I completed an assignment for this Lender. The appointment was on a Saturday and the drive was 1hr/10 minutes each way. Printed two Refinance packets (over 200 pages) and was with the clients for 20/25 minutes before they decided not to sign the paperwork because the closing cost was too high and the amount, they were supposed to get back was not what they were told. So, they decided not to sign at all. I couldn’t get into with anyone at the table because these people were in the woods. Lol They did allow me to use there Wi-Fi to leave a message. They even tried to call the lender they were working with, no answer. So I left. This assignment was for $155 dollars. I couple weeks later I get an invoice from snapdocs with the amount that was due for pass assignments. Well, it was wrong, so I go online, and this company has change the fee to $30. I’m so mad. I call the lady I spoke with earlier about some issues concerning the paperwork. And she stated I was lucky I was getting that back because the company wasn’t going to give me anything since the client didn’t sign. I told her that the client not signing was not my issue. I was contracted to do a job for a fee of $150 not $30. My promise fee should not be reduced, due to the client not signing. There is nothing written that states I would not be paid my original fee if the client did not sign. $30 doesn’t cover print, or gas, or my time. She gave me a email address of the area that handles accounts, but they have not responded. But I did receive an email from snapdoc stating my $30 will be deposited in 8-10 days. I will never take another assignment from this company.
WFGLS is a title/escrow company. It’s great working direct with title/escrow as you’re apt to get most of the pie allocated to the closing (if you quote and agree accordingly).
That being said, the only drawback with working direct is that if loan doesn’t happen for whatever reason (borrowers rescind during RTC, borrowers don’t qualify at final credit review, borrowers decline to sign at last minute, etc.), notary usually receives no compensation. They’re giving OP $30 for possibly a print & trip fee. Granted $30 doesn’t really cover a 2+ hour drive. However, WFG probably has a set amount they consider a print & trip fee. Some companies will pay 1/2 the agreed fee as a print & trip fee if a long drive is involved.
OP is correct in saying “that the client not signing was not my issue.” The question here becomes: Was the CD sent to borrowers for review at least 3 days prior to scheduled signing appointment? Doing so, borrowers would’ve caught the discrepancies in the numbers PRIOR to signing appointment and, after discussing those discrepancies with their lender, borrowers could’ve decided whether to accept those terms or had them corrected to their satisfaction – ALL PRIOR TO SIGNING APPOINTMENT. To avoid this predicament in the future, perhaps notary should ask borrowers during confirmation call if borrowers have received and reviewed their CD?
For now, if notary is certain borrowers were not sent their CD for review as prescribed, perhaps a complaint can be filed with CFPB? Or, perhaps notary can talk to someone at WFGLS headquarters about the situation?
This assignment was thru Snapdocs, and the client not signing the paperwork with this title company has nothing to do with me. The lender should be charging the Client for the Notary fee they have to still pay for services rendered, which was agree upon by the lender & notary/me. If you pay someone to decorate your home for a party, and no one shows. You are still required to pay that person because they provided a service you requested and agree to pay for. People not showing up is not the decorator problem. I’m tired of these lenders picking and choosing if they want to pay. And now you’re stating I need to check with the client about paperwork they should have received and view from the lender thru email. So now that the responsibility of the notary too. We already must check their paperwork for errors & if we miss something they deduct our fee. It’s ridiculous
I’m sorry this happened to you.
100% agree. But I must add that one of the biggest aspects of being a mobile notary/loan signing agent that I appreciate most is; I, get to call the shots! You may get me once, maybe even twice but 3 strikes you’re out!! (“Mama didn’t raise no fool!!) lolI
If I keep my end of the deal, it’s expected that Tutle/Signing companies,? Lenders and individuals will do the same.
Bad business is bad business . So, I have made mental note of irresponsible, hypocritical, non-paying, untimely paying people/compajies and I choose to no longer do business with. Cause their raggedy! lol
Recently I had a similar situation with a company. I accepted a mortgage modification assignment for $120. Met with the two signers, one signer was 95 years old and claimed not being aware of the situation and refused to sign. I dialed three different phone numbers, finally got a person on the phone and explained the situation. I was told my fee would be paid. I received only a fraction of my total fee. I called the signing service and explained that as a Notary Public, I am impartial in the signing process. I have no vested interest and should be paid the full amount. The company agreed to pay the full amount to me. I have only been paid trip and print fees for “no shows” by the hiring companies.
Concur 
percent with the statement as excerpted above.
Many Signing Services [SS] as well as Title /Escrow Company [T/EC] employees are not cognizant of this fact & that withholding the Notary Public/Signing Agent fee while “awaiting funding” of the transaction places us into a potential position of a vested interest . . .
CAVEAT VENDITOR
YES AND YES on every point…
Good in theory. Really good and it should work in a perfect world. But many times the people calling us to set up these signing appointments are just schedulers who have no idea whatsoever what was or wasn’t sent to the borrowers or what their loan officer has explained or discussed with the borrowers prior to the signing agent’s arrival. And even if borrowers do receive the Closing Disclosure 3 days prior, it’s no guarantee they have actually reviewed it.
I agree with your response. Yolanda, I rather like the way you recap OP scenarios and respond to each point. You are a good writer! 
@Carmen_Lane - Thank you for your kind words, Carmen.
Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I was suggesting notary ask BORROWERS (not schedulers) during confirmation call if they received and reviewed their CD. We all know loan officer should go over CD with borrowers once the final CD is drawn up. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen. Like you said … in a perfect world …
The only time I’ve been paid full fee is when a signer didn’t show or the hiring company didn’t respond to a bad address.
But I always bill 50% on a canceled signing. Usually that’s what I receive.
I really like WFG. I usually wait to print their documents because sometimes an updated CD is included that has to be switched out with the one in the package.
Sorry your experience wasn’t good.