Service Link Fees

I agree, I am a newer notary and in my area that is what most of the signing companies are offering. I get consistent business from ServiceLink and they have good customer service.

This is a low ball offer. Service links low balls and I do not work for them because of it. I set my fees at the price I charge instead of what they want. Because what happens is that they get paid $250 to get it sign and pay you $80 and keep the $170 for not doing anything.

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I was really shocked when they tried to convince me of the same thing and I’m here in LA. Our gas prices and rent alone are wayyyy to high to take anything like that.

This is the best way to describe this lowball environment that has come from SS. I mostly work with Title365 because of it. My fees are closer to 150 than 100

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I find that the fax/scan backs has become a staple for those companies using SnapDocs. Virtually every order that is generated through SnapDocs, no matter the Title Company, is requiring scan backs. So it appears this has become a part of the service package they are selling. IN many instances the scan back doesn’t make sense.
I have had this as a real issue: the signing was to take place late afternoon on a Friday. Given the time, I could make the shipping facility before the last drop for delivery the next day. If I had to scan back before going to shipping, I was most likely going to miss that deadline. Since it was a Friday, I knew that the east coast company requesting the form would already be closed by the time the scan back was sent. So no one would receive it before Saturday, or the following Monday if they didn’t have Saturday hours. That would also be the case if I immediately dropped it at shipping, so the receipt of the scan back and the physical delivery of the document would happen at virtually the same time. Did I mention that this was not a loan document. It was a simple 2-page, one signature rollover request form for a transfer of funds from one 401K plan to another – nothing time sensitive about that.
Also, since I asked the question about the need for a scan back on this document I was informed “since you seem to be having problems with the order, we’ll just reassign” – which they did, unceremoniously! That whole situation made me shake my head and laugh. I’m giggling now, just thinking about it. Sometimes this can be a silly, thankless job. SMH

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Question? Did they want you to scan the document back and wait for approval of the scan before you sent it out? I know some companies ask for quality control issues.
I only ask because I had a similar type of request. I took my computer with me and used my PDF Scanner on my phone uploaded the document using my mobile hotspot and dropped the document off all in the parking lot of the FedEx ship center. It was a deed signing so it wasn’t too bad. Would not have been able to do it on a full package though.

No. And I certainly would have done the same. But my question was not entertained. A few months ago I would have asked that question and some would have told me, “if you can assure we will have the documents the next day you don’t have to scan back”. I like to place documents in the shipping package in front of the signer to give them a sense of security that I am focused on and taking their documents to completion immediately after signing. Another reason I don’t like to have scan backs break the momentum of the signing.

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Scanbacks for an experienced notary are a joke unless the transaction is a same day funding. These are quality checks and most time go back to the signing service. They don’t trust the notaries who are getting their work because they pay so little. They want to spot check your work unnecessarily.

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$40 paper is hard to find. Think double that, and since there is a paper shortage in the country anticipate increases. To say printing costs equals just the cost of paper means you would have to print blank pages. There are toner costs, equipment costs, repair/replacement costs. And there is your time cost and profit.

What do UPS stores, PostNet, etc charge to copy/print a page? Is it 10 cents, 15 cents, or more? Could they be factoring in the cost of paper, toner, machine costs, human costs and PROFIT???

Yes, I know if you take them 1 page and have 200 copies made the cost may go down. If you take them 10 pages and have 200 copies made the price per page may go down a little more.

These stores know they need to earn a profit. In general, do notaries know the same?

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Local UPS store charges $0.13/b&w page
plus a handling charge & tax.

I just bought 2 cases of all-purpose 8 1/2 X 11 paper (20 reams) for $40 each.

You’re right about factoring in all the costs incurred when printing. I was just noting that the per-page cost of paper [only] is .008.

This subject has been beat to death on this site. Suffice for me to say that everyone’s costs vary, sometimes greatly between one another. Nevertheless, one’s costs are simply what they are. Title/escrow/lenders/signing houses don’t really care; they’ve got their own costs to worry about and don’t give much thought to those of the poor notary. It’s best for one to get as efficient as possible, ask for fees commensurate with the work, negotiate when possible and decide if one is making enough to remain in this business.

I buy my letter at Costco $35 a case 10 reams used to be cheaper!

Unfortunately I buy legal at Office Depot/Officemax about $94 a case of 10 reams.

Will never ever buy paper online again!

I just want to say this! “RON baby, you are looking more and more attractive right now!” :joy:

No! The fee is $80-$90 within my area. I just send Servicelink on. I would consider if signing is really nearby or early appointments. I haven’t done much business with Servicelink since pandemic appeared. The new notaries are here!

I got my callback from to complete my setup with SL today and I do think they just tell you they got notaries taking refi’s for $76! Well I’m not buying into that. If we work for $76 we are basically paying them for the job. I will not go lower that 90 for a regular standard refi no scanbacks in town (which is low but acceptable) . I upped my price once out of my zip code , so we shall see if I get work from them or not.:woman_shrugging:t5:

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I caught 10 realms of letter size paper on sale at staples today for $28.

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That’s a great price. I would stock up for sure.

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Office Depot Printing charges 3 cents a copy for notaries. But - you have to sign up with them as a notary and get an SPC card with an SPC number. I find it more convenient than printing documents myself, especially when I have more than 2 orders. . They charge same for both legal and letter and you order is printed and organized the way escrow wants it
 Just email order to office depot - then pick it up on your way to signings. Saves you printing time as well


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@seattlecondospecialist I am beyond stunned that you email a borrower’s loan package to Office Depot for them to print. Borrower’s privacy and security of their PII goes right out the window with this practice
and is also goes beyond all best practices for a notary public

Just Wow
no other words

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This it my first time posting but I read the blogs and have learned a lot from all of you. I am a newbie as well and I will say when your name isn’t recognized by a lot of SS and TC; it is very hard starting off to get the offers. Some of us have put our total focus on making this business flourish and it we can’t afford to turn down offers when we are new in the field. I do agree some of the fees for all things considered are low balling us for what all is required. Keep in mind for someone starting off a month or so ago, they have to take what they can get. It is a learning experience and an opportunity for the SA to build their brand and establish a reputable reputation; and it’s hard when there are so many seasoned veterans in the game. I am not in the most booming City but the surrounding counties around me have a market that is more fast pace and attract more revenue. When I think about how many offers I get a day and can only get because the seasoned Vets gets it first; it can almost be discouraging. You have to crawl before you walk. I completely understand a lot the Vets on this platform and no disrespect because I listen to all of you. But for the newcomers the acceptance of the lower pay is a different perspective from the Vets. For that reason I work diligently on marketing myself for direct relationships because I realize that is going to take me where I want to go with my business versus SS. I encourage other newcomers to step out on faith and have confidence in what they have learned and challenge themselves to get some direct deals/closings along with the SS.

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Ouch, I’m shocked too. I delete all info off my computer immediately after UPS/FedEX drop off, so letting the client’s private info floating out there is a BIG NO for me. I always use encrypted email with password when dealing with private info.