I just couldn’t do it! Accept an assignment paying $80 for a purchase order. So I sent this email the signing service: “I appreciate you getting back to me. After running the numbers on this assignment, the distance from my location to the signing location round trip is 41.63 miles (IRS mileage deduction is $27.89), with paper & toner costs, labor time (prep time, signing table time, and scan back) approximate time will be 3 hours. The $80 fee will yield earnings of approximately around $10 per hour net before taxes. Therefore, this assignment will not be feasible due to those factors I listed previously. Unless, of course, a more reasonable fee can be made. I think my average fee with you runs between $127 up to $150. If your budget has to stay at $80, I would suggest finding another signing agent in the zip code area of Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. This situation needs to be a win win for all of us. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your customers.” Now, I know the signing service will probably remove me from the assignment. But that is okay! I had accepted the order because of the zip code, unfortunately that particular zip code covers a wide area. Once I received the actual signing details, I was able to do the math and the numbers just didn’t add up. As I was finishing this message, I received their response. “Hi Carl, we will reassign the order”… That’s the way it goes! I will always “Go For No”, because there are companies paying my standard fee of $200. Speak of his “grace”, just received this order “Hybrid Refinance Signing: $200.00”. If I didn’t write that letter, I would have suffered an opportunity loss. I am sure, there are other LSAs that are getting paid even higher signing fees. These companies depend on us to make their money too. If we would share the upside and positive experiences, maybe positive changes can occur. Sowing seeds of growth and prosperity! Become part of the tribe
The signing companies used to pay better. I do not know why they think they can pay so little when it costs us more than what they are paying to do business. I just turn them down, but I can because I am really retired and closing as a retirement job. I love what I do. I have been in this field for 44 yrs but …I won’t if I am not making money. You were right to tell them what you did. When the market takes off, and it will, they will pay more again. Until then, they do not seem to think they need to pay a good notary.
I think that was very professional and well-worded.
The signing companies think they can pay so little because WE ARE ACCEPTING SO LITTLE. Business is down so they’re scrambling as are we. They figure they’ll risk a bargain-basement notary who might screw up if it means they might make more profit. If none of us were accepting those lowball offers, they would stop in a hurry.
@salliemaesioux Concur 
percent . . . 
It’s all about the concept of “feast or famine”! In the mortgage industry, everyone is going to get a slice of the “cake”. Currently, signing services and title companies want their cake, ice cream, and are keeping a bigger portion. Leaving the “crumbs” for LSAs, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I may sound like a “broken record”, we have to become better players in this game.
They dont care. Its a take it or leave it market. There is always some mook who will charge less.
Im also a real estate broker a do valuations for banks. I used to get paid 3 times or more for inspections than im offered today.
I guess they feel if you throw enough stuff at the wall, some will stick.
So true, I do inspections too. Unfortunately, inspection orders are coming in at fees around $15 up to $25. Like you, I have other lines of business, such as Life/Health/Annuities licensed. I am also an owner of a direct market business. I just picked up becoming a licensee with a software Tust business model. Maybe we can network together. Just a thought! Got to have other ways to make money to offset the decline in loan signings
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