Pj19
Orlando,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, October 17, 2007
I had a run in with a company called AP Financial, who like WMA, is associated with AEGON. They're more of a pyramid scheme than an actual financial firm. You make more money by hiring others to work under you and catching some nice overrides on their clients, than you do by actually obtaining your own clients. It's not illegal, just highly unethical. Be careful, and when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
White Knight
Kenedy,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 30, 2007
Ok...here's a college student that can't work full time and doesn't have a car...yet he thinks that he's qualified to judge a multi-billion dollar company with thousands of employees. I think observations by people who are clearly not qualified shouldn't be allowed in this forum. It hardly seems that this person was 'ripped off' in any way...right? These guys like to make a lot of noise about companies like World Financial Group because they don't have the skills to actually compete in the real world. I think he should buy a car and interview with Merrill Lynch. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't even let him in the door.
White Knight
Kenedy,#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 30, 2007
Ok...here's a college student that can't work full time and doesn't have a car...yet he thinks that he's qualified to judge a multi-billion dollar company with thousands of employees. I think observations by people who are clearly not qualified shouldn't be allowed in this forum. It hardly seems that this person was 'ripped off' in any way...right? These guys like to make a lot of noise about companies like World Financial Group because they don't have the skills to actually compete in the real world. I think he should buy a car and interview with Merrill Lynch. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't even let him in the door.
White Knight
Kenedy,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 30, 2007
Ok...here's a college student that can't work full time and doesn't have a car...yet he thinks that he's qualified to judge a multi-billion dollar company with thousands of employees. I think observations by people who are clearly not qualified shouldn't be allowed in this forum. It hardly seems that this person was 'ripped off' in any way...right? These guys like to make a lot of noise about companies like World Financial Group because they don't have the skills to actually compete in the real world. I think he should buy a car and interview with Merrill Lynch. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't even let him in the door.
White Knight
Kenedy,#6Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 30, 2007
Ok...here's a college student that can't work full time and doesn't have a car...yet he thinks that he's qualified to judge a multi-billion dollar company with thousands of employees. I think observations by people who are clearly not qualified shouldn't be allowed in this forum. It hardly seems that this person was 'ripped off' in any way...right? These guys like to make a lot of noise about companies like World Financial Group because they don't have the skills to actually compete in the real world. I think he should buy a car and interview with Merrill Lynch. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't even let him in the door.
Sean
Ladysmith,#7Consumer Comment
Thu, June 07, 2007
Well sir you certanly have shown your great intelligence. How can anything you have written be taken at all seriously when it is actually a matter of public record? One need only log onto the Insurance Council of B.C.'s web site at http://www.insurancecouncilofbc.com/PublicWeb/DisplayLicensee.aspx?FileNo=163593&Deceased=0 to see that indeed you have done something non compliant which resulted in not only your firing from WFG, which is very rare, but also resulted in the termination of your license, wow whatever it was it must have been a biggy. Did you sell any financial products at all while with WFG? What expertise do you bring to the table if you never actually accomplished anything at all? I can understand your disgruntled, but why the lie's, your information is niether complete nor correct. Are you not truely just young and in need of some direction? I do wish you better luck, and good luck in getting a job with any bank or financial company at all when you have a terminated license through not just a company but also the governing body. Maybe you should have listen more during those boring trainnings, remember 2 ears, and 1 mouth for a reason.
Aaron
Nanaimo,#8UPDATE Employee
Tue, August 09, 2005
People plannig for their future has been greatly declining in recent history, as I believe is a sense of denial of responsibility, and the ease of getting credit for immediate wants. I once worked for a Korean, where they don't have such a social program to benefit the elderly. From what I've seen, and I'm only assuming here, that the elderly are supported by their life-long earnings, and their family members. As a result, they know that they need to set aside money for their future. I believe it is also common to see three generations in one household. In our culture, the tendency is to support themselves, or rely on government funding in retirement. So if you look at the mission and goals of the company, could one not ask for better? Ultimately people need to be taught to think differently about their finances, so they can live a better life. Imagine how many people would be relieved knowing they don't have to worry about their retirement, because they have put a solid plan in place. The real rip-off is that most people have not been told about essentially simple strategies that could potentially save/earn them hundreds of thousands of dollars, and more importantly improve their lives by them living a a happier life. Aaron Park - Nanaimo Branch B.C.
Arthur
Calgary,#9UPDATE Employee
Thu, July 21, 2005
Thanks for your timely insight into this company. Only one question, did you bother to ask anybody about your mutual funds license, like the compliance officer. Did you bother to go on the BC insurance site to see if you were licensed, or even bothered to call. Must have been too difficult for someone as educated as you. And who says you need any type of financial background in order to succeed. I personally know several high income business owners(not in wfg) who have absolutely no financial background, but because they know what there core business is succeeded. Also, they surround themselves with people knowledgeable in the areas they are deficient. The $125 is more that just for a criminal record check. $25 goes to a criminal record check, the rest goes for administration purposes, like when you start building your team and business, who handles the payroll. I've owned my own businesses, and believe me it costs a heck of lot more for a company to handle your payroll. What about all the tracking, commission statements; gee I guess you would like to pay for all these things out of your own pocket every week. You had the choice to join or not to join, yet you resented the fact you did. It'd good to blame everyone but yourself. You want money right away. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. As any business owner will tell you, it takes hard work. You want the easy way. I'm sorry to tell that it doesn't work that way. I work hard seven days a week, and it starts slowly, but when you realize that 93% of the Canadian population will retire at or below the poverty line or that in the first quarter of 2005 personal savings in Canada dropped from 2% to -.06%, it really makes you want to see more people and recruit more people. Recruiting is not such a dirty word. Everybody does it, from McDonalds to Clarica. You recruit the same way that a real estate brokerage recruits. Do you really think that the person who opened the office wants to wite everything on his own pen, of course not, so the person recruits people to sell houses for his agency, and guess what?; the owner takes an override on the commission, the same as they do in ever other insurance, brokerage or investment company. By the way, you left out one very important product, and that is segregated funds, which is whole other ball game. But it is very important product. So, in conclusion, if you are such a brilliant person, as you claim to be, why are you writing this site? It seems to me that by now you should have Bill Gates crinching in fear as you overtake him as the richest person in the world.
Rick
Cedar Rapids,#10UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 29, 2005
I was also solicited to go to work for this type of company. I have gone through the training and I am being encouraged to recruit and to refinance mortgages to free up cashflow for investments. The only difference is that the company calls itself Equity Leadership Group. It most definately seems like mlm to me. I suspect it is a break off of Primeameria, or WFG or something. I am not sure but if someone knows something about this group let me know.
Aaron
Nanaimo,#11UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 29, 2005
It's all well & good to figure out ways to manipulate reports, because in order to catch violations, you need to be able to think like a criminal. I would never do it in real life. It's unethical and highly illegal. I was just illustrating my comfort with the GAAP. I didn't ever mention this sort of thing during interviews either. The primary reason for not getting hired was that I was still full time university (which I'm done now), and only one of the companies required the vehicle. I think it was AON Corporation if I'm not mistaken.
John
Green Bay,#12Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 29, 2005
Anon, I'm glad you relied on your senses and realized what a waste of time that company was. I did however think that manipulation and accounting should not be used synonymously unless you work for Enron or Lucent. This could be reason number three why you're unable to get that job you want. It's better to articulate your inventiveness with reports and bring examples with you to your next interview. Having a vehicle is generally not a prerequisite; only reliable transportation and not being able to work full time is an issue. Your suggestions of improvement for this company are wasted principally if it falls upon the ears of leptons. Regardless, you do seem to have a good head on your shoulder so good luck!