Pushed into joining Primerica

[zonedout245]

Hi everyone. Recently I was contacted by someone claiming that a "friend" had told them that I was a "good guy", and that I would be perfect for a new a job, also since I'm bilingual. I consented, since I was sort of looking for work (full-time student). So I went to the "office" and I immediately got a weird feeling, but mostly they were just my nerves, I hadn't had a job yet and didn't want to screw up. So I get so much stuff fed to me, then all of a sudden I was signing forms asking personal information (SSN, credit card). I thought it would be just like a regular job, but it is not. Two days later, I go in saying that I want to resign, and I pretty much get yelled at (very nicely at times) and they tell me a bunch of stuff about 2012 (seriously) and god's work and about how graduating as an engineer won't make me money and I'll never retire (bla...). Now I need to get back part of my money for the "background check", since they keep a processing fee, after they send me (if they do) the resignation form, if such form exists. Needless to say it was extremely traumatizing, and I am uncomfortable with my "friend", who was trying to earn a buck at my expense. I guess as a young guy I still have much to learn. Hopefully I can come out clean, with only a few bucks spent. I feel like I've sold my soul. I'm not trying to bash them, but this has not been a good experience for me, and I've seen other similar schemes before, but was almost desperate to make some money. Has anyone on this forum ever dealt with similar experiences?

[ksjazzguitar]

They describe themselves as "multi-level marketing" which is just the modern form of a pyramid scheme. I'd be very wary.

Peace,
Kevin

[paynow]

Originally Posted by zonedout245

Hi everyone. Recently I was contacted by someone claiming that a "friend" had told them that I was a "good guy", and that I would be perfect for a new a job, also since I'm bilingual. I consented, since I was sort of looking for work (full-time student). So I went to the "office" and I immediately got a weird feeling, but mostly they were just my nerves, I hadn't had a job yet and didn't want to screw up. So I get so much stuff fed to me, then all of a sudden I was signing forms asking personal information (SSN, credit card). I thought it would be just like a regular job, but it is not. Two days later, I go in saying that I want to resign, and I pretty much get yelled at (very nicely at times) and they tell me a bunch of stuff about 2012 (seriously) and about how graduating as an engineer won't make me money and I'll never retire (bla...). Now I need to get back part of my money for the "background check" after they send me (if they do) the resignation form, if such form exists. Needless to say it was extremely traumatizing, and I am uncomfortable with my "friend", who was trying to earn a buck at my expense. I guess as a young guy I still have much to learn. Hopefully I can come out clean, with only a few bucks spent. I feel like I sold my soul. Has anyone on this forum ever dealt with similar experiences?

Selling financial services and insurance a more viable a career than being an engineer? Civil, electrical or driving a train, I would take engineer any day of the week. Better yet, take your guitar to the village square and start boppin' next to the open case and hope people throw quarters in it.

I'm assuming Primerica works on commission and your "friend" probably got a referral fee, which he/she no doubt needed as they aren't making any money either. I also just read a post that says they're "MLM" so that could be it too:

Primerica: The pros and cons of Primerica

They are a real company; that being said I would just move on and not let it get to you.

[zonedout245]

Thanks everyone. I'm seriously a bit shaken. I didn't really have time to consider joining. Yeah, I've thought about doing tutoring or something. You know, honest work. I don't really care for what they do, I'd much rather do something I'm truly passionate about like engineering, physics, or music, regardless of money. I'm trying to find they upside to this experience, I think I now have more control over my decisions, and won't let my shyness be my demise. I'll try to get my refund back, but if it's too much hassle, they can keep it. Jerks. I'll use their own words against them. They told me the most valuable thing we have is our time. I won't waste it on them, neither my peace of mind, which I hold dear. I'm just glad I went over to them and owned. They tried to make me watch videos after I said I was quitting! Peace!

[paynow]

Originally Posted by zonedout245

Thanks everyone. I'm seriously a bit shaken. Yeah, I've thought about doing tutoring or something. You know, honest work. I don't really care for what they do, I'd much rather do something I'm truly passionate about like engineering, physics, or music, regardless of money. I'm trying to find they upside to this experience, I think I now have more control over my decisions, and won't let my shyness be my demise. I'll try to get my refund back, but if it's too much hassle, they can keep it. Jerks. I'll use their own words against them. They told me the most valuable thing we have is our time. I won't waste it on them, neither my peace of mind, which I hold dear.

If you haven't done so already, do some research on google to see how others have dealt with them. I'm sure you're not the only one. Search the better business bureau website as well.

[zonedout245]

Originally Posted by paynow

If you haven't done so already, do some research on google to see how others have dealt with them. I'm sure you're not the only one. Search the better business bureau website as well.

Oh, yeah, I checked on google. Unfortunately it was after I signed. I've read different experiences, but most of them have been from people that declined. I think I should be alright, since I just did the initial processes, and haven't done the training, or received the license. I hope this doesn't tarnish my identity or anything, which is my largest concern. I had a similar experience right out of high school with another company. I checked online and it was basically to be a door-to-door kitchen knife salesman. I never went to the interview I scheduled and never bothered calling to tell them.

[paynow]

Originally Posted by zonedout245

Oh, yeah, I checked on google. Unfortunately it was after I signed. I've read different experiences, but most of them have been from people that declined. I think I should be alright, since I just did the initial processes, and haven't done the training, or received the license. I hope this doesn't tarnish my identity or anything, which is my largest concern. I had a similar experience right out of high school with another company. I checked online and it was basically to be a door-to-door kitchen knife salesman. I never went to the interview I scheduled and never bothered calling to tell them.

AHHH, THE KNIVES! Probably "Vector Marketing". They've been around since the beginning of time. Another company to avoid.

I wouldn't worry about your identity being stolen by either. They're too much out in the open. It's a numbers game with both; get people in and berate anyone who doesn't want to do it. Move on to the next when someone says no. You'll be fine.

[zonedout245]

Originally Posted by ksjazzguitar

They describe themselves as "multi-level marketing" which is just the modern form of a pyramid scheme. I'd be very wary.

Peace,
Kevin

Actually, I sort of brought up Multi-Level Marketing, and they were enraged and said that it was a financial brokerage. Then they went on and on. I just feel so dumb for having gotten tangled up; I should've backed out when the forms were in front of me, but I'm glad I decided to get out now, and not try to win back what I spent. As for my "friend", I asked him and he says he loves it. I didn't ask him what he did at the company, though. My first thought was that this was a more organized deal. They'll hire anyone. They also assumed that I was very religious, because they thought I knew that friend from Church, so they tried hard to make me feel like I was helping people.
I don't want to be an angry blogger; I'll get over it, but I still can't believe people would do things like that. Oh, well, there goes naivety.

[zonedout245]

Originally Posted by paynow

AHHH, THE KNIVES! Probably "Vector Marketing". They've been around since the beginning of time. Another company to avoid.

I wouldn't worry about your identity being stolen by either. They're too much out in the open. It's a numbers game with both; get people in and berate anyone who doesn't want to do it. Move on to the next when someone says no. You'll be fine.

Precisely the one. I felt special.

[paynow]

Originally Posted by zonedout245

Precisely the one. I felt special.

I've temped and worked a lot of odd jobs in my artistic life. When I first saw one of their exceedingly vague ads I did some research and found out who they were. They thrive and survive on the college crowd. You'll find that some folks think they're great and others think they suck. I just think "they are what they are".

I remember years ago that they used to demos in stores and at home shows (I think they still do the home shows). Much better than going door to door. That I would never do.

[zonedout245]

Originally Posted by paynow

I've temped and worked a lot of odd jobs in my artistic life. When I first saw one of their exceedingly vague ads I did some research and found out who they were. They thrive and survive on the college crowd. You'll find that some folks think they're great and others think they suck. I just think "they are what they are".

I remember years ago that they used to demos in stores and at home shows (I think they still do the home shows). Much better than going door to door. That I would never do.

Yeah, it all seemed against my nature. I want to help people, with my talents and skills, that I've attained through hard work and dedication. "You'll be back when you graduate, and we'll start making money", they said. As for this friend, I think I have to reconsider who I should confide in. I should be more careful when releasing information over the internet and phone. Thanks for the advice, both of you. I feel better, and know it ain't no thing. I'll get through.

[paynow]

Originally Posted by zonedout245

Yeah, it all seemed against my nature. I want to help people, with my talents and skills, that I've attained through hard work and dedication. "You'll be back when you graduate, and we'll start making money", they said. As for this friend, I think I have to reconsider who I should confide in. I should be more careful when releasing information over the internet and phone. Thanks for the advice, both of you. I feel better, and know it ain't no thing. I'll get through.

I have some very close friends who have gotten involved in the "MLM" BS and I've had to shout at them: "NOT ME! DON'T BUG ME! I'M NOT SIGNING UP FOR ANYTHING!" Just because they're in a cult doesn't mean I have to be. They put down musicians for not making money but since none of them has ever made a dime (and most likely never will) they might as well join us!

[jeffstritt]

When you are dealing with companies like that, most of them operate on such a shoe string budget locally that they are desperate for any little thing that they can get. They will try their butts off to write any little BS policy, and if they can't do that, they will try to get a referral fee for referring someone to work their.
I work in the financial field, and I will say don't let this shape your views on the industry as a whole there are always a few bad apples ya know?

[zonedout245]

Originally Posted by jeffstritt

When you are dealing with companies like that, most of them operate on such a shoe string budget locally that they are desperate for any little thing that they can get. They will try their butts off to write any little BS policy, and if they can't do that, they will try to get a referral fee for referring someone to work their.
I work in the financial field, and I will say don't let this shape your views on the industry as a whole there are always a few bad apples ya know?

I am trying to simply put this all past me. I don't want to end up super-paranoid, so I'm trying to let go. I understand that there are good and bad people in this world, and in between. Now I know what it's like to be taken advantage of. Thanks for your input.