Rickross
Richmond,#2Author of original report
Sun, December 14, 2008
Vince, I started laughing when I first read your response, but then I realized you were serious and I genuinely feel bad for you. I hope your wife has a good job, because trying to raise a family with $32,000 / year as the primary income stream working the 9-8-7-5-6 schedule or whatever it is, is pretty pathetic. First of all, there must be a huge difference in terms of recruiting and expected qualifications between the two states. I was told they don't consider anyone that has not completed high school, but prefer those with a college education. Smelled the b.s. right away when the person I spent the day with at most finished high school. I have a college degree and will soon have a graduate degree. I made $65k / year at my last job and wasn't satisfied. Oh yeah, and I'm single, don't have a family yet. Most insurance jobs that have income potential are much different than Combined. Not sure about the "company policy" about working Sundays, because I was told that some people work 7 days / week. Apparently that policy is not taken seriously across the board. I guess I was fortunate that my previous employer had all my benefits start from day 1. That includes: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), pension, stock options, flexible spending accounts, and more. Puts Combined Insurance to shame. Some companies do have waiting periods, I understand that. But the ones that do usually state the waiting periods in their job descriptions if they're going to use their benefits as selling points to prospective candidates. Combined Insurance does not disclose this information, which seems to make it intentionally misleading. In addition, they also brag about a "Monday-Friday workweek" and "Limited Travel" - again, absolutely false in this area (not sure about Ohio). As for the gas card program, I was told that a PARTIAL mileage reimbursement was given for the trip to/from the TRAINING ONLY, which, by the way, STARTED ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. I watched the rep I was with pay for the gas during our demo day with HIS CREDIT CARD. No car allowance / mileage reimbursement whatsoever for the day to day job. And yes, I'm sure he didn't use a credit card given to him for the supposed sales performance gas incentives. I asked him; it was his own out-of-pocket coin. I love how they brag about "mailbox money" from residuals, yet drive around in a crappy beatup car and probably couldn't even afford to buy me lunch. I do wish you success. I also think you could do better financially working fewer hours in a different profession, even if you don't have the educational background you need to be competitive in today's job market. Best of luck to you, Vince!
Vince
Columbus,#3UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 06, 2008
I am a Sales Manager for Combined Insurance. I have been with the company for less than a year and my Gross Annual Income will be approximately $32,000. I have never worked a Saturday. When I was an agent, my Sales Manager pressured me to work Saturdays and I explained to him flatly that I would not. I am a strong believer in the philosophy that work expands the time alotted. If a six day work week is available, then the work will take six days. If a five day work week is available, then the work will be done in five. The hours that you posted are incorrect. The hours that are worked vary greatly from agent to agent. Many agents work only four days a week. Many work six. However, it has been said that while you can make a living working 9-5, you get rich by working from 5-9. I find it funny that you cannot see the income potential that stems from working those types of hours. On the other hand, family comes first. Before I became a manager, my boss was a workhorse and he worked many late hours. I quickly formulated a schedule with my wife. 9-8-7-5-6 I called it. I keep this schedule to this day. I work until 9 on Mondays, 8 on Tuesdays, 7 on Wednesdays, 5 on Thursdays, and 6 on Fridays. Like I said before, I NEVER work Saturdays, and it is COMPANY POLICY that Sundays are to be taken off by every employee. No insurance is to be written and existing customers are especially not to be bothered. A note on the medical benefits: most companies have a waiting period. It is silly to make note of our waiting period as if it is not commonplace. Our company provides excellent benefits, and it is important to note that MOST insurance jobs, ESPECIALLY entry level positions, and ESPECIALLY those positions that recruit candidates with little or no education hire as independent contracters and provide NO medical benefits. And now our expenses. We provide a gas card program, which directly correlates with the level of sales that our agents produce. Gas is ALWAYS paid if it is involved with travel to or from training programs, including licensing and our basic sales training. I haven't paid for my own gas in a long time. I guess that's because I sell alot of insurance. And as far as paying for your own lunch while on a demo, we'll have to blame your Sales Manager. My boss bought me all my lunches while I was training. Companies are made up of individuals, and it is important not to forget that. As far as other expenses go, and as far as the rocky beginning of a career with Combined, it is important to remember that our company quickly promotes based on merit. It is hard work to begin a career in insurance. It is especially hard to begin a career in insurance without any experience in direct sales. When I say direct sales I don't mean wireless sales or mattress sales. I mean cold calling, knocking on doors, and "eating what you kill", or living solely off of what you sell. However, it can be an incredibly rewarding career, because your own success depents completely on how hard you are willing to work and how much you believe in yourself. I am sorry that you got a bad taste of Combined. I will admit that I had a bad taste of Combined at first, but I bought into it and I am very, very glad that I did. I will remain anonymous because this is an unauthorized representation of my company. However, if anyone is interested in a career in insurance sales, I think you know where to find us.