I did a signing on Friday morning. Since it was a weekend, I figured that I could ship it out on Saturday and it would arrive by Monday. What I didn’t know is that the shipping label was ground instead of next day air. With all the years of doing signings I have never had a company have a document ship out by ground. It has always been next day air. The signing company had instructions, but the only instructions it says is that the FedEx next day air needs to be shipped out the same day. This was being shipped out by UPS ground. When you do ground it takes 1-5 business days to get to the destination. There is no guarantee that it will arrive in one day. I didn’t know it was going out by ground until the company told me asking where the documents are. Now, they don’t want to pay me for the signing, and they are not responding to my emails. Now, even if I did ship it out on Friday there is a possibility that it still wouldn’t arrive on Monday. Am I wrong in this and take the responsibility of not getting paid for it or am I right and need to do something about this? If so, what do I do?
I would communicate that the shipping label was not your responsibility and that all instructions were followed and they should pay you.
In the future watch the labels and discuss that well before you print the documents - I personally always review the label because of early cut off times here. Hindsight is of course 20/20 some learning experiences are brutal. Did you scan the documents? This is a document preparer problem not a notary problem and I would continue to ask to be paid.
I would also add to @johnsonps306 advice to always ship the docs the same day. You said the signing was in the morning, that should have given you enough time to drop the docs for the UPS pick up and you wouldn’t have any issue whether they recieved them on Monday or not. I don’t know how your UPS pick up works, but where I live in Tennessee UPS doesn’t pick up from the UPS store I use on Saturday’s. Hope you’re able to get this resolved.
Not your problem. If you’re using the shipping label that they provided you, then it’s on them if the package doesn’t get there when they need it to…..assuming that you shipped it as soon as possible. I have learned that there is no difference between shipping Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, assuming “Next Day Air”. The only “Ground” labels that they would give you are for destiinations a short distance (less than 1 day) away from the signing location that they don’t have to put on a plane.
You shipped with label they provided/not your problem. Feel compelled to say you should have dropped same day–you could have, even tho’ it wouldn’t really matter due to the ground label.
Ugh, this stinks and I have had that happened ONE time, that it was not an overnight label, but took 3 days. The buyers agent called me freaking out and I reminded her I had dropped same day and was not in control of UPS…from then on, I make double sure to check the label.
Moving forward-never hang onto docs if you sign in the morning! They must be shipped same day for your own protection.
@johnsonps306 I emailed them that twice. I am thinking about calling them. But if they don’t pay me for this signing, should I continue to do signings for them or not. I mean I am sure they have plenty of notaries that one person isn’t going to make a difference. But it is aggravating. I never thought of having to make sure if it is next day air or ground. It has always been next day air. So, I have always assumed next day.
@takenotenotaryservices I usually ship the documents out on the same day, but that day was very busy for me, and I was not able to find the time So, I figured since it’s a Friday that shipping it out on Saturday would be okay. Apparently not.
@Arichter That is exactly what I think. Regardless if I shipped it out on the same day there is no guarantee that it would have arrived by Monday.
@kiersten.tabion Yeah, I am going to have to start doing that. This ■■■■■ though. I know it’s only 1 signing and it could be worse, but that is less money for me to have now. -(…..
Contact the lender/title company or whomever! Also state you will be filing a complaint with the State AG. That usually gets their attention.
I think you can always accomplish more with a telephone call.
@cryman.notary I am going to try that. Thank you.
@johnsonps306 I am going to try one more email and if no response then I am going to try to call.
Usually a friday drop or Saturday makes NO DIFFERENCE.. it gets there Monday..HOWEVER
They gave you the incorrect shipping label..you used it ..they made the mistake and got reamed by their client. So naturally they blame the notary
.you can demand payment ..you didn’tmake the mistake ..
I would tell title ,the signing company or, maybe them ,sent u the wrong label.
The docs not arriving on time is their fault not yours. u get paid
Lesson learned. NEVER ASSUME.
However its their mistake.. not yours.. on the wrong shipping label
They owe you.
Call title if they refuse to pay you.
Tell title u want your full fee.
If they send you another job ..and u like it price / fee good ..take it.
They know its Their mistske
Wow, just one more thing we Notaries need to watch out for. UUUgggghhhh! When is it not all our responsiblities??? Just saying…..
I have not had any issues with the mailing labels at all. But this site is so valuable because I would not have thought to look. I did until this forum, this topic didn’t even think about it. Going forward I will.
I too am not the sign and done kinda Notary as well. I am a perfectionist with a little OCD…. 
@CAFRAN2 I agree with you, but now the signing company made a claim against my bond. So, now my notary license is in jeopardy. I am hoping that I am going to get a warning worse case scenario.
@loricnotary22 Agree. 100%