I had a bit of a meltdown last week due to my biggest pet peeve. Waiting for documents. I always make it clear that I need the docs 24 hours prior to signing so I can print, review, and mark the documents. I want the signers to know they are working with a professional and nothing says AMATURE like a closer fumbling through docs, or even worse, printing them while the signer is sitting at my desk. I’d also like to ask the companies that hire us: “Have you ever had printer problems?” Here is the actual exchange I had during last weeks meltdown, it also covers poor communications:
“Robert, I will reach out to title regarding docs. Do you always require docs 24 hours prior to signing time?”
YES I do. I want to be professional and you want docs signed correctly. If every notary took the time to go through the docs prior to signing there would be far less mistakes and scans would be less necessary. I like to put the little “sign here” stickers on before meet and if something in the docs is confusing to me I want to call you and ask about it. Regretfully many signing companies DON"T answer phone calls and we have to guess. It is extremely disappointing when some companies use portals and make demands of us but won’t even give us a phone call or let us call them. To us notaries this is a very one sided operation. Threating demands for perfection from us (or or commission gets cut) yet some signing companies are so darn lazy they don’t answer phone calls. I want 24 hours so I can overcome a few of the obstacles we face out in the field.
I had two appointments from the same company yesterday about a 2.25 hour drive from home so I said the day before I really need to get both packages today so I can avoid having to drive home to print between appointments.
Guess what didn’t happen. But they did pay extra. it just would have been a much easier day without the extra driving.
I will print the same day. I always request advance receipt so I can be prepared. I’ve pulled out of a couple in the past and I’ve also had some cancel at the last minute because they booked a notary without knowing documents wouldn’t be ready.
24 hours is the perfect world. I’m happy with 2 hours for local work and 4 hours if it’s long distance. I see the same lenders and title companies all the time so surprises don’t happen very often.
I know exactly what you mean! When I accept an assignment for following day, I always advise hiring entity that, due to busy schedule, I’ll need docs by end of day and if that’s not possible, please re-assign. I give them options. 99% of the time, I get docs the day prior to signing.
For same day appointments, I need docs immediately or they can re-assign. THEY always have options with me and I don’t stress about having to rush.
Hi, I understand where you’re coming from regarding needing the documents at least 24 hours ahead of time however sometimes that is not possible. I am also a realtor and have been on the other side where we’re still waiting for documents and the signings is to happen today! . I have also been a realtor in the Signing where I know exactly what you’re saying the signing agent shows up and the documents hot off the press and they are not prepped so he is sort of reading the documents as he goes through them and looking for a signature lines for the signer. Although this particular signer was very professional about it, it did take a bit longer than it may have otherwise have they been prepared, but he was very careful and going through each document and making sure nothing was missed in this case.
Typically what I tell them is that if you want me to sign this at 1 o’clock and you’re just now getting me the documents at 12:30 it is not enough time for me to print two sets of documents and prep for the signing. I have asked for them to adjust the time that I am to arrive to allow me that time, and I have never had any pushback. They have always complied.
Thank you Notarynohio, I retired as a RE Broker about 6 years ago. Now in my 70’s I do stay active as a Notary. I’m finding some of the signing companies behavior is not worth it but I will keep on a while longer.
For me, the docs that arrive on time are the appts that get priority. Appts with late docs go to end of the line, or are returned back to the hiring party. Sometimes, borrowers are flexible and sometimes not. Nonetheless, I won’t make an appt with on-time docs suffer for an appt. with late docs.
I accepted a signing last Tuesday for next Monday. At that time, I notified TC that I’d need docs by end of day today, Friday. Not a problem; she’d upload them as soon as she received them. This morning, I emailed TC asking if we were still on schedule or should I ask borrowers about their flexibility on their time for Monday. TC’s response: Signing has been cancelled as lender won’t be ready for Monday. Guess I would’ve found out sometime or other.
I called borrowers to advise of cancellation. They didn’t know either.
