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October 30, 2016

Is Snapdocs a serious threat to 123notary?

Carmen is always worried about something. “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” She always thinks the industry is going to turn down and that 123notary will have a problem. So far, the industry has come crashing down many times. But, 123notary is so stable that we have survived these ups and downs unscathed.

But, 123notary has never had a serious competitor. Sure, Notary Rotary has been around since long before 123notary’s inception. Sure, SigningAgent.com is a huge competitor. But, our market share has never been negatively affected by other companies. Snapdocs has become so popular, that Carmen rightfully became concerned that they would cut into our market share. Although I see no definitive indication of that, it is true that 123notary normally has a steady growth in clicks from February to August. This year, our growth has been less dramatic. Our growth over last year is only a fraction of a percent which is not bad. At least we didn’t lose any ground.

The bigger question is, will Snapdocs become a serious threat to 123notary as they work out the kinks in their system and gain refinement, or will Notaries get tired of working under their platform and quit? My prediction is that seasoned Notaries are already beyond fed up and quit. New Notaries are also fed up, but don’t have any better offers. I believe that the new Notaries will continue to work for Snapdocs. If the current supply of Notaries is dried up by their disdain for lowballing, a new batch will come.

If you look at the Notaries on Snapdocs, they are almost all brand new and with hardly any experience or capability to write anything about themselves. In the past, no Notary directory was able to compete with 123notary in the long run. Snapdocs is the first serious threat to our market share that has happened in the history of 123notary.com.

The bottom line is, will Snapdocs figure out how to keep their Notaries happier, or will their Notaries all defect?

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You might also like:

Compilation of posts about Snapdocs
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21531

Yelp beating 123notary on Google search results
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=18991

Good signing companies – a thorough list
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21091

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19 Comments »

  1. They will wise up and do more General Notary Work – greater pay, fewer hassles.The flaw in the Snap Crackle and Pop outfit is that they cater ONLY to “signings” – the “seasoned” ones will stay here for the GNW exposure, and are found with your better search facilities. Snappy is on my call drop list, I’ll pass on the low pay and “rookie” treatment.

    Comment by Kenneth Edelstein — October 31, 2016 @ 12:17 am

  2. I defected. More trouble than it was worth. I prefer to work with companies that can call to find out I if I am available. It was ridiculous and dangerous trying to respond to all those text messages while I was flying around on the highway, and for business I didn’t even want. I would rather work for companies willing to pay more for the peace of mind of knowing they have someone who will get it right the first and only time. No other business really matters. Snapdocs companies can spend all day squabbling over $10.00. Not interested. I state my fee based on the particulars of the assignment, 99 percent of the time they don’t even hesitate, and we move on and get it done. Dealing with Snapdocs was like that nightmare where you’re back in high school and you’re sure you already graduated. Gawd, get me outta here!

    Comment by Violet O'Brien — November 2, 2016 @ 1:00 am

  3. I was not aware that it was an either/or situation I have been doing this for right at 3 years, while I know that doesn’t qualify me as a ‘seasoned’ veteran I feel it puts me beyond the status of ‘newbie’ or ‘rookie’.
    Over the course of those three years I have heard, more time than I can count, “we found you on 123Notary” and/or “Notary Rotary”. For that I am very grateful, but I have never made $400+ in a single week until becoming Snapdocs verified and I don’t feel that accepting jobs from $75-$120 dollars is being low balled, but even if it was, Snapdocs doesn’t make the offers the individual companies do.
    They also have a really great organizing platform (similiar to Notary Gadget) that keeps track of not only the jobs you get through Snapdocs but also the ones I receive from here, Notary Rotary, Notary Cafe and any other company, you just enter the info manually.
    Basically what I am saying is I couldn’t be enjoying my current sucess rate without each and every, online notary assisting company I have found.
    I am grateful to you all.

    Comment by Bonnie Ely — November 3, 2016 @ 6:43 am

  4. Sorry but I don’t see the problem here….there is enough business for everyone…seems like every day there is a new Signing Company….I do a lot of business with Snapdocs….I find them convenient…many of the companies I work with go through them…my payments are always dependable and on time if not early…I can upload faxbacks to their website…I have no issues with them….my login is the same for all the companies I work with so I don’t have to remember for all those that participate with Snapdocs.

    Comment by Ann Dye — November 22, 2016 @ 4:09 am

  5. I have been found more times on 123 than any other site. That goes for signing companies or the public wanting a reliable Mobile Notary. I haven’t received my 123 certified designation yet.. but I’m sure that would be a great addition to my profile…

    Comment by hopelynn — November 22, 2016 @ 4:23 am

  6. Snapdocs is convenient and efficient. 2 major downfalls: they low-ball, and it’s a race to click “ACCEPT” before any other notaries do. If they really care to have the better veteran notaries on their team, then they will use a similar strategy to Boston Narional Title which had specific notaries for “VIP” signings, which obviously paid more and were reserved for specific/proven/veteran notaries such as myself. Sending out an email blast to 1000 notaries in the same general area is basically forcing some of them to accept assignments regardless of fee and distance.

    99/100 I personally ignore their low-ball offers, but sometimes I might not be busy or an offer might be very close to home and I take one just to stay active. For me, it’s not worth getting stuck with a $100 signing and possibly having to turn down a title company who pays almost double, so I’d rather gamble and hope I get a request for more $ elsewhere. I mean, how else would I be able to pay for that top spot anywhere on the 123notary map… I’d have to work an entire month for Snapdocs to get anywhere near a good spot on 123 $$$

    Comment by Howie — November 22, 2016 @ 4:28 am

  7. Yeah 123Notary costs a bit but, I always advise newbies who whine about the cost of listing that you’ll make it up in 1 weeks worth of the calls you get. Rarely when a new co. calls me do they say they found me anywhere but 123. I belong to 123, Notary Rotary, and Notary Cafe. That’s it, I stopped wasting money on any of the other listing services, and I turn down as many signings as I take.

    Comment by Dave Love — November 22, 2016 @ 4:39 am

  8. To the Snapdoc fans that replied above. I believe it depends on where you live. I live in Southern California where Notaries are a dime a dozen however excellent notaries are much more rare. Snapdocs is the platform that the signing companies use to offer the 60 mile round trip, print 2 sets of a 170 pg file, complete fax back offers @ the price of $65.00.
    Why do they do that I know exactly why, because they can. Some Notaries are willing to work for what ends up being minimum wage or less after time & costs are expensed out.
    If you live in a state or part of the Country where there are not a TON of Notaries you most likely get higher offers thru the companies that throw signings out to “anyone” that is first to click accept.

    In reply to the post about “thousand dollar week” how about making those “thousand dollar days” as an experienced signing agent offer your services to the local lenders or escrow companies. Again depending on how large your service area is.
    You are a valuable asset to the closing process. Treat yourself that way.

    Comment by Maureen Lazar — November 22, 2016 @ 2:28 pm

  9. WHile some stick to established practices and hesitate to make changes or innovate, some new ones come along and uproot the entire established process and products. Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life.”
    So it is inevitable that change is happening and while 123notary and other traditional directory services will stay relevant for the occasional notary seeker, imagine the convenience that snapdocs offer and increase productivity for title and settlement companies.
    The can spend more time on other businesses and less time on calling notary after notary.

    So in that sense, unless 123notary and other traditional directory referral services don’t innovate, they will just slide into irrelevance.
    True, snapdocs model sucks for notaries, but something may come along, or some other notary programmer may create a better platform.

    Comment by NotaryN — November 22, 2016 @ 5:37 pm

  10. I’ve been a notary for over 12 years and have completed thousands of loan signings in Nor Cal and So Cal. Snap Doss is rather new but I have had several companies who do go through snap docs and do pay me well. Today, Doc Pros offered me a job for $100. They go through Snap Docs now. Yes, there are companies that low ball, and I just don’t answer the phone when they call. Or I let them know that I have a set amount I wont go below, and sooner or later they stop calling. My work is very consistent in So Cal. My income has steadily increased in just the last few months. It’s a wonderful job and I’m game to work for anyone who pays me well enough for the high quality job I do.

    Comment by Kathy Hageman — November 22, 2016 @ 8:01 pm

  11. I call it SnapCrap because none of the offers I see are worth taking. Their fees are always too low! If I put in a higher fee, I never get any calls. No thanks, I’ll pay for 123Notary and several other quality services and wait for assignments from companies who know what my services are worth and are willing to pay me accordingly. Don’t worry, Carmen, you’ll be around long after SnapCrap is gone.

    Comment by Laurence Menzel — November 22, 2016 @ 8:34 pm

  12. Wow … this article caught my attention because snapdocs has really given me steady work. 123 notary has given local companies acesss to my profile to job offers as well. Most tiltle and escrow companies that have contacted me through 123 notary have paid higher fees, for that I am greatful. I couldn’t be a signing agent full time without both snapdocs and 123. Snapdocs as a new notary gave me the chance to gain experience. I signed up one day and the next I been working having work everyday 123 needs to help signing agents gain consistent buisness. 123 forums have been my go to forums for knowledge about the buisness more so than gaining appointments. Good luck to all new Notary’s it’s no easy job looking for work but once you get your name out to title comp etc and do a great job regardless of the fee the work will come. Stay professional and optimistic remember we are in the buisness of helping others. Be helpful to the companies that hire you and you will get the return buisness regardless of what sites you are listed on ..

    Comment by Sakina Hogan — November 23, 2016 @ 1:46 pm

  13. I have definitely dialed back on the SnapDocs signings I do. For the little money they pay, it’s just not worth. And for the companies, like Coast2SCoast Signings, who pull a notary off of a job because they didn’t want to spend the extra $15 that they had already agreed on spending, it’s just not worth dealing with companies like that. I have found a different, similar service that offers higher prices, and have been working with them now. So long CrapDocs.

    Comment by Gil Sery — November 23, 2016 @ 6:21 pm

  14. I think SnapDocs is taking this market down for notary signing agents all over the United States. I am almost positive they are strictly act in the interests of signing companies and title companies only. They do not care of notaries at all. On Snap Docs, signing companies can change our fees as they please after you completed the signing and notary signing agents can do nothing about it. In 2016 we are happy to get paid $85 for a signing in California. Some bold signing companies dare to offer $50 and surprisingly they are able to locate those notaries working for them for this price.

    Comment by Irina Arteyeva — November 27, 2016 @ 10:01 am

  15. Snap Docs is a good complement to traditional listing directories. In my area, I receive 20-30 offers a month. It often helps to fill time gaps between appointments. If the offer is too low send feedback. I prefer to add $50-75 to my day instead of sitting in a coffee shop waiting for the next appointment. I also use Thumbtack for the same reason.

    Comment by Don Dickey — August 4, 2017 @ 1:20 pm

  16. I guess I do not understand. There is a place on snap docs to decline the offer that they are showing. If you are available you can put in your fee and any comments you wish and respond. I see not a lot of difference between negotiating on Snap Docs Vs Negotiating on the phone except for typing instead of talking. Everybody act like it is what they offer or nothing. It is not.
    Although I do a lot of business by direct calls, I still pay attention and negotiate on Snap Docs and get good work from them at my price.
    It is not snap docs trying to low ball it is the hiring party. Snap docs is just a platform. If we would all just negotiate at our fees instead of just accepting the lower fees as a lot of Notary do, we would show them that we are not
    interested in working for nothing.

    Comment by Karon "A Personal Touch", Inc — November 25, 2019 @ 6:57 pm

  17. I personally have never had any issues with SnapDocs. However, I have no problem with requesting a different fee and turning them down when they don’t want to pay. The biggest issues in any platform or database are the notaries who are taking the low fees. Everyone is out to make money so the fact that they low ball shouldn’t be upsetting.. What’s upsetting are the people who accept the low fees. I honestly wonder if people realize that after everything they are working for free or even worse paying these companies to work.

    Comment by Ruth — November 25, 2019 @ 7:03 pm

  18. I don’t understand this fixation with Snapdocs. I get about half my work from them. I like their feature that separates documents by size if you don’t have a dual tray printer. They offer a service, use them or don’t. If you don’t like the offer make a counter offer to get the fee you desire. Why all this “Snapdocs “ discussion. We should be talking about things that improve the notary community.

    Comment by Craig — November 25, 2019 @ 7:06 pm

  19. I have refused outright low fees and barked back in the response section. I got a loan app for low fees and countered with a higher fee and a bunch response verbiage that struck them like a hollow point out of a magnum. Guess what, they turned around and upped and fees and not as much as a asked, but significantly higher that probably went to a different notary. So that’s what you gotta do. You gotta give the pimps ( signing agencies ) a treatment they deserve. They will pull their low ball act and behave. So don’t accept, even if you do NOT have a job. Set some prices and stand by your principles. I now do occasional orders on SD for $150 to $300 as the case determines. I would rather sit at home and NOT compromise on prices. Its the mindset of notaries that ought to change.

    Comment by SuperNotary — November 26, 2019 @ 3:43 am

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