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kandy1099
Pennsylvania
121 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2009 : 12:01:07 PM
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I had an invoice from last Aug, that I decided I wasn't going to give up on. I email, called and faxed invoices once a week, and then contacted the title company also.
I finally got payment the first week of Febuary. I think going to the title company was the key, because they had myself and the title company screaming at them for payment. I also was able to pick-up the title company directly as a client of business... 
Sometime good things happen to those who nag... HAHAHA
Anyway... I still have hundreds of dollars out there from last year and this, that I am waiting on payment. I am going to send out a certified letter, does anyone have one they would be will to CC me on? In PA the notary is very, very rarely noted on the hud, SO I am always waiting the 30 days or more... 
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crtowles
California
553 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2009 : 7:23:55 PM
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Great news Dan!! I am so glad that things worked out.
~Carmen |
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n/a
Virginia
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2009 : 07:42:11 AM
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I contacted Carmen from 123 Notary when the Todaro signing company did not want to pay me after 1 month. Carmen sent me the letter that is posted to the sight. I BYPASSED the signing company because they refused to respect my pleas for payment and by luck kept the contact information of the Mortgage/Title company that the notary signing agency worked with. I left a phone message for the President of the company and sent him Carmen's letter threatening action against the Title company for non payment by their signing agency which refused to pay me. I received a call within one hour from the Title company telling me that payment was on the way in the mail that day. Trust me .. GO DIRECTLY TO THE TITLE COMPANY WHEN THE SIGNING COMPANY WON'T PAY!!! It works! Title companies don't want a bad name in the marketplace. Notary signing companies don't care but they worry about not getting more business from the Title companies so they ACT.
FairfaxNotary |
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12042
Texas
5 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 11:56:28 PM
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Like the saying goes, "the best defense is a good offense."
Translation for this industry, you have to portray your company as a big and powerful entity to other companies and put them on the defense right away. Even if your business office is your kitchen table with little Johnny or Susie sitting on your lap every night when you do paperwork. :D
You do that by many ways, here's a few...
1. You have a first class website with both your collections and billing policies on it.
2. You have a professional invoice you send to all your clients, which includes the verbiage "due upon receipt" or "payment due in 30 days." You could also be really ballsy and state if payment is not received in 30 or 45 days (pick one) you tell them you send them to a collections agency or law firm.
3. You create and send every client and prospect BEFORE a signing a detailed price list of all your services (print fees, wait time, travel fees, emergency fees, etc.) in a PDF document.
Again a signing or title company will think twice (at least sometimes) of not paying or paying late, if they think your a bigger notary company with deeper pockets to afford legal or collections companies against them.
Instead of thinking your just some stay at home mom that makes a few thousand bucks a year or less doing notary work part-part time. It's always about your posture and how you present yourself/company to hiring companies. Remember that to no end.
Mobile Austin Notary
www.mobileaustinnotary.com
http://activerain.com/blogs/pecs29
"The Nicest Notaries in Texas, That Go To You 24/7!"
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LindaH
Florida
1754 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2009 : 11:55:15 AM
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I kind of agree with gbaugh in that the certification course is helpful - IF you have no experience with loan documents and real estate closings. However, I feel there are other training and certification courses available that are better.
I disagree with buying the notary law primer - even though someone taking the NNA certification course is going to get one anyway, in far too many cases it's been proven that that primer contains false or misleading information. New notaries will be far better served to (a) download and read and re-read your state's notary handbook (probably available on your state's SOS website; and (b) research and review, and keep a copy of and refer to, your state's notary public laws. Those are the writings that prevail in any questions regarding notary policy and procedure and should be their bible and "go-to" resource for any questions that may come up.
All of that being said, I don't feel there's any reason for ANY notary, regardless of experience, to have to wait longer than 30 days to get paid...
MHO
Linda
www.notarydepot.com/notary/lindah
http://www.notary.net/websites/LindaHubbell
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Edited by - LindaH on 01/25/2009 1:15:47 PM |
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gbaugh
Texas
21 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2009 : 10:34:40 AM
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Carmen, I read lots of request, but why can't we be paid at closing? Is it because of the amount paid to the signing agency versus the amount paid to the notary?
I think we all agree that we pay for our certifications, background screenings, E & O Ins, bonding, gasoline, paper, ink, binder clips, envelopes for bwr copy. It seems to me like we go to a great length to do a great job representing the Title companies and/or signing agencies and we should be treated respectful of this fact.
I have a suggestion for "new Notaries". Purchase your State Notary Law Primer. Purchase the NNA Certification Course book and take the test. READ THE DOCUMENTS YOU ARE ASKING THE BORROWERS TO SIGN (at least one time). You will be better prepared and if you don't know the answer, call the name shown on your confirmation and get the correct answer. It will make us all look better! |
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kandy1099
Pennsylvania
121 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2008 : 07:58:30 AM
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Thank-you for all the advice, I am not as organized as gjk, but I do have a professional invoice and a filing system... :)
Kathy - that is excellent advise on regarding cancelled loans.
I got a closing from a signing company the other day, that stated on their confirmation that if the loan does not fund, only 1/2 the payment will be paid. I called and cancelled. I fully disagree with that concept.
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azdocsign
Arizona
89 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2008 : 06:32:57 AM
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Good Advice: I also have the following verbiage on all of my invoices: "Please be advised: If the loan does not fund or is cancelled after the signing table, payment in full is required." Hope this helps, Good Luck!
Kathy Fletcher
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Edited by - azdocsign on 09/08/2008 06:35:12 AM |
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gjk-fl
Florida
151 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 10:18:02 AM
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I handle my business like Copperhead. When I take the job and get the confirmation, I reply to that email and ask about their payment policy if it is not noted on the confirmation. That way I have it in writing. I then create a file in my email for that particular closing and file every email pertaining to that closing in that file. I keep everything until I get paid and the check clears. Like Copperhead, at 30 days, I send a polite but business like email to the company who hired me and wait on a reply. I have all of my jobs on an Excel file too and note on that file that I emailed or called. If I call the client, I send an email to myself noting when I called and what was said. If I still don't get paid, I have everything I need documented for my attorney which is Prepaid Legal. It works for me. I also keep a paper file on every closing with the confirmation, the hud, my invoice, a copy of the check and any shipping label. That's for the tax man.
gjk |
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Renee
Michigan
549 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 04:54:13 AM
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We're a "business to business" industry, and net 30 has long been pretty standard in that arena. If you are NAMED on the Hud, then you can expect payment upon the loan funding. Otherwise, you are usually paid out of the general operating account - typically, net 30.
The first tool you have in collecting A/R is your invoice - always send one, and always make it very professional. This sends two important messages to the client - one, the details of the transaction and two, the fact that YOU are serious about your business, your accounting AND collecting your payments. It amazes me but so many NSA's neglect this fundamental business practice (invoicing) - and if you research "Accounts Receivable & Small Business" you'll see that invoicing is the biggest factor to being paid.
Step outside the NSA world and research in the broader scope of small business practices, accounting procedures, debt collection, etc. Know the warning signs of a potential bad debt, how best to collect on them, how to avoid them in the first place.
Know your state laws regarding debt collection - generally, it is not legal to charge interest, late fees, or collection costs unless it is disclosed up front, as part of the services agreement.
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mamiemk
California
5 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2008 : 4:36:51 PM
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I have been having a problem with this "policy" also. When did it become the standard to wait for 30 days before sending out payments.
I am becoming more and more exasperated with the emails and phone calls required to get payment on a job executed a month before.
Mary Kelly |
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Lisa T.
California
391 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2008 : 11:46:22 AM
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| My payment policy is 30 days. At 45 days, I will send a certified demand letter stating that if I do not receive payment in XX days from the date of the letter, I will add a $XX late fee to the outstanding balance and if their check bounces, a $XX returned check fee will also be added. Collection processes will be pursued, including but not limited to turning the matter over to my attorney. |
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civey
North Carolina
76 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 2:18:04 PM
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If it's a title company I expect payment within 2 weeks, but this is only because I know that they are on the HUD and that money is dispersed to them as soon as the recission is over. If and that is a big IF I do anything for a signing company I will allow them 30 days, because they have to wait for their money prior to paying me, but 30 days is plenty of time. I have to pay my bills within 30 days, so why should they not pay me within that time frame.
I prefer title companies because they do generally pay better, quicker and in my experience usually have their act together. |
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CopperheadVA
Virginia
420 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 09:54:47 AM
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I start politely inquiring right after 30 days. If it's EOM I will wait a few more days out of courtesy to the TC. At 45 days I get more demanding. At 60 days I'm writing letters to lots of people.
CopperheadVA
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kandy1099
Pennsylvania
121 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2008 : 09:48:22 AM
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What is a reasonable time frame before payment would be considered late?
I consider end of month reasonable (30 days), but when I start contacting companies that have not paid for the passed month, I get rude responses?
What does everyone else do?
How long do you give companies to pay before you start nagging?
Does anyone ever charge a late fee? I have tried, but no one pays it. Even if payment is 3 or 4 months late.
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