Waiting on documents for a 10am appointment that is almost 2 hours away. Started asking the ETA for documents yesterday indicating my drive time.
Was told Lending was tweaking. Then why did they set an appointment? I’ve asked the signer to let me know how flexible they are about arrival time because while my printer is pretty fast - I still review things before I fly out the door.
On time arrival is starting to look bleak. Last minute just causes so much angst.
Been there, done that. No more. This is exactly why when I accept an assignment, I let 'em know I need docs by the evening prior - or in the case of an evening signing, no later than morning of. I further let 'em know if this is not possible, I’ll have to turn it back. Scheduler has no control of docs. However, they can pass on the information I just gave 'em. Hiring parties don’t like having to scramble to find another notary on short notice.
“Then why did they set an appointment?” BINGO!
@yolicue Your process mirrors the one I created within my Business Plan (after experiencing these types of scenarios).
My clients regularly express appreciation of my candor & professional dedication to the services I provide for them. Thus far, they’ve all honored the request - with one exception. It was a Signing Order [SO] that unfortunately I had to Turn Back to them, because the Settlement Statement/Closing Disclosure Reconciliation between the Lender & Title was unresolved . . .
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Prefer not to Turn Back SOs, but must honor the other scheduled clients with document packages that are ready On-Time.
It depends for me what the schedule looks like. Maybe I can do it later - maybe not. If someone asks me to do something this afternoon I’ll probably drop this one.
I took two last week that were TBD the day I took them, but I asked for more than usual because they waited until the last minute. I strategically accept those if I can.
I just printed tomorrow’s documents waiting for the one that’s now 40 minutes late. It’s not looking good. I contacted the signer who says "my lender said they would call you and me when ready but I’m not available “lunch hour time here”.
That’s fairly presumptuous that a lender thinks I’ll wait around. See now I want a TBD order LOL.
I don’t stress over late documents because I plan for potential setbacks. I let all parties know that I will notify the signer(s) when I am leaving for their location. If there’s any pushback from the hiring company or signer(s), I will simply remove myself from the assignment. I never set myself up to fail! The key thing in last-minute assignments is flexibility and, of course, service at a premium fee!. For example, the other day I was just getting ready to take my morning bike ride for exercise and my cell phone rang. It was a title company asking if I was available for a 9:30 AM RON assignment. The call came in at 8:30 AM, I accepted the assignment, and put off my bike ride. I completed the assignment before the scheduled time. So I picked up an easy $65 for 15 minutes of work. Even with RON assignments, there’s still preparation work and potential delays, such as technical problems. You just never know what can happen; sometimes RON assignments, due to technical problems are converted to in-person orders. We just have to be flexible and not stress out. I always try to be a solution rather than add to the situation.
2 Hours away.. Are you crazy… You need to keep to a 1 hour or less distance. Now you are taking jobs away from people that live closer to those locations. and I’m sure you are not making more than $100 a signing for that 2 hour drive. sheesh.
There is no rule about how far anyone can go. I get offers for 90 miles because there is no one in that county. I don’t do any of them for less than $150. I travel regularly to places where there are no reliable resource. What other notaries do it don’t do isn’t a concern.
@taradbroadway kind of crass, don’t you think? Wow. Her business decisions are no concern of yours and she can serve anywhere in the state of Washington that she wants, as long as she is being adequately compensated. There’s no law or rule says she has to limit her service area except the law of economics and profit.
Agree w/Linda. Speaking from personal experience. I frequently drive long distances for signings … and charge accordingly. Some of us have worked hard to develop and establish a good relationship with the TCs. They know they can trust us to get the job done efficiently and professionally and are willing to pay professional fees for our services.
I’m commissioned in California. I can notarize anywhere in the state. As I’ve stated to my vendor partners … give me adequate notice, docs with plenty of time, meet my fee and I’m willing to drive wherever my services are needed. 
This is what works for me. Some people don’t want to go beyond, for example, 20 miles. That’s okay. We each have our own business plan and comfort zone.
(At least I hope we each have a business plan! 
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And if you’re reliable at a distance you get those orders, because having a notary that has to go correct something causes issues. So I go out of county quite a lot. I’ve had to do resigns at a distance location because a previous notary refused to go and correct documents. My only appointment for today was put on hold. Signer had to make a payment before the lender would extend the credit. But it’s month end so we’ll see what else happens.
@cfletcher Agreed! 
I too live Rural and have taken jobs up to two hours away , yes the Pay was worth it and no I wasn’t stealing any other notaries work. Where I live sometimes there are not any notaries in the small towns of 300 people that are plentiful here . I feel like you kind of jumped on her. She can run her business as she sees fit, as can you.
