Joann at JLowe Diversified hasn’t paid me for a signing I did for her over 90 days ago. Of course, I can’t get in touch with her. I’m about to contact the title company to make them aware and ask them not to hire her in the future. I didn’t find many helpful comments about her on the notary message boards. None were recent - unless I somehow missed a comment. Anyway… DON’T ACCEPT HER SIGNINGS! Besides that, she negotiated for a lower fee ($85 no scans - what was I thinking?!), then I saw she was paid $200 on the Settlement Statement. Kicking myself!!! Going to block her number in my phone. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
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@Kelley Thank you for sharing your direct experience.
I’ve recommended previously via the Notary Cafe forum on multiple occasions that if a potential client is new to you & if the Fee & Payment Terms are amenable to your business model => accept the Signing Order [SO] & then vet them (prior to providing your professional services).
Accessing the database to locate info about potential clients has saved many of us an inordinate amount of time ‘chasing’ payments for Services professionally provided to potential non-payers . . .
You’re correct, though, that there is nothing within the database (until now) about this business entity. So, Thank You for creating this thread on them.
===>>> PLUS, there’s one additional technique that you may find to be QUITE EFFECTIVE . . . Code the Contact List in your phone . . .
- Why take the time to do that?
Because you will IMMEDIATELY KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt when a call comes in . . . who to accept & who to reject.
One technique for Coding your Contact List would be to place a leading 2-character prefix that identifies the Group that phone number has placed themselves within from demonstrated behavior:
- NP = Non-Payer
- SP = Slow Payer
- LB = Low Ball Fees
- LD = Late Docs
- NN = Non-negotiator
Etc., etc., etc.
There are several other techniques (Search Google) for Coding your Contact List to assist you in filtering your Inbound calls.
======
Here are a few posts that you’ll find instructional/helpful in regard to pursuing NON-PAYERS:
THEFT OF SERVICES: Notaries Will Travel - #20 by susana
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: Demand Letter for non-payment? Have you ever? - #5 by rparker
Hello Kim, contact the title company regarding the non-payment, yes, absolutely. Remain calm and businesslike when you do. Facts only. Remove any emotion. Inform them that her company has an outstanding invoice with you and that you wish to get paid and ask if they would please assist you. Provide them a copy of the invoice you sent her.
I don’t advise asking them not to hire her. Because when vendors gain a reputation of not paying the notaries who performed the work, the title co will remove her without your request to do so.
Here, you can vent and express all the frustration you want about non-responsive hiring companies who don’t pay. It is valuable information for other notaries and we support you!