Primerica ripoff, pyramid like scam Houston Texas
I am so glad I found this website, I had an initial meeting with a Primerica RVP and manager today and I feel need to rant a little, TOTAL SCAM.
I felt like it may be a scam from the first phone call, but I figured it may as well be worth it to check out. As the "job interview" progressed, I realized the RVP had not even seen my resume yet, he was prepared to hire me knowing that I am young, completly inexperienced in the financial field, and do not have a college degree. At one point I asked how they had gotten my contact information, as I have applied with numerous employment agencies and on websites and would like to know which ones are working. He was fairly evasive with an answer, he just asked if I had posted any resumes online recently and said they must have gotten it from one of the employment websites I had posted on.
The entire meeting felt more like a sales pitch, I am used to having to try to impress potential employers, this was completly different. It was fairly apparent that he was already going to hire me regardless of how the interview went.
About five minutes into the interview, he explained that I didn't need financial experience, because he was looking for people to be placed immediatly into management positions, and I would have to do a minimal amout of actual working with customers... My first thought was "What the hell kinda company hires people with my minimal experience directly into management?" As the interview progressed, I was pressured more and more to join, and eventually I told them I would sign up just so I could get out of there. When they inquired about payment, I told them I would have to come back later w/ a credit card, and took the first chance I could to friendily shake hands, and dissapear.
My only regret is that I filled in every single reference box on the application, as soon as I am done here, I am going to call all of my references and tell them to promptly disregard any calls from Primerica recruiters.
Now I feel like I need to address the person who asked if they thought that someone was "better" than them due to more education. The simple answer is yes, while they may not be a better person in a moral or ethical sense they are better educated, and better qualified. Try to think of it from a personal perspective. If I, being a twenty year old kid with no experience in a financial field, no college education, not a CFA, or CPA tried to tell you that they could manage you money, would you beleive them? Would you trust someone who had only been through a few weeks or months of training to do anything for you? Would you feel safe if they were working in your pharmacy, measuring you medication? Would you feel safe if they were flying your planes? Would you feel safe if they were your dentist? If you are the kind of person who is so open minded that they are willing to let anyone, regardless of education or experience advise them on these issues I voulenteer my services as a pharmacist, a financial advisor, a pilot, a dentist, and a cynical skeptic to you, I charge a one time fee your total liquidated assets, it may seem like a lot at first, but with me managing your money, you have the potential to triple my err... your income only working part time. My point is, no legitimate business is going to hire inexperienced, uneducated people directly into well paying management positions.
Can I get an Amen?
,,i,,
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Frank
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
Primerica Does Not Offer the American Dream, Ask for a Refund before it's too late!
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, September 26, 2004
I was invited to a Primerica Presentation a couple of weeks ago. The first presenter was quite convincing, but the second one was this indial girl who kept saying that she is the type of person who "likes to have it all." Then we also had the "Amen Sisters." These two ladies kept saying, "Amen" to everything, therefore, I named them the "Amen Sisters." (Can you say cult?) After the presentation, I ended up joining. (What a mistake!)
I was invited to a Saturday meeting where that same indian girl kept talking about recruiting people, how to do it, and how it was a privilege. (Privilege, yea right. Can you say Pyramid Scheme.) Primerica's way of recruiting people is by presenting them with vague information and providing them with vague answers to their questions. No one in Primerica can deny that.
After I joined, I had this asian lady who kept calling me and asking me how many people I was going to bring to the next meeting. She became a real annoyance. She was so nosey. She wanted to know everything about my family. She wanted to know why my boyfriend had two jobs. What really got me was when she went on saying, "I think he doesn't have any money." I was like, "Wow lady you are about to get ----- slapped. Since when does it become a sin to enjoy what you do? I wonder what she said about me behind my back. I'm going to call Marvin Zindler and Erin Brockovich on her little behind.
If you are looking for the American Dream, I am sorry but that is not included with your Primerica Package. Here's what's included with your $199 membership: How to Guide on Scamming People (This excellent How to Guide teaches you how to scam your family and friends, everything you need to know about Resume Farming, and much much more. Plus, free hands-on training with a certified trainer.)
Come on people. How can you say Primerica offers the American Dream. I think the pharmacy gave you the wrong anti-depression medication or maybe you are on too much lithium. If it sounds to good to be true, then maybe it is. I am sure there will be a rebuttal to my statements, therefore, to whomever does submit a rebuttal I want you justify the following statements in your rebuttal. 1) Primerica is not a pyramid scheme. 2) You succeed with Primerica by following their mission statement: to help families become debt free and financially independent AND not by focusing on recruiting. 3) At the Primerica meetings lots of people say, "Amen" throughout the presentation, but Primerica is not a cult. 4) Primerica's recruiting practice is NOT based on providing people with vague information, vague answers to their questions and repeating its mission statement: to help families become debt free and financially independent. 5) Primerica has never lost any class action suits against them for violations of the securities laws or fraud.
If you have recently joined Primerica and want out, you may be entitled to a refund. Call (770) 381-1000 and ask for Alicia, she handles the refunds. She will tell you to fax her a refund request. I received a refund for $159 a few days ago. Primerica kept $41. I am just happy I was able to get out of this cult. People, my dad says stick to what you know. That does not make you a follower. We all have skills that we can put to good use. All of us has something we are good at. If you are in a stage where you need inspiration, I recommend any book by Robert Fulghum.
A
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
AMEN to i
#5UPDATE Employee
Sun, September 12, 2004
A small amount of time ago,
I was recruited by a PFS Agent.
20 year old gentleman
no formal education in finances
passed the sate licensing, but that
was the easy part. . .
The interview went just as i said his went. . .
Except I was stupid enough to believe them.
I paid my $199, and haven't heard from my 'boss' since!
I've left NUMEROUS messages at thier home and work. . .
And I've not gotten a response in over half a year. . .
I do, however, have to say that I did learn something
that can help me personally in my future financial life.
Although, I could have learned that for free elsewhere.
I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYONE TO INVEST THE LARGE LUMP WAD
TO BECOME A REPRESENTATIVE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
Debi
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
Primerica Offers the American Dream
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, September 11, 2004
Everyone should be given the opportunity to succeed in America, and there should not be only one way to do that. Primerica offers business ownership with the largest financial company in the world to anyone who is willing to be trained and willing to work hard. To belittle a company who honestly believes in the people's ability to learn and be trained is very sad. They never allow people to go out in the field and work with people's finances without quality training. Citigroup takes the information the agent gathers and helps the agent hand in hand to teach people how to become debt free and financially independent - a wonderful thing for those without hope financially and who would never go and seek help. Licencing fees are very valid because we work on commission only basis from the beginning. Primerica should not pay the licencing fees for people who just might want to pursue the business. Primerica is too good to be true, yet it is true and it is good. Maybe some people are not as professional as others, but you can find that in any business anywhere. The people in leadership in Primerica are wonderful people and can not be held totally responcible for people who abuse the great opportunity.
Larry
Diamond Bar,California,
U.S.A.
How can it be a SCAM?
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, August 29, 2004
Just because you have all the education doesn't mean you know jack about anything. Primerica has helped many people. Its not a scam. You obviously weren't listening in your interview. You don't go out on appointments by yourself. Your trainer will be there to help you. Your trainer will not let you go alone until he/she has total confidence that you can go alone. Being young just means you need to educate your self more. Know what you are talking about. If you get objections from people cause they think you are only 20 years old and don't know what you are talking about. Then you need to prove to them that you do. Ask questions. Get them going in a conversation with you. Show them that you know what you are talking about. I think you just lack self confidence. Thats not your fault. You are a follower not a leader. Again, thats not your fault. Primerica isn't for everyone. Not everyone can be successful. We will always need people to flip burgers, pump gas, and whatever it is people that go no where in life do. I hate to see people call good companies a scam just because they can't see themselves doing it.