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  • Report:  #2229

Complaint Review: Primerica Financial Services - Nationwide

Reported By:
-
Submitted:
Updated:

Primerica Financial Services
Nationwide, U.S.A.
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
EDitor's Comment: Rip-off Report Investigation: Primerica gets a POSITIVE RATING in customer support from Rip-off Report and is fulfilling its commitment to provide excellent customer service. Primerica pledges to resolve complaints and address representative issues. For a long time this EDitor had concerns about Primerica because of the number of Reports about them. For many months Rip-off Report was looking into the company, even before they contacted us to resolve any issues and mostly misunderstandings being posted by competitors. With over 100,000 representatives and 6 million clients, Primerica is bound to be the subject of a certain number of complaints about improper agent conduct, as well as product and administrative complaints. Rip-Off's investigation found such complaints, but importantly also found that Primerica is committed to resolving such complaints quickly and doing everything possible to satisfy its clients. It also takes appropriate action against any of its representatives who are found to have conducted themselves improperly or unethically. We believe that the number of complaints against this company, whether through the Internet or other channels, is small when put into the context of its enormous size. Most big companies would never commit themselves like Primerica has. Read our investigative Report and Primerica's commitment to 100% consumer satisfaction. www.primerica.com provides products and services through independent representatives. Primerica www.primerica.com has more than 100,000 licensed representatives who serve more than 6 million clients in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Spain and the United Kingdom. Through a Financial Needs Analysis www.primericafna.com, the companys representatives provide a snapshot of a familys financial picture and suggest a strategy for financial security via Primericas products and services www.primericafinancialsolutions.com. Primericas business opportunity is attractive to people from many different backgrounds, including women www.womeninprimerica.com, African-Americans www.primericaaalc.com, Hispanics www.primericalatino.com and young adults www.generationprimerica.com.


Primerica Financial Services is set up to the average person to reach their financial goals. In theory it sounds good. The problem is, if their is an unscrupulous regional vice president, he or she can steal, lie, and cover up without the corporate headquarters doing anything about it because the corporation makes it's money from these people. Their turnover rate is very high. Few people have the time, energy, or courage to report them to the proper authorities. At their "opportunity" meetings they tell you that when you recruit someone into the company, you will override (commissions) that person for life. As it turns out your regional vice president can and will take that person from you at anytime. Once you are in you have a "fear of loss" of what you have obtained, but what you have obtained is not really yours. The operation is run like a cult. You pay to attend meetings, get hotel rooms, airline tickets, to be told that you will be trained. The training is only an indocunation to recruit more people for your upline to make more money. If they can teach you how to steal they will work with you, if you are an honest person they will find a way of getting rid of you after they have gotten as many referrals from you as they can. While I was there about ninty-eight percent of the people there ended up in the red each year, but they hang on hoping to make it rich some day like the schemers who lied to them. Take my word for it, if anyone ever comes up to you and offers to show you an "opportunity" with Primerica Financial Services, Run, Run, Run! ............................................. Subj: Rebuttal to Report Date: 7/19/00 2:19:52 PM US Mountain Standard Time From: [email protected] (Chuck Ritter) To: [email protected] ('[email protected]') This accusation obviously comes from someone who doesn't have the work ethic, nor the intelligence to succeed as a successful business person. Primerica Financial Services (PFS) is the greatest company in the world, offering the greatest opportunity in the world. The work you put in now at PFS pays you for the rest of your life because of the team (or down line as he/she calls it) you build in this business. When your team makes money, you make money. The person in this article would rather work hard this year to make his money, then work just as hard next year to make the same amount of money. I would rather build a team of people to help me and make money forever. Besides, everyone I "hire" has the ability to go out and create their team, and a financially independent life for themselves, the American Dream. One more thing, you don't pay a fee to be "hired", you pay a fee to cover your state licensing class, books and tests. I don't even need to respond to the ANMWAY comment, but I will anyway. PFS concentrates on helping middle-class family achieve their goals of getting out of debt and achieving financial independence. People sit up at night worrying about their finances. How many times have you sat up at night worrying about soap or whatever else that company "sells"? We change lives one family at a time, by educating families about things that schools, banks and insurance companies never took the time to explain.


13 Updates & Rebuttals

If your means to helping people were noble, then your cause could be justified. But in Primerica's case, leaving the customer uneducated and free of your garbage is better than sticking it to them with junk.

#20

Tue, August 14, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Chris at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTALS ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Chris

Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion

Rebuttal:
For the previous poster:
For every rip off posted on here revealing the disgusting tactics used by Primerica salespeople, there are 10 lines of canned response from a PFA.

I have been personally misled, though luckily not screwed by the company, because I was smart enough to invest a few hours of my time to see how ridiculous they are. They offer TERRIBLE mortgages, high-priced term, and loaded mutual funds. The company's mission statement is noble: to help people become financiall independent. Unfortunately they do not offer
"the best" products to consumers, nor do they offer even comparable, reasonable products. The real mission statement should be "to exploit the undeducated" because that's what you do. A *real* financial advisor would provide competitive loans (interest rate matters, even though they try to mislead you), no load funds, and inexpensive quality insurance.

After I was presented with my FNA results (for those that don't know, it's the whole financial plan laid out for you), I crunched numbers and showed how my refi loan offer was nothing more than sub-prime garbage (high rate, high fees, high points, high closing costs, high penalties), even though I
have excellent credit. The FNA was literally ripped out of my hand by the PFA. I didn't even get to see the investment options or the insurance offer. I was told "I'll be damned if I'm going to show you the best product in the industry, and have you shop around for a better deal with all my hard work."

Which, by the way, consisted of telling their bank my
current interest rate, loan amount, and balance. What happened? They decided that I knew what I was talking about, and didn't want me spoiling it for them by also proving how poor their mutual funds and insurance are. They want to sell to the ignorant, plain and simple. Their numbers are misleading and downright wrong at times.

Do you wonder why they are the only ones who say "interest rate doesn't matter"? I'm not talking about just lenders, but actual experts in finance who have no vested interest in selling me a loan. Interest rates matter, prepayment penalties matter, loads on mutual funds matter, and stripped down, expensive term matters.

If you wanted to provide a REAL service, then you'd actually tell someone to pick the best possible mortgage and pay it off in a way that meets their personal goals. If that means not using a Primerica sub-prime garbage loan, then so be it. Then, by using the money they save, have them invest in a wide variety of funds, including no-load, no-commision funds. Then charge a small percent of their earnings like a real financial advisor. But dont have them pay for your "services" through high fees and outrageous interest rates.

If your means to helping people were noble, then your cause could be justified. But in Primerica's case, leaving the customer uneducated and free of your garbage is better than sticking it to them with junk.


I too find it disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research ..EDitor's only comment: Rip-off Reports are created by consumers for consumers.

#30

Sat, August 11, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by D. Westphal at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTALS ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: D. Westphal
Their phone number: 925-755-3900
Their relationship to the company: Advocate

Rebuttal:

Dear ROR,

I am also a representative of Primerica and I personally know Curtis Cooper, his achievements, as well as several of the other successful representatives for the company. What is more important is that I am aware of what all of these people have done over the years to change the seen and personally helped
families to put wipe out debt that would have kept them in financial bondage for years, assisted families to properly insure themselves, provided educational funds for families that never would have been able to put their children through college, established retirement programs for families that would have been broke had we not met them, saved houses for clients, and even prevented a family from divorce. I too find it
disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research in the assumption of being some form of consumer watchdog.

To help set the record straight, Primerica is a division of Citigroup, which through helping middle class to upper middle class families to become debt free and financially independent, has not only become the largest financial company in the world, but was also recently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the number 1 company on their Super 100 list. Also, and since you claim to be a consumer watchdog, I would presume you would know that Primerica was originally started because of the abuse and
manipulation that the average consumer goes through by the financial industry.

Furthermore, since Citigroup, and Primerica as one of their companies, is the largest and most respected firm in the financial industry they are also the most rigid on compliance. In your "watchdog report" you stated your opinion that "a regional vice president (RVP) can steal, lie, and cover up" and that the company will protect them because they make profit
from the RVP. Had you taken the time to research your information you would have found out that "every" transaction that is completed for our clients has to pass through at least three levels of verification before our company will let it be processed. Not only that, but since we are regulated by a federal watchdog with a lot more credulity than your website apparently is, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),
"every" investment that we make on our clients behalf is triple checked by our compliance department to make sure the suitability is absolutely correct for that client. Therefore, it is impossible for an RVP to steal, lie, and cover up as you implied.

I noticed in your article that you mentioned the words, "when I was there". One would presume that at one time you got involved in the company as a representative. Therefore, you are probably well aware of the proven success system that we have for those people who have the tenacity and work effort to make their lives successful and to achieve their dreams. One would also presume from your "report" and from your lack of information about our company, what we do for our clients, and how highly we are regulated, that you were one of those people that stayed with us
for a few weeks or months at best and did not have the discipline and work ethic (and by your web site, any ethics at all) to build a successful business with us.

Your allegation that we should refund the people's money who have joined our company and who were not successful at building a business, shows that once again you have a limited knowledge and understanding about our process. Had you actually stay in our company long enough to learn anything, you would have realized that these fees are sent to the appropriate state departments as a processing fee and Primerica and Citigroup do not benefit from them at all.

I would suggest that before you put information into your public access web site, that you take a few minutes to verify some of the information you are reporting. If your readers are interested in learning the truth about Primerica and Citigroup and what the financial industry says about our company, I would direct them to such quality publications as Forbes, Fortune, Investor's Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Money, and
Selling Power magazines to name a few. All of these have "factually" reported on our strength, our impeccable compliance, and how we benefit the families we serve. I am sure your readers will find these sources significantly more credible than the opinions of one person who made a minimal effort to build a business and who had to use a mis-directed web
site to try to slander a great company that does great things for
families.

Sincerely,
D. Westphal


I too find it disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research ..EDitor's only comment: Rip-off Reports are created by consumers for consumers.

#40

Sat, August 11, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by D. Westphal at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTALS ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: D. Westphal
Their phone number: 925-755-3900
Their relationship to the company: Advocate

Rebuttal:

Dear ROR,

I am also a representative of Primerica and I personally know Curtis Cooper, his achievements, as well as several of the other successful representatives for the company. What is more important is that I am aware of what all of these people have done over the years to change the seen and personally helped
families to put wipe out debt that would have kept them in financial bondage for years, assisted families to properly insure themselves, provided educational funds for families that never would have been able to put their children through college, established retirement programs for families that would have been broke had we not met them, saved houses for clients, and even prevented a family from divorce. I too find it
disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research in the assumption of being some form of consumer watchdog.

To help set the record straight, Primerica is a division of Citigroup, which through helping middle class to upper middle class families to become debt free and financially independent, has not only become the largest financial company in the world, but was also recently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the number 1 company on their Super 100 list. Also, and since you claim to be a consumer watchdog, I would presume you would know that Primerica was originally started because of the abuse and
manipulation that the average consumer goes through by the financial industry.

Furthermore, since Citigroup, and Primerica as one of their companies, is the largest and most respected firm in the financial industry they are also the most rigid on compliance. In your "watchdog report" you stated your opinion that "a regional vice president (RVP) can steal, lie, and cover up" and that the company will protect them because they make profit
from the RVP. Had you taken the time to research your information you would have found out that "every" transaction that is completed for our clients has to pass through at least three levels of verification before our company will let it be processed. Not only that, but since we are regulated by a federal watchdog with a lot more credulity than your website apparently is, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),
"every" investment that we make on our clients behalf is triple checked by our compliance department to make sure the suitability is absolutely correct for that client. Therefore, it is impossible for an RVP to steal, lie, and cover up as you implied.

I noticed in your article that you mentioned the words, "when I was there". One would presume that at one time you got involved in the company as a representative. Therefore, you are probably well aware of the proven success system that we have for those people who have the tenacity and work effort to make their lives successful and to achieve their dreams. One would also presume from your "report" and from your lack of information about our company, what we do for our clients, and how highly we are regulated, that you were one of those people that stayed with us
for a few weeks or months at best and did not have the discipline and work ethic (and by your web site, any ethics at all) to build a successful business with us.

Your allegation that we should refund the people's money who have joined our company and who were not successful at building a business, shows that once again you have a limited knowledge and understanding about our process. Had you actually stay in our company long enough to learn anything, you would have realized that these fees are sent to the appropriate state departments as a processing fee and Primerica and Citigroup do not benefit from them at all.

I would suggest that before you put information into your public access web site, that you take a few minutes to verify some of the information you are reporting. If your readers are interested in learning the truth about Primerica and Citigroup and what the financial industry says about our company, I would direct them to such quality publications as Forbes, Fortune, Investor's Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Money, and
Selling Power magazines to name a few. All of these have "factually" reported on our strength, our impeccable compliance, and how we benefit the families we serve. I am sure your readers will find these sources significantly more credible than the opinions of one person who made a minimal effort to build a business and who had to use a mis-directed web
site to try to slander a great company that does great things for
families.

Sincerely,
D. Westphal


I too find it disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research ..EDitor's only comment: Rip-off Reports are created by consumers for consumers.

#50

Sat, August 11, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by D. Westphal at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTALS ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: D. Westphal
Their phone number: 925-755-3900
Their relationship to the company: Advocate

Rebuttal:

Dear ROR,

I am also a representative of Primerica and I personally know Curtis Cooper, his achievements, as well as several of the other successful representatives for the company. What is more important is that I am aware of what all of these people have done over the years to change the seen and personally helped
families to put wipe out debt that would have kept them in financial bondage for years, assisted families to properly insure themselves, provided educational funds for families that never would have been able to put their children through college, established retirement programs for families that would have been broke had we not met them, saved houses for clients, and even prevented a family from divorce. I too find it
disrespectful and a great dis-service to your clients that you publish incorrect and misleading information that you obviously did not take the time to research in the assumption of being some form of consumer watchdog.

To help set the record straight, Primerica is a division of Citigroup, which through helping middle class to upper middle class families to become debt free and financially independent, has not only become the largest financial company in the world, but was also recently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the number 1 company on their Super 100 list. Also, and since you claim to be a consumer watchdog, I would presume you would know that Primerica was originally started because of the abuse and
manipulation that the average consumer goes through by the financial industry.

Furthermore, since Citigroup, and Primerica as one of their companies, is the largest and most respected firm in the financial industry they are also the most rigid on compliance. In your "watchdog report" you stated your opinion that "a regional vice president (RVP) can steal, lie, and cover up" and that the company will protect them because they make profit
from the RVP. Had you taken the time to research your information you would have found out that "every" transaction that is completed for our clients has to pass through at least three levels of verification before our company will let it be processed. Not only that, but since we are regulated by a federal watchdog with a lot more credulity than your website apparently is, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission),
"every" investment that we make on our clients behalf is triple checked by our compliance department to make sure the suitability is absolutely correct for that client. Therefore, it is impossible for an RVP to steal, lie, and cover up as you implied.

I noticed in your article that you mentioned the words, "when I was there". One would presume that at one time you got involved in the company as a representative. Therefore, you are probably well aware of the proven success system that we have for those people who have the tenacity and work effort to make their lives successful and to achieve their dreams. One would also presume from your "report" and from your lack of information about our company, what we do for our clients, and how highly we are regulated, that you were one of those people that stayed with us
for a few weeks or months at best and did not have the discipline and work ethic (and by your web site, any ethics at all) to build a successful business with us.

Your allegation that we should refund the people's money who have joined our company and who were not successful at building a business, shows that once again you have a limited knowledge and understanding about our process. Had you actually stay in our company long enough to learn anything, you would have realized that these fees are sent to the appropriate state departments as a processing fee and Primerica and Citigroup do not benefit from them at all.

I would suggest that before you put information into your public access web site, that you take a few minutes to verify some of the information you are reporting. If your readers are interested in learning the truth about Primerica and Citigroup and what the financial industry says about our company, I would direct them to such quality publications as Forbes, Fortune, Investor's Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Money, and
Selling Power magazines to name a few. All of these have "factually" reported on our strength, our impeccable compliance, and how we benefit the families we serve. I am sure your readers will find these sources significantly more credible than the opinions of one person who made a minimal effort to build a business and who had to use a mis-directed web
site to try to slander a great company that does great things for
families.

Sincerely,
D. Westphal


Any Jackass can put ANYTHING on a web page and because it's there, people actually belive what they read. ..*EDitor's Comments to this REBUTTAL

#60

Sat, July 28, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Curtis Cooper at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Curtis Cooper
Their phone number: xxx-xxx-4487
Their relationship to the company: Advocate

Rebuttal:
I have yet to receive an answer of "why is this bad?" (the two examples of clients I helped)

You talk about scams!
Your a scam!
These phony editorials are a joke!
Your a kook!

Most people don't realize that the internet is NOT regualated!

Any Jackass can put ANYTHING on a web page and because it's there, people actually belive what they read.

I asked you to call me to find out the truth and maybe an explaination of the misinformation you've received.

NO CALL
NO answer to my question

Isn't what you put on your web page important enough to you to be correct?

I gave you a break down of how much Primerica invests in each new
representative. NO RESPONSE!

Look up the word integrity

YOU HAVE NONE!

It is absolutely ludicrous to say that when someone joins Primerica they are being ripped off in any way.

You have a responsibility to investigate ridiculous statements by anyone, before posting it.
Again my phone number is XXX-XXX- XXXX PST Please call me to clear up your wrong information!

Curtis Cooper

EDitor's Comments to the above REBUTTAL::::

Yes, I am a Kook. Proud of it. You have to be one to deal with all the con artists and corrupt companies that scam consumers.. I, like so many others have been driven to be this way after being screwed so many times, disgusted with the lawyers and the court system corruption. Every state, city and little town has their good ole' boys who rule the local land. Our legal system has gone so awry.

No, the Internet is not regulated as you infer that you would like it to be. Figures you would say something like that. I would tell you to move to Russia, but as you know, they have freedom of speech too. So why don't you move to the Middle East, Iran or Iraq. You could do a mission over there while your at it.

Where did I say that when someone joins Primerica they are being ripped off in any way? ... You need to reread what I have written.

You may be a good sales person. You may even be honest. (I'm really giving you the benefit of the doubt now.) Youv've claimed you made so much money. Tell us, how many of your customers are dissatisfied, that when they found that this was not for them, ... you just kept their money. Telling them no refunds. .. Let's say for argument sake you are an honest person and work hard, and sincerely are truthful to your customers that are lured into Primerica (which is not for everyone) <---- That's where I have a big problem with Primerica. When these people (like you) find this is not for them, let them go. But no. ..You don't want to loose your big commissions so you won't let them go. Primerica followers/agents brag that they raise all kinds of money for charities. This is just another ploy so your followers can hang these plaques on their wall to gain recognition and to let unsuspecting customers think your all so honest. All a bunch of bull.

As I've stated in previous EDitorials, start looking to help those consumers your followers/agents raped, by getting them their hard earned money back. Primerca obviously condones such activity, or they would have taken some of their billions they earn every year to rectify the situation for these poor individuals.

You also said in your REBUTTAL above for me to look up the word integrity. I think all the victims of Primerica that filed on the Rip-off Report and all over the Internet who have written about Primerica would say, you need to look up that word..

Lastly,..Making money off of someone's hard earned blood money, agents misleading them,..You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Read all the other Rip-off Reports on Primerica. Could they all be wrong? Click here to read them all.


For every 10 people hired by Certified Grocers (So. Cal.) to become a wharehouse orderman only 2-3 could make it through the 60 day probation. ...EDitor says bull to this REBUTTAL.

#70

Thu, July 26, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Curtis Cooper at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Curtis Cooper
Their phone number: 661-259-4487
Their relationship to the company: Advocate

Rebuttal:
Primerica, is a dishonest company because of it's hiring practices?

For every 10 people hired by Certified Grocers (So. Cal.) to become a wharehouse orderman only 2-3 could make it through the 60 day probation. (this is where I used to work)

For every 10 people that get recruited into the Real Estate business less than 1 will sell a house the next year.

For every 10 people hired by UPS to drive a delivery truck only 2 will have that job the next year.

Only 1 out of 15 people who go through the trouble of 1200 hours of student time and pay hundreds of dollars to become a hair stylest will make it in that business.

I joined ALW in 1985 to make part time money selling term life insurance. Over the years I have seen many people come and go and the common thread between the people that leave our company is...
They did not work. Just like the people in Real Estate, Insurance services, Stock Brokerages, UPS Drivers and countless other professions they weren't the right type of person for that line of work. Many fields have extreemly high turnover rates. Why all the uproar?

In all honestly some of these responses seem very extreem. You might want to call the kook patrol and verify if these people are on medication.

Consider the following...

I have made more than 1.4 million dollars working with Primerica. I have earned well over 100,000 per year for more than 10 years. In 2000 I earned 278,000 about 150,000 came from my own efforts selling Term Life Ins.-Mutual Funds and a few loans. The rest of my income derived from overrides of the sale of the same products and bonuses. I am by for not the greatest person working with Primerica but my life has changed dramatically for the better.

Now that I have had 15 years under my belt I have seen the ideas and products I sold to people many years ago come to fruition. Example- Rex in Palmdale CA. in 1988 I opened up a mutual fund for him with only a $50.00 a month contibution (600 a year)He stuck with it all
these years and he has 23,000 in his account right now. I remember spending 2 hours at his house convincing him that this was good for him. He was living in an apartment. I doubt anyone from Dean Witter would have visited him at his apartment and opened up his account for $50 bucks!

I delivered a double death claim in March 2001. You know that indonisian airliner that went down in guam last fall 2000? Primerica paid 150,000 each (300,000 total)on the parents of 3 children.
They had a 100,000 cash value policy paying almost $100.00 a month on the father of this family. Our coverage cost for BOTH the husband & the wife was less than $55.00 a month.

WHY IS THIS BAD?

Every company has a few bad apples, but don't categorize the entire company as evil doers, it's very misleading. Curtis Cooper Chatsworth CA.

EDitor's comments to the above REBUTTAL:::::

You stated at the beginning of your REBUTTAL, "For every 10 people hired by Certified Grocers (So. Cal.) to become a wharehouse orderman only 2-3 could make it through the 60 day probation."

Now isn't that a bad example? People coming to Primerica are not going to work for the company. These people are victims. They are sold a bill of bull and have to invest hard earned money which people like you get rich on. Your promo should say something like this, .."Can you sell the scam to other unsuspecting people? If so, you too can be rich like me!"

Read all the other Rip-off Reports on Primerica. Could they all be wrong? Click here to read them all.


REBUTTAL to EDitor's Comments......

#80

Wed, July 25, 2001

To: [email protected]
From: Dennis Lowden
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 16:14:31 -0500

I agree in essence with your expose of Primerica. However, I disagree with your conclusion that the fault doesn't lie with the company but with the people in the company. The company is structured, appeals are scripted, and meetings are scheduled primarily to dupe the recruit.

In one sense, you are right that an ethical person can feel all right about selling Primerica products and maybe even make a living. However, the company runs on the same premise as a cult: locate the both the fear and
kernel of addictive behavior in each one of us and exploit it.

I have gone to Primerica meetings, retreats, etc., for 8 years and I have seen my wife throw everything away -- including our marriage -- because she swallowed the hype. To finance her addiction, she has decimated our retirement accounts, not had an inclome-producing job in 6 years, and has lost money every year of her association with the company.

Every criticism of the company or her involvement in it is taken as she would a slur against her religion, or her own personal values. She wasn't born this way; she has been made this way by the Primerica system.

Dennis Lowden

NetZero Platinum
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I applaud the original author of the complaint.

#90

Sun, July 15, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Sharon at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Sharon
Their phone number: @Rebuttal_Phone@
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion

Rebuttal:
I applaud the original author of the complaint. Going up against
multi-level scams is like bowing into the wind. Can you say "SHILLS?" These rebuttals are by shills. They are usually savage and insulting.

You will NEVER see Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Sears, etc responding in the way that Pyramid scheme shills do. What are the signs of shill rebuttals?

1. They get personal "you are in idiot," "you are obviously too stupid to get it," "you are obviously a failure." Nice, eh?

2. They will usually hint at litigation or get right down to it. "This libel will not be tolerated," "you will be hearing from my attorney," "I will be researching defamation laws."

3. Demand your name. They do this to attack you personally and to scare you into shutting down the complaints. they attempts to get your name with childish taunts.

4. Will bring up the fact *they've* made big money. "I've made more money than I can ever use." Yet I still have time to surf the web and violently attack someone who realized they've been ripped off.

Shills spend much time surfing the web looking for negative feed back. Their mission? To shut you up. It's costly for scammers to have to change their name too early.

Sharon

BTW Shills, it's only defamation if it's NOT true. (smirk)

EDitor's suggestion::::::::::::


...we did it all wothout Primerica!

#100

Sat, July 14, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Gabrielle Matthews at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you *EDitor's comment (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Gabrielle Matthews
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion

Rebuttal:
Intelligence? Work ethic? greatest opportunity in the world? This from people who did not have the common sense, motivation or intelligence to take their financial futures into their own hands. Before my husband and I married we set financial goals for the family then put into actions those things we needed to do to achieve those goals. This included paying off our debt, investing in mutual funds, cutting back on unnecessary
expenses, getting a copy of our credit reports. investing in ira's etc.

No one had to take us by the hand and explain to us that building a financial future takes hard work and disciopline or spoon feed us simple financial advice. Whatever we did not know we did research on. There is plenty of free advice on how to handle ones personal finances (money.com for one) We did it on our own and owe our allegiance to no one but God who gave us the wisdom to to do these things. Besides what Primerica teaches
are SIMPLE fincancial principles found in the first chapter of any finance for dummies book. If it changed these guys lives and 'Primerica' is the greatest thing since sliced bread for them then God help them if they're the experts now.

By the way, my husband and I are under 30, I make a 6-figure income. He owns his own business and we own our own home as well as investment property and we did it all wothout Primerica!


Click below to read all the other Rip-off Reports on Primerica

#110

Sat, July 14, 2001

EDitor's suggestion::::::::::::


Come to my office and look at the wall of orphans that we each sponsor. *EDitor's comments

#120

Tue, July 10, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Jim Kidd at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Jim Kidd
Their phone number: 734-354-5519
Their relationship to the company: Owner

Rebuttal:
Before responding to all of this, I actually took a day to compose my thoughts before flying off the handle.

First...thank GOD we live in a country that allows disagreement. Ironic that PFS is a company that puts God first. Does yours?

A cult? What did they call the followers of Jesus? Never mind that by stating that, you assume that the 140,000+ people that decided to try working with PFS were all too dumb to make an intelligent decision on their own. Never mind the 6 million plus people we proudly service as customers! Did we totally brainwash that many people, or are you stating that 6 million Americans are not smart enough to look at the numners and
make up their own minds?

Do I offer this opportunity to everybody I talk to? Of course. I believe that PFS does give what society calls average and ordinary the chance (notice the word chance...I did not say we ever guaranteed anything)to do something unique and special with their lives. Do i brow beat them into submission and force them to do anything? As a Christian, and a business man, of course not. My office does approximately 400 clients a month. Of
those, only around 20-25 decide to try working with us on a part-time basis. Sounds like more brainwashing to me!

I find it funny that many other financial companies are "firing" their clients with low net worths. Let me ask a simple question...does the client I met with who only makes $11,000 a year deserve a chance to be able to save and invest what little she could? Would most other companies even DARE talk to her? I doubt it. This lady now at least has a cushion held back in case something happens. I can lay my head down at night with ease knowing that we did good.

For those who attempt PFS, don't make anything initially and then quit...praise God...the system works! You don't work...you don't make money. Doesn't get simpler than that.

Are there bad people in PFS? I don't doubt that, either. I do believe, however, that the company eventually weeds them out, because you can't sustain this business on pure greed.

You make it a point to discuss examples of what you see as a cult mentality and of the crooks and thieves you've encountered. Can I offer a counter to that?

Come to my office and look at the wall of orphans that we each sponsor. Look at the pictures of the civic groups we belong to (I am a Cubmaster, I am probably the biggest crook and thief there is). Look at the orphange in Calcutta that one of our members FULLY funds. Look at the shelters that are bought each year in Central America IN FULL by a successful person in our company. Look at the scholarship that was created in the name of a spouse that was killed in action this year.

People have brains in their heads. Give them credit for being able to use them. PFS has given me a chance to help many , many people that would otherwise be ignored. It also is allowing me to build an organization that I can be proud of. I'm sure Ray Kroc heard much the same thing when he dreamed up McDonald's...

I agree that simply stating that we belong to citigroup is not necessarily a valid arguement. We have seen in the past that big companies have done wrong. I do believe that having their support has been, and will continue to be a benefit to our company.

So...this lieing, crafty, cheating, pushy, overbearing, and oh
yes...brainwashed agent of Satan is proud of my affiliation with PFS. Are we perfect? I'm not that stupid to ever believe that. However, I've fond a place where God is placed first, my family is allowed to be part of my life beyond the four hours of the day that I used to be awake of in the evenings when I came home from my "job," and the team I am part of feels like my extended family.

Again...thank God that YOU live in a country that allows your opinions to be heard.
::::::::::::::::::
EDitor's Comment to the above REBUTTAL::::
Just skimming through your REBUTTAL, I thought I would only comment on one part of your REBUTTAL. You stated, "Come to my office and look at the wall of orphans that we each sponsor. Look at the pictures of the civic groups we belong to (I am a Cubmaster, I am probably the biggest crook and thief there is). Look at the orphange in Calcutta that one of our members FULLY funds. Look at the shelters that are bought each year in Central America IN FULL by a successful person in our company. Look at the scholarship that was created in the name of a spouse that was killed in action this year." .... GIVE ME A BREAK!

That all being said, I will say, Politicians, Church Priests, Bishops, School Teachers, Police Officers all do good deeds, and many of them get caught doing bad things. What you mention above about all the good things your organization does could be just a front, so people say, "O,' I can't believe that about them over at Primerica, they do so much good in the community, they would never deceive anyone."

I'm sure there are many sincere Primerica people, but tooting your own horn reminds me of some people I've done business with, where they tell me what a good Christian they are, or when they have that little fish on their business card, ..that's when I know I'm going to get a good screwing from them. This comes from years of experience. They say that they are a good Christian so you will trust them. ... A good Christian will not say that in the middle of a business deal. You bragging about all your work in the community while selling your Primerica program is the same thing that good Christians do. You lay all your good deeds in front of them so they will trust you. Getting your customers to let their guard down, so they think your so trustworthy. Again, I'm sure there are many sincere people at your organization, or they think they are being sincere.

Look at Philip Morris company. They are spending more money to advertise how good they are and what they are doing in the community than what they are spending on the actual good work they are doing. That's a fact.

Primerica is a big blood sucking company with many believers and soldiers to do their dirty work.

Your such a big company, with so much good and high morals, why don't you just refund these people their money back who find that Primerica is not for them. Instead of donating so much into the community, put that effort and money into refunding the people who your victimizing. But no, like all other big corporations, you'll spend thousands to defend the lawsuit when you could have just paid them their money back.

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Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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by consumers, for consumers


I think Primerica can set anyone in the right financial direction. *EDitor's Suggestion

#130

Fri, June 29, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Tom Davis at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' *REBUTTAL ..Our system weeds out people like you (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Tom Davis
Their phone number: @Rebuttal_Phone@
Their relationship to the company: Supporter

Rebuttal:
I think Primerica can set anyone in the right financial direction.

::::::::::::::::::::::::
EDitor's suggestion::::::::::::


At Primerica you are paid in direct proportion to what you put into it so dont complain, you harvested what you sowed!

#140

Tue, January 09, 2001

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #2229.
It was sent by Dan Nieves at [email protected].

Primerica Financial Services ..operation is run like a cult ....REBUTTAL 'greatest opportunity in the world' (#2229)

They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:

Their email: [email protected]
Their name: Dan Nieves
Their phone number: 7733989075
Their relationship to the company: Owner

Rebuttal:
To whoever wrote this comment about Primerica!

I am a succesful owner of a small business that grossed over $700,000.00 in sales last year and was introduced to Primerica by a friend in Dallas in last summer and I thank God for letting this happen. Our lives have been truly changed as a result and now we are part of the growing number of people that see Primerica for what it is, the best way to have your own
businees through a sweat equity program.

I also have an 11 year succesful background in Corporate America so I am not a stranger to making money, just a stranger to saving it and ensuring my familie's future.

Obviously the person that spoke negatively about Primerica does'nt know what it's like to work 7 days a week for themselves as well as others neither has a clue of what it takes to make it in life. You have the right to remain broke and ignorant if you chose to but obviously not everyone feels the same way.

Tell me one thing, does your boss make money off of you? He or
she obviously does otherwise you would be replaced! I make money from my employees at the company that I own or they would be replaced in a New York second with someone that will make me profits!!

The fact is that I am helping people that I meet with on a daily basis to plan for their financial future, I train my "downline" to do the same, to do the job that they joined this company to do! and yes, I am rewarded financialy for training them and helipng them grow! Is'nt that like Corporate America?

As far as Vice Presidents being dishonest maybe you had a bad experience with one of them just like the ones in Corporate America but what goes around comes around and people like that dont last too long in our system, and to date I havent heard of one of them. People now days want a microwave solution to their finantial mountains that took them years to create and honestly speaking we dont have a Jenny Craig quick way out of financial mess so it takes time to undo lifetimes of creative financial
debt paintings.

If you look deep within, you dont have what it takes to
make it in life or in the business world, you look at others and criticize their achievements without looking at the price they paid for getting there.

At Primerica you are paid in direct proportion to what you put into it so dont complain, you harvested what you sowed! If you applied for a job at my company I would kindly say to you to go to the Welfare line because you are looking for a handout and in life you must be willing to pay the price of change, If you want tomorrow to be different for you you must do something different today so tomorrow can be different!

Our system weeds out people like you that get to see what they are truly worth in regards to your efforts. Play the lottery, it looks like this is the only way you'll win in life!

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