Complaint Review: Primerica Financial Services - Houston Texas

Gary. I'm a little late in answering your posting but I felt it needs analysis. You state: I have read many of the entries (both sides) on this site with regards to Primerica (PFS). The bottom line is that PFS is an MLM organization. Some time ago, certain companies felt that MLM would be a strategic method of marketing their services/products. PFS is no different. MLM's have distinct marketing methodologies that many find repulsive, shill-like, or otherwise downright deceitful. I answer: Yes, it is true that some shady organizations have used MLM as a corporate structure for their sales. But to start with PFS is no different incorrectly paints us as repulsive, shill-like, or otherwise downright deceitful. That is absolutely wrong. As Melvin very eloquently stated, there are some who will do resume farming and cause people to be upset. My organization does not and I am glad to hear that Melvin's doesn't do it also. You state: And what's with the RVP thing? PFS has more VP's than a bank! I answer: What is your point here? Are you implying that banks are rip-offs because of the number of VPs they have? The number of VPs is completely immaterial. But immaterialism never stopped anyone from spewing hate on this site, no matter how wrong they are. You stated: Last week, I got a phone call from a "recruiter" stating that she was with PFS. She started off with some smarmy "How ya doin' this evening?" line. I hung up on her. She was calling from her cell phone, obviously on her way home from her (real?) job. Her number is 214-679-6002. Maybe some of you would like to call her at dinner time and offer her a "real job" opportunity. I answer: You are obviously clueless about how Primerica operates. The vast majority of our associates are part-timers. That means that they have real jobs during the day and help people in the evening. Furthermore, anyone who joins Primerica doesn't want the slavery of a real job anymore and are working toward that time when they can fire their boss. Finally, it is very low of you to put someone's phone number here (I though the webmaster didn't allow that). For what reason? Retribution? Or just plain hate? You stated: My point here is that not all of us job seekers are interested in MLM with ANYONE. And if I HAD to choose an MLM, it sure wouldn't be PFS. Most of us job seekers are looking for traditional, stable, salaried roles with a traditional company. PFS's practice of resume farming is slimey. Most job seekers are honest, hardworking, genuine, bonafide employees that need a job or a job change. I was laid off in January of this year and am struggling in a depressed IT job market. I do not appreciate getting responses from PFS!!!! Monster needs to ban them and every other MLM/scheme from farming resumes! PFS has no shame when it comes to exploiting (yes, it's a strong word but absolutely accurate!!) people in search of a REAL job. I answer: I am also (or was) in IT. I am not moving to India where our jobs have gone. But look how stupid your remarks are. You put stable in the same paragraph with laid off. Wake up and smell the pink slips! Your job is gone! Only service opportunities are left here. Instead of thinking we are exploiting, think that we are extending an opportunity in a new area for you. Your strong word is NOT accurate. You are wrong and your whole diatribe is off-base. When you have no money left, when you realize that being an employee is ridiculous, when you come to your senses, don't call us. You're not the type we want anyway. Bye

First of all, I'm a Regional Leader with PFS and I truly enjoy working with families and helping them make better, more informed decisions with their money. With that being said, I feel that there are a lot of PFS reps out there that are lazy and are looking for an easy way to make contacts to build their business. I know I'll get some flack for this comment but it's true. Anyone that has any common sense knows that the majority of people, not all, that have their resume posted on any of the job search websites are looking for a J-O-B. A weekly or bi-weekly paycheck with benefits and sick leave, paid vacations and a guaranteed salary. However, with that comes a boss, constraints on your time, limitations on your life style and virtually no control on the growth of your income. It's basically legalized slavery. Although the pay is much better than it was in the 1900s. Nontheless, you're being told what to do, when to do it, how to do it and whether you like it or not, here's how much we're going to pay you to do it. I understand that for some people, that's perfectly alright with them. Those are not the people we are looking for at PFS. The reason I made the comment about reps being lazy is because when the founders of this company were building it, they did it face to face & one on one. If you want to contact someone about the PFS opportunity, that's how it should be done. Unfortunately, we live in a microwave society and everyone wants everything yesterday. Even success! And that's just not how it's done; never was and never will be. Success requires hard work, discipline and sacrifice. With that being said, the rewards available at PFS are much greater that any coporate J-O-B can offer. If fact, if you're honest with yourself, the reason that there are J-O-Bs, is because someone had an entreprenurial spirit and created the company that you are either working for now or seeking employment with. I wish the rest of my fellow PFS reps would get off the internet, get off their butts and get out and meet people. Get involved in your community, coach a little league team, volunteer at church, join the Boys & Girls Club. Let people see that you truly care about helping them and that you are sincere and recruiting will be easy. We truly have a valuable and powerful product to offer to the community but, being lazy and trying to find an easier way than what our founders have shown us is only making things more difficult for the PFS reps in your community that are not misrepresenting our opportunity. Now as far as the whole pyramid thing goes. Pyramids are illegal and if we were a true pyramid not only would we not be associated with Citigroup, the largest company on the planet in terms of assets, we would have been shut down a long time ago. This company has a 27 year, soon to be 28 on Fe. 10, 2005, track record of delivering for familys. We do not get paid for recruiting. The $199 that a person pays for joining PFS goes to the state departments to complete background checks and cover fees for the Group 1 license the new associate will receive. Which, by the way, belongs to the new associate. He or she is only contracted to market for PFS. If he/she decided to leave PFS and go to work with another firm, they're free to do that at any time and take their licenses with them. Only $40 of that money goes to the PFS headquarters to set up a business account for the new associate with the company. Not one red cent of that money goes into the pocket of the person that recruited the new associate nor any of his/her uplines. We only get paid when we implement a program for a family. A product must be sold before any PFS rep makes a dime. The reason we emphasize recruiting is two fold. First, most family's biggest problem is not debt it's too little income. We're the only financial services company that is addressing the family's cause for their financial problems. TOO LITTLE INCOME! Secondly, the more licensed reps you have on your team, the more money you make because a larger volume of business is generated. Which, by the way, is exactly the way every other financial firm or broker gets paid. It even works that way in real estate. The only difference is that with other companies the representatives are not given the opportunity to build their own agency within the established infastructure of the company. The bottom line is I agree with Gary. I have never, nor will I ever, farm resumes on the internet looking for recruits. It's deceptive and it hurts PFS's reputation in the community. I wish PFS would outlaw the practice all together. I think it devalues our opportunity. If you can't talk with someone face to face and overcome their objections and sell them on the benefits of pursuing the PFS opportunity, then don't screw it u for the rest of us.

My purpose, first of all, is to give what I believe to be as unbiased a review of a company from the inside as is possible. I was snatched up by PFS as well, and it didn't work out for me. It isn't a good system for most of the people in the world, because they are lazy, unmotivated, uneducated, content, secure . . . it doesn't matter. Good reason or bad, not everyone is cut out for PFS. PFS can make you a millionaire . . . True. If you are the right person. PFS can leave you broke . . . Very True! The problem is, and I believe this is the entire point, is that the recruiting tactics are missleading. I will attest to the fact that they are, or were in my case. PFS is actually a great number of individual representatives that do not all think exactly alike, so some may be underhanded or cheap while others may not. I was told many things when I was being recruited and I bought them. Then once I paid my $200 they didn't all come true. My trainer was too busy making six figures he forgot to train me! I guess everyone in my baseshop was just a little contradictory when they would say to spend time with everyone, then they only had time for some people. I will close by saying that most of the reason I did not make my millions in Primerica was my own fault. I am where I've chosen to be, but I am still miffed about the was I was misslead into a company which apparently had no time for me. The good side . . . it was the cheapest financial and business education I've ever gotten (after paying for ALL of my Economics/Marketing degree at Oklahoma State)!

Gary, At every job you must work. PFS is no different. It sounds to me like the "real job" you were looking for is a job that holds your hand. Why would you want to work for someone else, and not get paid what you are really worth. I don't think that a single person you would ask would say they would rather work for someone else, would rather get shafted in pay. I think that you would be pretty ignorant if you say yes to the question. PFS is a "real job", so therefore thats why PFS reps go to monster.com and any other place looking to "OFFER" is the key word here, offer people an opportunity to look into what PFS is all about. Frankly, I don't think PFS would want someone like you working "with" (not for) them. You have spent more time spouting off a bunch of nonsense then it would have taken you to actually take PFS' offer and check it out. Its not for all people. Maybe its not for you. But as far as MLM companies. There is an old saying that comes to mind..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it" They work! And if you were willing to work, then it would work for you too. People have to have disgust before they will change, and obviously you are happy with getting your jerked around by some company that in 1-3-5 years is going to put your pink slip on a silver platter for you.Atlest you could say they give you something on a silver platter. So when you wake up and join reality in the "REAL WORLD" with the rest of us you will realize there is no such thing as a "stable" company anymore. The only person you can count on is yourself. So when you get disgusted with yourself, maybe then you will contact one of the people who sent you a conditional "OFFER" to see what PFS is offering, and hopefully they won't remember that you sent them nasty grams or bashed something that you know nothing about..... GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK...in your "real job" Call us when you get laid off.....

It is amazing how people who fail in Primerica have a negative aspect of things. It is no wonder that that these people can't seem to reach their financial goals. They simply focus on the negative aspects. Is there really A perfect company. NO! I beleive that there are bad apples everywhere in the corporate world, but those are overshadowed by the people who have succeed. Primerica has many succesful people from all walks of life. the only way to make it is to have a business and be responsible for your success. Quit blamming others for your layoff. You work someone else. You are either making your dreams come true or Making someone eles's dream come true. You decide!

I "was" one of those guys. I sent thousands of emails looking for the very few that would respond. While I now agree this isn't the best way to recruit, for not it will continue to be used. There are soultions. The best, as well as easiest, is to simply delete the message. Why spend time and energy doing anything more? I even received responses that where vulgar. Again, why bother? Posting a notice to not be contacted is also a great idea. Regardless of what you may think about PFS, they have strict "DO Not Call" policies. As for the success rate, the numbers where very accurate. There is a 50/50 chance you won't make it past the first six months. And yes, less than 2% of the 100,000 plus sales force actually makes "real" money. But these numbers are the same for a lot of other companies. Did it work for me? NO Is that PFS's fault? Again, NO. It simply wasn't for me. I only wish I had pulled the plug sooner. PFS is a good company and they provide a needed service. No one that gets beyond their personal opinions can dispute the facts. I suppose the bottom line is get your facts in order before you label someone as "slime". Yes, there are those at PFS that need behavorial modification, but there are many people in the ranks that are of the highest moral character you will ever meet.

I am a habitual, yet educated gambler, and as such I like to check out the statistics of any monetary venture before I jump in to it. Here's the statistics surrounding employment with Primerica: Percentage of recruits whose heads are filled with dreams of six figure salaries= 100%; percentage of Primerica recruits who will ever make any money= less than 50%; percentage of Primerica agents making over 15,000 per year= less than 20%; percentage of Primerica agents making six figure salaries= less than 2%; Percentage of Primerica recruits who are worse off financially than before they hooked up with this organization= more than 60%; Percentage of Primerica recruiters who are full of BS= probably somewhere between 90 and 100%. MLM's are the roulette wheels of the employment world- you have the possibility of making some money, but the odds are terrible. You're odds are much better going the traditional way, get yourself an education and work hard. A college education probably won't make you a millionaire, but neither will Primerica. At least with an education you know you'll make some money.

No Samuel, PFS is MLM. Go to their website or Citigroup's website. It specifically labels PFS as MLM! Gary, I used to suffer the same problem you have now. I can definitely put these guys in the same category of telemarketers and spam email but actually these guys are much worse because they prey like vultures. Anyway, here's some GREAT but simple advice to avoid these annoying PFS recruiters. Before I got the IT job that I work now, I also posted my resume on Monster.com, but below the objective I wrote "Primerica/Citigroup recruiters, DO NOT CONTACT ME!!!" Since then I haven't received a single email/call from some Primerica idiot (who now mentions themselves as Citigroup now, why is that, can it be that everyone figured out that PFS is a sleaze company after all???). I used to receive close to 10 email/calls a week from some PFS agent who waste my time. They would call me at work, waste my cell minutes, leave voicemail, email, anything to get me to talk to them. The worse thing is they would leave a voicemail indicating an opportunity but it was so vague that I had to come out of my office and waste time calling them only to find out it was another PFS agent. But after I made that little note above, it felt like freedom! I got the calls I wanted and now I work the job I actually posted my resume for. Lastly to Samuel, why should we take our resumes out because of Primerica scavengers? Why should we miss out on better opportunities?!? If I did, I won't be working the job I have now. I would have been kicking myself for the rest of my life if I followed ignorant comments like yours.

No Samuel, PFS is MLM. Go to their website or Citigroup's website. It specifically labels PFS as MLM! Gary, I used to suffer the same problem you have now. I can definitely put these guys in the same category of telemarketers and spam email but actually these guys are much worse because they prey like vultures. Anyway, here's some GREAT but simple advice to avoid these annoying PFS recruiters. Before I got the IT job that I work now, I also posted my resume on Monster.com, but below the objective I wrote "Primerica/Citigroup recruiters, DO NOT CONTACT ME!!!" Since then I haven't received a single email/call from some Primerica idiot (who now mentions themselves as Citigroup now, why is that, can it be that everyone figured out that PFS is a sleaze company after all???). I used to receive close to 10 email/calls a week from some PFS agent who waste my time. They would call me at work, waste my cell minutes, leave voicemail, email, anything to get me to talk to them. The worse thing is they would leave a voicemail indicating an opportunity but it was so vague that I had to come out of my office and waste time calling them only to find out it was another PFS agent. But after I made that little note above, it felt like freedom! I got the calls I wanted and now I work the job I actually posted my resume for. Lastly to Samuel, why should we take our resumes out because of Primerica scavengers? Why should we miss out on better opportunities?!? If I did, I won't be working the job I have now. I would have been kicking myself for the rest of my life if I followed ignorant comments like yours.

No Samuel, PFS is MLM. Go to their website or Citigroup's website. It specifically labels PFS as MLM! Gary, I used to suffer the same problem you have now. I can definitely put these guys in the same category of telemarketers and spam email but actually these guys are much worse because they prey like vultures. Anyway, here's some GREAT but simple advice to avoid these annoying PFS recruiters. Before I got the IT job that I work now, I also posted my resume on Monster.com, but below the objective I wrote "Primerica/Citigroup recruiters, DO NOT CONTACT ME!!!" Since then I haven't received a single email/call from some Primerica idiot (who now mentions themselves as Citigroup now, why is that, can it be that everyone figured out that PFS is a sleaze company after all???). I used to receive close to 10 email/calls a week from some PFS agent who waste my time. They would call me at work, waste my cell minutes, leave voicemail, email, anything to get me to talk to them. The worse thing is they would leave a voicemail indicating an opportunity but it was so vague that I had to come out of my office and waste time calling them only to find out it was another PFS agent. But after I made that little note above, it felt like freedom! I got the calls I wanted and now I work the job I actually posted my resume for. Lastly to Samuel, why should we take our resumes out because of Primerica scavengers? Why should we miss out on better opportunities?!? If I did, I won't be working the job I have now. I would have been kicking myself for the rest of my life if I followed ignorant comments like yours.

No Samuel, PFS is MLM. Go to their website or Citigroup's website. It specifically labels PFS as MLM! Gary, I used to suffer the same problem you have now. I can definitely put these guys in the same category of telemarketers and spam email but actually these guys are much worse because they prey like vultures. Anyway, here's some GREAT but simple advice to avoid these annoying PFS recruiters. Before I got the IT job that I work now, I also posted my resume on Monster.com, but below the objective I wrote "Primerica/Citigroup recruiters, DO NOT CONTACT ME!!!" Since then I haven't received a single email/call from some Primerica idiot (who now mentions themselves as Citigroup now, why is that, can it be that everyone figured out that PFS is a sleaze company after all???). I used to receive close to 10 email/calls a week from some PFS agent who waste my time. They would call me at work, waste my cell minutes, leave voicemail, email, anything to get me to talk to them. The worse thing is they would leave a voicemail indicating an opportunity but it was so vague that I had to come out of my office and waste time calling them only to find out it was another PFS agent. But after I made that little note above, it felt like freedom! I got the calls I wanted and now I work the job I actually posted my resume for. Lastly to Samuel, why should we take our resumes out because of Primerica scavengers? Why should we miss out on better opportunities?!? If I did, I won't be working the job I have now. I would have been kicking myself for the rest of my life if I followed ignorant comments like yours.

Well, another fine example of PFS infomercial from Samuel. First, it would be helpful to understand the defintition of "slander" before you tout your mastery of the english language. I have not slandered anyone. Secondly, WHO CARES ABOUT THE NUMBERS YOU SPEW FORTH? My issue is the SLEAZY recruiting efforts of Primerica. And, NO, I will not take my resume off Monster or any "big board". It is there for BONAFIDE employers, not MLM's. Samuel is typical PFS - "Let's brush aside the real issue and dazzle them with numbers." I can assure you that Monster.com's intention of the "employer" (now this a key phrase, Samuel, pay attention closely) login is for EMPLOYERS, not MLM's looking to EXPLOIT people who are looking to better themselves through gainful employment. Yes, everyone needs money to survive - a very astute observation on Samuel's part. But, like SOOOO many of the PFS comebacks, Samuel bases ALL his arguments on HOW MUCH MONEY you can make, HOW BIG/HUGE PFS is, etc., etc., ad infintum, ad nauseum. And YES, Samuel, PFS is an MLM. An MLM can be accurately defined as a business who's mission is to recruit scores of people to sell mediocre or worthless product whereby the business of recruiting becomes the overriding goal, not the product. How much have YOU made selling the product alone? How much have YOU made via downlines?

You may have run into some people that possibly don't have charisma to operate the meetings or sales pitch as well as you (master presenter) would have liked. If you only understood that this is the only company in the DOW 30 that will hand you a franchise, practically free of charge, because they passionately beleive in what they are doing. That is a fact. The choice is certainly better than the $3,000,000 and many year committment to a restaurant that I almost did (and a suffering economy). Does PFA appear MLM? Only to someone who does not understand how a brokerage works or gets paid on commission (like insurance, mortgage,securities agents do). I feel sorry for someone that feels that some people's lives don't revolve around money. Unfortunately they do; we all do, especially when you are old and gray, rated up, and with health problems. May God help you in your journey, because you obviously will not. P.S. If you don't like "farming" on Monster.com, take your resume off! The employer log-in feature was built specifically for that purpose.

You may have run into some people that possibly don't have charisma to operate the meetings or sales pitch as well as you (master presenter) would have liked. If you only understood that this is the only company in the DOW 30 that will hand you a franchise, practically free of charge, because they passionately beleive in what they are doing. That is a fact. The choice is certainly better than the $3,000,000 and many year committment to a restaurant that I almost did (and a suffering economy). Does PFA appear MLM? Only to someone who does not understand how a brokerage works or gets paid on commission (like insurance, mortgage,securities agents do). I feel sorry for someone that feels that some people's lives don't revolve around money. Unfortunately they do; we all do, especially when you are old and gray, rated up, and with health problems. May God help you in your journey, because you obviously will not. P.S. If you don't like "farming" on Monster.com, take your resume off! The employer log-in feature was built specifically for that purpose.

You may have run into some people that possibly don't have charisma to operate the meetings or sales pitch as well as you (master presenter) would have liked. If you only understood that this is the only company in the DOW 30 that will hand you a franchise, practically free of charge, because they passionately beleive in what they are doing. That is a fact. The choice is certainly better than the $3,000,000 and many year committment to a restaurant that I almost did (and a suffering economy). Does PFA appear MLM? Only to someone who does not understand how a brokerage works or gets paid on commission (like insurance, mortgage,securities agents do). I feel sorry for someone that feels that some people's lives don't revolve around money. Unfortunately they do; we all do, especially when you are old and gray, rated up, and with health problems. May God help you in your journey, because you obviously will not. P.S. If you don't like "farming" on Monster.com, take your resume off! The employer log-in feature was built specifically for that purpose.

You may have run into some people that possibly don't have charisma to operate the meetings or sales pitch as well as you (master presenter) would have liked. If you only understood that this is the only company in the DOW 30 that will hand you a franchise, practically free of charge, because they passionately beleive in what they are doing. That is a fact. The choice is certainly better than the $3,000,000 and many year committment to a restaurant that I almost did (and a suffering economy). Does PFA appear MLM? Only to someone who does not understand how a brokerage works or gets paid on commission (like insurance, mortgage,securities agents do). I feel sorry for someone that feels that some people's lives don't revolve around money. Unfortunately they do; we all do, especially when you are old and gray, rated up, and with health problems. May God help you in your journey, because you obviously will not. P.S. If you don't like "farming" on Monster.com, take your resume off! The employer log-in feature was built specifically for that purpose.

Curtis, you missed the boat. Was I debating the relative merits of Primerica? No. Was I debating "how much money" a person can make with Primerica? No. I'm sure *someone* has made millions working for Primerica, Amway, Shaklee, etc.

Was I questioning PFS's recruiting techniques? DING DING DING! YES! That was the intent of my letter. It was an opinionated commentary on PFS's slimey recruiting techniques. No more. No less.

Since you so kindly broached the subject of money with your PFS *infomercial*, and by the way- congratulations on being wealthy, I'd like to point out that money does not rule EVERYONE's life. Obviously, there are many things I COULD do to earn a lot more money: Sell drugs to children, operate an overseas Child Porn site, prostitution (with me being the w***e or Pimp), or I could join Primerica. Let's see now... Nope, I don't wish to do those things for money. Nor, quite frankly, would most people. Maybe that's why there are only a *few* that make the kind of money you do (or proclaim that anyone else can). Hmmm.

I am happy and content with what I do. Yes, there are no guarantees in life. I happen to be unemployed at the moment, but so what? I'll get another job and move on - and be happy with what I have. Curtis, if you think that money will bring you happiness and security, because that's all I hear you saying, then I pity you.

Have a great life. Watch out for buses!

Gary

Gary,

I read your little tantrum.
Here's a suggestion so you're not so frustrated.
Pay attention because it's really technical and complicated.
Just ignore the email or tell them your not interested.
Handling things like this will allow you to get off of your medication for your overreacting disorder.

For the record, I was paid $24,000 plus in March alone. I will provide you proof, I will talk to you over the phone.

Remember getting another job subjects you to future layoffs, being passed over for promotions, and trying to dodge the bullets of graying temple syndrome.

Lastly, I earn over $60,000 on residual income alone, and my business can be sold for more than 1 million dollars. When I left corporate America I was earning about $40,000 a year. In the 15 years or so the guys I left behind haven't even been getting pay increases to keep pace with inflation. They should be at a minimum of $55,000 and they're below $46,000 a year. Yes they have benefits and a 401k, but they can't afford to do the things they really want to do in life because they don't make enough. They NEVER will make enough in corporate America.

Watch the Masters golf tournament this weekend. You'll see citi group commercials that list Primerica as one of the sister companies. Use your common sense, would a 1 trillion dollar company risk their reputation/stock value? I can assure you that the Primerica opportunity can be life changing for anyone who wants to work hard and is savvy enough to realize that their NOT going to make big money in corporate America. If you think your going to, good luck. I personally didn't like my chances there.

Take this with a grain of salt.