How do you guys no that stuck is a “loser”? He just doesn’t like the company and wants to find another…doesn’t mean he can’t do the job! Not being successful at one company doesn’t mean you can’t exceed at another. A problem I have with the Jones culture is that if you don’t work there for the rest of your career and retire you are a wash out. If you leave and go to another company you are a crook or a wash out. Very, very strange. And wrong, I might ad.

Thanks peanutbroker.  Its refreshing to see that someone else isn’t brainwashed by the company like some of these other guys on here.  As for those few who suggest I’m not cut out for the industry, I never said I was having trouble “making it with the company”.  In fact, I have had incredible success making contacts and am doing just fine.  My main issue, however, is that when I look at the bigger picture, I would rather work for a better, more ethical, more reputable firm.  The bottom line is EDJ might be a great place to work for some of you in the industry, but I’m not about to waste 2 years of my life before I realize its not for me.   

How do you guys no that stuck is a “loser”? He just doesn’t like the company and wants to find another…doesn’t mean he can’t do the job! Not being successful at one company doesn’t mean you can’t exceed at another. A problem I have with the Jones culture is that if you don’t work there for the rest of your career and retire you are a wash out. If you leave and go to another company you are a crook or a wash out. Very, very strange. And wrong, I might ad.

Maybe now is the best time maybe not. Do you want to be a trainee for

the rest of your life. Jumping to go to another firm puts you where you

were 3 months ago. I would be very cautious before doing anything. Not

so much from a legal standpoint, but look at it from a prospective hiring

point of view. Would you hire someone who didn’t do their homework

before joining a company or signing a 3 year contract? Who jumps ship

from a company that isn’t the best, but it sure isn’t the worst company

out there? I would stick it out, take advantage of the new pay grid. Study

like hell and never mention the words Edward Jones when talking to

prospective clients. Sell C shares of mutual funds with diversified

portfolios and learn everything possible about insurance (where it really

fits into a retirement plan). 3 years from now (which will fly by) go to

where you really want to be (this time study the field and talk to

recruiters).

Why would a compliance problem even be working at Jones? Shouldn’t he

have been canned once he became a problem? I almost forgot that is why

they have the double-secret probation.

Why is everyone so quick to quit these days? Why would a bigger and
perhaps better firm hire you? I don’t think that sends a very good
message to potential new firms. 

[quote=rook4123]Why is everyone so quick to quit these days? Why would a bigger and perhaps better firm hire you? I don't think that sends a very good message to potential new firms.  [/quote]

Haven't you heard?  It's no longer fashionable to put forth an effort.  David Letterman often mocks the younger people when he sits at his desk and whines, "But it's so haaaard."

The sad reality of life in "modern" America is that if it requires more energy than a video game most people under forty are not willing to do it.

The younger you are the more likely you are to embrace the theme, "When the going gets tough I quit!"

Very weak troll. 0/10.

There are much better anti-Jones trolls in the archives.

Nothing more to see here.

[quote=stuckatjones]

I'm currently working as a door to door salesman for Jones, and I'd like to leave and go to another firm, but I'm worried about the repayment of training costs clause in the contract I signed when I was hired.

I haven't yet reached my "can sell date" and the contract is so vague that it's unclear whether the clause would go into effect if I were to leave now, or what.  I've talked to a few other trainees (also considering bailing) about this, and we are all confused.  A few people have said the only way out is to get fired, as opposed to quiting, but I don't think I'm going to go and do that.

I'd appreciate any advice or info any of you have concerning this topic.

Stuck…I disagree with your wanting to work for a “more ethical firm” comment. I have defended you, but you are wrong about the more ethical thing. In regards to how the company treats its customers…I really believe they are among the upper crust. NOW…before you other people read that last comment and get on your soap box and take me for one of those, “Jones is the only place that is good for people to invest”, stop and read my next comment. There are other groups out there that do a good job too!



At anyrate, Stuck…you haven’t been there long enough to figure that out. You don’t know your competition, you don’t know your company’s strengths, you don’t even know what it means to build a business or be an advisor yet. How would you…you don’t even have customers.



In regards to how they treat the employees is up to which person you talk to. Seg 2 and 18 months out vs 10 year vet. Big difference. The people that groan the most are the Seg 1,2,3 people under 5 years. The people that carry the company flag have been there a while, they are making more $$ and have more respect by peers.

Bravo PB!  I would agree that EDJ has a niche market and is a VERY ethical company toward the client.  It's the brokers who get the brunt of questionable tactics.  1,2,3 people under 5 years can't pay the bills! 

And STUCK!  I was you my friend.  Man, was I you.  I was sending resumes out left and right to return to my old career (Target, not Walmart ).  And once PDP was done, I stopped door knocking and started seminars.  Segment 3 in 12 months.  EDJ is a great place to "earn your stripes".  Go knock away and build a prospect base, then think about changing.

Seg 3 in 12 months is incredible…were you new new?

Yes.  And I haven't had that average over another 4 month period since. 

I thought EDJ was an integrity rich company, but the undisclosed haircut on insurance products has me angry. 

Dear PBroker and ReadyJump,

Thanks for the input.  Maybe I went a little too far with the "more ethical firm" comment.  I actually do respect the company, but just think that down the road I probably want to be somewhere else.  I'm going to take both of your advice and stick it out a while.  Maybe 3 years or so from now I'll switch over, but for now I'm going to just focus on the prospecting and see where it goes...thanks

Good to hear stuck! Keep on pluggin…by the way the job still kinda stinks after 3 years (not just w/Jones but every firm) It just takes time to build a client base and referrals etc. Between years 3-5 the job gradually gets better. 5-10 pretty good 10+ Really good 20 + sit back and enjoy the ride.

Good to hear stuck! Keep on pluggin...by the way the job still kinda stinks after 3 years (not just w/Jones but every firm) It just takes time to build a client base and referrals etc. Between years 3-5 the job gradually gets better. 5-10 pretty good 10+ Really good 20 + sit back and enjoy the ride".

Very accurate....

[quote=Ready2Jump]

Yes.  And I haven't had that average over another 4 month period since. 

I thought EDJ was an integrity rich company, but the undisclosed haircut on insurance products has me angry. 

[/quote]

I am glad to hear that you reconsidered your decision. The business gets a little better every year. I have a client that I was talking to last week who plays bridge every week, I asked if I can sponsor the bridge club... 4 Referrals already. Referrals will make your business better and they take time to develop... Good luck.

[quote=noggin]

I am glad to hear that you reconsidered your decision. The business gets a little better every year. I have a client that I was talking to last week who plays bridge every week, I asked if I can sponsor the bridge club... 4 Referrals already. Referrals will make your business better and they take time to develop... Good luck.

[/quote]

Yes the business does get better every year.  As is my theme, that would be because you're getting older.

There are too many case histories for it to be simply my opinion, but here's some reality.

Bill starts when he's 23, Bob starts when he's 33.

When they're both 38 Bob's book will be as large, or larger, than Bill's.  Bob will have fewer, but larger, accounts because he was older when he opened them.

One of the pitfalls inthe industry is the relationship between the size of the account and the amount of time it demands.  Essentially everybody in your book is entitled to "X" amount of your time.  The fewer accounts you have the more time you have to look for more accounts, or to play golf.

If you wait till you're older to start to scramble for accounts you will find that your average account size is greater, meaning more time for  you.

If your goal is to take Fridays off, is it better to have two $500,000 accounts to service properly, or twenty $50,000 accounts?

It's a marathon, not a sprint, and there is no rush to get started.  Being young is the biggest handicap in the industry, so why in the world would you want to rush into it when you're young?

When you're 23 if somebody wiser and smarter says to wait till you're 33 you respond with some variation of "My God, that's half my life."

Yes, it is half of your current age, but when you're 33 it will have only been 1/3 and when you're 43 it will have been 1/4 and so forth.

You cannot overstate the importance of having credibility and its like to ultimate success.

The argument against starting when you're 23 even though you have no credibility, and growing into the position is that you fail before you get a chance to grow into the position.  Then one day you wake up and look at that twenty-eight year old face in mirror, straighten your tie and go off on an interview, wondering what if you could have made it as a financial advisor if you hadn't been so young.

Above it is mentioned that Noggin asked to sponsor a bridge club.  Anything you can do to build a relationship is worthwhile.

What does sponsoring a bridge club entail?  My 84 year old mother plays in two bridge clubs, one with sixteen women and the other with twelve.  Among the oldsters bridge is a big deal, they grew up before Nintendo.

Nog, I’ld love to hear more about that as well.

HOw did you sponsor the bridge club.  Refreshments? And what did you do there, mingle with the ladies or make a presentation.

I agree with you that many people who start young fail out.  Age is a factor, but I believe the need to succeed is much less for 20 somethings.  For them their might be something better if they dont make it, and also they have less financial responsibility, so they dont NEED to make it.  That being said if you make it young and do succeed. By the time your 40 I would imagine your on cruise control for the rest of your life.

[quote=stuckatjones]Oh, and as far as the client loyalty concern, I'm not planning on taking any clients with me.  We aren't allowed to have "clients" at this point, just "contacts".  We can't even talk about financial topics with the people we come in contact with.  I'm not even allowed to give anyone any information (like phone number, address, etc) about me other than my name![/quote]

I feel your pain.  That is horrible. If you pursue a firm like RJ or AGE they may offer to pay the training cost for you.  EDJ brokers are coming to RJ in droves. 

But, most of them have a good revenue stream and assets under management.  It is worth the try.