Every time… every single time… this thing has popped up on my vendor screen for MC showing a reduced score, after checking the detail I’ve had to call Vendor Management and have it corrected.
Either the document that was supposedly not stamped, not correctly completed, etc. etc. was not even in the package at all (How could I have done something wrong on a document I never received in the first place?), or the signing was canceled by MC prior to the date which was why the documents were not returned on time (Got 34 errors on that one!), or I canceled the signing because, as of 45 minutes prior to the signing, docs had not yet appeared (And that one was a whole slew of errors for everything from not reporting the close to not returning the docs to - get this - not stamping the deed.)
I am so incredibly frustrated. I’ve signed for MC for 10 years, worked my way through all their foibles over and over, but this may just be the end with them for me.
LOL I went from an F at 33% for December to an A at 100% for January. I just brush it off now. I still get offers and assignments. Metrics are everywhere. Key Performance Indicators are a standard for measuring business performance. But what the score doesn’t reflect at MC is in December I had one error in 3 contracts. So that was 33%. In January I had zero errors for ten assignments. The error in December was a non critical document. I tripled business with them in January. Now in February one error. Out of 3 I think but it’s only the 10th.
I don’t take anything personally anymore. I don’t dump anyone. I just charge them accordingly.
When you add in the time you spend dealing with their (idiotic) errors, is it worth it?
I put 'em in my rear view mirror years ago for just this reason (and they paid better then, too).
Here is further research to substantiate the NOT perspective:
According to Google AI:
“Can you give an independent contractor a performance review?”
"AI Overview
No, it is generally not recommended to give a formal performance review to an independent contractor, as doing so can blur the lines between employee and contractor status, which could lead to legal complications; instead, focus on providing feedback on the quality of their work product and maintaining clear communication about project expectations.
Key points to remember:
Legal implications:
Treating an independent contractor like an employee by giving them a performance review can raise concerns about whether you are properly classifying them as a contractor, which could lead to legal issues regarding taxes and employment benefits.
Control vs. autonomy:
A key aspect of an independent contractor relationship is that the company has less control over how they perform their work. Conducting a performance review implies a higher level of control than is typical for an independent contractor.
What you can do instead:
Provide feedback on deliverables:
Clearly communicate your expectations for the project and provide feedback on the quality of the work delivered.
Regular check-ins:
Have periodic meetings to discuss progress, address any concerns, and ensure alignment on project goals.
Express appreciation:
Acknowledge and compliment good work when an independent contractor exceeds expectations.
Clearly state contract terms:
Ensure your contract with the contractor outlines the expectations, deliverables, and payment terms."
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Of course, there are always those who will operate outside the guidelines of the law & outside their bailiwick.
Then you gave them a “performance review” … right??
I agree with the above result in that it blurs the line between the employer/employee relationship and can result in other ramifications for the “hiring party”
Performance review is a KPI and every company generally has a set of Key Performance Indicators they use to measure the effectiveness of their delivery of product or service. For ISO 9000 registered companies it is a requirement of the Quality Management System.
Any contractor believing their performance should not be measured is unrealistic.
Same thing for me. Somehow I transposed the numbers on the DOB for the PA form and it brought me down to an “F” (it was listed as two errors on the detail). In January my score went back up to 100%. I continued to get job offers from them throughout all of it. I do lots of work with Mortgage Connect and Townsgate.
As I understand it, hiring companies that send us a copy of their “Vendor Report Card” do it only as a courtesy. These are metrics they track because they have minimum Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the lenders/title companies who hire them to hire us, the notary signing agent.
If the SLAs are not met, then the hiring company might get a reduction in pay or be dropped. (If they exceed the SLA, then maybe there is a reward for them.) And so, if a signing agent makes too many mistakes in their loan assignments, they can also receive a reduction in pay or be dropped altogether. If the signing agent consistently does well, they earn a reputation with that hiring company of being professional/reliable which may translate into receiving more assignments.
Tracking metrics helps a company understand what they are doing well and what needs improvement. It’s a valuable tool. If I receive a copy of my “Vendor Report Card”, I am mostly taking a look at the number of signings in the area vs. how many of those assignments I received. If there is any question about it, like @judikidd I contact the hiring company who sent it.
What I thought was dumb it was a missed check mark in a box on a non notarized doc. And with a signed E & O on file they just checked the box. I was never even told. But an F for that?
It’s hard to take it seriously when I had an F score on a file simply because I forgot to check the box on the Patriot Act before Driver’s License. I guess a check mark has equal weight to recording the borrower’s documentation correctly.
If MC is trying to weed out good Signing Agents simply by pissing them off, they are doing a fine job.
They aren’t the most vendor-centric company any more with their insulting offers. Now when I see their notifications, I most often click, “not available”.
When they accept my fee, I take the work. It took me forever to figure out their invoicing system but when I finally did after several errors - I got all the invoices paid and I had screwed up thinking they auto paid like some do. So I had five orders due and they paid. They’ve paid every Friday due after that. I don’t find any vendor who pays weekly without fail to be “insulting”. Especially when they pay the fee I request.
That’s why I don’t understand anyone complaining about what is offered. We don’t have to accept what is offered. Counter and move on. Or never try to get paid more. If that’s working for you, that’s great.
I never made it past there application process. I did grin and bear it the first time and filled it out (why so many pages) after finally completing it, they sent me an email stating they sent me the wrong application asking me to redo it. Nope. I never got to it and now after reading these reviews, I’m glad I put it on the back burner and that’s where it will stay. Thank you!
percent with your perspective! 
