This is a new one on me. I never heard of this before. A Notary commenting on our blog claims that a job for a loan on a particular address was offered to him by two signing services at very different prices. One was a low-ball, and the other a more reasonable offer.
She says that the signing services are competing against each other. But, this is weird. What if they both dispatch the job at the same time to two Notaries. Or would that not happen because once they input the information into the server that the job would not show up any more?
I don’t know how the system works, but that is weird. It reminds me of what the airlines do where you pay for one airline and find yourself on another. Hmmm.
Most of the signing agencies I’ve spoken to do try to lowball. If the closing documents show a third party signing agent or notary, the least I’ve seen is $250.00 when I was being offered $50.00 to drive a 200 mile round trip and provide a witness. I will say the witness fee is usually a separate fee, I just need to tell them how much.
Comment by Patricia Archinal — September 24, 2019 @ 11:31 pm
Actually this is not new. I have been a cl9srr for 17 years and several times 2 of us arrived at the same apt for the same client. Very uncomfortable
Comment by Mary — September 25, 2019 @ 3:08 pm
It happened to me on two different occasions in California several years ago. It sends a clear message to the signers that their lender is not organized. It also shows the disparity between what signing companies offer. Obviously, both companies were offered the same compensation, but one was not willing to give a reasonable amount to the notary. This is one of the reasons I refuse to accept low ball signings. I just give away money in those cases. Interestingly, This year, I have fewer signings, but I am earning more money this year than last year. But, you may sputter, look at what you lose by not taking all the low ball signings! Ah, but I do not have turn away a lucrative signing because my time is tied up with lowballers!
Comment by Michael Glatfelter — September 25, 2019 @ 7:28 pm
Yes, I have also seen this. It made me think the signing services are also competing for the work and that is why some low-ball. I did speak with someone once who was upset I was offered same address from another company because they thought they were the “go to” company. I also arrived at an address once the same time as someone else hired from another company
Comment by Ramona Talvacchio — September 26, 2019 @ 1:34 pm
This is happening more often especially with the “Last Minute” deals. Yesterday I received a call from a Pennsylania Notary Hunter for a last minute Friday evening job, which I turned down, and 30 minutes later I received a call from Field Choice for the same job. When I explained about the 1st contact from a different signing company, there was “TOATAL AMAZEMENT” from the 2nd caller.
Interestingly enough, Snapdocs was not involved.
Comment by Dennis Brooks — September 28, 2019 @ 2:22 pm
This is not new to me. This has happened twice to me where I show up to a signing after confirming with signers and printing all docs only to find another notary already at the signing location completing the process with the signers. One was at a local bank branch, the other at the residence of the signers. Very awkward. I called the signing company that hired me and was paid full fee in both cases. It was with 2 different signing companies.
Comment by George Autrey — November 6, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
I have had two signing chasers call me for the same closing within minutes and they were located in the same building, Suite 101 and Suite 103, IE:
I have only had one near miss with another notary. When I contacted the signer to confirm the appt he informed me that another notary had contacted him to do the signing. He provided the notary’s number, I called her and we resolved the issue. She was contacted first.
Comment by Dennis Brooks — November 12, 2019 @ 2:47 am
I had this happen a couple weeks ago. Same Customer same Title company assigned by two different signing services.
Comment by Wes T. Garoutte — December 28, 2020 @ 8:03 pm
This is happening more and more. I will be given an assignment only to begin the process and discover it was terminated. When I questioned why it was terminated after I had made a substantial move to begin performance, I was told that Title had found another notary. It just happened to me again yesterday. This is a breach of contract, but they know we will not proceed with any legal claim. I think we should all set fee of $100 for assignments that are in our own county and increase the fee if we travel outside our own county.
Comment by Elizabaeth Croteau — December 28, 2020 @ 11:58 pm
Happens once in a while, usually for a SATURDAY signing.
The signer informs you that “another Notary” has contacted them for the same time.
Trying to contact anyone at the signing companies on SATURDAY is a JOKE.
Comment by Dennis Brooks — December 30, 2020 @ 1:19 am