Complaint Review: Snow Cap Agency - FESI

Attended a "training class" to learn about how to market to Federal Employees. Paid $1,000.00 to take the class, take the test, and receive "diploma". While furthering an adviser's education is very important in our industry, this company took advantage of the "further services" offerings. After class, told us that they were the #1 provider, in the country, for federal employee workshops and that we would have amazing results. If we "act now!" we could get a discount on the normally priced seminar of $3500.00. We would get our first seminar for $3200.00 and all we had to do was put half down. I wrote a company check for $1600.00. Mind you this all happened in November of 2008. Came home and waited, and waited, and waited, AND WAITED. They told me my first seminar would be in January 2009. No one called. No one wrote. I then called in Feb. and was told they would try to book something in the Spring because tax time was coming. I waited, and waited, and waited. No calls. I then called in April. Then was told I was going to get to do TWO! I set up payment arrangements to pay off the remaining $1600.00 I owed them for the "January one that never happened" and then I actually (yes, I am an idiot) agreed to pay them $500 more for the 2nd, which would have been for $4,000.00 - $5600.00 total. I figured if they could pack the rooms for 2 stright days I would have plenty of leads to work. Guess what? A DAY before the scheduled events, my staff and I had already made all the travel arrangements, they called to say that the "Government was called into an emergency action status!" I verified with a Federal Employee that this was false. I called them and complained and wanted to at least have them deliever on their intial promise. They assured me all was well and that they would not only book a seminar but not have me pay the balance owing. Was told they had staff issues, etc. and were sorry. So, I have waited, and waited, and yes, am still waiting for a call. No calls, no nothing. I have demanded my intial deposit of $1600 back (I don't even want the 1K they took from me for 3 days of worthless training) but the last time I emailed with my demand and my plans to take action, they BLOCKED my emails!! I am filing complaints with Insurance Commissioners, FTC, Attorney General, and FINRA!! PLEASE do not fall for their LIES!!!! Us advisers work way too hard to just give away our money!!! Note- While they did not "take" the remaining $1600.00 of the balanced owing for the intial workshop they never delivered, I have LOST lot's of marketing opportunities and potential meetings because of them changing dates or not completing scheduled seminars. Travel costs, time for staff to get things ready, etc. that will not ever be able to be recovered!

Tm
Kennewick, Washington
U.S.A.