Free Notary Services
Did you know that a lot of banks have free notary services if you have an account with them? Wachovia does and I’m kicking myself.
I called a UPS/FedEX type store and it was $5.00 a signature. I needed three. I called my old company because they have a notary on staff. Her services are free to employees of my old firm. For outsiders, ex-employees and the world at large, she charges $2.00. Not bad. However for all the time I spent in traffic during a rainstorm, I might have been better off going to the nearest UPS store and paying extra. However, I’m feeling cheap and didn’t do that.
Instead, I got a nice gossipy session with my former co-worker. Really juicy stuff. I forgot to give her 6 bucks and had to mail her a check. My three signatures are costing $6.39. (Stamps are 39 cents now right? Because I swear they are 37 cents still, and the stamps I have don’t say anything but First Class.)
Long and short? If you need a notary, check for three things.
1) Does your bank offer the service to you for free?
2) Does your company have a legal office or a notary public on staff who will provide services for free?
3) How much do they charge per signature if they charge you a fee.
I was really surprised to find out that charges were at the discretion of the notary. For some reason I recall notary services used to be some crazy amount of money, like $15 apiece. I am so very glad go get it for $2 with dishy gossip, but not when I could have gotten it for free without the hassle of traffic.
D wrote:
I am a notary - due to our business, I need to notarize many documents. This is good for everyone around me, but I have to go to the bank when it is my signature that needs to be notarized. Anyway I have never paid for a stamp and I never charge. My neighbors even come over when they need a notary stamp. I’m paid through visits.
I don’t think I could charge. Especially, my senior friends who have to apply every year for their property tax senior excemption that I notarize for them.
This is good info for everyone if they are paying!
Posted on 28-Jul-06 at 12:52 pm | Permalink
alberen wrote:
I was reminded of two great things reading this post.
1) Always remember the “true” cost of something…i.e. the gas and driving in the rain and time may have not been worth the $9 you save. You maybe netted $4.
2)Sometimes it’s more than just about the money. Sometimes it’s about getting to see old acquaintences and getting good juicy gossip.
Posted on 29-Jul-06 at 2:23 am | Permalink