metzger_nsa makes a valid point that we oldies blew right past: NSA error? NSA fixes it at no cost to hiring party.
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But hiring party asked OP for their trip fee..hence their question. I agree if NSA error it’s on NSA on to correct their own dime - but if signer refuses to sign maybe OP should have just attached a note (Or had signer write a quick note about why) - signers’ refusal to sign is not NSA error.
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That’s true, too. But we can’t just say OK and move on, As you said–explanation needed. As to hiring party asking what trip fee to fix would be—maybe they actually felt a bit guilty over how badly they’d ripped her off? In any case, even offering is a rare and beautiful thing. Hope they made her whole.
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I am so sorry you are underpaid because of your newness. You were underpaid to begin with. Start now by setting a perimeter of how far you will travel for a standard fee. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. The short distance will help when you to have a “hiccup”. Plus, it is working smarter not harder. You are lucky they are offering you a trip fee. Normally the companies have a set print and trip fee. That’s a long drive for anything under $150-200.
Get in the habit to always text or call the company when the signers don’t want to sign. You do not have to argue with them but tell them that they want all forms signed and not signing a form may hold up the closing, so you want to check with your company or Title before leaving.
There are staples in every package and some do not apply to the signers transaction. If it is not obligating the Signer have them sign it as a disclosure which is what a lot of those forms are. In general they want everything signed. When in doubt text or call to ask for advice. The title and Signing Company would rather have you ask than assume and hold something up.
I learned the business from asking and listening when the signers had questions and how Title answered.
Not sure what to charge for a 2nd trip in your situation.
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Hi Gina,
Welcome to our world. If the signers refused to sign a document the first step is to call the scheduling company and explain the situation. Depending on the document, it could call for a redraw and you are to collect both copies and leave. You should be paid a full fee even if the complete set wasn’t signed.
If you cannot reach anyone at scheduling then you can try posting a message on the portal where you downloaded the documents. Keep working but turn that page aside in your document set. If you don’t hear from anyone in 10 minutes, go back to the page and write at the signature line “Declined.” That means the signers saw the page but did not sign, not that you accidentally flipped it over not realizing it needs a signature. If it is not a notarized document they can probably e-sign later.
If you have tried to contact someone and documented your try, you are within your rights to ask for a second trip fee. Do not be shy of asking anywhere from 35 to 50 dollars for that. Once you tell the person asking you how much you charge they will either say, “ok” or “can you work with me for X amount.” You ask them if they need it urgently or it can wait a few days. This is so you can get another signing nearby to halve the expense of the special trip. You must also make sure they include the mailing label unless a scan will suffice. Overnight FedEx can be over $40 if you have to pay it. I have sometimes mailed a document back with US Postal for a fraction of the cost, it all depends on the urgency.
If the error is determined to be yours, you skipped the page or forgot to print it. You are expected to return for free. It is unusual that anyone would ask you to go back and pay you unless the title company or the lender forgot to include the document. It is good policy to keep the soft copy of the documents until they are delivered at the title company. Then you can check the set to see if that document was ever in the original set. An example of documents that are mistakenly left out include riders to the DOT or in rarer instances a Certificate of Trust.
You will have to decide if ‘taking one for the team’ is worthwhile in order to build a relationship with the company that hired you or if they should look for another notary to pick up the mistake. Sometimes you will see offers for a single document for $35, that is probably cleaning up a previous error. In your case you are still taking a loss but you are helping make the document set whole. The first years of a notary are filled with errors, it is part of learning your craft. Try not to be discouraged, we all have made our share of blunders, as long as the error isn’t deliberate, you should be ok.
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It would take a large trip fee to recoup the cost to do it. If it were me, I would do it for no trip free. That will get you good “Points” with the service.
Well number 1 the fee was way too low
Number 2 . You get signed every form doc etc in the o a ckage where itsays so.
Sny questions .YOU CALL TITLE .NEVER tske a siner word
You got hired to get those docs signed. GET THEM ALL SIGNED
Fyi
Yes they probably signed everything before ..BUT YOU ARE THERE FOR A WET SIGNING FOR THE LOAN OFFICER ETC TO FILE THE COMPLETE SIGNED SET OF DOCS
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Gina
Your advisors are paying all your bills?
If you dont establish yourself as a professional..u will be low fee notary
U must figure a minimum of $50/ hour.as payment.
Includes
Driving time
Printing and prepping ( i put “sign here” stickers everywhere required including” notarize here “for me or other notary ..i use bright colored stickers .
Size and type of package. ( how manypages what type of signing? Buyer ..seller heloc loan mod to determine signing time and number of signers 160 pages one signer easily 1 hour time
Scan back time 35 minutes for 160 pages if u have a good printer scanner
Drop off time drive out to drop docs and come home
All of that costs u money
If your advisors dont know this ..get new advisors.
This c established first is nonsense as u take low ball fees
If i have 160 page buyer package with one signer 90 min away with scans print and prep spprox 5 hours of work $250.is my fee.period
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She has to call from table to get title ok or
Its on her to go back
For that distance, there’s no way you should accept less than $100, even if it’s just to get one document signed.
At that fee and mileage and page count you paid them…..
Tell them the trip fee is $75. They don’t have a choice. Next time charge any signing company $180-200 for this same signing. Sorry but you got taken advanced of. In time you will “Know the Way” (Mandalorian quote)
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I’ve learned that lesson the hard way before. I’ve learned. If someone doesn’t think they need to sign something make them call the title company or loan officer to get approval to not sign the form. I let them know that I am responsible for getting everything signed. I’m surprised they offered to pay for you to go back but 80 miles each way is a crazy distance. I charge pre minute i’m in the car driving to them 1.00/Minute that’s just for simplicity. Charge them the minimum of the of the current milage rate of .70 I don’t think I would ever take a signing that far, I don’t know your area or how busy things are but things need to make business sense for you even if you are just starting.
I live in WY and I don’t do a signing for under $475 when it is more than 120-150 miles after that it’s another $50 per 50 miles. Think of Fed mileage rates $0.70, 4 hours @ $20 an hour and then a typical signing fee of $150 no scans $175 with scans.
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I don’t read any condescending comments here in this thread. I see really nice & experienced Notaries trying to help you. I love this site as it gives us insights on what other notaries experience and these same people helping you give amazing insights. I hope you stay on here and learn from them as I have over the years. They have invaluable information. As far as your question for trip & print fee I’d ask for $50 and explain the distance you traveled and think that’s a fair fee. They will most likely counter but at least you asked. Good luck with your business
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Well, that’s not the point of the thread, but her only error was not contacting title from table. Signers said they didn’t need to sign (and probably refused to sign) - I think she should be paid to go back. JMO
I disagree ..shes asking about trip fees
If she didnt get a signature because client wouldnt sign. She needed to call title and find out if that was ok..
Any return to sign doc is on her dime..
She can ask for a trip fee since they paid only $80. But ..regardless..she needs to go back and get the form signed .
Imo 2 lessons learned ..160 page package w 132 mile rt is more then$80.
Sign the whole package ..any refusal..call title
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@CAFRAN2 okay…I see your point and we’ll agree to disagree. Now, I’ve already answered the question she asked as best I could. Instead of arguing over whether she should or should not be paid, since company has asked her for her trip fee..how about you tell HER how much you would charge. IOW, you answer her question
Hello! I would like to talk about being a LSA in California. I have all the documents approved and I have got the costs for the Bond, etc. I’m ready to go, I would like to talk with someone who is both an NSA and a LSA. You can read my profile if it helps, but basically: I am a certified paralegal, NSA, former realtor and I have experience as a legal assistant and paralegal in litigation and real estate with some experience in estate planning. I think the LSA designation looks like a good fit. But how do I make money!!!??? Thanks
By doing some homework. Figure out your car costs to every zip you’ll go to as those can be major expenses. $25 is pretty standard for edocs, BUT large pkg. cost more to print PLUS more table time. ADD your hours/profit. And never accept less. $80 is a loss. $95 (for me anyway) works out to less than minimum wage. It’s your business–figure out your costs & what your time is worth. LSA & NSA are simply name variations for the same type of work.
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Now that “Trip” fee…Wow, that’s like me taking an $80 assignment in Palm Springs, CA, then being told to drive back out there for a missed signature. You agreed to the assignment, so they own you…have a nice drive.
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