About Scheduling and Notarization

[plumtreeblossom]

Most friends and many friends-of-friends know that I notarize things for free. Yes, this is true and all well and good, and I'm glad to be able to offer that. What they don't seem to know is that I DON'T offer right-this-very-minute, drop-everything notary service at everyone's convenience but my own.

My life is scheduled in advance. I've had to decline the last 7 or 8 requests I've gotten over the past few months because, presumably, the requester has waited until the last minute before deadline of a document that needs notarization, and they call needing right-now service just as I'm stepping out on a date, arriving at rehearsal, drawing a bath, on the train to my boyfriend's house, going to a job interview, immersed in writing a paper, etc. Sorry, not gonna happen.

Folks, I don't offer that, and I suppose I should clarify it. If you give me a few days lead time, I can probably meet up to notarize your document. If you need it right now or within hours, I'd rather you didn't bother calling me; you're going to have to wait until the banks open in the morning and talk to an NP there. I had to delete my offer of notarization post on DS_LJ for this very reason. I'm happy to be able to notarize with advanced notice. But I live a scheduled life, and I ask that this be respected.

Comments

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Maybe you need to start charging money? On a sliding scale depending on how last minute it is? You could consider it a Silliness Tax on these people for waiting so long to contact you.

[ron_newman]

This.

[minkrose]

Yeah, but even with a "tax", it would still interfere with the plans. I wouldn't do it; cash isn't worth the inconvenience (and I'm an unemployed student, too).

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

It bugs me that you even need to make this post. I'm sorry that you're in this position. :(

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Well, I Just Say No if it doesn't fit into my day/evening, which it never does if it's a last minute request. While I like being able to help and can usually do it with a few days notice, I won't disrupt my plans on short notice. Boundaries: it's what's for dinner.

[(Anonymous)]

I am glad you are setting boundaries. Too bad you have to though. People can be so clueless and selfish sometimes.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

I didn't see the post in question (since I'm not on ds_lj any more) and don't know what the MA rules are (and even my memory of what the rules were in NY are foggy, but I dated someone who was a notary public when I lived there), but isn't notarizing something you're not really supposed to do for friends/people very close to you, anyway -- because I remember he definitely could not notarize something for me. Not that I would know! But my point was actually, I'm just wondering, who *are* these people who think you're going to drop everything and notarize on a moment's notice? Because if they're *not* close personal friends of yours -- then FER CHRISSAKES the entitlement!! I mean, it's not okay even if they were close personal friends, but if they AREN'T, then seriously, why do they think you're going to do this for them, again??

Maybe you *should* charge some kinda nominal Silliness Tax. (Or is charging forbidden too? I really don't remember the rules in NY and they're probably not the same here anyway.)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

By Mass law I'm allowed to notarize for friends/family, and in the record book I'm required to keep there are check boxes to indicate whether I know them personally (fine either way). If I don't know them I'm required to check their ID, and it doesn't hurt to record an ID check even if I do know them.

I'm allowed by law to charge up to $5 per notarization. I'd rather not do this -- it seems petty -- and so far I've never charged a fee, but I've also never broken my own plans last-minute to do it. I think I would avoid charging a Silliness Tax and simply decline last minute requests, because charging it and notarizing might send the message of "$5 is enough to buy me into canceling my dinner & movie date so I can go to your house or to Diesel and notarize the document that you've had 4 weeks to get notarized." No dice.

Usually it's not close friends who do this. They know better. It's acquaintances or friends-of-friends who got wind from someone else that I'm an NP.

Gawd, how I love this userpic. :-)

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's awesome! As it happened, I needed several things notarized during the time I was dating this guy, so it was SO ANNOYING that he could not notarize them for me!!! MA law is far more sensible! I like the check box.

But heh, I somehow *knew* it mostly wouldn't be close friend who'd do that. We all know you have a LIFE.

That is indeed a fabulous userpic!!