I have done signings for Premium Closing Solutions for almost 2 years. They were one of my biggest clients. I have not had any problems with them, but what I would like to say is this. I do understand that if a Notary is a bad Notary where they are constantly late and making a lot of mistakes a company should not use them. But when life happens, I don’t think a Notary should be punished for it. The last signing that I did for Premium Closing I was running late because my car broke down. I text the signer to let her know and she replies back okay. That was it. My husband had to meet me where I was, and we switched cars so I would not be later than I already was. As I was on my way the title company called me asking where I was. I was told that the signer told them that I never showed up. I explained to them what happened. And now because of that one incident the title company requested not to use me anymore. Am I right to feel that this is unfair? What was I supposed to do? I can’t predict when my car breaks down or something in life happens. Now, one of the biggest clients I had is no longer using me and this is how I pay my bills.
Sorry you’re experiencing this. Yes, it seems somewhat unfair.
For future … In case you’re going to be late to an appointment for whatever reason, contact the signer(s), the signing service and/or the title company. Advise all parties as to what the situation is and let them know when you anticipate arriving or if they should send someone else out immediately.
It sounds cold: Life happens – car breaks down, auto accident, weather conditions, etc. – and the world goes on.
@carolsmithntry It is truly unfortunate that you experienced this situation with Premium Closing Solutions, and I can only imagine how stressful it must have been to face such an unexpected turn of events. It’s essential to keep in mind that every company, including title companies and signing services, operates with its own unique set of policies and specific approaches to how they are enforced. We all acknowledge that life often throws curveballs, and it’s understandably disheartening to lose one of your main signing service clients, especially when that client has been a reliable source of income for you. However, it’s also important to view this as a valuable learning experience and a chance to not only adapt but also to strengthen your business. Instead of dwelling on what has happened, consider this an opportunity to not only improve your business but also to build greater resilience. Now is the time to take proactive steps to not only recover but also to strategically restructure your business model. For example, I have diversified my income streams by establishing three distinct business service lines. This strategy allows me to mitigate risks, as if one area experiences a slowdown or loses a client, the other two lines continue to generate income, ensuring that my financial stability and long-term savings goals are consistently met. Have the mindset that you will have a prosperous 2026!
@yolicue Thank you for the advice. That is what I am going to do next time. I should have called the signing company and/or the title company.
@cfletcher You are so right. I should take this as a learning curve and continue to do what needs to be done. I am not going to dwell on this, but to take this experience as a learning experience and do what needs to be done. Such as calling all parties and not just the signer. I don’t believe in dwelling. You can never move forward if you do. What happened is a disappointment, but also something to learn from. Thank you. You have given great advice.
The companies who hire are empowered from the situation: market, a lot of notaries and a lot of people misled to become a notary. They found the way to take advantage from us. I stopped working for now and observing where it might go.
I would probably try to get someone on the phone to request a suspension be lifted.
You wrote: I text the signer to let her know and she replies back okay……the signer told them that I never showed up.
Not doing that signing was probably a blessing in disguise. Who knows what she would have lied about and blamed on you. I would call PCS and speak with whomever is in charge and explain the situation.
It too took me a while to figure out that the signer is not your client. Too bad you’re discovering this now but look on the bright side, there are hundreds of signing services all looking for experienced notaries. As to the comment “diversify income streams,” well I’m assuming that you already have a working husband who’s your silent but contributing business partner and your part-time loan signing is diversification.
So Premium Closing Solutions always sends an email asking if you’re going to be on time to their appointment. Saying no, doesn’t automatically get you suspended. Did you say yes and then were really late?
I had to go EXTREMELY rural yesterday for them, it was foggy 2 lane highway through wheat fields GPS said I’d arrive 7 minutes late. I just explained why I was going to be a few minutes late, notified the signer and that was all.
I think if a notary says no to will you be on time for this appointment very often there could be consequences. A one off, probably not. Saying you’ll be on time and then being late might be a problem. What is your history of response to their advance email they send?
We had a power outage and couldn’t get out of my garage because my electric garage door opener woudn’t work. I was panicked. I call SS first. Then I called client. Everything was ok on both ends. Client even told me how to open my garage door. But my BIG suv made it hard to get to the little pull thingy. But I did it. Called SS I was on my way. We all had a good laugh out of it. Title called me later that day and thanked me for letting everyone know. They even laughed I didn’t know how to open door. It was a first for me.
That happened to me with Premium solutions as well almost 2 years ago.
I was under the impression that the design for electronic garage door openers always included a manual operation in case of power outage ….or worse, a fire.
@johnsonps306 Yeah, they did end up lifting it and now they are giving me signings again.
@LKTHORNTON1 Yeah, I told them from the start. But they are using me again, but I am going to make sure this time that I get a hold of them too if this happens again.
@ewing_joe Yes, that is correct. I am also in the middle of looking for a w2 job.
@johnsonps306 I do get the emails, but I never respond to it. I just thought they were reminders. I don’t usually check my emails when I am out. I use the email for personal use as well. I think I need to change that somehow, so I know if it’s business or personal.
@AgentSandieW Yeah, I will have to call everyone next time. Just so that way they are all on the same page and something like this doesn’t happen again. Hopefully I won’t have to run to something like this again, but you never know.
@MMDnotaryservice Yikes. Did you try to reconcile with them? They are using me again and this time I am going to be smart about it if I am running late.
They seem to want to answer to that email.