So, I just took my first JOT (First American) signing order – it was a seller’s package. It had 47 pages, 3 people to sign, scan-back, two witnesses, and dropped-ship docs. The package needed six notarial acts (3 loose certificates on some non-compliant affidavits). Plus, the order required 3 phone call confirmations and was only paying $105. After figuring out how much work it would be, I was going to asked the Jot escrow person for an extra $50. (FYI, that was super low for me; I’m doing an IPEN for $250 this coming Monday!). They said their fee covers the witnesses, the notarial acts, and the LSA’s work. I told them Jot’s fees are basically making LSAs work for less than minimum wage. We both agreed it would better for me to give back the order. Considering the current landscape of signing agent work, I view it as a strategic numbers game. While I am not going to accept every signing order that comes my way, I firmly believe in maintaining my profitability and will not contribute financially to any company in order to secure those signing assignments.
Absolutely agree. If–when ALL the stips are finally disclosed–the numbers don’t work, back it goes. Banks and Title companies are NOT my favorite charities.
I just received a text blast offer for a sellers with the fee listed as, to be determined. Of course, somebody took it with out knowing how much they would be paid in probably less than 5 minutes.
Fools rush in… etc., etc.+
@takenotenotaryservices you and I both know how these text/email blasts works, quickest finger get’s the work.
Good call. JOT usually pays well.
I can’t believe they offered $100 and you had to provide 2 witnesses? Typically their sellers packages are straight $100. I’m confused. I recently was doing a refi package for them at their office where they were going to have the documents printed for me and do the scan backs and shipping, but their office lost power and I ended up having to print, scan, and ship and they added an extra $50 for off site service.
Yep…they know the average cost of printing & scanning. Shame we all don’t.
I recently had a situation that was a seller package offering $50.00. I’ve done them in their office for that because very close by and in and out for me, and pay same week sometimes. Well….I was driving and didn’t read correctly but they wanted a witness as well for that same price, not in office. I had to return the closing. I guess some branches on Jot are better than others, so just gotta take each one as they come….they are all over the place with prices offered. Still my 
just because straight forward, pays fast, just have to be careful. I’ve had some pay really well, and some scraping the bottom.
That’s exactly what it is. Make each assignment work for you, not against you. Only take jobs that align with your goals. No sense in taking unprofitable jobs just to keep busy.
True, but I still read them to know what I am getting into though. I know everybody doesn’t do that.
Doing one today 26 pages $100 ten minutes away. Jot fees are not minimum wage.
I would agree for the most part. I have had offers from JOT for the same pacakge for $75 but with 50-60 miles of driving. I think it depends on the Escrow officer too. I had one this past week for a 2 signer sellers for $100 with a witness and and around 60 miles of driving.
Been getting more JOT signing gigs, and the pay’s been all over the place, from $50 to $105. Like @steves11 said, “Only take jobs that align with your goals. No sense in taking unprofitable jobs just to keep busy.” Right now, the JOT fees just aren’t working with my pricing. Gotta make sure the numbers add up and I’m actually making money.
I have had to decline the last couple of JOT offers because of the low fee. I hope they’re not going the way of the low ball fee strategy that others have adopted. Currently, in my area Bancserv is paying better and I do more work with them than JOT.
Why not counter it? When the FirstAm escrow officers prefer you the counter is often accepted. Doesn’t ever hurt to counter offer.
As far as myself, I will counter with the exception of bringing a witness. But honestly somebody will take it as it is. I mentioned in another discussion that I haven’t had a counter offer excepted in months, because why would they? Some notary will take it for the low fee. The sellers with the witness they actually reached out to me directly after I declined the blast, because as I mentioned I don’t bring witnesses. My experience with JOT has been really good, but I am noticing that the fees are going down. Again, that could be just isolated to the FirstAm office that is responsible for the signing. Hopefully, it is an anomaly not a trend. I do more signings, and at a typically higher rate with Bancserv than JOT. I just did a refi for Bancserv (47 pages) for $120. Took longer to drive to the signing and back than the signing took. I did a 2 person 2 property purchase for Bancserv that was about the same as a refi page count wise for $220 a few weeks ago.
@johnsonps306 Yeah, I tried talking to the escrow officer about the fee, but they wouldn’t budge. We just decided to go our separate ways on that one. I mentioned what other companies are paying me, and she said, “Well, bless your heart.” I guess we weren’t in the same ballpark. I’m still receiving signing orders, so hopefully, there’s hope. But I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. My way of thinking, always keep the doors open.
I like Bancserv, too. Just had to re-do the NSA certification to stay active with them. Just keep at it though. Notaries leave all the time.
They have become a really good service for me. They pay well and quickly.