In these trying economic times, AFLAC lures people (ususally unemployed), to spend time and money on expensive licensing courses and their "training". Then you go out and sell to "their prospects" in a saturated market.By the way, my brief selling stint was at the height of the economy, not during the slump. If things were bad then, I can only imagine why they are resorting to TV ads now to recruit. It is a brilliant Ponzi scheme enabled by honest employers who sincerely want to offer affordable options for employees.
First, it costs about $1,000 or more dollars and about two months time to get an insurance license.
There are plenty of REPUTABLE companies that offer better products and services to the AGENTS and are fair about protecting territories for its sales force. Life and health is a complex field and the people who work in it deserve fair pay.
Second, it costs another several hundred bucks to go their (AFLAC) Hoorah sessions. They are not training at all; but, rather a way of trying to get inside of your head to make you justify or somehow rationalize that what you are doing is actually going to HELP others! Yeah, right! HELP yourself and AFLAC to their checking accounts! What a crock!!!
Third, the commissions you may actually earn by accident are NOT VESTED. Meaning, everytime someone renews a policy, you don't get any more commission. Case in point, I sold briefly, about two years for Protective life in Birmingham, some supplemental insurance similar (BUT BETTER) to AFLAC'S products. That was in the early 1990's and I STILL GET CHECKS. Although not much sometimes, they come in handy and I wish I had stayed with them longer!
Finally, any company which would spend $100MILLION dollars or more on a stupid duck commerical and almost nothing on its agents, should alarm anyone who is considering a "career" in insurance. Not to mention the so-called prospects you will be calling on who only have complaints that their claims had never been paid. I remember a couple who LOST A CHILD and had a POLICY for him, and it never paid! I wish I were a lawyer! DONT FORGET, that you are a 1099-contract employee, subject to SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAXES (the whole 15.5% SS/Med applies). So, that few hundred or thousand bucks you earn is taxed off the top, BEFORE other expenses. It may actually cost you money if you are not careful. This is true of any sales organizaiton, but here you are not given any help to defray costs to obtain customers. BIG DIFFERENCE THERE.
In fact, if I ever become a lawyer, they are FIRST ON THE CLASS-ACTION List! Two ways: one for fraudulent racketeering (the way they lie to agents); second to win bucks for those innocent policyholders who have been harmed. I say F& the Duck!!!
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