Why should I invest with YOU?

“You probably shouldn’t.”

[quote=wallstreeter]If someone was to ask you, "Why should I invest with YOU?", what would be your answer?  I'm interested to hear what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a somewhat legitimate response.[/quote]

"Because I understand what it is that you need to get where you're going.  The question is, why shouldn't you?"

If someone was to ask you, “Why should I invest with YOU?”, what would be your answer? I’m interested to hear what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a somewhat legitimate response.

“…aw com’mon mom!”

I’m gonna make you eleventy kabillion dollars per year, that’s why.

“I got the best crack in the hood…”

OK.

Mr. Jones, I've been in this business for over 20 years, I've seen Bull Markets, I've lived through Bear markets. I learned how to make my clients money is every type of market. I don't limit myself by farming the investments out to a bunch of bean counters who have no connection to the real economy, or by sticking doggedly to one type of investment. I live by one rule, make my clients money, and as a result I know will know how to do that, whatever the market throws at us.

Would you like fries with that?

[quote=wallstreeter]If someone was to ask you, "Why should I invest with YOU?", what would be your answer?  I'm interested to hear what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a somewhat legitimate response.[/quote]

"Before I answer that question, I'd like to know why I should take you on as a client."

 because i don't need your business, i value it

If someone was to ask you, “Why should I invest with YOU?”, what would be your answer? I’m interested to hear what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a somewhat legitimate response.

[quote=Whomitmayconcer]"..aw com'mon mom!"[/quote]

[quote=wallstreeter]If someone was to ask you, “Why should I invest
with YOU?”, what would be your answer?  I’m interested to hear
what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a
somewhat legitimate response.[/quote]



"Because if I don’t get $15M in AUM, of which $10M is annuitised I’ll be kicked out of the POA program."



More seriously.



"Just look at the alternatives, and you’ll come to us."



In real life



Because, we do the best job of aligning peoples investments with their
future funding needs in a thoughful and risk averse manner.



Conservatism and alignment with client interests dominate our
management philosophy. We treat client funds like our own, and are
compensated solely for advice and services rendered, not on products
sold or commisons charged.

Because if you don’t now, I will call you 104 times a year over the next 7 years until you finally do.

All things being equal, I’ll take you golfing and we’ll drink beer and smoke cigars and act like kids a little again. We won’t talk about your investments or anything else but golf on the golf course.

[quote=drewski803]Because if you don’t now, I will call you 104 times a year over the next 7 years until you finally do.[/quote]



That’s exactly what the folks at Ameriprise said.

[quote=AllREIT] [quote=drewski803]Because if you don't now, I will call you 104 times a year over the next 7 years until you finally do.[/quote]

That's exactly what the folks at Ameriprise said.
[/quote]

Was your start in the business an immaculate conception?

I’ll doorknock the hell out of you…and then call all the time…I’ll be standing at your door at 5am in morning with an investment idea…I’ll conveniently stop by on Saturdays…because I was in the neighborhood…I’ll kill your dog.

[quote=GolFA]

[quote=AllREIT] [quote=drewski803]Because if you don't now, I will call you 104 times a year over the next 7 years until you finally do.[/quote]

That's exactly what the folks at Ameriprise said.
[/quote]

Was your start in the business an immaculate conception?

[/quote]

If/when it happens it may be.

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=GolFA]

[quote=AllREIT] [quote=drewski803]Because if you don't now, I will call you 104 times a year over the next 7 years until you finally do.[/quote]

That's exactly what the folks at Ameriprise said.
[/quote]

Was your start in the business an immaculate conception?

[/quote]

If/when it happens it may be.

[/quote]

Conservatism and alignment with client interests dominate our management philosophy. We treat client funds like our own, and are compensated solely for advice and services rendered, not on products sold or commisons charged.

I do like the first sentence. You can't do badly by talking  about capital preservation, and downplaying growth.

For the classroom or textbook, I think the second part of your statement raises an unnecessarily bad stink, kind of like they say in Hollywood when you are working across from an attractive actor or actress, at some point you " smell the farts ", but this makes you sound like you have a hard-on for Bo Derek and you are trying to diss the competition.

I'll doorknock the hell out of you...and then call all the time...I'll be standing at your door at 5am in morning with an investment idea...I'll conveniently stop by on Saturdays..because I was in the neighborhood...I'll kill your dog.

This is the kind of sh** that flips my world upside down and turns first year memories into warm and fuzzy nostalgia. Way to go, Britney, take the rest of the day off.

I do like the part about the dog… Or maybe kidnap the family cat and hold it as ransom until they do at least $10K in gross…

That would definitely earn my family's business. You could get a VUL and some long term care insurance to boot.

I can feel the old juices flowing again - if this keeps up - maybe by the end of the summer, h*ll, I'm gonna go out and SELL somthin'.

[quote=GolFA]

Conservatism and alignment with client interests
dominate our management philosophy. We treat client funds like our own,
and are compensated solely for advice and services rendered, not on
products sold or commisons charged.

I do like the first sentence. You can't do badly by talking  about capital preservation, and downplaying growth.

For the classroom or textbook, I think the second part of your statement raises an unnecessarily bad stink, kind of like they say in Hollywood when you are working across from an attractive actor or actress, at some point you " smell the farts ", but this makes you sound like you have a hard-on for Bo Derek and you are trying to diss the competition.

[quote=AllREIT]

GolFA, I think the competition sucks. I'm targeting people who have a vague unease, or can be made to have an unease with comissioned stockbrokers. Our method of compensation differentiates us from the competition. You have to focus on, or at least know your contrastive differences.

[/quote]

So you could have the BEST compensation method in the world and the client would rather work with you because of that method and not the returns they are getting?  You can have that client.  Some clients know that they are going to pay more, but they get a hell of a lot more in return for it. 

"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?

[quote=wallstreeter]

[quote=AllREIT]

GolFA, I think the competition sucks. I'm targeting people who have a vague unease, or can be made to have an unease with comissioned stockbrokers. Our method of compensation differentiates us from the competition. You have to focus on, or at least know your contrastive differences.

[/quote]

So you could have the BEST compensation method in the world and the client would rather work with you because of that method and not the returns they are getting?  You can have that client.  Some clients know that they are going to pay more, but they get a hell of a lot more in return for it. [/quote]

No one has any clue what returns they are going to get unless they own T-Bills. Live by the puff, die by the puff.

[QUOTE]"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?[/quote]

Q: Why should I invest with you?

A: You're smart enough to know that you need to work with a professional, however it's clear you haven't met anyone else in this business, or you'd never ask that question.

Why should I invest with you?

That’s a grey area isn’t it? It’s hard to buy a service, as you really are buying the invisible.  I’m going to make the decision black and white for you<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

It’s not what I say, but what I don’t say.  I’m not going to act like your close friend when I’m not.  We may become friends eventually, but right now I’m the guy for this job, period.  

I’m not the TV commercial where the advisor is on the beach with the family, nor the one that shows the 65 year old retiree surfing, or sky diving, or whatever BS they are promoting right now to make the baby-boomers feel young.  My web-site doesn’t show a Hawaiian beach and try to conjure up images in your head about serenity.  They’re all serving cereal on a silver platter.  It’s all BS and 90% of what you’ll find out there. 

We both want more, as people do.  I want to do more of what I do best, invest.  You want to make sure I give you more than what the other 10 advisors in this area can provide, and I will.

It’s about your gut feeling when it comes to buying a service.  And right now it is telling you something.  If it’s to walk away, please do and I won’t be offended.  If not, let’s get started.   

If I didn’t have a client in this afternoon…I would take the day off.  I think some of my first clients did business with me because I bugged the crap out of them and they just wanted me to go away, so they purchased a 5k, 25 year note.  They told me…“when the interest builds up in the acct, give me a call and we’ll do something with it”…yeah right!! I should’ve handed those to Spaceman Spiff…

GolFA, I think the competition sucks. I'm targeting people who have a vague unease, or can be made to have an unease with comissioned stockbrokers. Our method of compensation differentiates us from the competition. You have to focus on, or at least know your contrastive differences.

That's cool. My point is, in the process of carving out a niche based on raising questions about how some you paid, you stink up the profession.

We all know how the whole industry works, and as far a pure competition, client's POV, you can get basically the same thing (costwise) at a b/d or RIA shop - you're not really a low cost producer, and maybe a lower cost producer - but you are free to carve out your niche, however, and should be respected although not necessarily emulated or revered as having a morally superior model, which is basically the claim that is stinking things up for everyone.

( Of course, Schwab retail is stinking it up, The Mutual Fund Storestinkings it up, and so does everyone else in their own way, I guess. That makes us all stinkers. )

Problem is, average Joe, who needs our help, becomes fearful as a result, and there are less fish to catch for all.

I don't think there is a solution - not asking you to be nice - you carve out your niche and I'll carve out mine. Just an observation.

BECAUSE I’VE GOT THE BEST CD RATES IN TOWN!

I have went to quite a few happy hours/social events with reps. One of our "Rookie of the Year" winners told me his story:

The Rookie (I think he was 22?) cold called an older retiree and scheduled an appointment. When the older Gentlemen came in, he started to laugh and tell this young Financial Advisor that "he was too young" and preceded to tell him that "why, your just a kid, what would you know?!".

The young guy said " Sir, I may be young, but I will be around for the big events in your life: When you retire, when your daughter gets married or if you die and your wife needs financial guidance. I will not hand you off to another broker, because I don't respect your account and think "is too small". I will work hard for  you because you will BE MY MOST IMPORTANT CLIENT."

Needless to say, he got the account.

[quote=AllREIT] [quote=wallstreeter]

"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?[/quote]

Pretty much. 


[/quote]

Shorten it to "I can guarantee you underperformance".

" But it’s so logical. "

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=AllREIT] [quote=wallstreeter]

"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?[/quote]

Pretty much. 


[/quote]

Shorten it to "I can guarantee you underperformance".

[/quote]

Bravo!

towhomitmayconcern,

By "beancounters" do you mean Accountants?

By "farming it out" do you mean buying mutual funds?

Thank-you

[quote=deekay]I’m gonna make you eleventy kabillion dollars per year, that’s why.[/quote]

Actually, I meant freshly minted MBA's and I had in mind Fee Based "Managed Money" (the only term I know it by) accounts.

Of course, mutual funds will work too, and so will accountant, lawyers and the miriad other back office "Them" that all people of a certain age have learned to distrust and dispise!

But mostly, the rant is against my more direct competition, which is made of people who refuse to know anything about this business other than what is absolutely needed to be an "asset gatherer".

I don't limit myself by farming the investments out to a bunch of bean counters who have no connection to the real economy, or by sticking doggedly to one type of investment. I live by one rule, make my clients money, and as a result I know will know how to do that, whatever the market throws at us.

Good sh**.

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=AllREIT] [quote=wallstreeter]

"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?[/quote]

Pretty much. 


[/quote]

Shorten it to "I can guarantee you underperformance".

[/quote]

Lengthen it to, "I can promise what I can't be sure of delivering, and it could be very costly"

Lengthen it to, "I can promise what I can't be sure of delivering, and it could be very costly"

Somewhere there is a nit, missing half it's dim wit!

Noel Coward, you ain't!

[quote=Whomitmayconcer]

Lengthen it to, "I can promise what I can't be sure of delivering, and it could be very costly"

Somewhere there is a nit, missing half it's dim wit!

Noel Coward, you ain't!

[/quote]

Amazing what teamwork and time can create - a mission statement for mediocrity, discovered in the most ironic of places.

The thing is, Allreit, you're the guy who picked the fight, and to prove your point, you trot out the kind of logic and concepts that one can find in Money Magazine or the Sunday paper. In limbo somewhere between journalist and the guy who was selling the first mutual funds at 8 and one half percent back in the fourties, or whatever.

Illuminating all of that is the profession of financial advising and investment management, at ton of experience and engagement that somehow manages to sustain its place in the market; it might have something to do with generating a ton of wealth, delivering a whole economy of service, and saving a lot of people from themselves. Maybe that's what's really important.

[quote=AllREIT][quote=mikebutler222][quote=AllREIT] [quote=wallstreeter]

"Hey Mr. Prospect, stop making money in stocks because you pay commissions.  Come work with me, I'll get you a core holding of TIPS, and you'll pay me a yearly fee, which just so happens to be the BEST form of compensation."  Is that how you approach it?[/quote]

Pretty much. 


[/quote]

Shorten it to "I can guarantee you underperformance".

[/quote]

Lengthen it to, "I can promise what I can't be sure of delivering, and it could be very costly"

[/quote]

Right.. you have "clients" and I fly a 747 to work. Poseur....

I'm taking some time off from here to work on my business.

Have a great summer, everyone, and thanks for the insights on these threads. Don't forget summer is supposed to be party time for many of us in the biz.

[quote=GolFA]

I'm taking some time off from here to work on my business.

Have a great summer, everyone, and thanks for the insights on these threads. Don't forget summer is supposed to be party time for many of us in the biz.

[/quote]

Then why don't you stay and party?

[quote=wallstreeter]If someone was to ask you, "Why should I invest with YOU?", what would be your answer?  I'm interested to hear what some of you veterens might say as well as anyone else that has a somewhat legitimate response.[/quote]

It depends on the person.  Usually I have done some due diligence on the person so I know HOW to answer their question.

I find humor and levity works well.  One guy I met was a know-it-all that crossed his arms and asked me the question.  However, I knew he had the reputation of being direct. So here's the dialogue:

Prospect: Why should I invest with you?

Me: Great question! I think the "why" is better answered as "why not".  The reason you agreed to meet with me was either curiosity or you thought I had the potential to provide value.  You have done well on your own, but there must be some questions that are bothering you, so would you mind sharing them with me?  After we meet, I think we'll either have a reason to work together or not.........

Prospect:(smiles) I'm still listening, no guarantees........

So I "broke the ice", and he's now a $2million client with me.  Nice guy, once you get past the gruff exterior..........