Complaint Review: Primerica

There are so many others like me. I read all the messages on Primerica and am amazed at how big this rip-off is.

Let me tell the story. As I come back from class one day (I'm a sophomore in college), my brother tells me that "Jesse" from "I'm not sure the company, it was America group something" has called and wants to interview me. He left a number, I call back (I was working at marshalls fitting room, handing out numbers all day, and looking for *ANY* other job). He wasn't here. I leave a message. He calls back later.

What he tells me: "Yes, you were referred to us. We're looking for people to hold management/marketing/Human resources positions in Primerica." I blurt out: "Oh. I have no experience, I've only taken one business class - ever. Intro to Business."

"That's okay, he answers, we're just looking for people with good customer relations skills who are motivated." Fine. We set up an interview. Turns out it's a group interview. On a Saturday.

Well, the presentation, if anything, was like a cult. Like you were supposed to become a Primerica adorer, a Primerca Patriot. We help families, they slam into my head. It's really a humanitarian mission. You could be a manager and own 100K / year in a few months.

By the end of the presentation, I still don't know what the job is. Jesse Lewellen, the guy who called, meets me and invites me for a personal interview.

At that point in time my curiosity is triggered. Yes, this DOES look cool. But as I head into the interview, some doubts take over. First and foremost, the guy is creepy. He keeps on telling me of the greatness of Primerica. According to him, it's the biggest company in the world (uhhh I'll have to check the Fortune 500, last time I looked, it was Walmart, Einstein).

He basically goes through another brainwashing session, agrees with virtually everything I say, and then, drops the news. Costs $199 to get trained. I have no money, I tell him. That's okay, he says, I'll wait for your approval before sending the paperwork.

I should have just walked out at that time, but I didn't. Go figure. Next, he says we're going to play a game. I am to list all the people I know. The record is 67 in four minutes. I explode the record. Then he tells me to circle all the home owners and give their phone numbers. Starts to smell fishy.

After THAT (why oh why did I NOT LEAVE???) he introduces me to the crew. Two people, both as brainwashed as he is. They have no hobbies, nothing interesting about them, just this sort of adoration for Primerica. And while I'm (trying) to talk to them, Jesse Lewellen starts calling the people on my list to try to set up a refinancing session.

I leave after an hour and vow to never have to do anything with this company ever again. That was a month ago.

And now, today, I receive two letters. One, a Primerica letter welcoming me to the club. Two, a letter from my bank: Apparently I had not enough money for my spending in my checking account and they had to transfer money from my savings account. ????????WHAT THE???????

Didn't he say he would wait for my approval?

I try calling primerica. [we're sorry, your call cannot be completed as dialed]. I look for Jesse Lewellen's cell number. Can't find it anywhere (WHY OH WHY DID I THROW HIS CARD AWAY????)

Conclusion: I'll now spilling my bitterness on the keyboard on a website that I don't even know. I NEED these 200 dollars back. If anyone has Jesse Lewellen's number, tell me now.

And tommorow I'm writing an article in the college paper: "the Biggest Ripoff". Dodge that, Jesse Lewellen. I hate you.

Maelle
Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S.A.