Complaint Review: Primerica - Reisterstown Maryland

I was approached by a Primerica agent at a "kitchen table" meeting. I was asked to help out this so called friend in the first part of their "training." This is the point the brainwashing began and I didn't even notice until much later.

The friend/agent came with the RVP of the company to my house and immediately began a one hour presentation with enticing information about the company needing to expand and open new offices and needing qualtified people to manage and train new employees etc... They drop the name of their parent company Citi which is enticing in itself because you think it must be legit with such a big corporation tied to it. They went on to say you could earn a six figure income. They went on to describe their company in such glowing terms... They claim that people are being ripped off by other insurance companies and that they offer free financial reports to help people get their finances in order. They "educate" poor ignorant people and turn their financial turmoil into financial independeance through investing etc... I was excited to become educated myself, help people and earn money at the same time. They convinced me enough to follow-up with my friend and I was called in for an "interview."

At the interview I only heard more of the same info that I heard at my home. I was then scheduled for a follow-up interview and I was given an application (IBA), which included a space for credit card payment of $199.00. It wasn't like any application I had seen before, it was a contract. They gave me all this info about the $199 covering a criminal background investigation and payment for my first couple of licenses. Ok fine. They told me it was all subsidized by thier company so I save money!!

At this point, I am still into this company because they tell me I am going to work at my own pace and that I am going to make as much or as little as I want to make...

I specifically asked them if I was to be a telemarketer and they said NO. I asked if I would have long training hours they said NO. They told me about a 2-hour training session twice a week for 11 weeks... no big deal I can do that I say! They take my application/contract/payment and we schedule a now 3rd meeting called "Getting Started"

Here is where the real info begins...Now all of a sudden I have to come up with 30-50 names of everyone I know. My closest friends, family etc...This compiled list which you give to them is the list you use to call people to begin your "field training." They call it Sunday Power Hour! You bring your own cell phone to their office, they give you a "script" and the top five names on the list, you came up with, to call. You are supposed to make four appointments at this time to meet with thoses people on you list at their own homes.

The agent training you goes with you to these appointments in the hopes of a:recruiting them to work for Primerica as they did with me or b:selling them one of their policies or investments. Ok is this job telemarketing or what???you are even using your own phone!! Plus they make you do your own financial report where they then push their products on you as well...Boy are they good!

The real kicker is you get some appointments like your Mortgage license by watching a 15 minute video. You do have to go to prelicencing/licensing classes (cram courses)which I was left in the dark about until the last minute. They told me only what I wanted to hear until the time was right. Big scam please beware!!

You do have to put a lot of money out upfront and then conduct these field training appointments on your closest friends and family, plus the person training you makes the money initially!! You will be a telemarketer finding all your own clients, if any!! you pay all your own travel expenses and are encouraged to buy training videos, audio tapes and other written propaganda. AHHH I am glad I came to my senses.

Cathleen

Baltimore, Maryland
U.S.A.

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