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dfye@mcttelecom.com
New Hampshire
681 Posts |
 Posted - 03/06/2008 : 9:09:34 PM
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Interesting. I would much rather use a local but that is just me. I realize opinions will differ on this.
Legal Eagle Para Professional Services |
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vince
Kansas
324 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 5:35:33 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by jbelmont
There is nothing wrong in outsourcing work to India. If you can get the same work done for 20% of the cost, why not. However, if the cheaper company is not doing their job correctly, then they shouldn't be given the job. Many medical companies give work to India because India is awake when America is asleep, so you give the work at 5pm, and when you wake up, the work is done.
Several companies that have moved services overseas have moved them back. One of the large blue chip computer firms moved its telephone servicing department to take advantage of the lower costs. It saved the company millions, or at least so it seemed. The particular city overseas had a very highly educated resource of people that were more than willing to accept less than 50% (initially) of the wages for US workers. The firm was originally concerned because they had laid off over 500 people here as the jobs were moved over there, but it did save money. Things went well for the first three years, although they did have to frequently pull persons off the phone for remedial coaching of the English language.
However, after several years they re-examined the wage structure and found that many companies had stolen personnel and wage increases were getting out of control as other firms moved to the same city. Then, they also talked with the sales department about why persons were not renewing contracts they heard many times that the customer’s professional IT staff could not understand the service representative at the other end of the phone. Communications problems were costing them business, including several government contracts. When they closed up shop, the people there still did well as other US firms were still moving business there. The company quietly resumed using US personnel to avoid a black eye.
Perhaps it is not as important if you are using schedulers to hire US notaries that are eager for work. But if I cannot understand what my assignment is, I won’t accept it regardless of fee. |
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jbelmont
California
3106 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2008 : 09:38:08 AM
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| There is nothing wrong in outsourcing work to India. If you can get the same work done for 20% of the cost, why not. However, if the cheaper company is not doing their job correctly, then they shouldn't be given the job. Many medical companies give work to India because India is awake when America is asleep, so you give the work at 5pm, and when you wake up, the work is done. |
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crtowles
California
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 4:05:25 PM
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Very well written Renee! I couldn't have said it better myself.
C |
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Renee
Michigan
549 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2007 : 10:11:50 PM
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Hi, Mary
I believe the problems of non-payment would be better addressed through a broader education of small business practices for NSA's. I suspect that many new NSA's are also new to the world of small business ownership. If you pick any other small business owner and talk to them about payment issues - they'll have their fair share of stories to tell. This is why when you pay for your groceries with a check, you'll be put through some kind of protocol and when you use your credit card, there is a protocol - because when people have to pay for something, they sometimes don't.
So, here we are - another type of business owner, who might sometimes have trouble being paid. I say "might" because there's just as many NSA's who do NOT have trouble, myself included. I tend to believe that as a business, NSA's probably have a much LOWER rate of pymt issues than the vast majority of small business owners. As an aside - RESPA only applies if you are specifically identified on the HUD; otherwise, you're coming out of the operating/general funds and not out of "escrow" funds.
I don't see this as anything the government needs to be any more involved in than they already are.
First of all, there is a site already dedicated to this issue - notarybeware.com. There is a pretty nominal fee, and though I do not use the site, I've read a lot of pretty high recommendations.
I think a protocol is called for that lowers the risks. Now, either my own protocol is pretty successful, or I'm just one darn lucky person - I can't answer that. I can only tell you that I do not have any pymt issues or problems, it's not something I worry about or even think about. I do follow a protocol, though:
1. I charge a professional fee. This elliminates a lot of signing services - which apparently elliminates a lot of pymt issues.
2. I keep and provide highly-detailed invoices. This sends several messages - one, I am extremely organized and two, I have all the info I would ever need, should there be a dispute. Now - if you were picking and choosing who to pay, well, all I can say is that I'm not ending up on the "Rob Peter" list, I'm on the "Pay Paul" list.
3. I obtain written/e-mailed confirmations that MUST identify the client; I need a physical address, agreed fee, name/title/phone. Red-flags for me are the free e-mails (yahoo, hotmail, etc) and L.O.'s. It's usually an L.O. that wants to hire me using hotmail, nothing in the e-mail to identify him as an employee of a company, no address, etc. I ask the question "Do I have enough verifiable info to pursue payment, if I do not get paid?" and then I obtain the answers.
4. I do have a PayPal account, and I did use it for up-front payment by an otherwise 'iffy' company.
5. I read ALL the boards and know who's golden and who's having pymt issues.
6. In light of the fiscal climate, I wouldn't let any single company become outstanding on too high a balance.
7. I treat every new client as just that - a new client, NOT someone who might not pay me. I operate on the assumption that I will be paid, because that's the pattern, I AM usually paid. I understand the need for 30-45 day terms, and accept that as part B to B operations. I send FRIENDLY reminders at 30 days when I need to.
I'm at about 700 closings, have had about 3 that I had to 'remind' more than once, and have had to eat one NSF check. 1/700 - I don't find that any big issue. I'm sure if I talked to ANY other business owner,(carpenters, painters, hair salons, grocerie stores, etc) they'd say "wow - I'd love to have that kind of a pymt rate!"
Perhaps something else to consider is that a lot of NSA's do not participate on the boards, but WILL come on to report a company for non-pymt. It creates an inaccurate picture of this 'problem'. |
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mlbaier
Pennsylvania
20 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2007 : 06:41:51 AM
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Jeremy:
I think since this is a national issue we need some of the grouping agencies like 123 notary, notary rotary, mobile notary etc that a notary signs on with should have a "black list". Notaries should be able to report payment issues about companies so that everyone can see. If a company doesn't want to be blackballed they will do everything to eliminate being on this list. I have also contacted my state representative and my state notary association to see if there is anything legislature wise to get paid more promptly. It is my understanding that if the companies do not abide by the HUD statement they are in violation. We might be able to put pressure on the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These are just some ideas but I think all notaries should stick together to make this a uniform cause.
Mary L. Baier
Nippenose Valley Financial Services
570-745-7358 |
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