Does anyone else find some companies to be ridiculously bold in what they’re asking for? I just got a call for signing that needs to be done in the next two hours. The signing location is 45 minutes anway and the packet is 189 pages. They’re offering $100 
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Maybe if they had planned better…
As a former colleague use to say: Their poor planning does not make it my emergency.
I’ve seen companies offer $75 for what you’re describing (I’m talking about YOU, Mortgage Connect!)
Exactly what I told myself. I told them I could help for $175. I never heard back. I’m not crying.
Unfortunately, so have I. And all that tells me is that some notaries must actually be willing to take those types of assignments. When low-ball offers like that come through, I figure those who are willing to work for such rates are welcome to the job. I’ll wait until real offers come through, thank you very much.
It seems the new year started an epidemic of last minute (& worse) requests at ridiculously low fees for large pkgs. Had an offer yesterday that came in 10 whole minutes before the appt. time. Also have had mostly same day appt. requests this year; half with ‘no docs available’. (And very annoyed signers.)
So far in January I am getting less orders from counter offers. But I get virtually no request for local (within 20 miles) work.
I know they consider $85 okay for a job that’s 40 minutes away and I know notaries local to that offer are happy to get $85 instead of $65 but I still won’t do those trips for less than $100.
So I don’t get them.
Last minute requests I counter higher. But yesterday a request kept coming through for a location almost two hours away and no time to arrive on time.
Those just tell me they put off accepting counter offers and got into scheduling trouble.
I have a monthly target - I can still get there but may not. And I hate February it’s too short.
We were all hoping for a better start I imagine.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one. The offered rates seem to have taken a nose-dive, while the requests for larger packets and last-minute signings is on the rise. Welcome to crazy town!
Mortgage Connect hates to see me coming 
Honestly, it has been months since I have received a order from a counter offer. To many notaries here that are willing to take whatever comes across at any rate. I had an text offer a week or so ago for a sellers, with the offering fee for the notary of $25. January has been extremly slow here in East Tennessee. This week has shown signs that things are starting to move, but it won’t salvage the month as a whole. Hopeful for next month, we shall see what it brings.
It’s unfortunate that people pour into this industry with no idea what it costs to run a mobile notary business.
When I began my friend said it’s cyclical ups and downs in volume us guaranteed.
If interest rates drop again there could be an upswing.
Hopefully, I saw a report this morning that mortgage rates are falling.
One signing service that I work with has almost all same-day appointments. They’re great to work with, other than that. Unfortunately, I have to decline most of their offers because I’m usually booked at the time they request.
It doesn’t mean notaries are actually taking that offer.
There is definitely a market out there for notaries willing to accept last minute signings. I do not happen to be one of them. I learned the hard way, and quickly, that last minute closings are never a good deal for my business. There is a reason they are last minute. Initially, I thought I was helping out title by picking up a closing that may have been dropped at the last minute by another notary. However, my experience has been that there is almost always a problem with them. Not worth the stress for me.
Same! Last Thursday I accepted a seller package for noon. At 11:30 I still didn’t have documents. My day was open until 2:30 for printing and I could squeeze it in between closing at 5. At 2:30 I told them to remove me. I got another request on Friday for a seller package on Monday for TBD time. I accepted, only to find out it’s the same package from Thursday. I set an appointment and confirmed on their platform, only to find documents are still not ready. My reply to them was if documents are not provided by 7am, they can remove me. Unless they want to pay a retainer fee, since it’s the last day to sign for the month for Refi. We’ll see….
Yes, lower fees offered and want everything. Mine has been to bring a witness, some don’t even want to pay for that even if I could bring one.
How true that is Yolicue! Would make a cute tag line on the bottom of an email 
Sorry, thought I was posting under your post
Interesting. I’ve actually been countering more often than not. I see so many low-ball offers (under $75 for full jobs) and I’m just not willing to work for free.
Those willing to work that job for that fee are stupid.
Sorry. No more sugar coating. U need to learn what a job is worth..not what these weasels want to pay you.
Next time and every time look at the closing disclosure. And the other paperwork title closers sign..you will find the notary fee..
It’s way higher then they want to offer you..
THAT NOTARY FEE IS WHAT THE JOB IS WORTH..PLUS EMERGENCY LAST MINUTE FEE
My fee for that job. 189 page re fi, would be at least $225 .minimum..Including printing 2 copies..prepping the doc..driving .to and back .signing and reviewing..and drop..add a minimum of $25 for rush ..so with all consideration…$250. And GUESS WHAT…THEY KNOW IT
I figure $50/ hour
