Sharing results of Research after receiving a schedule request.
As you may already know, it’s wise to research & vet a new client prior to providing a definitive confirmation to them for your initial Signing Order [SO] for them. A great start of research would begin within the Notary Cafe forums Search Function.
Received a text message today from Dana Harper, Realtor407-868-3761, with Keller Williams in Orlando, FL also OWNER of Mobile Closing Now, LLC. She was requesting availability for a “last-minute” buyer signing today at a location that was over 35 miles away (one-way).
First step was to go online and Search her name & her business name for reputation and tenure.
No results via the Notary Cafe Search
Google Reviews were quite revealing (negative) from Signing Agent perspective
Other internet Search results provided confirmation of her name, realtor status, & business owner status of Mobile Closings Now LLC
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As an Independent Contractor always protect yourself financially when considering the acceptance of a SO.
Perform online research the potential client/new to you utilizing a reliable Search Engine for locating Dunn & Bradstreet, BBB, Google Reviews, their website. These online locations can provide many insights to the nature of the business that entity has conducted in the past.
When researching the reviews, if these are usually negative with a flurry of “positive” input surrounding a limited window of dates => this should raise your suspicion that these are not valid reviews . . .
Utilize your Critical Thinking skills to determine the potential validity of the offered Signing Order [SO]; i.e., proceed with caution when the following present themselves:
a. Last-minute/RUSH SOs from a business entity (new to you) with lots of over-the-top detailed instructions for a large package with scanbacks and a demand for same-day handoff. These are usually SOs that the business entity was unable to fill during the normal lead-time for a SO.
b. The scheduler has a “pleading” type of demeanor; i.e., asking you to give them a chance or their “accounting department” has turned over a new leaf, or their business is under “new management,” etc.
c. When you’ve researched & comment that there are many reviews of non-payment & they offer to “Pay you in advance” => just remember that those types of payments can be disputed/reversed. So, it may be best just to simply do a “Hard Pass” on those SOs.
Of course, this process certainly isn’t comprehensive, just a baseline starting point for your list of methods to vet a potential new client & determine if there is a good fit for you to accept their SO.
Accessing the Notary Cafe database to locate information about potential clients has saved many of us an inordinate amount of time ‘chasing’ payments for Services professionally provided to potential non-payers/extremely SLOW payers . . .
Please never feel pressured to accept a Signing Order [SO] - especially during this time of minimal SO availability. That’s a time to easily be placed into the scope crosshairs for non-payment.
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We all see multiple members posting about NON-PAYMENT situations with Signing Services [SSs].
Here is the thought process:
Last-minute request for a signing in a few hours.
Caution
Took about 5 seconds to access the Notary Cafe forum & type in the business entity name
===>>> No results.Red Flag
A few seconds to type the business entity name into Google
Immediately found the 2 negative Professional Signing Agent [PSA] reviews. Red Flag
The direct experience of the 2 separate PSAs that were extensively distant across time & each elucidated the scenario quite clearly.
HARD PASS
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Of course, it’s at your discretion to make the determination about Acceptance/Rejection of a potential SO.
One could always “Accept” the SO with the provisio that if the business entity reputation reveals untoward experiences, that the SO will be returned to them.
It’s much better to perform a Search & do some Research on the business entity PRIOR TO providing professional services to ensure the business has a SOLID reputation. This minor effort will ensure that you’re not expending excessive energy chasing payment or writing off SOs as a loss (due to non-payment) on tax forms…
It only took a few seconds to locate the above noted data.
Yes that is very true! You make a valid point! It would also be a good idea to have a list of deadbeats not to accept from, so when the order come across you’ll have it at your finger tips…as I said before, when it come across you only have time to glance at who is sending the order, what it is, when & time it is, where & how much they paying! Before you respond and its gone, good, bad or ugly!! Yes it’s 6 1 way, half a dozen the other!! Good luck er’body!!
Truly, it’s MUCH easier to Create a New Contact in the Contacts Listing for each “deadbeat” business entity.
This will preclude you from locating the list or image of the list to then read, etc.
The Lead Term in the New Contacts Name could start with the following:
NO!
DEADBEAT
NON-PAYER
PAYMENT AFTER 60 BUSINESS DAYS
Etc.
If you take the time to create these entries, it will save you an IMMENSE amount of time & effort. Your ‘Decision Process’ will be minimalized down to only business entities that are VALID clients OR new potential clients to VET thoroughly PRIOR TO providing professional services.
Use the available tools to BEST ADVANTAGE your business!
@slcaldwell201Did you my note (above) about that scenario?
One could always “Accept” the SO with the provisio that if the business entity reputation reveals untoward experiences, that the SO will be returned to them.
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There are multiple options available to ensure that each business owner receives remuneration for the professional services they provide.
I just wanted to update this post…I also did a closing for Mobile Closings Now on 7/15/24 and called today to check status of payment. I left a voicemail and about 5 mins later Dana with the company texted me back and zelled me my payment instantly. The phone number she contacted me from was 407-488-9429. She was very nice and was concerned because she is moving offices and is kinda in limbo. Id reach out if you need help.
I too was recently contacted from Mobile Closings Now . I did the research and found these reviews. I am very appreciative that this was on here and I respectfully, turned down the business.
If you do accept it, still vet them. And if they have horrible ratings
call\email them to tell them you cannot complete the signing due to their horrible ratings!
I had a request come in from them as well. She wanted a closing for Saturday at any time, scanbacks and additional witness required. I asked if the client would be providing any additional witness. She said they cannot. I find it strange that they can’t find a friend or neighbor for their transaction but I suppose the same goes for me. I simply don’t have any family or friends I can call on at a moments notice. I was willing to serve as a witness however I don’t have another neutral party to serve as a second witness.
At the same time, I was researching here and online. I am grateful that this site exists. It has been an invaluable source of information for me.
