Do not get suckered in, I was lured in by a friend that saw I was making pretty good money and figured 100 dollars to start isnt too bad for me. Not once did they mention anything about a job until an hour into this interview of them talking about prices for my family. As for the Author she seems to have ulterior motives and a chip on her shoulder regarding the company. It calls back the last received call. Anyways, Im cancelling that visit and now im off to the bank to change my debit card number to be safe. So me and my friend were at the store when a guy randomly came up to us to talk about his wifes company. Blah blahI knew it was bs only because I have had encounters with companies like this when I was younger. I am grateful for the posts by so many and I am glad I cancelled. I hope theu chok on those miions $ they made when we went public . He had been eyeballing me since I walked into the store. I thought Im supposed to be learning here? I was wearing a ring on my fourth finger (its the only finger it fits) and she asked if my husband had a job, so I went along with it and said yes. And he said the clients love him and are so thankful that he gets invited to birthday partys and what not like ummmm ok I dont care. Pingback: Why Do People Join MLMs? Something about honesty. I have never worked in the financial industry before so I did not know what to expect. But I again dismissed the thought, feeling a bit guilty for doubting John. Tracy you cant help others unless you help yourself first. No, a regular job is not like MLM. He gave me the address and phone number and told me to dress up (why wouldnt I, its an interview for crying out loud). Having professional licenses paid for by a company and given the tools and resources to build a book of business on a part or full time basis is a wonderful opportunity for the right people. I wouldnt say I was victimized. How what they do helps people. I appreciated his candor. In any event, I told him I was not interested and he hung up. They kept touting how much of a hard worker I am and how valuable I would be to them. Split between two people working full-time, it really wasnt that impressive. The model works by asking new investors to make an upfront payment so that they can be allowed to join the scheme. why are they still in business? Pyramid scheme type set up. PRIMERICA pls Stop dont west ppls time!! I looked him up a few months ago. You would be an independent contractor, so they dont care what your age or appearance is. Im a server and i waited on this guy and his family. Many never repeated those commission levels since. You are not your own boss if you have to hand over your personal contacts to your Primerica rep and get no pay for having to attend their training and info sessions. This affiliation between the two companies is one of the oldest partnerships inside the Primerica menu of products and is fairly popular. i said Look ill be honest with you, Im a very cynical person. Had a local resident from Primerica call me as I often leave my card at the nearby supermarket as I offer computer repair services. Ever since I graduated my undergrad Ive gotten random phone calls from shady looking companies that I never applied to. Third, my agent told us that he much preferred to bring in people to work just part-time, and he had for his first 18 months with the company, because it takes a while to support oneself in this or any commissioned sales position. There is no rational benefit to buying insurance or mutual funds from Primerica today. As someone who has worked for sales organizations for many years, I am really annoyed by the recruiting tactics of some of these folks who run MLM outfits. Now this guy (who knows if he actually works at Primerica) has my SOC. Primerica just needs to do everyone a favor and be upfront about the type of business it is. PLEASE DONT GO. I was contacted by someone from Freedom Financial Services out of Charlotte, NC. I have morals, I have my beliefs, everyone has their entitled opinions. I was definitely lied to when I first was contacted by the woman. I got up to follow the man into Johns office but he closed the door. I am so glad to have websites like these were people can learn a little more about what they may be getting themselves into. She really did not go over what the company was about but said we will discuss during the interview and not to worry if I was not experience because they like to teach within the company. I went in, shook some hands, and sat down listening to a spiel chock-full of confusing jargon, just nodding my head and feeding their ego while Im sure they felt like they were doing the same to me. The first 20 minutes started normal. I sent him a follow up email to try to nail down a time again. It is a horrible, horrible product for almost everyone, but that doesnt make it fraudulent. Most of the money on the financial products you sell will go to YOU, rather than some pyramid. The meeting was for today, in fact. She wanted to help this person out of her terrible job by interviewing her for a position at her business. I already know about Prime, as this isnt my first go around with them or companies like them, so I am just going to humor them and then as gently as possible (not) let them know this is not for me. And no, few people over 50 or 60 would renew a term policy as the rates skyrocket exponentially ($500-$800/month). It is not easy to get started, but I must say my brother-in-law is very well off today and one of the top salesmen in Texas for Woodmen. Product Type: Insurance and investment products / MLM business opportunity. 4. The problem in this country is the mindset and victim mentality nobody makes people stay small and closed minded! And he also lied and said that the manager at the store that night was meeting up with him also but come to find out she doesnt even know him let alone talked with him about the business he trying to recruit us for. FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITIES, INC., PRIMERICA ADVISORS, PFS INVESTMENTS INC. CRD#: 10111 /SEC#: 801-72263,8-26486. He tried recruiting me so I took the interview mainly as a courtesy to him. It is a pyramid scheme in which 99% lose money. At least i can say i tried on something that could have worked. I figure its a slip of the tongue and she means AtlantA, but throughout the conversation she keeps excitedly bringing up Atlantis. It was located on the northwest side of Chicago (also where the Primerica location is) in a building that was practically empty and only had a few rooms/offices one the 1st floor and a basement which is where we met and discussed this foolishness. MLM never has appealed to me. Primerica life insurance typically costs $20 to $50 per month for healthy individuals. But like I said, we are all set with our banking. The presenter looked like 19 years old and began talking about the company and that it was called primerica. Coincidentally, that same company has had the worst passing rates, by far, of all insurance trainers in the entire country, for the last 10+ years; There have been plenty of examples of businesses that looked legitimate that were not. I think you are mistaken. So, right after walking out, I went back around to Coldwell Bankers and told them I would rather work for them, and left my information with the receptionist who was amazing, and seemed to actually like her job! She gave me vague details about the company. I was so flattered! I kept my head down and fiddled with my phone, then shuffled some papers in a folder, desperately trying to look busy and important. She calls the next day and sets up a day and time to meet at an address. A pyramid scheme is a fraudulent system of making money based on recruiting an ever-increasing number of "investors." The initial promoters recruit investors, who in turn recruit more investors, and so on. Period. same here. OUCH! I can see her answering it even in the middle of the night to talk me out of cancelling. This is the same for any insurance or investment company. As far as heightened prices if this is the case how is it that their clients save money on the services? I got a random call on my cell phone from a Primerica Financial Services rep in Charlotte, N.C. Said his office manager was trolling the Internet for resumes and found mine. For only $99 you can be licensed to sell insurance to others with us. I then proceeded to google the companys name and before I could type in the full name I saw Primerica Financial Services scam, immediately clicked and was led to this page. lady called me said I was referred to her?, scheduled an interview, Something told me to google what little information I had, found your blog! *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. Suddenly she whips out a sheet and starts asking me questions and taking notes. I do believe my guy calls with an unknown number. If you do find yourself mixed up in something like this, please dont let it effect your perception of yourself. There was some meeting in another room which cheering and whoops could be easily overheard. Stupid questions.. I will say that the highest ranking person I worked with has now been involved with the company for over 30 years. Then I felt a bit ashamed for thinking badly as I remember Johns words to me, that he would always act in my best interest as an expert in building a business. Asked for my phone number, stating that while he didnt know my situation, he would be interested in offering me a job. Ha!!!! I went to the office the next day and talked to the rvp and told him what I knew..his wife was there and was furious. If you never got paid for telling people, would you still tell people about it? I was approached by a Primerica representative at a job fair on a military post on Nov 28. He never mentioned the name of his company, only that he was impressed and wanted to figure out if I was a good fit the sort of leading language Ive seen others report thats meant to make you feel desired and special. I joined Primerica in 1999 for about 5 minutes. I had an interview yesterday, and went, mainly because I was contacted about a trainer position, not a sales agent position. They use your friends and contacts to start you 'business.' To get more percentage you have to get more people into the company. Needless to say I found this thread and wont be putting anymore thought or effort into it. I dont know why i get that feeling when a job has to take more than 30 minutes to explain itself to a group of people, they told us to hold our questions until the end of the presentation. Thanks for the info. I suppose this was a good business lesson: Carefully research a company before immersing yourself in it. They have a lot of my information? The hard sales pitch, corporato-cult speak, and grandiose promises are like a jackhammer to my sodden, achey head. Everything Ive written here is true so please dont waste your time on these people. I will be calling them in the morning to say that I will not be participating in this ridiculously insidious scam after all. Apparently she works at the bar we are sitting in, but is not in that day. I told her that I would tell my friends about it but she kept pestering ME to work for her. It takes hard, Hi, I do not agree with you. no phone. I received a call from a woman named Mary stating that someone referred me to her and asked if I was still looking for a job. People do real research before you blow an opportunity and not this Google cap where anyone can post anything on it. Rome wasnt built in a day. Thank you to all for your comments! He never mentioned an upfront fee, but if he does Im done with these. Since it was scripted, I never got a chance to really speak about what my views are and what I look for in a position as well as my strengths. In fact, I would argue that their services are worse than a traditional insurance agency or investment advisor because their people are by and large far less knowledgeable. As I walked away, I thought it was really weird and random that this woman would just walk up to me in the middle of a Target and offer me a job. Right before the presentation I actually heard ex boss whisper to the young sales man, I thought that this would be somelow hanging fruit for you and nods to me. Sam The position of trainer really means RECRUITER. I received a call today from a Primerica Representative about a management/ training job. So if you keep your premiums paid, your family will receive the benefit. I mean, what was taken from them? Later I learned that they do whatever it takes to lure someone out, then rely on the hyped-up emotions stirred up by the Opportunity Night presentation to get them to sign the agreement and pay to join. All pyramid schemes eventually collapse, and most investors lose their money. She goes to the bathroom and I quickly text my girlfriend to come and rescue me. Would you like to travel around the world if you got rich? The graph had 1 gent at the top and every subsequent tier had exponentially increasing members making exponentially less money. I called her back to be polite but she didnt answer. Ok guys,heres my story: I work two part time retail jobs and am seeking to leave both for one full time position. Woooowww approached at Wal-Mart totally seemed fishey he took my number no name or business card not looking forward to this call at all how rude to take advantage of people and trick them into better job opportunities Im surprised his pick up line was to Google this company ha cause this is what I found!!! Good servant leaders in Primerica do not trick people. LISLE IL. I wish i had read this before i went, wasted 20 bucks of gas to go, and was exacly has described, what a waste of my time, and i went all nicely dressed. People have no consideration!!! I have an Accounting degree so I already had a great handle of budgeting but this was really impressive. A huge amount of life insurance agents have their life insurance with Primerica because we sell the best product for the least amount of money and we know how to show you what you are getting so you wont be fooled by a scammer. She gets so defensive when anyone questions her work. Hes spending more time getting me to do all this than he did explaining the actual job.. MLM is not a company, but a form of generating income. So this person who called said a headhunter has forwarded my resume to him and ask if I would like to work for them. I gave him my actual SOC. Oh, and I will be getting a term life-insurance policy, just not through Primerica as they do not show up on anyones top ten list of term life insurers. He not once mentioned how or why he chose to contact me. Just got a call myself from George saying he was with a booming company called Primamerica and he found my resume on CareerBuilder. I remembered now, although I didnt pay attention then, how defensive he had gotten as he told me he was too wise to throw away money on a car. Please name some that dont. So, I was interested and I REALLY loved the couple and was glad to see and hang out with them after so long. Clearly if one can do that for another, one should be able to pocket a nice income Once she quit her little dissertation on the gap between the upper class and middle class and how the middle class can become upper class with our help, she told us to wait as she brought in the guy who had written the review for the company (5 stars. Does How the Company Works Show a Pyramid Scheme? Vanguard, Smith Barney, Fidelity, etc are all good. Yes There are 76 helpful reviews 76 No There are 37 unhelpful reviews 37. This deceptive practices should be reported. He also stated I would be refunded once I completed a certain portion of the tests. After attending a couple of the information sessions myself. We finally nailed down a day. Why? This is a scheme. I had met him before but never followed through. They know what positions they are trying to fill and what each position entices and dont beat about the bush when asked about that. I should have listened to my gut in the beginning. kids dobs and weights,etc. I, actually sat through the orientation, and afterwords the deception started. I cant stand the fact that losers like yourself cant understand it. But believe me, when youre lacking in confidence any morsel thrown down from the masters table seems like a feast. I showed up for the interview and no one knew who I was supposed to be speaking with. I show up on time but, honestly, a little worse for wear. But it seemed scripted, as many of the topics of discussion were connected to internet sources and he had all them loaded up on the computer. Thank you, I had my interview with Primerica roughly two hours ago so ill explain my story while its fresh. Write by: . Wasted my time. In conclusion I think its awesome that they make 30 million a year off active reps paying fees, from a business standpoint, of course. He did have an office, yes, but that doesnt necessarily mean he made the money to keep it afloat. Those who participate have bought into the lie that they own their own business. THIS IS A BUSINESS, and youre too lazy to work for yourself or want to educate people on their finances. Thanks for this website, now I know its a scam and Im calling off the interview!! I have reviewed their annual reports (available online). Google what youd like but do you really think Google, a company who makes money by sponsors is more accurate than the companies that investigate for the NYSE? I told her the store and began to walk away until she stopped to ask me if I was currently employed. People who smoke, have a poor . I decided to research the company ahead of time and it lead me here Might i ask the opinion of those whom have dealt with this company: my experience thus far, sans interview sounds eerily similar to some other accounts Ive read here. They would contract with these companies to offer customized plans that are not offered if you the customer dont go through Primerica first. Unfortunately, almost everyone in pyramid schemes lose money. And we are educated, if we werent, we wouldnt have had researched about primerica. Yes, the fake interviews have occurred. Thats the nature of working in several industries overseen by a regulatory body. My girlfriend interrupts the lunch, I get the sandwich boxed. He said either way hed be expecting me tomorrow at 3:30pm. I was a little suspicious, and thought it was strange he didnt tell me the name of the company, so I asked him. I mean, my pitch would have been an honest one. I am unemployed and the guy on the phone made it sound so good and easy to earn some extra cash. What should I do? And at the very end, drop the bombshell: You know who and what they are, and that youve purposely been wasting their time. here is to you. And then, out of nowhere, he mentioned that we would have to pay a $100 deposit to gain our sales license and have to pay $25 per month to maintain that license. Then he spent the next 5-10 minutes telling me that the company is called Primerica and what they do is sell life insurance, auto insurance, and help people with debt. Googled my way here. It wont end up mattering in the long run anyway, youll have enough new recruits to train. I nodded silently, not wanting an argument. Mind you Im sick w/a bronchial cough sure not looking or sounding my best. My husband works for a window company, door to door, ran into a guy who says he has career opportunities available now this guy calls everyday for a week saying he wanted to set me up a job as well I seemed educated and professional so and so.. After weeks of talking over the phone we set up an appointment. Primerica gives additional life insurance policies that cover 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years. Then I looked up Primerica and this lovely blog popped up. I then sat through the presentation which also seemed legit because the two presenters just seemed so down to earth and passionate about helping the common man (except the guy who kept bragging about his house and cars). I was not at all interested in becoming a sales person. I hope this helps anyone considering Primerica or any MLM company for a career but dont let desperation drive you to a poor career decision. This may be a rough road, dead end, pain, death and not get anywhere. You have to have an insurance license to work. No legitimate employer is secretive about the position before you come in for an interview. How likely is it that they can manage to fool all 50 of them? And being within the top 10% at least of the company," according to reporting by Business Insider. I was thinking it was odd that I still didnt know the name of the company. Being lied to in order to get the person in for something that isnt even an interview is wrong, and therefore the person is a victim. People who work jobs get paid. After the presentation I went in to talk with the reps I talked to at the outset of the interview and we went over how the work schedule would work and they asked me what days I was available and when it got to the application portion, I hesitated. (Unlike in regular companies where everyone makes money, although some make more than others.). Need to find a different location? I think not! Yes there are people doing it, there are also people playing in the NFL and NBA, should we promise every kid the can go pro because others are doing it? Wow. I went with desperately expecting to land a job . So I looked up pyramid scam and found out its an unsustainable business in which the higher ups make money by recruiting poor unfortunate souls like ourselves. Anyway, flash forward to last week, I get a phone call from them. I should be filling out my own application. I was fresh in college, and desperately looking for a big girl job. Pretty much what i expected, sort of. So glad everything that I was concerned about has been confirmed. Im here to see how this turn out(Micheal Jackson Thriller Popcorn Meme). Thanks for sharing and saving me the gas money! Today I received a phone call today from a recruiter who found my resume on Careerbuilder. Flyer also says we cover the business ownership & part-time opportunity. She also told me she was just leaving church lol. Do your research people dont fall for pyramid scams. Thirdly, in a real job I wouldnt be so terrified that the person would think its a scam and I wouldnt care if they came on board or not. They didnt give me an estimated end time for the interview, after about an hour (I was following the MLB Draft on the side) I told them that I had to go and they asked me about the opportunity and I reaffirmed that I already have a job and they told me that they will call me in a couple of weeks about it. The man told me he was a head hunter and had seen my resume on Career Builders. I dont go to unnecessary meetings or bother my warm market because its a legit service. Everyone should ask regulators to look onto all unethical part of lies of this legal but totaly unethical recruiting taliban mashine!!!! Some of the stories and comments above have been really sad. He had rushed through the call, creating the perception that he was a busy man with many interviews to call for a much-in-demand position, and when I asked the company name he rushed through that part as well. Now YEARS later Im getting calls from them. (within the next 5 years) Overall sounded ok but things started to not add up. If the new guy lists a property himself, your husband wont be getting part of that commission. When something seems to good to be true, i have high doubts of it. He replied well how can i make you feel more comfortable about this opportunity? I said i would have to talk to my parents after all this was over to see what they think because all this seems weird. Im guessing he was catching on that i was too smart to be manipulated by all the financial opportunities. He then wanted to make be more comfortable by CALLING MY PARENTS and setting up a home visit to talk to them about all this. She told us that most people in the company are able to make 6-figure incomes, but thats a good thing, since they help people get out of debt and become financially independent. LOL Alex. I thought why in the hell would a RVP of a business contact me, someone with no experience or info out there advocating I have any in such a business and/or roles, and on Facebook!? Looking for any advice to be offered before the impending interview.. Hence, the dance around questions began. Look into those; and if the person you are dealing with only goes to the one service and being a rep,, find another Primerica person to help you. Thank god for the internet and all useful information we find on it. The guy was a fast talker and everything sounded muffled. He asked us over 50 questions, where do you want to move? Her choice of language, and orientation rather than an interview, and the location of it (nowhere downtown but rather in a rented space in the outskirts I mapped it out) caused me to beg off, using the excuse that the location was too far for me to attend. Regardless, I thought I was really starting the new year great but Im more relieved they taught us about pyramid schemes in high school. I believe the only way to get ahead in America is by entrepreneurship, MLM and/or Franchise if you can afford it truth be told, if you think about a PYRAMID, you could look at your job as one. Very creeped out. Here we go another scam, let me play along The gentleman got on the phone, I think his name was John, again muffled but I really didnt care what his name was, this wasnt going to last very long. Im an extremely brutally honest person, so when he asked what was on my mind i told him the truth. I get NOTHING from writing about multi-level marketing scams. Thanks everyone for your honesty! Out of curiosity, why not expend the same energy to become successful at something you love and be at the top of YOUR pyramid and opposed to being at the bottom of Primericas? I spent an hour on the phone with Vice Presidents in three different areas. But MLM is a ripoff because they promote a false business opportunity. A lot of people here who are unapologetic in their refusal to show up to a meeting they said they would go to after doing research, coming down on agents about ethics. I feel really bad for them. He has not even achieved the top position. The examples in the booklet are for Bob and Susan Smith, ages 33 and 35. Primerica Compensation Plan How Much Does It Cost to Get Started on Primerica? We set up an interview for this Friday at 1:00. He finally mentioned he was on the phone with primerica and he was conducting an interview now Very weird so I blocked evrythhng and said no sales. The Ultimate Road Trip. I offered to quickly mail her one, as I had not brought one myself (I already had bad vibes, so I didnt even bother bringing a hard copy). He didnt even tell me the company name, I found it on his profile when I scoped him when he requested to add me, that he was a regional vice president for Primerica. Such a shame. Was very surprised to receive a phone call, as never applied for anything, still cant understand how did they get my phone number . Question Whole life insurance is not fraudulent. He mentioned the company would pay for license and classes and would like for me to start working part time for 5 hrs a week these next few months. I would certainly warn anyone who might be roped into this to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!