Should You Charge For Waiting?

You're a mobile notary who's been asked to perform a signing at a specific time. You and your client agree on the price you'll charge for the job.

You arrive on-schedule, ready to go. But the signer is not ready. You're told he'll be with you shortly, and that you should just have a seat while you're waiting. Your wait grows from 5 minutes to 10, 15, maybe even 30 minutes or more. (Some clients have kept me waiting an hour or more, although this is quite rare.) What should you do?

If you don't have another pressing appointment with which this delay is going to interfere, it's worth your while to stay and perform the signing when the client is ready. (If you do have another appointment scheduled and you reach the point at which you recognize this wait could cause you to be tardy for that next signing, grab your cell phone and call your next client to politely and apologetically let him know that you're running a bit late; he'll appreciate your courtesy.)

Once the delayed signing is completed, you have a choice: you can bill extra for the extended wait, or you can ignore that inconvenience and simply charge your normal fee. I think this is a personal decision that you must make for yourself. But I seldom charge extra under these circumstances. My rationale is this: when I agree in advance on a price for a job, it is not a time-based fee. In other words, I'm not charging by the minute or by the hour or by any other unit of time. I'm charging for the job, whether it takes 15 minutes, or an hour and 15 minutes.

A couple of exceptions/variations to the above: If the client is apologetic for the unintended delay and insists on paying me extra for my extended wait, I'll graciously and appreciatively accept. Also, if, after waiting, the signing does not take place, I will - politely, of course - inform the client that I must charge him for my travel. I've never had a client who objected to this practice. It's expected that if you keep your scheduled appointment and the signing does not occur through no fault of yours, you are entitled to be compensated for your travel.

Joel
http://www.drivenotary.com
http://www.sundancenotary.com