Primerica Financial Services ripoff Maitland, Florida
A representative from Primerica Financial Services came into my place of employment(a high volume restaurant) and asked for the manager on duty. I informed him that I was the manager he needed to speak to thinking that I was getting ready to deal with a customer or a sales rep.
Mike immediately jumped into his sales pitch and asked if I or any other managers I worked with would be interested in part-time work to pad their income. Mike emphasized that only managers were recruited because of their "work ethics". I thought an angel had been sent directly to me. I'm in the process of moving and want to get into a new career field. After 20 years, the restaurant industry has slowly burned me out. Mike led me to believe that I could become employed with Primerica, provided that I pass a background check(not a problem), and acquire my insurance license for a mere $199.00.
After rearranging a very hectic schedule, I enrolled in the classes (40 hrs.). I then discovered, in class, that only the class to prepare for the exam was $199.00. I would be required to fund an additional $165 to receive my license. Thinking I merely misunderstood, the lady beside me, whom Mike had also recruited, stated that she, too, was not informed of the additional cost.
After 10 hours of classes, I again researched Primerica on the web and this time found the horror stories from others who had been misinformed and mislead about a possible new career with a wonderful company. These classes are held on the weekend, and surprisingly enough, I was unable to contact Mike over the phone for clarification of the original line he sold me about a new career.
God, do I feel like an idiot. Only one good thing has come from this experience: I will never again take someone's word for anything until I do extensive research myself. Mike, I hope you have a hard time sleeping at night because of the information you omit when you misrepresent yourself to people. You would have been honest by telling me that this is Multi Level Marketing, and not actually an employer hiring an employee. I can only hope you were a better school teacher than you are a human being. It's slime like you that bleeds the good out of people. I guess that's what Primerica taught you to do, though, huh??
Beth
Altamonte Springs, Florida
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Shawn
Janesville,Wisconsin,
I got a Refund
#9REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, September 24, 2002
First off I want to say that though I did not choose to work with Primerica, I do not believe it is a scam.
To call it a scam is almost ridiculous. The same goes for most MLM's. It takes hard work and determination to succeed in a MLM. Success is possible, and while the methods are simple, they are not easy. Success in an MLM may be the hardest thing you will ever do. But nonetheless, it is possible.
If you seek to get a refund from Primerica, all you have to do is call their main office in Florida. A simple online Yellow Pages can provide you with the number. Ask for Alicia Childress. She's in charge of refunds.
Unfortunately, you will not recieve the entire $199, you will only recieve $159.00
Hope that helps.
C
Midwest,Illinois,
Sorry to burst your bubble, Dave
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, May 15, 2002
Sorry to burst your bubble, Dave. The reason I can relate to the first poster is that I have seen Primerica approach people in exactly the same way.
My personal 'issues' with the company include their blatant misrepresentations of their products. I have posted proof of this in other rip-off reports. It's not much of a stretch to believe that Primerica would misrepresent its agent positions as much as it misrepresents its products. It is an MLM, Dave. It has to 'compete' for suckers with all the other MLMs.
David
Maitland,Florida,
Refund
#9UPDATE Employee
Tue, May 14, 2002
Be careful of knee-jerk responses intended only to fan the flames.
Once again, the State of Florida (not any individual insurance company) will charge you an exam fee to take the state insurance licensing test. Upon completion of the exam you will be issue a pass/fail notice while still onsite. Fax that notice to the company and you will be reimbursed for the entire exam fee even if you failed the exam. Following these instructions will get your exam fee refunded in full. Reading knee-jerk responses will only anger you further and will not get your money back.
Secondly, the $199 is different. As per the contract you signed, the company will refund $159 of that fee if requested within 60 days AND you did not attend the state-mandated pre-licensing class with its books and materials. If you did attend the course and received the materials you are not eligible for a refund. My suggestion in that case would be to go ahead and complete the course for which you have paid and take the exam. After receiving your exam fee refund and after getting licensed I would then formally resign from PFS and have your license appointed with another company.
Unless you did not sign a contract with PFS I believe you are getting very inappropriate advice to go to small claims court. If they produce a signed contract you virtually cannot win. Then you will be out additional cash and time and be even angrier at the whole scenario.
Step back, analyze, and use your common sense. Get your license, your refund and get out of PFS on your own terms not theirs. Beware of the venom disguised as advice being offered to you. These people are furthering their own agenda and do not have your best interest in mind.
TheFraudChick@aol.com
Ethics,Arkansas,
I notice no refund offer from Primerica, though...
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 13, 2002
Beth,
Obviously David's promise of a refund for the license fee is meager in that you're still out $199.00. For a fee of just $199.00 you get the privilege of working for a Multi-Level Marketing company where you get to make a nuisance of yourself by recruiting more people in the same way you were recruited. Isn't that a bargain? No, I didn't think you'd think so--neither do I.
I suggest you ask Mike for the return of your money. It's hard to get money back from an MLM because so many people have split the money through uplines and downlines--pathetic. If he fails to refund the money, then you can take him to small claims court.
Good Luck,
The Fraud Chick
TheFraudChick@aol.com
Ethics,Arkansas,
I notice no refund offer from Primerica, though...
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 13, 2002
Beth,
Obviously David's promise of a refund for the license fee is meager in that you're still out $199.00. For a fee of just $199.00 you get the privilege of working for a Multi-Level Marketing company where you get to make a nuisance of yourself by recruiting more people in the same way you were recruited. Isn't that a bargain? No, I didn't think you'd think so--neither do I.
I suggest you ask Mike for the return of your money. It's hard to get money back from an MLM because so many people have split the money through uplines and downlines--pathetic. If he fails to refund the money, then you can take him to small claims court.
Good Luck,
The Fraud Chick
TheFraudChick@aol.com
Ethics,Arkansas,
I notice no refund offer from Primerica, though...
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 13, 2002
Beth,
Obviously David's promise of a refund for the license fee is meager in that you're still out $199.00. For a fee of just $199.00 you get the privilege of working for a Multi-Level Marketing company where you get to make a nuisance of yourself by recruiting more people in the same way you were recruited. Isn't that a bargain? No, I didn't think you'd think so--neither do I.
I suggest you ask Mike for the return of your money. It's hard to get money back from an MLM because so many people have split the money through uplines and downlines--pathetic. If he fails to refund the money, then you can take him to small claims court.
Good Luck,
The Fraud Chick
TheFraudChick@aol.com
Ethics,Arkansas,
I notice no refund offer from Primerica, though...
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 13, 2002
Beth,
Obviously David's promise of a refund for the license fee is meager in that you're still out $199.00. For a fee of just $199.00 you get the privilege of working for a Multi-Level Marketing company where you get to make a nuisance of yourself by recruiting more people in the same way you were recruited. Isn't that a bargain? No, I didn't think you'd think so--neither do I.
I suggest you ask Mike for the return of your money. It's hard to get money back from an MLM because so many people have split the money through uplines and downlines--pathetic. If he fails to refund the money, then you can take him to small claims court.
Good Luck,
The Fraud Chick
David
Maitland,Florida,
You will be refunded
#9UPDATE Employee
Sat, May 11, 2002
In the state of Florida the exam fee you mentioned is refunded whether you pass or fail the exam. As you exit the exam you will be given a pass/fail notice. You submit this notice to the company and the company reimburses you immediately.