I guess I am just a creature of habit, but I miss Ntsike's (needAnotary.net) informative blogs and post. I was wondering if he is ok. Maybe he is living up to his smart reputation and decided to take a long exotic vacation. Ntsike, check in from time to time, you are greatly missed!

A dear friend of mine forwarded an email to me last week regarding Google's new free 411 information service. I was happy to receive her email, since I pay additional charges to my cell phone provider monthly for using their 411 service. Here it goes:

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone.
This is an awesome service from Google and its free...great when
you are on the road. Listen to the clip!!
 
http://www.google.com/goog411/
 
1-800-466-4411

Thank you Google!

I would like to commend FedEx-Kinko's for it's dedication to constantly improving operations. Even in a weak economy FedEx-Kinko's continues to open new branches and diversify services. For example, several full service branches have expanded package drop off time from 3:30 or 4:30 to 7:00pm, for deliveries on the west coast.  This is a major nugget for me since most of my clients are located in southern California.

I accepted a closing at 2pm yesterday from a new client which was scheduled for 4pm. The client contacted me at 9:45am this morning after receiving the package and wanted to know how I had performed such a miracle. I explained that it was a case where the timing was right. She stated she was impressed and would contact me in the "near" future. For the first time, I was grateful for sticking to my business model of booking each loan signing appointment within a 2 hour block. This potential client is a major one.

Thank you FedEx!

Spending time in jail can be quite lucrative. Over the last 2 weeks, I have had an increase in calls with request to go to the local jail 20 miles from my home to notarize a single document signature. I have completed 4 of 5 assignments as of date.

Going to jail is quite interesting. I must call in advance and make an appointment to visit the inmate. I was able to schedule 2 appointments back to back during one visit. Notaries are allowed to conduct business outside of regular visiting hours. I am allowed to bring in the form to be notarized, my journal, a pen and my own Id. My notary stamp can not be brought into the facility.

Check in is painless. Wait time is another story. I have waited less than 20 minutes and up to 30 minutes for the inmate to arrive into the little private visiting booth which is reserved for legal consultations. A secure glass separates the visitor and the inmate. The most difficult part is sliding the paper through the thin slot for the inmate to sign. If your pen is thicker than a BIC it may present problems when you slide it through the opening. You must ask the inmate to stand, so that you can copy information from the Id bracelet.

My clients have been very nice people. Each had no problem paying me in advance through paypal since they were not local. ‘The inmates I serviced were quite pleasant and conversation was minimal. The deputy sheriffs are always so nice and accommodating. I am looking forward to spending more of my time in jail, completing assignments.

Oh, by the way, I had no hang ups about leaving my business card at the information desk.

I am appealing to  ActiveRain professionals to band together. I have performed closings for a couple of signing services who have taken several months to pay or not pay for my service at all. I have contacted the title/escrow company and have confirmed the signing service was paid.

The topic of non-payment is a popular discussion across many professional forums. Real Estate Agents, Loan Officers and Title/Escrow Officers can assist by implementing a zero tolerance policy. If you are contacted by the Notary or any other vendor regarding valid non-payment issues, refuse to continue doing business with the signing service.  Include your zero tolerance policy in your contract with the signing service or vendor. This measure sounds drastic but the middle man should be held accountable.

I am also appealing to ActiveRain professionals to value the service of each other.  Since I am a Notary, I would like to recommend that you refer to the priceless information Leon Austin, LaShon James-Major and Needanotary provides almost on a daily basis on ActiveRain regarding the notary profession.

Thursday,  June 21,  2007

"The only true security in life

comes from knowing

that every single day

you are improving yourself

in some way."

--Anthony Robbins.