Agents Are a Waste of Money?

[shepnerd]

They make pretty good money for a non-profit, though, don't you think?

I'm thinking I should make my agency a 501(c).

 

[xrac]

That is a fairly specific indictment. Do you care to give some fairly specific examples?



Gee. I think most agents profit from the sale of products they recommended. No?




Members are allowed to believe what they want. We call that "freedom." Are you suggesting that there should be a government agency that will regulate what associations endorse? Is that what you are advocating?



OK, so you are saying that their endorsement of New York Life is bad because NYL is a poor company and that it was ONLY because NYL paid for it? Is it possible that the NYL policies are acceptable and that NYL is a financially sound company?




Seems to me you are saying that all agents who recommend any company are part of scam. Is it possible that the carrier that pays the best comp is also the best company for the particular client? Just askin'.

Nobody is being forced to BUY anything that AARP endorses. Do YOU always buy products and services based on endorsements? Of course you don't. So why do you believe that others do (always)?

All you younger guys (not xrac as I know he is older than I am) have this idea that everyone over 55 are idiots. This much I will attest to. Most of us are not only better educated than you are, we are the PRODUCT of mass media... we were brought up on it... and we probably have a better sense of how it works than most of you 30-somethings.

This is why so many older people don't want any of you smarmy young agents anywhere near us. You think we're all stupid and you think you can con us into believing you over AARP.

Given the choice between believing what some of you young guys advocate for senior health care vs. that of AARP, there is no way we who are older and wiser are going to take your side. MAYBE AARP does not care about "us" but I can tell you with no hesitation at all that YOU don't care about us... we're just as much a profit center to you as we are to AARP.

The difference is that AARP eventually has to answer to it's members (us) and you are here today and gone tomorrow.

So dump on the AARP all you want... and tell me how that helps your practice and your sales. Go on. Walk into a the house of someone how is 61 and tell them that they should cancel their AARP membership because the association is a scam.

Go ahead.

Do it.

I have no doubt I'll see you in a few months behind the counter asking me "You want fries with that?"

Al, I chose to respond to only one of your points! I am not older than you.

 

[rousemark]

My mistake. For some reason I thought you were in your mid to late 60s. You posted once about having "older" grand children. Maybe it was someone else.

There has to be SOMEONE here older than I am!! I'm sorry it isn't you !!!

Must be me..and I agree with xrac!

 

[rousemark]

Jeez, Louise... am I really the oldest guy left standing here? There's gotta be someone beyond 12-1-1947? Anyone? Please?

My name is Louis not Louise! And, I am older than you.(67).. Have twin grandsons age 24 and 6 younger grandchildren.

 

[xrac]

My mistake. For some reason I thought you were in your mid to late 60s. You posted once about having "older" grand children. Maybe it was someone else.

There has to be SOMEONE here older than I am!! I'm sorry it isn't you !!!

Al, I have a 15 year old grandson but I am only 59. I have 9 grandchildren in all inlcuding this little beauty.

 

[Newby]

AL, maybe I'm old enough to look credible or something (I'm 51 but may look 90) but your statements could not be more wrong.

I have entered homes where seniors DID feel like AARP was a trusted organization and left 2 hours later with them cutting up their cards. I don't bash AARP. I just teach people not to put ANY additional credibility on their insurance products than you would any other insurance company.

If someone has their term or permenent life insurance, I have the person explain to me how it works. They are ALWAYS wrong. And they always think that AARP told them those facts.

I then show them how their products actually work and then we call AARP and ask them the questions that need to be asked.

At the end of the appointment they are NOT mad at me. They are mad that they misplaced their trust. AARP is no different than any other mail order insurance marketing company...EXCEPT, that SOME seniors think of it as a "consumer reports" type of organization. Those seniors are the ones most disappointed once they are taught what they have.

This happens very, very often.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

First, of all Carroll is right. A requirement that every exchange transaction must go through a broker is bad and wouldn't work.

People should be able to hit the exchange and purchase without an agent - if that's the way to want to do it. That's our current system - buy through an agent or buy direct. I don't see any reason I should be different in the exchanges.

 

[sman]

John, I don't think anyone is arguing whether or not people should have the right to use an agent or go direct. At least I'm not. My argument is with Carroll stating that paying an agent 5% commission to assist in the process would be a waste of money. How is that any different from his organization getting paid to assist people in the enrollment of the insurance products they promote?

 

[Mark]

I wonder if one day in the future, all insurance companies will cut out agents, like Progressive has done.

 

[sman]

I'm pretty sure agents can still sell progressive.