Print the value of index0
Primerica Rip-off A recent experience with a local branch misled? you be the judge Libertyville Illinois *Rebuttal employee ..I Offer My Apologies ..From what I read on your report, you have had more than ample reason to be upset.
My wife last week received a phone call from a Primerica representative named Allison Ackman from Libertyville, Illinois. She knew all about my wife - work and home phone numbers, addresses, etc. When asked where she got the information, the answer was inconclusive. She said to my wife that her company wants to offer her a job based on recommendations from our friends and that she would have to come for an interview. My wife got so excited, so I drove her to the initial presentation on Saturday, February 1st.
When we arrived, there were a lot of dressed-up representatives waiting in the lobby. My wife gave her name and they asked her to sign in. I asked one of the representatives (a gentleman in his late 30th early 40th, suite-and-tie attire) by the name Eric (he turned out to be Allison's fianc and co-owner of the branch) what was this about? I was asked in return if I would sit in on the presentation. When I answered that my wife has an appointment with Allison, I was ordered (not asked) to step aside and wait 'til every attendee is signed in, and MAYBE then I will get my question answered.
The tone of the conversation was very rude. I felt like I've done something wrong, so I left the building (not the company's office, they would not be able to afford a 6-story office building in the villages downtown anyway) and waited for her outside. I saw a few more people coming in and later, in about 45 minutes, I saw 5-6 people live with a very frustrated expressions on their faces.
At this point of time, I had a few alarms raised in my head:
1. How come they know everything about us, and I have never heard about them?
2. If this were supposed to be a job interview, why are there so many reps are outside, and so many people are coming here today? Allison didn't say anything about any presentation or festivities.
3. Why didn't a representative answer a simple question and almost had to scream at me instead? Because I wore jeans and my wife was dressed up? We were not told to dress up.
After about 2 hours my wife came out with information on what she has to do next. When I asked what was it about and did she pass the interview, she said it was a presentation on how this company helps people get out of debt.
She also said that she was offered a choice in going into financial classes, get licensed and later on work for the company. She also had another interview setup for Tuesday with Allison for another orientation, but she also has to fill out a form that included 6 references. Another alarm why do the need 6 references when most companies don't ask for more then 3?
We did fill out the form, but didn't give any names on it. I told my wife I'm suspicious about it, but she wouldn't listen to me. Allison apparently asked her if she wanted to be a CPA (my wife has a BS in Economics from a foreign country but currently works as a sales person at a local store). According to Allison, this job would require a lot less paperwork and let her make a lot more money.
Well, here comes Tuesday. I went to the second interview together with my wife. I was asked to wait outside. When my wife asked Allison if I could come in to the office with her, the reply was that I really should sit in the lobby or go to the cafeteria. I chose to wait in the lobby. Apparently another couple was there for an interview.
During my one-hour waiting time, I noticed an interesting plaque on the wall some company was proud to announce that Allison and Eric (sorry, I can't remember his lat name) were promoted to the title of Global Vice Presidents. Immediately I had a few alarms here:
1. Global Vice Presidents good; but Global Vice Presidents of what? Of sales, credit, consumer relations, etc? There was no mention of anything else on the plaque for their titles.
2. People in such high positions within a company don't conduct face-to-face interviews with mere mortals.
3. Is hiring people a job for HR personnel or a hiring manager and not a VP?
4. Why are there 2 Global Vice Presidents in such a small branch (there were total of 4-5 other people working in the office)?
5. If their company is so big, why they have such a tiny office and no one knows these people by their name (clarification on this one: we were lost on the floor and asked a person from another company where we could find Allison, and she didn't know; when asked by the company name, it was literally next door).
So, my wife comes out, and tells me that she likes it, and she wants to pay for the training. I told her that if she likes it and if she thinks she can go through with the training, she could go ahead and pay $199 fee. She told me that there also going to be another $10 fee and a separate check has to go to Eric with his name on it. I said OK. She also showed me a piece of paper with some writing explaining what classes, tests and fees she would have to pay. It, kind of, made sense. So I told her to charge one of our credit cards (thank God for your guidance on this).
After about 15 minutes my wife came out and we went home. She was very excited that she could be state-licensed for insurance and real estate and could make a lot of money. Later on that evening she told that now, both myself and her, have an appointment with Allison on Saturday, March 8th, at 8:30am. But I have to sit in on the presentation first, and then both her and I will have a conversation with Allison as part of my wife's training. She also showed me a brochure asking us to bring all sorts of financial statements (credit card bills, mortgages, insurances, etc.) so Allison can prepare our financial analysis with us.
Also, my wife told me, that according to Allison, my wife would begin training ONLY if Allison makes that financial analysis. No analysis no training (another alarm here: my wife never told me she was required to submit our personal financial information in order to start training or working for the company).
My wife also told me that Allison was very nervous when my wife asked here where she got our information. Allison was asked 3 times, and 3 times she told us different story first time it was a coworker; then it was some girl that visited my wife's store (like all the people who walk into the grocery store know personal information about some store's clerk); and a third time it was some guy named Mike. For the record: we do not have any friends or relatives by the name Mike.
In addition to that, she will be required to provide the 6 names she was asked on the second interview plus10 to 12 more every class for training purposes. I asked here where would she be getting customers to do her work, if all of the names are already given to Allison? She could not answer that. I asked my wife if she works in the office, will she be given customers, or will she have to look for potential prospects herself? The answer was that she has to look for customers herself. She also told me that Allison would have to set up appointments with those people from the list and visit them with my wife for training purposes.
That was the final thing that made me tell my wife to wait until I do the research on Primerica. This is how I came to this site.
After showing my wife all of my findings and discussing with her all of my alarms, we came to the conclusion that we would be better off without further involvement with the Primerica.
I realized that everything Allison told my wife was a misinterpretation of the actual facts, a way to get money from us and make money off of our friends and family. My wife called Allison on Friday, March 7th, and told her that she will not be attending classes (she hasn't even started yet), and that she wants a refund. Allison told her that since she (my wife) signed all the paperwork, Allison sent it to the company for processing.
She will call us back on Monday, March 10th with the information. Considering what we read on this website regarding Primerica, we called our credit card company, MasterCard, and it turned out Primerica didn't charges the $199 fee as of yet. We have closed the account and notified MasterCard of a possible fraud.
We just spoke with Allison, and she is sick and will not be in the office for a few days. She didn't mention anything about being unable to charge our credit card. When asked about $10 check if she could mail it back to us -, she said she has asked some one in the office to do this.
So here are a few final thoughts about our recent experience with Primerica and one of it's Global Vice Presidents
1. If a company considers itself reputable, why can't it be straightforward from the beginning? If a company wants to have a relationship with a customer or a potential employee, it wouldn't be based on misleading facts and lies. Or would it be?
2. Why would a company representative lie about the source of our information?
3. Why would any company require information about all friends and relatives?
4. Why would a company require us to become customers in order to offer us a job?
5. Why do we have to pay for the training, when most companies train for free?
6. Why are there so many bad things said about a company who considers itself people-oriented and a leader in its business?
It is for you to answer those questions. Make your own judgment from what you have just read. I'm just a person with an opinion and you can ignore it. Good day.
Al
Arlington Heights, Illinois
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Primerica
23 Updates & Rebuttals
Timothy
Valparaiso,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Some answers to yiour questions - blind faith and lofty dreams.
#24Consumer Comment
Tue, April 26, 2005
Al, I will endeavor to answer your questions a best I can.
1. (Validity of the license): As far as I know, the license is "legitimate" and "transferable" (you can take it and apply it elsewhere). Might I add to both of those, however, the phrase "in theory." The truth is that your $199 PFS license allows you to sell term life insurance, and little or nothing else (i.e. securities). A license that only allows you to sell term life insurance is only transerable to other operations wherein the abiltity to solely sell term life insurance would fit into the busniess plan. Unfortunately, Primerica is the only one of these that I know of. A license that only allows you to sell X isn't worth much if every other firm is looking for people who can sell X, Y and Z.
2. The RVP title isn't worth a bag of dung in the non-Primerica world. I can call myself a custodial engineer, but I'm still a janitor, and anybody with a lick of sense will realize that fact. (I'm not actually a janitor).
3. Cost of services - I have seen some industry analysts rank Primerica as "competitive," and others implying predatory. The truth of the matter is that Primerica services are probably a good fit, pricewise, for some people. Financial situations are diverse and call for diverse plans. The problem with Primerica is that they offer a one-size-fits-all approach that may actually only be the best option for a small portion of consumers. The Primerican is not really "helping people" if he is offering an inferior financial plan that is not tailored to individual needs.
4. Throw some pennies in the fountain at the mall. You're gonna need the good luck.
5. In the interest of objectivity, I have yet to see a successful lawsuit based on the business plan at Primerica. There are a host of lawsuits involving rogue agents, but that is to be expected in an operation that churns through hundreds of thousands of agents annually. The Primerica business plan is well within the bounds of the law. The plan in action, however, can have a tendency to produce litigation from disappointed agents, customers, and government authorities.
6. No. Your real world experiences do not matter. If anything, they work against you. Somebody who is well-versed in the ways of the world will see right through this garbage. Primerica doesn't like people who ask alot of questions. And that's only half of the story.
The other half is this: Primerica cares not for what your actual sales aptitude may be. Primerica profits primarily from what, in standard capitalist terms, can be termed an unnatural market. Put the following factors together, and ride along with me to the logical conclusion:
A) New reps must give a list of family and friends.
B) The new rep's first few pitches will be to this "warm market."
C) Those in this "warm market" are more apt to purchase than those in the standard market because they are motivated either by sympathy for their loved one who is trying to better his life, or by the trust involved in the relationship, or both.
D) The recruit receives little or no commission from these sales.
The conclusion: Primerica has devised a mode of free advertising to a market that may purchase for reasons separate from the quality or value of the product. To put it bluntly, Primerica wishes to capitalize from your personal relationships at the expense of your time. Your prior knowledge or ability is not even relevant.
As for your loved ones who are currently embroiled, they will learn their lessons the hard way and, unfortunately, there is probably little that you can do about it. Rationality simply can't compete with blind faith and lofty dreams.
Al
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Many Thanx to those who responded!!!
#24UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, April 24, 2005
Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Many thanks to everyone who has responded. I encorage you to keep on posting on this subject because my questions rise very important concerns. I would like to ask all of you to provide the following information which will definitely be extremely beneficial to all readers of this forum:
1. Validity of PFS licences - are they true state licences, or are they only PFS-specific and not valid anywhere else?
2. PFS employee titels vs. real-world titels (i.e. if I'm an RVP who am I in the rest of the corporate America?)
3. Costs of PFS services vs. other companies.
4. How to get fee refunds?
5. Information on current and pending law suites
6. Do my real-world expiriences really matter at PFS? Why?
Please don't hesitate to post. Your information is and always will be useful. Thank you very much.
Paul
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Primerica is a good learning experience for some people. Those that need to learn the hard way.
#24Consumer Suggestion
Sun, April 24, 2005
Most people already know how to spot a con a mile away. Yeah, you might get them to one of these recruiting meetings by telling them about an office manager position.
But, as soon as they see that there is no job, just a chance to sell insurance on commission, they are outta there.
You see, it wouldn't be so bad if the insurance actually sold. If you could count on making at least $500 a week from the commissions, people might stick around. But, that's not the case.
You have to search long and hard to find someone to buy the insurance. Then, the measly commission you make doesn't begin to make up for all the time you spent to find that sale. You can easily go a week without finding anyone to buy anything. Where's the big income then?
That's why, sooner or later, the people all quit. They either quit or starve and end up living on a bus stop bench. Hey, the company can talk up their big money all they want. But, the fact remains that when you can't find anyone to buy insurance, you don't make a dime. When your money runs out, you end up getting thrown out in the street. Try selling insurance while living in your car.
Eventually, the primericans see that the income won't pay the bills. Then, they quit and move on. Problem solved. So, if you got a relative in the primerica pyramid, don't worry. They'll drop out as soon as they run out of money.
Primerica doesn't care one way or another. They simply want to get free labor. Evidentially, this company doesn't make enough to actually pay for a sales force. So, they don't have one. What they have is a bunch of inexperienced people out hustling things they don't understand.
Personally, I feel that primerica would be much better off with real salespeople. Proven sales ability, with backgrounds in selling financial products. Yes, the labor would cost a lot more. But, they would also produce a lot more income for the company. That would more than make up for their salaries.
Real salespeople laugh at primerica. It takes real skill to make a sale. You just can't spend 12 hours with someone and turn them into a salesman. It takes time and extensive training to make a competent salesperson.
The management at primerica are idiots. They'll never understand this. They insist on trying to run a financial products company with amateur salespeople with a dozen hours of training. They are so insistent on having free labor that they never can see that free labor doesn't produce near the income that professionals do. They have a saying for this. Stuck on stupid.
I think the primerica scam is a good learning experience for some people. It shows them the realities of the world. They learn how big companies will manipulate and deceive people just to make a few bucks. They learn not to fall for vague job titles that don't include any mention of pay or salary. They learn not to fall for big money talk that never pans out. And, last, they learn never to take any job that doesn't offer a guaranteed base salary.
These are all important lessons. After 3 months in primerica, you can guarantee the person will never fall for another job scam as long as they live.
So, maybe the victim does end up with something valuable after all.
Al
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
Sorry to hear that Al ..its just a fancy way of saying life insurance salesman
#24UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, April 23, 2005
Al
Sorry to hear that your family got sucked into the pyramid, but to answer your question the life license is the same that everyone in the industry takes, now as far as the titles at primerica everything from personnel financial analyst all the way up to senior national sales director is just a fancy way of saying life insurance salesman.
Al
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Primerica Strikes Back!!!
#24Author of original report
Sat, April 23, 2005
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm the original creator of this particular report.
With deepest regrets I inform you that my cousing and his sister-in-law have fallen victioms to Primerica. Even the office is the same.
Eric is still there and Allison, according to my cousin, is still his fiance after more than 2 years (normal people get married by now, don't they?). They still have the same titles and still do the same.
And someone from their office has called us at home again claiming they heard we are trying to advance our careers. My responce to them would not stand a chance to be published in this pages.
His syster-in-law is buried deep with all the classes Primerica makes you take and she gets ready for the so-called STATE-EXAMS.
Which brings me to my main question: My cousing wants to know about their licencing program. Can some one elaborate on the validity of these PFS licenses? Also, could some one, please, give a clear explanation on PFS titles such as PERSONAL FINANCIAL CONSULTANT (I might be wrong on this one).
Thank everyone in adva nce for your reply.
Al
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Controversy Continues
#24Author of original report
Fri, July 23, 2004
I'm the original author of this report. It's been a long time since my previous experience with Primerica in my area. But today, July 23rd, 2004, I received a call from them again. The representative, a male, called himself Eric. Yes, it was the same Eric I dealt with before. I was very much surprised to hear from them again.
He told me this time that he got my information from my job posting on Monster.com. I am happily employed (has been 6 years with this company now) and have never posted anything on Monster. This proves my point in the original story about the integrity of these representatives.
Anyway. He went into telling me a big load of the usual mumbo-jumbo about the company. After 5 minutes I got tired and asked him a million-dollar question: "Eric, will you make me write you a check for $10 again?" He immediately hung up without even excusing himself.
Like the old saying sais: "What goes around, comes around"
Brian
Wayne,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
the government's regulation, not any individual company such as Primerica
#24UPDATE Employee
Thu, October 02, 2003
This is in response to Melinda in Minnesota.
From what I could get of your report, you were upset because a woman would receive an insurance claim upon her ex-husband's death.
The problem is that the policy was legally issued either while they were still married, or by consent of the insured (in this case, the husband). Regardless of circumstances, the policy cannot legally be cancelled by the company unless one of a very few conditions are met, such as non-payment of the premium.
So, as bad as it might sound, the ex-wife would have a legal claim for the money upon her ex-husband's death, provided the premium is paid. This has nothing to do with Primerica per se--that's how the whole insurance industry is set up by regulations.
The owner of the policy can change the address and other things on the policy. If the wife owns the policy, she has the right to change the address listed, along with beneficiary and so forth. If he owns the policy, she had no legal right to change anything, and could pursue legal action against his ex-wife.
Either way, however, if the premium keeps being paid, the policy has to remain in effect. That's the government's regulation, not any individual company such as Primerica.
Jerry
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
You can find someone to complain about anything. BBB has total of four complaints had been launched between three offices here in Houston
#24UPDATE Employee
Wed, October 01, 2003
rch. I have not mad a decision one way or another yet, but I felt I needed to put my two pennies worth in.
Before stumbling on to this website I had gone to www.bbb.com (For those in California that the Better Business Bureaus web-address) There where four hits. A total of four complaints had been launched between three offices here in Houston in the past three years. The forth hit was to the parent company.
Some thing that the BBB put on their site interested me. I was a cautioned that... When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them.
One more thing.
On the question IF MY COMPANY IS SOO GOOD, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH BAD TALK ABOUT IT? You can find someone to complain about anything. I personally know some one that is not happy unless he is complaining about something.
MELINDA
Isanti,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
199.00 IN RETURN, AND KNOW WHAT ELSE THEY DID TO A CLIENT
#24Consumer Comment
Wed, July 30, 2003
I WAS ONE WHO USED A DEBIT CARD TOO AND I HAVEN'T ATTEMPTED YET ON GETTING IT BACK. I SET UP MY INITIAL DATES TO GO TO THE LESSONS TO GET THE LICENSE BUT I NEVER CANCELLED OR SHOWED UP. ACCORDING TO WHAT I SIGNED IT MERELY SAYS I CAN GET A REFUND WITHIN A YEAR. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO GET THAT BACK LET ME NO BEFORE MY FIRST ATTEMPT.
ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY INSIGNIFICANT OTHER HAS BEEN RIPED OFF TOO. HIM AND HIS EX-WIFE HAVE IN THERE DIVORCE PAPERS THAT MY INSIGNIFICANT IS TO BE THE PRIMARY -WHICH HE IS IN THE PRIAMERICA DOCUMENTS. THAT IF HE IS TO CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICPATE IN THE PAYING OF THE INSURANCE THAT IT BE NOTIFIED TO HIS EX-WIFE WITHIN 60 DAYS AND EACH OTHER HAS TO STAY THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES.
WELL SINCE HIS DIVORCE PAPERS ARE DATED MAY 30 02 A LETTER FROM HIS EX-WIFE WAS SENT TO PRIAMERICA ON 5-25-02 STATING THAT PER DIVORCE DECREE HE HAS FAULTED. AND THAT SHE WANTED ALL LETTERS AND BILLINGS TO BE MAILED TO HER ADDRESS. AS OF THE NEXT PAYMENT DUE 6-03 IT WAS NOT MADE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO NOTICE MAILED TO THE PRIMARY AND THE EX- WAITED UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO INFORM HIM. GEE ISN'T THAT A TYPICAL EVIL SELFISH PREMEDITATED SYCHO IMATURE WOMEN WRECKING IMAGE. THIS MAN IS NOW FORCED NO MATTER WHAT -TO HAVE TO LET HER RECEIVE 50,000 DOLLARS IF HE DIES. NO WAY HE SAYS IF SHE GETS ANOTHER DIME AND EXSPECIAL IF I AM DEAD.
RIP OFF IS SO IN FACT HERE BECAUSE WHO IS THE PERSON IN CHARGE WHO WILL SEND THAT BILLING TO ANYONE JUST BECAUSE THEY WROTE A LETTER AND STATED A NAME OF SUPPOSEOFLY BEING AND HAD THE LETTER MAILED BEFORE DIVORCE WAS SAID AND DONE. THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY THE PRIMARY SEVERAL TIMES STATING THAT NO WAY IS THE ADDRESS TO BE CHANGED UNLESS REQUESTED BY HIM. PRIMAMERICA REPLYIED BACK MORELESS IN A MATTER OF SPEAKING TUFF s**t AND IGNORED THE PROBLEM. WHAT I GATHERED UP IS THEY JUST WANT THE MONEY WHO GIVES A s**t WHO PAYS IT.
WHAT THEY ARE NOT AMMITING TO IS THE FINE LINE OF OWNERSHIP AND WHO IS STEALING IT AND THEY LET SOMONE DO IT. I PERSONALLY HAVE A LIST OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND I HAVE MAILED THEM ALL OF THIS BULL CRAP TO THEM TO BE AWARE OF THIS CROOKED OPERATION. TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH IF I ASK FOR MY 199.00 BACK FROM THE VERY GENTLEMAN THAT SAT NEXT TO ME AND SCAMED ME, AND HE DOESN'T,HAVE AN ANSWER FOR ME OR EVEN ATTEMPTS TO HELP ME, THE PRICE WILL BE MORE THAN 199.00
I AM NOW EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED AND I FEEL I MAY HAVE BEEN A SUBJECT TO EVIDENT PREMEDITATED TORCHER OF RIPPING OFF AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MY VOLNORABILITY AS BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND UNEMPLOYED RESENTLY FROM A LAY OFF. THEY HAVE SCREWED MY BRAIN SO MUCH I CAN'T FUNCTION IN THE WORLD ANYMORE. I AM AFFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE AND BE ANOTHER SUBJECT OF ATTACK. PRIAMERICA CAN KISS MY PRI AMERI CAN. MISLED NOT -PREMEDITATED ITS AGAINST THE LAW AND ITS A FELONY.
Paul
Chapel Hill,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Q for David
#24Consumer Comment
Mon, July 14, 2003
David,
How do you justify saying that interest rates don't matter?
Over 95% of lenders allow you to make extra payments every month without paying for any expensive biweekly program. Thus, anyone can take the same extra payment that they would pay on a higher interest loan, apply it to a low interest loan and pay it off even earlier with even less total interest cost.
Furthermore, Simple interest does not produce a mentionable difference in total cost.
High interest loans in which the cost is hidden by early payoff are deceptive and cost borrowers a great deal of extra money over the life of the loan. This is money the would save if they shopped around for a better rate.
Brian
Wayne,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Background checks, turnover rate, etc.
#24UPDATE Employee
Sat, July 12, 2003
First, another note to the individual posting as "Fruad Hammer X". I posted what information I had as soon as possible because I strongly believe in our company. If I did not believe so strongly in what we are doing, I would not be so willing to put my real name and office address on this site. If you have anything specific with information to discuss, please post again, and I will make every attempt to answer any question you might have.
I've noticed questions regarding our recruting practices, licensing fees and legitimacy of the licenses, and background check information. I would like to address these, for those who are interested.
1) Recruiting does, in fact, play a large part in our company. The reason why is that we need good people to help other people. When we introduce people to our business and they make the decision to join our cause, there are potentially more people that can be assisted by our services. In short, we recruit good people to be better suited to help more people.
2) Licensing fees and legitimacy of those licenses. The first license a representative receives in their state's life insurance. The fee that we charge is $199. In my state, the license costs approximately $400, and half is paid by the company. The $199 does not go to the company, but rather to the state. Another license is for financial securities, and is backed by the NASD and the SEC. The legitimacy of these licenses are limited to the legitimacy of your state, the NASD, and the SEC.
3) Background checks. We require background checks. The reason for this is rather simple: if you have ever had a felony, or a few other red flags, then by law you cannot work in the financial arena in this capacity.
I hope this helps, and I would welcome the opportunity to answer any question any of you would have.
I would also make a request for all of you to state your information and opinions without personal attacks. It's perfectly acceptable to agree or disagree with our company and anything about it, but I can't see a need to attack an individual based on opinion.
To address the gentleman who authored the original complaint, I have done some research into your meeting with the office in Libertyville, Illinois. I could find nothing with the title of "Global Vice President", and the $10 fee paid directly to Eric is strictly against company policy. I would strongly urge you to call our company at 770-381-1000 or write them at 3120 Beckinridge Dr., Duluth, GA 30099.
I hope everything finds all of you well!
Allen
Minneapolis,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Background Checks and Jobs
#24Consumer Comment
Thu, July 10, 2003
In response to the question "since when does a sales and marketing... company make an employee submit to BACKGROUND check? Aren't background checks conducted by FBI and local law inforcement agancies? My wife wasn't told anything about background checks when she joined the company"
I am not an employee of Primerica but I have been to one or two of their pitch presentations, and while I wonder many of the same things many people write about here (and i've never heard any of the refer to anyone as a global vp either), one thing i DO know is that almost ALL jobs conduct background checks nowadays -- ESPECIALLY those concerning financial matters (wells fargo, american express, u.s. bank, ANY phone collections, and more). I was laid off two years ago from a tech job and have been turned down numerous times for even clerical jobs in financial businesses due to a "criminal conviction" (petty misdemeanor) that occurred more than 8 years ago in college. I have since held many seasonal and temp jobs while looking for full-time "real" employment almost constantly.
In my period of underemployment I worked at Toys R Us for about 3 weeks until the background check came back and they said "no dice". Almost EVERYONE makes background checks on potential employees nowadays, even petty retail jobs. Many of them even make credit checks on their potential employees. Retail jobs especially like to have a part on the application that specifically ASKS, not whether or not you've ever been convicted of a *felony*, but ANY crime... EVER (unless you've had the record expunged / sealed). And at the end, many of them also provide disclaimers saying that they may run a background check on you and failure to sign and comply will result in you not being considered for employment.
The catch is that they have to have you sign something that gives them permission to run said check -- and even then, companies don't run the check 'til after you apply and they're seriously considering hiring you, because it costs them money. After that, it generally takes them three weeks to get a copy of your file from NCIC or the FBI, whichever one they use. Credit reports sometimes come in more quickly.
i seem to recall reading "what's next, a drug test?" and in fact, many companies, even those with nothing but people at desk jobs, are doing _that_ too. i suppose that in the case of the financiers, with the bg checks (and drug for those that do it) it shows that they're doing their best to find those who are or were involved in "questionable practices" so that they can then not hire them.
As to why a company like primerica doesn't pay for your licensure and bg checks itself: it was stated above that it is against the law to do so, but NOT against the law to reimburse you after the fact.
Jim
Farmington Hills,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Anyone can scream; reason calls for intelligece. .. make Fraud Hammer put up or shut up!
#24UPDATE Employee
Sat, July 05, 2003
To the administrastors of Rip-off.com. I have no idea whether this is a fifth response or not. We are not employees of a single company. We are all independent agencies that sell Primerica products. If this respose violates your prosedures, feel free to disregard and dismiss it. But I do think that you owe it to Primerica to make Fraud Hammer put up or shut up.
I can assure anyone who cares that Primerica is most certainly not a rip-off. I do not know what is wrong with the Fraud Hammer in Tennessee, but he sounds like a traditional life insurance salesman who has lost too much business to a better company.
The couple that started this round certainly have some legitimate concerns. It sounds like the office they came across is not operating according to company guidelines. Brian is correct. Anyone who feels they have been misled or lied to can contact our Office of General Counsel at 770-381-1000 or write them at 3120 Beckinridge Dr., Duluth, GA 30099.
We have a printed hiring application that every recruit ought to read before he signs or pays anything. We have one fee - $199, payable to the company. WE are not allowed to ever have any checks made payable to ourselves. We only make money when we sell a product. There are no Global Vice Presidents - regardless of what the sign in that gentleman's office read.
But Fraud Hammer eeither does not know anything about Primerica, or he knows and is afraid so he spits venom instead of facts. He accuses us of deception? My wife and I have been with Primerica for 22 years. We earn in the six figure teritory. We have over a 1,000 satisfied clients. Fake licenses? Hogweash! I carry state insurance licenses in several states. I pay each state a fee for the privilege of doing licensed, regulated business in those states. I carry a securities license in several states. I pay those states and the NASD and the SEC annual fees to do investment business in those states. My wife carriesd a MI mortgage license. We paid Michigan $800 to get the license and $400 every year to keep it. Don't be so ignorant to tell people we have fake licenses.
Primerica does business in every state and several foreign countries. We are highly regulated and have an excellent reputation with the regulatory agencies. Do people quit the company? of course. All we offer is an opportunity to every one who wants to see if this is what he is looking for. Can everyone do it? no. But everyone deserves a chance to find out. Do we prospect and recruit in malls? Absolutely. And every where else there are people to talk to. Are there "bad apples" who operate more aggressively outside the rules? Must be. The couple with the complaint seems to have found one. But anyone who will do nay honest and thorough checking will conclude the company offers an unbeatable opportunity for the right person. Wea re not employees of Primerica. We are independent contractors who operate according to published guidelines and rules. When someone violates those rules, our home officxe needs to be made aware of the situation so the matter can be corrected. Fraud Hammer: don't mindlessly attack. Offer solutions that address real problems. Don't throw smoke bombs and yell fire. The company has done more to change the financial face of America for the better than any other multi-level company in existence. Help us weed out the sly guys to be sure. But don't accuse the company of being a rip-off. We market bonafide, legitimate, valuable financial products.
Call or write the company. They will be happy to see to it that your concerns are addressed
Kim
Gilbert,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Don't fall for the Primerica lies...
#24Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 13, 2003
Brian, I must say that you are probably the most polite person that has defended Primerica, most of the employees onhere are rude jerks, defending the company with absolutely no real proof that they are not helping anyone.
The facts of dealing with Primerica are plain and simple. They have a 95% turnover rate. There have been actually over 100k people hired by Primerica, most quit within 6 months. Primerica's recruiting practices are not ethical, and highly questionable. I was approached a few weeks ago in a shopping mall by a Primerica ep. what kind of company looks for people in a mall? It is obvious these recruitors are told to approach people anywhere and to do and say whatever it takes to get somebody hired. Most companies would pay the $199 for you, and Primerica does not refund that in many cases like they claim. Thier insurance and mortage rates are NOT competitive. Many people that do buy eventually jut cancel resulting in a chargeback to the sales rep. Primerica does not seem to do much advertising to the consumer-they depend on their recruits to hand over names of family and relatives. Many people have been all out harassed by these guys.
If Primerica is so wonderful to work for, why are they constantly, relentlessly looking for employees? That is because for every one that gets hired, several quit.
This has got to stop eventually. I hope people catch on to this game, and avoid this company at all costs.
Edward
Phila,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
What kind of idiotic organizational structure is so top heavy with Vice presidents?
#24Consumer Comment
Thu, June 12, 2003
Vice president positions are about a dime a dozen
in Primerica. What kind of idiotic organizational
structure is so top heavy with Vice presidents?
Im a regional VP. You're a regional VP. Let's all
be regional VP's, one big happy company full of
nothing but regional VP's!
The 'region' of which each VP is in charge
consists of their own personal desk and cubicle.
The actual recruits make no money because if
they're lucky enough to find family and friends
who will fork over their hard earned money to
PFS, their recruiter makes a huge percentage of
their commission. The only way to really make
money is to recruit enough suckers to get promoted to regional VP so you can leach off someone else's hard earned commission.
Walter
Roselle,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Thank You Primerica!
#24UPDATE Employee
Wed, April 30, 2003
Primerica is a great company to work for. The reason why many people get upset is because they are under the impression they are getting a job.
Many people don't like the idea they have to work in our business. I have fallen victim to that as well. Primerica is not a traditional business where you go to work and told what to do like a puppet!
Primerica offers people a chance to be an independent contractor, and to make unlimited income. Primerica is not a perfect business. We all know no business is perfect. If anyone who reads this site, Please tell us what business is better and why.
I know many of you are upset family & friends are part of your training. I felt that way when I started. However, If most of us opened a different kind of business, WHO WOULD WE TELL??? Our family, friends, associates, etc. This is true. No, every business is not like that, but most are. The proper training is to show these people what a new person to the company is doing & let them make up their own mind!! People should not be pressured to do anything, and apologies to anyone who felt this.
The person on this site who is upset, you have a reason! I am on here because I am interested in knowing what other people feel about our co. Too Bad if you have a problem with that! Oh yeah, I feel guilty because I am ripping people off right?
Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion.
Primerica does not have the cheapest insurance, etc. but it does teach people good education to finances. Cash value is good for people. Yeah right
1)Low Rate of Return on your $ 2) Borrow it if you need it 3) Lose Cash if You die. Many policies work this way!! Don't Dispute that.
Remember, people are in this business to make things happen. I totally agree with the skeptics that people should act more professionally.
To the person asking for the refund, read your application & it gives you all the info on how to get a refund. If you don't have a copy, demand from the person to send you one.
Regional Vice President is the official title for the company. The person using Global Vice President may have people working with the company overseas. The person who brought this up made a good observation.
Primerica will never be able to satisfy everyone. Thank goodness, my experiences have been good and leaders I work with are honest, ethical, and professional.
To the skeptics, just research other things like business journals, etc. before making a final opinion about our co.
Thanks
Al
Palatine,Illinois,
U.S.A.
This is to Hollie
#24Author of original report
Tue, April 29, 2003
Well, Hollie. First of all, I'm the person who originally started this specific report on local Primerica office. In fact, this is one of many-many more you might have already seen here. But since you chose to reply to this forum, I am obligated to ask you a few questions.
1. What state licenses are you talking about? Your companie's (not state) licenses are fake. And your slef-proclaimed titles are worthless. Everything is based on how many people you recruit and not on your sales or marketing, or management skills. People who read this forum often will know what I'm talking abou here. I would challenge you to try to find a job a multi-million dollar corporation. Try to find a job corresponding to your title of VP (or RVP as your top dogs call themselves) I guarantee you will be fired within first week. Sweet talking doesn't help you much in a real corporate world. Just take a look at Enron as an example of tactics Primerica uses. The two keywords here are LIES and DECEPTION.
2. As for the $50.00 background check, since when does a sales and marketing, or, let me rephrase this, an insurance sales company makes an employee submit to BACKGROUND check? Aren't background checks conducted by FBI and local law inforcement agancies? My wife wasn't told anything about background checks when she joined the company. I would understand drug tests since most of the companies require this. Go figure. Whan is next in line from your comany - a Union benefits? This would be interested to see a UNION INSURANCE CONSULTANT OR A UNION VP. Go figure.
Anyway, since you and your brain-washed counterparts praise Primerica so much, I want you to ask yourself just one question: IF MY COMPANY IS SOO GOOD, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH BAD TALK ABOUT IT?
Hope you find an answer sooner than later. Until than, hope you'll make it with Primerica without loosing all of your good friends and family members.
Anne
Baton Rouge,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
How to get back the License Fee $199 payable to Primerica?
#24UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, April 20, 2003
I wasn't as smart as Al, so I paid for the $199 with my debit card. I haven't attended 2 trainings (each for 2 hrs) and haven't gone to the class yet (for the state license). Now I am desperately attempting to get back my $199. I noticed in the paper I signed that $167 goes to the state license (that means Primerica will have to pay this to the state when I take the d**n exam). Since I quit, Primerica is entitled to refund me with, at least, this $167, right? I filed a dispute on the charge, and my bank credited it back a few days ago, but the next day, the transaction was reverse, Primerica didn't seem to let it go too easily!!! Is there any people out there got back your $199? Please advise me how to get my money back!!!! Thank you.
Fraud Hammer X
Hammertown,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Brian's doubletalk is typical of Primerica's army of shills!
#24Consumer Comment
Fri, March 14, 2003
Brian, didn't you receive ANY of my Hammer attack? Let me see if I can make it any simpler so your primitive shill brain can soak up the information: what the HELL are you doing responding to RipOff Reports as soon as they're posted? ANSWER THE F-ING QUESTION! Don't give us this nonsense about how strongly you feel about your company! We'll accept your brainwashing as a given! Since you can't find the truth inside you, here's a Hammer wallop to enlighten you: You search the RipOff Report for Primerica postings because YOU KNOW IT'S A RIP-OFF!!! IPSO FACTO! POWWWWW!
Why don't you get a real job instead of trolling the internet (Monster.com, HotJobs.com) and alienating friends and family for "leads".
Brian
Wayne,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
our company would hurt people intentionally
#24UPDATE Employee
Fri, March 14, 2003
First, I would like to reply to the individual known as "Fraud Hammer X".
My quick reply to the gentleman from Arlington Heights was because I strongly believe in my company and what we do for people. If I believed, in any way, that our company would hurt people intentionally, I would not be here.
That being said, some answers to the questions posed by said gentleman.
1) The position of Global Vice President is unknown to me. The closest title that is availble to a representative is that of Regional Vice President, or RVP. As an RVP or above, Allison and Eric can run their own office, which is tied to our home office in Georgia. Each office is supposed to be governed by our legal department and regulated by each individual state. The potential for income is absolutely enormous, and it is possible to run a multi-million dollar office. However, Allison and Eric do not control the entire corporation, just offices that are tied to our home office.
2) There are more VPs in Primerica than in most any company because we promote based solely on results. Companies generally promote an employee on if certain criteria are met, and usually those criteria are things that are beyond the employees' control. Which leads to the third question.
3) Our promotions are based purely on numbers. Each promotion level is gained from achieving those numbers. Unlike most other corporate jobs, our promotions are written in plain language. If a person achieves X, then they get promoted, regardless of race, gender, seniority, etc.
I will look into the "Global Vice President" title, and post any information that I find. I would also like to thank you for posting your complaint against the individual office with which you had a problem. Too often people judge an entire organization based on the actions of a few negative individuals.
If you have any other questions that you would like to ask, please post them here, or you can call any of our offices, other than Allison and Eric's.
I hope everything finds you well!
Fraud Hammer X
Hammertown,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Brian - your quick response is testimony enough to Primerica's RIPOFF ways!
#24Consumer Comment
Wed, March 12, 2003
Brian! Brian! How quickly you replied to Mr. Al's comments! Are you in the habit of trolling for negative comments on the RipOff Report? Or is it that you can't search for Primerica on Google, Yahoo!, Excite, Lycos, etc. without this site coming up as well? What's that, we can't hear you! Maybe a well-placed Fraud Hammer to your dome will help you to speak more clearly: POWWW! Ouch! Poor Brian! Ha ha!
Al's Primerica testimony is the most lucid and damning on this site, and that's saying something. Your shilling and double-talk are the most evasive and misleading, and that's saying even more!
Your attempts to paint Allison and Eric as little more than rogue Primericans is patently false and disingenuous, AND YOU KNOW IT! Here's some Hammertime for that filthy shill mouth of yours: BLAMMMM! Ooooh, do you kiss your mom with that filthy mouth of yours?
When your corporate masters are through giving you your daily teabagging, let them in on this little secret: THE TRUTH IS OUT ABOUT YOUR SORDID OPERATION! WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THE RITUAL DECEIT AND INSTITUTIONALIZED LIES!
Al
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Thank you very much, Brian, for getting back to us so quick
#24Author of original report
Wed, March 12, 2003
First of all, Brian, I would like to thank you very much for getting back to us so quick. Let me try to clear up a few things you might think are incorrect in my report:
1. Allison's and Eric's titles are Global Vice Presidents as stated on the plaque (which hangs on the wall by the entrance door to their office), and not RVP - Regional Vice President. If I knew, I would take a picture of it when I had a chance - I was sitting by it for a little over an hour waiting for my wife.I guess I got a good look at it. Many times.
2. Allison were supposed to call us today, March 11th, but we didn't hear from her.
3. Looks like Eric didn't cash our check as of yet. But neither we got it back in the mail.
We'll keep this updated as things progress.
Now I have a few more questions which, I hope, a Primerica (either employee or consumer) expert would be able to answer for me:
1. What do this titles really mean? Can Allison or Eric being a (some kind of) VP, run a multi-million-dollor corporation?
2. Why are there more VPs in Primerica then in any other company?
3. How do your promotions work and what are they based on?
That's it for now. Thanks for reading it.
Brian
Wayne,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I Offer My Apologies ..From what I read on your report, you have had more than ample reason to be upset.
#24UPDATE Employee
Tue, March 11, 2003
First, I would like to deeply apologize for the actions of that office. From what I read on your report, you have had more than ample reason to be upset.
I would like to clear up a few things if I may. The title of Alison and Eric were most likely "Regional Vice President" as we do not have a "Global Vice President" title. Every level, from Regional Vice President (and above) down to Associate Representative deals with people, so it is not uncommon for our RVPs to do some of the interviewing.
We look for qualified, positive people who would be dedicated to helping people, and your wife sounds as if she would be our perfect candidate. Her name was most likely passed by a client or a resume. The fact that Allison could not give you a satisfactory answer is disturbing.
All things aside, the most disturbing thing I read was the charges you had incurred. The $199 is a processing fee for a state license, and is charged for every new representative who enters into our business. The separate check of $10 is highly suspicious, and I would call and ask what that check was for. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, and I can't think of one, I would suggest that you write our home office a letter explaining the details of your interaction. You can get the address of Diluth, GA, on our website at www.primerica.com.
Every representative must adhere to strict compliance guidelines, and unless there is something that I do not know about, we are to never accept money directly from any of our clients or recruits.
I am very sorry about your introduction to our business. I understand your frustration, and all of us feel it too, as we have lost a very good candidate in your wife. I hope the both of you accept my apologies. If you still have an interest in helping us help others, there are many other offices that are well managed and professional. Of course, if you need any financial assistance, any of our offices would be glad to help you.
Thank you and your wife for your initial interest and motivation, and I hope that I will get to see the both of you at our convention in Atlanta.