Primerica ripoff Cult or company? Cincinnati Ohio
Well first off I was offerd a "job interview" by someone working for Primerica for a "leadership position" they had seen my resume on Monster.com and wanted to meet with me for a possible job offer. Well when I got there I looked for the person I was to meet and the first words out of anyone's mouth was "Who Brought you here" this was a little disconcerting to me, but I gave them the name I was given and they told me to go into this room with about 18 other people and watch a presentation on the company and I said to them that I was here for an interview not a sales pitch. They procceded to tell me that it was what I was there for it was the pre - screening for potential employees.
So I watched thier Power Point presentation and talked to their RVP and a lot of what they said made a lot of sense like the rule of 72 but, it was all sounding too good to be true. I honestly dont know if its a scam or not; I for one am not going to get involved with them.
They do have an aggresive recruitment program as when I got home and started to do some research on the company that my wife calls me and asks how it went, and I told her it sounded like the insurance thing she almost got into a few months ago. Then she said its not Primerica is it? And I said yes it is. She then proceeded to tell me that they had tried to recruit her boss and one of her customers yesterday had mentioned it as well.
I know this doesn't sound that bad but I wasted an hour and a half of my life there and it got my hopes up on finding a good job to help support my family. The thing I should have relized on the phone with the recruiter is that he didnt say what in my resume made him think that I was a good canidate for a leadership position. He could have mentioned the fact that I was just out of the Army, or he could have mentioned my restaurant management experience, but he didn't. I know hindsight is supposed to be 20/20, and live and learn. It is still disapointing none the less.
Well I just wanted to comment on the fact that if they have so many happy employees why do they feel it is necessary to make so many posts on this web site defending themselves? Why are they looking at this so much if there are no unfounded alegations against them here. One post should cover it all.
a few things in moderation though
1) A lot of businesses do require certification to do the job before you are even considered for the position. Just look at the IT field, the first couple almost always come out of your pocket then the company you get hired by might pay for further certification / education.
2) A high employee turnover rate does not mean its a bad job. Retail and sales have always had a high turnover rate and so have restaraunts if I remember correctly it is close to 85-90% in the first two years. This is because alot of restaraunts and sales jobs give slow raises, you get a job at one place get some experience and then move on to another for a higher wage, then you move on to another for an even higher wage, its just the way things work in those businesses.
3) Be wary of commission only jobs with no benefits. If the company is not willing to invest in you at least to some degree such as a minimum salary + commission + benefits then you are more than likely truely disposable labor they realy don't care if you stay or go as long as you made them some money. It's true that some very few people make money in these types of environments but not many do.
4) Not everyone is a salesperson. I know that I am not one but, that does not mean that you are not a hard worker. Before going into the Army I worked an average of 60-80 hours a week at one job and put in another 10-15 at another plus did some odd jobs on the side. And I would like to see some of those Primerica guys keep up with me on a 50 mile ruck march with a ruck that weighed in at 120lbs (19:56 my personal best time).
thank you for reading this have a good day and hope you get where your going.
Eric
Cincinnati, Ohio
U.S.A.
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2 Updates & Rebuttals
Lean
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
A Lot of Wind From Lives Filled With So Much Negativity!!
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, March 16, 2004
Wow! Guess I just got more reasons why I will move out of Florida! And...take some more folks with me!
I had my "bad contact" with Primerica too--but only in Des Moines, Iowa some few years ago and I cannot understand how these BAD companies remain at it but...live in Florida and you will see HOW many of them do it!
In a short year we have not met one business owner in the Equipment Sales, apartments, housing contractors business, and more--who has been honest--they have all been "caught in lies"--and they never do what they say they will do--JUST LIKE PRIMERICA! Strange--seems to be so many Florida folks on here in defense of this type of poor and bad business! And...we are finding businesses here all over the state of Florida just like Primerica (claiming to be in a honest business setting) to only find out they don't have a corporation license to practice, nor an Occupational license, nor signed up with the local county tax office. Maybe more businesses should be investigated first? Find out the real truth before heading to any of these "so called" interviews and meetings that end up being social hours--and let's not leave out the "social hour" with all the drinking--what kind of interviews are these or having to socialize with booze after a business meeting or "supposed" interview? And..I do not want to hear it was MY CHOICE--as it has been innocent realty to only be fooled and tricked--I always trust until I find out otherwise--the most Positve Rule of Thumb. I am so glad that sites like this, the BBB, Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Affairs offices are available to show these folks we will report them and tell what they are--crooked and deceptive!
No wonder there is mostly negativity in Florida--and folks do not even think of coming here to live unless you have a real legitamate business you can live on or a BIG BANK ROLL. The State of Florida is SO RICH but yet they won't pay anyone a decent salary for their honesty, skills, abilities, and integrity. Salespersons are lucky to get $25-mabye $30K per year in Florida--who can live on that?? Think twice about Primerica. No one enjoys being "toyed with nor lied" to.
David
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
You made the best move possible by passing on this opportunity.
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, March 11, 2004
If you want to be in this business there are far better firms to work for that have superior products to offer the consumer.
The rest of your post sounds like a bunch of whining. Who cares how they got your resume or whether or not they referenced the leadership positions you have held in the past. There in the business of gathering contacts. You should have asked harder questions of them on their initial contact of you. If they evaded your questions you could have declined the interview.
Don't whine about wasting and hour and a half of "your life". Get over it and consider it well spent. It kept you from joining, didn't it? You're the one who didn't ask the hard questions and got roped in.
Finally, who cares if you can out force march a bunch of PFS'ers? What does that have to do with anything? I knew some PFS'ers who were well conditioned tri-athletes and some who would be out of breath reaching for another bag of potato chips.
Bottom line is they tried to recruit you and you didn't buy the spiel. Great decision. Look around and you will find great firms with much better products and services and which have a far greater reputation in the industry.