Signer Over-Share

Hi all -while I have been a notary for over 17 years, I am just a beginner with loan signings and I am hoping you can shed some light on how I should handle/respond to situations like this one:

At every signing I have completed, the signer is very chatty and wants to tell me about their situation, why they are doing their refi, why they are selling, etc. I am unsure how to respond without discussing their situation or coming across as uninterested or cold.

Has anyone else encountered this?

2 words: take control.

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Yes
many times. If your schedule is not jam-packed, I would just say empathy and compassion go a long way and letting them speak, being a good listener, may ingratiate you for further work with them on a general notary basis.

I agree with Arichter - yes, take control - but I think being willing to listen without giving advice or opinions, is paramount. Just know where to draw the line - if they ask “what do you think?” or “what would you do?” 
 my answer is usually “I’m sorry, I can’t address that” then, if appropriate, refer them to an attorney or other competent entity.

JMO

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smile and nod. If things get crazy slip out, call the cops and let them handle it.
LInda H-FL’s comment on being a good listener is good advice
(by “smile” I really meant match their facial expression)

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I have had several clients that get a little too chatty. I hear them out, But I would just keep going through the forms as they talk. Some get the hint, while others multi task with talking and signing. =)

Thank you for your response. I do listen and try to be supportive and interested and try to keep it moving at the same time. I think as I gain more experience it will be easier.

Absolutely - I do try to keep it moving. It seems as though sometimes they pause while looking at the form, but then go right back to the conversation - it is fine with me as long it doesn’t keep me there forever.

Smile (if the conversation they are engaging in calls for it)- that is easy for me for sure, thank you. I have found I am pretty good at having the right facial expressions at the right time (even while multitasking). Thank you for your comment.

If that happens to me, I tell signers they are in a judgement free zone and that I have no dog in the hunt. If that doesn’t work I tell people the only way I can remain error free is to focus on the task and not talk a lot. That usually works when I say, “because you probably don’t want to sign all of this again”.

They’re called strokers in the insurance sales business. Question: how do you conduct a signing? Do you hand each document to the signer then chat about it? If you do, then stop, take charge and just tell them where to sign. Remember the signer is not your friend. If you lose focus and screw up the assignment you’re going to hate going back to fix it.

Guess I could have offered some pointers in ‘taking control’. First, hand them your business card while asking for their IDs (sets the tone). Give them the CD to ‘look over in depth’ while you enter ID info into journal. You’ll probably finish about the same time, so ask “Any questions?” Usual answer is No, as they’ve most likely seen it already. “Good, then please sign here” and have next doc in your hand to ‘present’ the moment you get first signed doc back. Keeping the docs moving tends to prevent chit-chat. They are not your friends; it’s business.