AMERICAN INCOME LIFE - AIL IN CANADA

I am posting this topic because i believe it is warranted and because i did some research after the fact, and found a man named Mark J. Colbert who does investigation in the states on this. To date....i have yet to find someone as capable in Canada, but would love to hear from anyone who knows someone.

I worked for American Income for a short time. Much like everyone else i have read, i was contacted from a person who said they got my resume from MONSTER. I did not recall actually applying for the job - but i went to the interview. 3 interviews to be exact. I was in the process of studying for my LLQP already - and had paid my fees. Here is the breakdown, in Canada.

Olivers Learning online LLQP course $200 (approximately)
Provincial Exam Fee $97.50
Licensing Fee $150.00 (through FSCO, Financial Services Comm. of Ontario)
Business Cards $75.00
Sponsorship/E&O insurance - provided by company

I was told it was commission, but that leads would be provided.We were told the leads cost the SGA $26/per lead. The company works with Unions and Association members like OFHA (Ontario Federation of Hunters/Anglers). When signing up for their 'union cards' they fill out a card that gets sent to AIL. These are the 'leads' as the unions/associations signed an agreement with AIL.

Scripts - there are a few. One for booking calls, and one for the presentation. The company provides a link for the EAPP, which is the presentation software which includes UNDERWRITING information - as well as the application process also - all done electronically - which - is really rather cool - even the clients sign 'electronically'.

Training - you are assigned a trainer - who is considered management. After the fact i found out that in order for them to become a trainer, they must recruit at least 8 people. Even though when you first get hired and tell them you would like management, they mislead you and tell you it is a 'program'. There is NO program - they expect you to recruit 8 people in order to even be considered management.

Expenses. Yes - there are gas expense/travel expense etc - which all can be written off as you are considered an independent.

In the initial phases i was told that once the script was memorized i could do the presentations on my own, once i was 'released' - which in essence meant - once they felt i had the presentation down - and i could go out on my own without a trainer.

Here lies the issue. The leads that are provided are for the most part not qualified. And what i mean by that is this. Out of 100 leads that i personally called, 40 were #'s no longer in service or wrong numbers, 30 were people that were upset that i was calling them to 'confirm' their beneficiary information, the rest were bookable appointments, of which perhaps 7 were sales. Out of those appointments, referrals are a must....why? Because in essence the leads are a way in to get the word out of these 'exclusive' benefits that ONLY union members are allowed to receive.

How you were gained entrance into people's homes? By calling the 'leads' you were calling to 'confirm' the information they provided to their union or association which included their names, DOB, spouse name, how many children - address, and beneficiary information. You are working on premise that the union was giving them FREE benefits of an AD&D certificate worth $2000-4000 for both the member and spouse, HAKIM optical gift card and discount card, CHILDSAFE kits (endorsed by Int'l Union of Police) which are finger-printing kits, and of course the presentation which is a series of videos explaining how the extra exclusive benefits they MAY qualify for - would be beneficial to them.

Do people succeed in this business, of course they do. Have there been issues, yes there has been. In my case, the SGA that took over the agency spread vexacious lies about me, intimidated people to NOT have contact with me for threat of their own jobs. This is WRONG on so many levels. When i contacted Rick Altig (whose father by the way started the company) - i was sent an email from his 'assistant' who assured me that the SGA would take care of this issue personally. That was 2 weeks ago. I have gone on their FB page...i have contacted customer service, i have even spoken to others who have left who are scared to utter any bad words.

Here's my ETHICAL issue with this company. They have since posted 2 more ads on KIJIJI - what they post in these ads is untrue, or a stretch of WHAT could happen - they need to be more clear with what they really have to offer. I believe that once i questioned their practices, they were looking for a way to get rid of me - i can handle that....spreading lies about me in this industry - NOT something i will lie down for. Tell me i suck at my job - i can handle that (which by the way - has NEVER happened in my life) - but don't EVER accuse me of something i did not do - then intimate what i thought were my 'friends' to NOT have any contact with me ever again. If there were no issue - WHY say that?

I have since been able to find a company that i believe is above board. I was forth-coming in my history and let them know how hurt i was by what had happened previous, and THIS time i asked the questions. To be honest, i didn't do the research for AIL until after the fact. Something i will regret.

Another thing....for days i would come in the office and there would be PILES of resumes sitting on the desk. I witnessed and heard with my own ears, other reps - follow a script saying they were 'management' and contacting these people for interviews. I was amazed so many people applied to these positions - but upon further investigation.....the 'resumes' they said they needed help with were merely print offs from work sites like WORKOPOLIS, MONSTER etc. So, in essence, they got someone to go on these sites and print off the resumes - then gave piles to other reps who came in on their own time to call these people and set up appointments. I listened as a fellow associate called several people, who i could hear asked when they had applied - which - they really didn't. BUT, in this economy - when you have someone calling you - telling you - YOU have what it takes....you jump. I know, i was there!

Please don't. Please do your research. Also listen to clients who have had issues with paying out of claims - or issues with customer service. The BBB here in Ontario has over 100 complaints that they have said have been resolved. The problem is...HOW? To me, on further reflection, it smells bad....that gut instinct - GO with it....don't second guess yourself. If it sounds too good to be true - IT IS!!!!