Avoid Vimo

[joshril]

Josh, as I indicated, this is not my usual case. But when one drops in my lap I am not going to run them off.

My ROI is 7+ and average commission over $650 so these are bringing down my average.

No Rob, I didn't do my usual qualifying (or even selling here). This was order taking.

These folks were looking to buy and didn't want my usual consult. Despite what I normally post about how I sell, these dropped in my lap and I grabbed them and moved on.

Folks like this make up a very small percentage of my block. I usually get maybe 20 or so like this every year. Most gravitate to my BX site and buy without ever talking to me. I don't complain about freebies.

As I said. These were order taking. Not something I would suggest if you want to stay in business for any length of time.

My comments were definitely not directed at you, Bob. I would gladly write a $120/mo. application myself, but it's worrisome when lead companies are generating a bulk of their leads using this type of advertising.

It creates shoppers that have no realistic idea of what insurance costs and those that do buy are typically going to be tiny policies... resulting in a sub-par ROI if this is a primary lead source.

 

[The Rabbi]

In the advertising world it is called 'puffery'. Just blowing a little smoke to get some attention. Some people are realistic and know better. Those are the needles in the haystack.

 

[somarco]

it's worrisome when lead companies are generating a bulk of their leads using this type of advertising.

No argument here.

But it happens (and a lot worse).

If I were to design a perfect lead company, none of that crap would exist. But they are what they are. They have a business model and so do I.

Fortunately there are enough lead companies that I can fill my pipeline with a mixture of highly filtered leads and lesser (lower priced) leads that I can still keep my acquisition under $100.

These folks did not have health insurance, had not had health insurance in several months (one for 3 yrs). All had been looking for over a month. I figured it was time to put them out of their misery and take them off the streets.

One bought Tonik, the other two bought H1 $5k plans with copay. I don't even know what they are called and had to read the benefits off the screen to answer their questions since I never sell those plans.

If I had not come along they would have ended up with a discount plan or crap like a Saver or Right Start plan. Or that junky Aetna plan . . . whatever it is.

Instead, they got what they wanted and I get paid.

Not my typical client but covered my $24 lead cost (3 x $8).

There are a lot of agents that would walk away from something like that or give up if they couldn't upsell them to a higher priced plan.

I have too many scars on my forehead from beating my head against the wall trying to help folks like that get real coverage. Easier to take the order and move on.

I don't waste time with uninsurables either but send them to Coverageforall.org and move on.

But I do spend a fair amount of time with folks who have health issues that other agents give up on. I spend a great deal of time with them, conduct prescreens, give them options, tell them what to expect. Sometimes we have to try 3 carriers to finally get an offer that works.

Had one like that today. Started with them last week. COBRA running out. She has HSV treated with daily Valtrex. Most carriers would rider, Aetna was a decline. Initial offer from H1 was a rider. Even their underwriting guide says it is a rider.

I pushed, got them full coverage with a rate up.

Figure I earned my pay on that one and I did something most other agents wouldn't or couldn't.

But enough about me.

I need to get back to writing my eBook. Rick is expecting an advance copy and I already have his money.

 

[joshril]

Did Rick pay you $699 like he did for Rob's?

 

[somarco]

I gave Rick a deal.

Half off the suggested retail price.

At $1250 it's practically a steal.

I even threw in some Boxcar Willie and Zamfir original songs, not previously published.

 

[joshril]

I gave Rick a deal.

Half off the suggested retail price.

At $1250 it's practically a steal.

I even threw in some Boxcar Willie and Zamfir original songs, not previously published.

What a guy! Generous...

 

[Guest]

Hey Bob, let's see:

Three sales, little to no work = about $350 total premium
One sale, much more time consuming = $350 total premium

I'll take both, just like you did, it all earns commission, it's all good!

And you're right Bob, why people turn down business is beyond me.

Josh, as I indicated, this is not my usual case. But when one drops in my lap I am not going to run them off.

My ROI is 7+ and average commission over $650 so these are bringing down my average.

No Rob, I didn't do my usual qualifying (or even selling here). This was order taking.

These folks were looking to buy and didn't want my usual consult. Despite what I normally post about how I sell, these dropped in my lap and I grabbed them and moved on.

Folks like this make up a very small percentage of my block. I usually get maybe 20 or so like this every year. Most gravitate to my BX site and buy without ever talking to me. I don't complain about freebies.

As I said. These were order taking. Not something I would suggest if you want to stay in business for any length of time.

 

[taterpeeler]

what happened at vimo... seems traffic died ...

Quantcast

could not of happened to a nicer company!!

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

We discussed this before but something's up with Google. TX - Joe, will also confirm this.

I had been running PPC for some time now, same keywords, almost the same cost-per-click. I actually have a few campaigns running.

One day I wake up, log in and all of my keywords that had anything to do with shopping for health insurance tripled - I had "warning, you current bid price is too low...."

This was literally overnight out of nowhere and has not changed. The exact same keywords that were costing me $4 to $6 per click now are over $18 to $22 per click. Other agent friends of mine sent me snapshot of their accounts showing $40 per click.

Sorry...something is up with Google's PPC and no one here will possibly know the real story....unless you're a Google exec.

 

[STIBROKER]

probably the holidays...

what happened at vimo... seems traffic died ...

Quantcast

could not of happened to a nicer company!!