the information is vague, until the documents are received then realizing the amount of work involved in the signing does not support the fee. Its hard to counter offer when important details of the signings are omitted when the text message blasts are sent out! So I started to negotiate after the fact sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t! Hit or miss but it is worth trying !
I accepted a signing for this upcoming Sunday for a refi , its been slow so I said what the heck. Today I receive the documents, as I begin reviewing the 1st thing I noticed is package size, 2nd number of signers 4 then I began to do the math on the amount of signatures to be notarized 24 at 15 each (since I’m in California) this signing would be paid out at $360 just on the notarized fees! So I hesitated a little bit before anything else. because as we all know once you accept a signing then you’re discouraged from counter offering on the fee but on those notifications number of signers are usually omitted so its hard to determine what a fair fee should be. The more I thought about it the more it bothered me so I politely sent this email: Thank you for sending me the loan documents scheduled for Sunday. After reviewing the details, I wanted to revisit the fee. This assignment involves:
4 signers (which means significantly more time managing ID checks, signatures, and acknowledgments)
Large package of 231 pages x 2 copies (462 pages total) for print/scan back
Multiple notarizations required across different affidavits and agreements
Weekend/Sunday appointment
Given the scope of work, printing costs, and additional time required, my standard fee for a signing of this size and complexity is $XYZ
I want to make sure your clients are well taken care of, and I’ll ensure the signing is handled smoothly and professionally. Please let me know if you’d like me to confirm the adjusted fee.
Thank you,
within 3-5 minutes of hitting send I get this email response:
Number of signers, number of notarizations, and number of pages are usually not included in the info you’re given to decide whether you want the job at their fee. I think you have every right to ask for more money if you later find out that these items are excessively above what’s generally considered “average”.
When presented with supportable details and explained thoughtfully and professionally, the chances of a quality signing service favorably adjusting their fee increases.
You did that as shown in your post and I’ll bet it was well worth your time. Two things happened: you got a nice increase in your fee and you’ve shown that signing service your patience and willingness to work things out.
Thank you for this. I just used your very professional email message for a 276-page package with 4 signers. This company’s packages are always large, but I do believe this is a record—more than a ream of paper. We will see what they come back with.
UPDATE:
Well this didn’t work as easily for me. But it was worth a try. They offered a little more for the size of the package, but nothing extra for the main problem of it being for 4 signers. After seeing how many notarizations, it needed 2 IDs for 4 patriot acts, scanbacks, and it is a late evening appointment, I politely told them to reassign. But I’m good with it. I’ve done much smaller and easier packages for what I was asking, so I don’t think I was being unfair.
Exactly! That’s my point — if companies are offering $85 for one signer, then logically it should be $85 × 4 if there are four signers. That would actually make sense. Every single document we notarize carries liability, which means our insurance covers each notarization — not the number of pages we print or how long we sit at a signing.
In this particular case, the fee would’ve been around $360 if they paid per notarized signature, without even factoring in the printing, travel, or scan backs. They’re clearly taking advantage of notaries. I’m not trying to sound “entitled” — I’m simply asking for a fair fee that reflects the actual work and responsibility involved.
I’m really proud of you for standing firm on your worth and setting clear boundaries. That’s exactly what professionalism looks like knowing when to say “no” when the fee doesn’t match the workload and liability. Even if they didn’t meet your request this time, you handled it with class and confidence. We need more notaries who understand the value of their time, expertise, and responsibility. Well done!
How do you ever put a dollar value on the liability that we take on? If we ever get hauled into court and have to defend ourselves against a charge of wrongdoing, that is worth a lot more money than you can ever get paid for one loan signing.
When they don’t provide enough info for a reasoned fee quote and you’ve accepted assuming it would be m/l average–but it isn’t. Before I print, I calculate what my fee would have been and send an e-mail requesting an increase to $whatever & state why. Request a new CO or reassign & advise.
I almost always get the new, improved CO. On the very rare times it gets reassigned. I just feel relief that I dodged a bullet.
But I’m good with it. I’ve done much smaller and easier packages for what I was asking, so I don’t think I was being unfair.