3 months ago, I was unknowingly placed on suspension with Signing Order for insisting that they advise me when I would be receiving what I deemed to be an overdue payment from them. After 5 email attempts, I finally got their attention by advising them that they would be contacted by the Consumer Federal Financial Bureau (CBFB). Unfortunately, they do not oversee signing companies, and I don’t know who else to turn to in the state of Florida.
Anyway, the suspension was scheduled to be reinstated on April 15. It hasn’t been and I don’t care any longer, but they continue to charge me each month for the time I was suspended. I disputed the charges with the bank, and they gave me back my money. I suppose that’s all the recourse I can take, unless anyone else has additional suggestions? I hate that signing companies take advantage of notaries in a myriad of ways. I refuse to be a silent victim of their self-imposed rule over us.
There is a lot of advice on how to handle late payments. There have been those who disagree but the NNA recently posted an article in how notaries get blacklisted and many notaries here weren’t concerned. But when a signing service suspends you that’s multiple companies no longer in contact.
It’s unfortunate that this happened. But how we communicate with people that hires us has a lot to do with the flow of business. While I have had a few late payments in 4 years I have had one that didn’t pay. I have had to wait 3 months a couple of times and just don’t deal with those companies anymore.
This is really a cautionary tale in my opinion. Sometimes in our efforts to manage our business we alienate those who can keep us in business. I don’t mention companies by name very often. Many of them are here.
I’m glad that they are here. They should be. I live in rural area, and notaries are hard to come by. I refuse to be treated poorly by Signing Order or any other signing agency.
I have to wonder..if SO is a platform used by other companies and they “suspend” you, they are, in essence, keeping you from obtaining work - would this rise to the level of tortious interference? And since SO has decided to suspend you, are you now free to go through your files you’ve worked through them and contact the title companies directly? (I know, me, that would be one of the first things I would do). IMO, you’re not bound by their terms of service if they’ve suspended you.
Just a couple thoughts during my second cup of coffee
Signing Order is a platform. They are not the hiring party. By extension, they are also not who pays you. Who was the actual hiring party for the file you accommodated. That’s who you should be contacting for payment. If that fails, contact the title/escrow company involved and ask for their assistance.
Agree with Linda. Start contacting all those title companies whose files you’ve handled and market to them. It’s always best to work direct.
Hi Diane, I am trying to understand what you are saying about monthly fees for SigningOrder.com because that is just a platform and there is no charge for notaries to be listed on it. I don’t pay a monthly fee to them. WHO were you paying monthly just to be on the SigningOrder.com platform? Thanks for explaining.
I hope this answers your question. The premier service is $2.99 a month paid directly to Signing Order. I am unable to attach a photo of the charges here, apparently.
I had a direct signing earlier today, I have two scheduled for tomorrow and one on Wednesday. To my initial point, I really am not affected by the suspension, but would use this as a cautionary tale for others, especially new notaries. And whether it’s $2.99 a month or $299 a month, no one is not getting my money when they are not providing me with the service they agreed to provide.
Aha! Yes, this definitely explains it Thank you, Diane! I did not sign up for their fee version and still receive daily signing requests. Glad you were able to get your refund.
You list 20 zip codes for free. If you pay $2.99 you can add 20 more zip codes. I pay for 20 extra because it moves my service area out. I find traffic on SO has dropped off so I’m probably suspend the $2.99 fee.
“Could” is the operative word. I’ve actually been on that $2.99 plan for a while now. It lets you add more zip codes. I can’t really say with any certainty whether I’ve gotten more signings because of it or not, since the signings I’m getting are from the same zip codes that I was getting before I signed up for it. In other words, I was getting signings outside of the basic zip codes that you enter as a free member anyway. I thought that maybe you get more if you pay a nominal fee of $2,99 per month, but I have seen no evidence to support that.
Aloha - Just to mention, I am listed on basic Signing Order sight without a fee. But…I still get orders with my choosing. I would have to “counter sometimes” and sometimes it doesnt go thru’ But…I still receive assignments. Have a pleasant day.
Thank you, Diane! I did not sign up for their fee version and still receive daily signing requests. Glad you were able to get your refund.
for sharing your direct experience on that platform.