Just offered a sponsorship from AMEX
Basically I have a degree in economics but never gave this career much thought. However, after listening and researching this field it for the past few weeks it has now got me interested.
I kind of fell into this American Express job (seems to be more of the norm the more I look) but mainly I am wondering if this is a good place for training and learning the ropes or should I look elsewhere.
I really do like the option of being independent and the draw they give you to get your feet wet for first 10 weeks.
I started looking into Edward Jones some but never really warmed up to it.
I am a newbie and if you want to bash any company please state why you are doing this. I have checked out amexsux.com and actually found some positives about working there.
[quote=Juiced6]
Basically I have a degree in economics but never
gave this career much thought. However, after listening and
researching this field it for the past few weeks it has now got me
interested.
I kind of fell into this American Express job (seems to be more of the norm the more I look) but mainly I am wondering if this is a good place for training and learning the ropes or should I look elsewhere.
I really do like the option of being independent and the draw they give you to get your feet wet for first 10 weeks.
I started looking into Edward Jones some but never really warmed up to it.
I am a newbie and if you want to bash any company please state why you are doing this. I have checked out amexsux.com and actually found some positives about working there.
[/quote]There are few places where a young person can go to work that will provide a better all around result.
1. You will get very good training regarding the industry, financial planning, and the like.
2. You will endure a boot camp style environment--they don't take schidt easily at AEFA or whatever they call themselves these days. If you're a punk you'll hate it, but if you're a decent kid you'll take it for what it is.
3. Most important, if you make it there you'll be very attractive to a full service brokerage firm in five to ten years. Nobody should go to work at a "real" brokerage house until they're at least thirty--and forty would be even better.
Take their offer, go there, work hard, pay attention to what they're telling you, learn to prospect, learn to present, learn to close. While you're doing it try to get to know somebody who works at a real firm, and when you're ready get that person to introduce you into the local branch. You come in with a completely different dynamic when you didn't send a resume.
Care to explain this boot camp style environment?
Anyone else?
Ever seen Boiler Room?
Same stuff - except that it’s legal.
[quote=D.H.K.]Ever seen Boiler Room?
Same stuff - except that it’s legal.
[/quote]
What a load of crap.
The only thing AEFA has in common with a boiler room is that they are both NASD member firms.
As for the request to discuss the boot camp analogy. AEFA is
known for hard driving sales manager types, not unlike drill
instructors.
They schedule early morning meetings, they expect you to be there until
nine at night. You’ll be “at work” for about 14 hours a day and
while you’re there older men (occasionally women) will be barking at
you. In a way they’re trying to break you down so that you’ll
become a “lean mean fighting machine.“
They tend to hire in groups–so there will be others–intentionally
chosen to be similar in personalities–going through the same
thing. There’s lots of calling, lots of mailing, lots of
appointments. Lifelong friendship forming stuff–not unlike
fraternity pledge classes or buddies from combat.
It is true that they tend to push their own funds, and it is true that
there is not a lot of variation in product but what those who whine
about the firm would have to admit is that their target
market–“natural market” as they call it–is the everyday guy.
They (AEFA) realize that they’re not going to appeal to the guy or gal
who has several hundred thousand dollars to invest.
For my money they’re doing a better favor for the most number of people
than anybody else. The reality is that there are millions–tens
of millions–of people out there who are saving absolutely
nothing. Smith Barney is not looking for them, and won’t deal
with them if they show up at the door.
But AEFA is, and that is good–even smart. Very much the Keep It Simple Stupid
approach to financial planning. Get the guy to actually pay to
have you develop a savings plan for him (so he’ll feel obliged to
follow it). It will always be that he needs to bump up his life
insurance coverage (which he does) and start to put some money into a
mutual fund (which he does). Put him on automatic withdrawal from
his paycheck and you’ve done him a favor.
There are a lot of other firms out there that do something similar-but
they don’t have the name recognition. There is also the opposite
end of the spectrum.
Years ago there was a firm called A.L. Williams–Art Williams was a
high school football coach somewhere who sold insurance and mutual
funds during the summer. He started a pyramid type organization
that recruited other teachers and eventually the dregs of society–it
was a pyramid after all.
Along the way he “wrote” a book to promote his “Buy Term and Invest The
Rest” point of view–they’d give you the book, come back in a week and
twist you out of any insurance you had into their own very high premium
term policies and then sell you a check-o-matic arrangement into a
front end load mutual fund–normally Fidelity’s Destiny Fund–which
meant that their take of the first year’s payments was 50%.
I had the experience of being in a hotel in San Francisco when they had
a cheer leading session. I sat in the lobby in amazement as the
biggest collection of sleazeballs I had ever seen wandered around in
garb that identified them as “Humphrey Heroes” or “Warren Warriors” and
so forth. They started their meeting with a prayer–all holding
hands and swaying back and forth, like a cult.
Or a Mary Kay meeting where almost everybody in the room was a functional illiterate.
Then, when their rah-rah session was over and they had all bowed their
heads for the benediction they came out screaming across the lobby
things like, “Hey Joe, I got $500 in ones–let’s go stuff garters down
at the titty club” or “I’ve got an open bar going in my suite for
anybody on my team” and so forth. Nothing like a group of morons
who start and end their meetings with prayers–but rush out to get
drunk or grope pathetic creatures willing to lap dance for a few
dollars.
A.L. Williams was noticed by the SEC–not even the NAD, it went
straight to the SEC. Anyway, ole Art and some of his higher level
associates “retired” and the firm changed its name to
"Primerica.”
Along the way Citigroup bought it in one of the strangest acquisitions
in history–it’s as if Sandy Weill simply looked at the numbers and had
no regard for the fact that it was populated by sleazeballs who were
doing anything but good by their clients.
I own Citigroup stock and am delighted when I hear people like Ben
Stein talk about how well management is doing, how the credit card
division is superb and all that I sometimes think I should buy
more. Then I flash back to those cretins in the hotel lobby and
conclude that there is actually something profoundly wrong with
Citigroup and look for something else.
So, there you have it. Two extreme looks at the same segment of
the opportunity spectrum. Our firm won’t even invite a Primerica
person in for an interview–while we actively court those who are
successful at AEFA.
There are a host of firms that fall in between–out there pushing that
"Mr. Johnson, you need more life insurance and a mutual fund” approach
that is actually exactly what about 90% of our fellow travellers do
need. Some of them will actually ruin your future
prospects–others are neutral. But one of them–AEFA–actually
does good in the eyes of those of us who you will want to be able to
talk to when you mature and have some credibility.
So my biggest concern now is - why does AEFA take so much crap?
I guess im a little leary about working for them but will probably take the job just to see how it goes.
I was slowly aiming at opening an engine shop (building race engines or hi perf street engines etc) so this is almost a total 180.
I probably will take the job and see - they give you like 2 months to swim or your gone.
Thanks for the info.
[quote=Juiced6]
So my biggest concern now is - why does AEFA take so much crap?
I guess im a little leary about working for them but will probably take the job just to see how it goes.
I was slowly aiming at opening an engine shop (building race engines or hi perf street engines etc) so this is almost a total 180.
I probably will take the job and see - they give you like 2 months to swim or your gone.
Thanks for the info.
[/quote]And to think that there are those who believe that this industry has turned into a joke.
Here we've got a slacker who wants to rebuild engines--which is fine we need engines rebuilt--but he thinks he'll just accept two months worth of paychecks from American Express.
Well, how long can it take to learn how to tell somebody about mutual funds?
Thank God I'm old enough to outrun the morons who are coming along.
"they give you like 2 months to swim or your gone"
2 Months, thats a short time frame for new rep.
As stated dont let em rip through your family and friends. Make sure you do right by them(warm market) and let the chips fall where they may. The companies will come and go but your family/friends you want around forever.
Good luck with new career.
Well considering this was an option for me right out of college but decided to take a different route does not make me a slacker and a moron.
What you fail to realize is that I am much smarter than one sentence posted on an internet forum. I came looking for some advice on here and thought you actually where somewhat knowledgable now I see what others do about you - you are an ass.
You might be surprised that for 2 years I ran a printing a business from scratch and that made a very nice living for me. What did I know about the industry? Zero. Did it keep me from failing? Not one bit. Everyone starts somewhere in this career just like any other. Some have more advantages than others but in the end it is the drive of the individual that makes or breaks them.
The mere fact that you just assume something shows you either failed at this or just not open to change or both. And since I never did give my age - how do you know i am not 30 years old.
Well logan - its 2 months for 5 clients
but numbers they state that if you make it that far you will stay with them for awhile
Yeah thats what I am leary about is what they will make me push as opposed to what I can offer.
Thanks for the kind words.
[quote=Juiced6]
You might be surprised that for 2 years I ran a
printing a business from scratch and that made a very nice living for
me. What did I know about the industry? Zero. Did it
keep me from failing? Not one bit.
Two years? That long?
As for not failing, of course you did or you'd still be doing it.
You're a slacker drifting from job to job--you ran a printing place (I suppose something like a Quick Print franchise and you were the manager not the franchisee) and now you're either going to become a financial advisor or rebuilt engines.
That you cannot grasp the intellectual disconnect is proof positive that you should rebuild engines and leave the thinking jobs to those who can think.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with rebuilding engines--it's just that one rarely thinks, "You know, I'll either push pistons down into cylinders or I'll push mutual funds......."
For those of you who are in the warm glow of thinking you've got a real career opportunity here think about the fact that this kid thinks what you do is so meaningless that he can do it for a couple of months then move on to rebuilding engines.
Not that there's anything wrong with rebuilding engines. J. Seinfeld
You sir do not have a clue.
Rebuilding engines is one thing - making hi-performance another. It probably requires more thinking and more math than analyzing how a certain fund will do.
Go look at turbo charger flow charts and make sense of them. Go read books about it and do the 12 formulas it takes to find the best one and you know what - you still wont find it. Engines are way over your intellect so i suggest leaving it out of any further statesments you may make.
As for printing - once again you assume. It was actually a ground up deal for a former employer. I quit the career because of whiney nonpaying contractors. Could you start a business you know nothing about and be successful? Doubt it. You like to point the finger at people who do not have MBAs etc and say they are failures when in fact they probably made it better than you did or hell are even more knowledgable than you.
How come the man behind Bush's presidential victories does not have anything more than a high school degree? Wow - he must be a failure because he got a controversal man elected twice.
What you dont know or understand put makes it inferior to you. And well that is just pathetic.
In all honesty the engine career would be more of a challenge then selling life insurance and mutual funds - you may not accept it but then again you dont know a thing about fast cars except what Ferrari and Porsche sells.
The other side of Amex advisors - my own franchise office, very little contact with corporate. I no Amex funds, but they have some good certificates and term life. No pressure or hassles, with a huge ad campaign in the fall coming for Ameriprise (who cares about the broker dealer name, anyway). Amex has always been a Midwestern company, with nice people. Pressure at the start, but if you can make it through, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
[quote=Juiced6]
Go look at turbo charger flow charts and make sense of them.
[/quote]I repeated myself several times so that you would not feel bad. I
couldn’t care less how sophisticated rebuilding race car engines is–it
has nothing to do with anything. Being a doctor is plenty
complicated too, and I don’t think doctors are logical candidates to
become financial advisors.
What is offensive to me is your “screw 'em I’ll suck a couple of months
worth of paychecks out of them and move on” approach. You, boy,
are a first rate slacker–as I said drifting from job to job.
You’re not bright enough to even get it–wander on down the road and tune up a car.
The world needs people to flip burgers and tune up cars.
WAIT–before you go. How does having a degree in economics prepare you to rebuild engines?
[quote=fargo]
The other side of Amex advisors - my own franchise
office, very little contact with corporate. I no Amex funds, but they
have some good certificates and term life. No pressure or hassles, with
a huge ad campaign in the fall coming for Ameriprise (who cares about
the broker dealer name, anyway). Amex has always been a Midwestern
company, with nice people. Pressure at the start, but if you can make
it through, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Exactly. It’s ridiculous that so many potentially good financial
advisor types wash out because they don’t have enough sense to realize
that they’re not ready for a wirehouse.
If his father was a general, he’d be coming for your job, ClerkBoy!
[quote=Starka]If his father was a general, he’d be coming for your job, ClerkBoy![/quote]
Starka, you should set the crazy envy aside on Sundays–it will eat at your soul and leave nothing there.
Tell me, had I already made it in my career before my father got his first star?
What a sad little man you are–so filled with hate and envy.
I get all warm thinking that you’re so miserable. The world needs
sad sack losers for the rest of to point and an tell our kids,
“Whatever you do, don’t be like him.”
I knew you couldn't resist!
Yes, you were a failure before the General (you know, Daddy) got his star.
Envy the likes of you? LOL, no, not quite. Pity, maybe, but envy? No.
LOL...I still own you!
Hey Juice check this site also-
http://financial-planning.com/phorum/index.php
Some general threads on AMEX and other companies.
It's bigoted loons like PT that make me question the wisdom of the 1st amendment.
My $$$ is on Starka...
[quote=Indyone]
It’s bigoted loons like PT that make me question the wisdom of the 1st amendment.
My $$$ is on Starka...
[/quote]If it is not envy for the fact that I know my father, and that he's still married to my mother why do you suppose Starka is fixated on the issue?
Is what I say wrong, or is it the fact that I say it that is wrong?
Envy? You have nothing that I want or need, so why would I be envious?
As to the General (Dad), I mention it only to point out that the rest of us are sucessful without the help of a "connected" parent. You, on the other hand, are the one who mentioned that Daddy was a general...an admission or simply a slip of the lip?
Personally, I believe that your "major Wall Street firm" was about to cut you loose for one reason or another (probably lack of production or a compliance issue) and the firm "promoted" you to your present lofty clerkship, of of sight of clients, due to the General's (Daddy's) connections.
The truth does hurt, doesn't it ClerkBoy?
TYPO" “…out of sight of clients”.
[quote=Starka]
Envy? You have nothing that I want or need, so why would I be envious?
As to the General (Dad), I mention it only to point out that the rest of us are sucessful without the help of a "connected" parent. You, on the other hand, are the one who mentioned that Daddy was a general...an admission or simply a slip of the lip?
Personally, I believe that your "major Wall Street firm" was about to cut you loose for one reason or another (probably lack of production or a compliance issue) and the firm "promoted" you to your present lofty clerkship, of of sight of clients, due to the General's (Daddy's) connections.
The truth does hurt, doesn't it ClerkBoy?
[/quote]I have no doubt that my success is linked to my status as a military brat--but it's not because of who my father knew. Instead it was because of the man I was becoming having had him for a role model.
Leadership, podium skills, willingness to relocate, knowing to stand up straight and look everybody in the eye.
I also have the experience of a long line of overachievers--my maternal grandfather sold his busiiness to Ralston Purina when he was only 42 and lived for thirty-five years in a place on the ocean side of A-1-A south of Daytona.
As successful as my father was, he was not as successful as me, my younger brother or his father-in-law.
Again, that all you know of your own father is that he passed through your mother's life for awhile before you were born is too bad. But it's not a reason to hate those of us who have fathers who we actually know--nor is it a reason to believe that you'd have been a success if you had known your father.
Why do you suppose that happens in "Da Cumminty" Starka? Why do the men not raise the kids so that the kids don't carry the snakes in their head that you have?
You’re the only snake that I’m aware of, ClerkBoy!
[quote=Starka]You’re the only snake that I’m aware of, ClerkBoy![/quote]
That I am a snake in your head is symptomatic of a lot of things. You should get your mental health checked out.
I’m just guy out here yet you’re fixated on me. It’s OK, I’m used
to having people gaze at me when I walk by, and especially when I’m at
a podium.
But nobody but you keeps mentioning my father–and it’s hardly a leap
to conclude that you’re suffering from a sad case of, "If I had only
known who my father was I too might have been able to make something of
myelf."
I’m sorry for you Starka, I really am. But we all play the hand
we’re dealt and you’re not doing a very good job at playing yours.
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of
Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the
many honors that will forever be denied to you.
Well my father is still alive but you can be assured that he has a place reserved in a similar cemetary–along with my mother.
Tell me Starka, did you know your father or have you been told that he’s buried there but never actually knew him.
Did he marry your mother?
[quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of
Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the
many honors that will forever be denied to you.
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
"What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?"
---Put Traitor
******************************************************
You have a lot of class, Put. And it's all low.
You are beneath contempt.
[quote=Phlyin’ Phule]
“What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?”
&nbs p; &n bsp; ---Put Traitor
******************************************************
You have a lot of class, Put. And it's all low.
You are beneath contempt.
[/quote]Give it a break. The national cemetaries are set up to take anybody who asks to be buried there as long as they were not dishonorably discharged.
Those places are not like Arlington, or one of the cemtaries overseas. They're all over the country and about as selective as a homeowner's association.
So I ask again, what is the honor of being buried in a public cemetary--that you were not dishonorably discharged?
Isn't that a lot like somebody bragging they're a good guy because they don't rape women?
Wow…a new low for the RR forum.
yeah i'll say but Put is really showing his true colors.
The fact that I only really had 2 jobs (one being the typical 16 year old starting job) yet im a job to job drifting slacker.
See what he failed to understand is that in my free time I used to help others race - you know giving freely of myself to help out - why I love it. I picked up quite a bit that I contemplated turning a hobby into my career.
He looks as me as some putz - well boy you asked why I had an econ degree - hmm look at what job im applying for. Like i said I never gave this career field much thought before but being one class short of a financial minor does not mean I have no experience with this field.
You assume - you always will. That is your downfall. Do the world a favor and just go away.
To everyone else who had helpful info for me - big thanks.
Put - get a clue.
You're not bright enough to even get it--wander on down the road and tune up a car.
hmmmm - how about this - how about i make it so none of your cars ever run?
[quote=Juiced6]
yeah i’ll say but Put is really showing his true colors.
The fact that I only really had 2 jobs (one being the typical 16 year old starting job) yet im a job to job drifting slacker.
See what he failed to understand is that in my free time I used to help others race - you know giving freely of myself to help out - why I love it. I picked up quite a bit that I contemplated turning a hobby into my career.
He looks as me as some putz - well boy you asked why I had an econ degree - hmm look at what job im applying for. Like i said I never gave this career field much thought before but being one class short of a financial minor does not mean I have no experience with this field.
You assume - you always will. That is your downfall. Do the world a favor and just go away.
To everyone else who had helpful info for me - big thanks.
Put - get a clue.
[/quote]I did not ask why you got a degree in economics, what I asked was how an econ degree fits into the world of tuning up engines.
What I also said was that the world needs people who tune up engines and there is nothing wrong with spending your life tinkering with fuel injectors if that's what you love.
Just don't show up on a financial professional's forum and announce, "I'm thinking of doing what you do for a few months then I think I'll quit and tune up cars."
Next you whined, several times, about working hard. To this veteran you appear to be willing to make a few calls in return for a steady check for a couple of months--but you sure don't want to have to get up before noon, or work too hard.
As for your inflated view of the sophistication of tuning up cars. You suggested that I should get a book and look at the twelve--as in ten, eleven, twelve--formulas used to determine the proper mix of fuel and air (or whatever it was.)
The reason morons can qualify for jobs tuning up cars is because there are only twelve things to know. Hell, being a guy who plants trees in people's back yards is more complex--you have to know about shade versus full sun, lots of water versus very little water. Lot's more than twelve things have to be known--it's like really hard.
Are you aware that the first thing that would happen to you if somebody makes a mistake and hires you is that you'll be given a set of textbooks that are 1,000 pages thick and told that you'll have to pass an exam that starts very early in the morning--goes for hours, takes a break, and continues again for hours.
It's like--I mean--a real drag, dude.
Put - cars are over your head - keep your trap shut.
[quote=Juiced6]
Put - cars are over your head - keep your trap shut.
[/quote]Over my head? All I need to know is that people who work on them
are not formally educated, which is why they work on cars instead of
arguing cases in court, or auditing books, or sewing a vein, or
advising people regarding their insurance and investments.
Tell me Juice, are your parents proud of you and your lack of focus and ambition?
Is Put Trader really Robert Byrd?
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]
Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[/quote]
Put, you clearly have no sense of honor.
Ask your father about National Cemetaries. If he has any honor, maybe he can tell you.
[quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put Trader] [quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]
Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[/quote]
Put, you clearly have no sense of honor.
Ask your father about National Cemetaries. If he has any honor, maybe he can tell you.
[/quote]The honor achieved by the vast majority of people buried in national cemetaries was an honorable discharge from the military or any of a list of other organizations such as the Department of Public Health.
There is no more honor in getting an honorable discharge than there is in becoming an Eagle Scout.
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put Trader] [quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]
Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[/quote]
Put, you clearly have no sense of honor.
Ask your father about National Cemetaries. If he has any honor, maybe he can tell you.
[/quote]
The honor achieved by the vast majority of people buried in national cemetaries was an honorable discharge from the military or any of a list of other organizations such as the Department of Public Health.
There is no more honor in getting an honorable discharge than there is in becoming an Eagle Scout.
[/quote]
Your response speaks volumes regarding your character, or more specifically, your lack of character.
How many Eagle Scouts do you know of who served, were wounded or died because of their status as Eagle Scouts?
So 'long, moron.
[quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put
Trader] [quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown
Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors
that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]
Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[/quote]
Put, you clearly have no sense of honor.
Ask your father about National Cemetaries. If he has any honor, maybe he can tell you.
[/quote]
The honor achieved by the vast majority of people
buried in national cemetaries was an honorable discharge from the
military or any of a list of other organizations such as the Department
of Public Health.
There is no more honor in getting an honorable discharge than there is in becoming an Eagle Scout.
[/quote]
Your response speaks volumes regarding your character, or more specifically, your lack of character.
How many Eagle Scouts do you know of who served, were wounded or died because of their status as Eagle Scouts?
So 'long, moron.
[/quote]Tell me something. Is being wounded, or killed in action, the criteria for being buried in a national cemetary--or is it being honorably discharged?
You see, Phul, you're the fool who doesn't know what you're talking about. Sure there are heroes in the cemetaries--lying alongside of a whole hell of a lot of tombstones that say things like,
Joe Blow
Lt. Col. USMC
WW-II
1920 -- 2004
Old Joe was in "the big one" but old Joe was not killed there, and old Joe was not necessarily wounded. All it means is that Old Joe did not get drummed out of the Corps.
Not getting dishonorably discharged is no more honorable than not beating your wife.
[quote=Put Trader][quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Phlyin’ Phule][quote=Put Trader] [quote=stanwbrown][quote=Put Trader] [quote=Starka]
My father is a resident of Indiantown Gap National Cemetary. This, of course, is one of the many honors that will forever be denied to you.
[/quote]
What is the honor in being buried in an obscure national cemetary?
[/quote]
'Tis a shame that PT isn't within bitchslap range....
[/quote]
Tell me why most people buried in a national cemetary are worthy of any more honor than those who buried in any other cemetary?
[/quote]
Put, you clearly have no sense of honor.
Ask your father about National Cemetaries. If he has any honor, maybe he can tell you.
[/quote]
The honor achieved by the vast majority of people buried in national cemetaries was an honorable discharge from the military or any of a list of other organizations such as the Department of Public Health.
There is no more honor in getting an honorable discharge than there is in becoming an Eagle Scout.
[/quote]
Your response speaks volumes regarding your character, or more specifically, your lack of character.
How many Eagle Scouts do you know of who served, were wounded or died because of their status as Eagle Scouts?
So 'long, moron.
[/quote]Tell me something. Is being wounded, or killed in action, the criteria for being buried in a national cemetary--or is it being honorably discharged?
You see, Phul, you're the fool who doesn't know what you're talking about. Sure there are heroes in the cemetaries--lying alongside of a whole hell of a lot of tombstones that say things like,
Joe Blow
Lt. Col. USMC
WW-II
1920 -- 2004
Old Joe was in "the big one" but old Joe was not killed there, and old Joe was not necessarily wounded. All it means is that Old Joe did not get drummed out of the Corps.
Not getting dishonorably discharged is no more honorable than not beating your wife.
[/quote]
That's an interesting way to sum up someone's service to their nation....
[quote=stanwbrown]
That’s an interesting way to sum up someone’s service to their nation…
[/quote]
Well, you know how it is–not much room on a tombstone.
Where am I wrong? My own father will be buried in a national
cemetary–as will my mother. Neither of them died in war and
neither of them were wounded in battle.
He was honorably discharged, she was not.
How is being buried in a national cemetary an honor?
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=stanwbrown]
That's an interesting way to sum up someone's service to their nation....
[/quote]
Well, you know how it is--not much room on a tombstone.
Where am I wrong? My own father will be buried in a national cemetary--as will my mother. Neither of them died in war and neither of them were wounded in battle.
He was honorably discharged, she was not.
How is being buried in a national cemetary an honor?
[/quote]
It may not be viewed as an honor by you, Put. That's your perogative to take it that way. But, for those that choose to be buried there it is certainly an honor to be laid to rest among all those others who served their country. It is also very meaningful to the family members. I visit my father's national cemetary grave every time I visit the city where it is. I always get goose-bumps standing among the rows and rows of small marble headstones and can't help but give a prayer of thanks for all those buried there that in some small way (and in many cases very large way) honorably served to help protect our country and our freedom.
[quote=Duke#1]
I always get goose-bumps standing among the rows
and rows of small marble headstones and can’t help but give a prayer of
thanks for all those buried there that in some small way (and in many
cases very large way) honorably served to help protect our country and
our freedom.
If you’re in a battlefield cemetary that would be an appropriate
emotion–however national cemetaries are not battlefield cemetaries.
My father AND MOTHER have a site already chosen in such a cemetary in the DFW area.
Did my mother serve honorably? Only if you consider the fact that she
cared for three sons while he was away in Korea, or when he went to the
bunker during the Cuban Missle Crisis, although her sons were then
teenagers.
For that matter did my father serve honorably? If you describe
honorable service as the absence of dishonorable service then sure–but
if you’re talking heroism stuff, getting wounded, etc. no he didn’t.
Dog catchers run a greater risk of being hurt on the job than most of
the people who are buried in the nation’s national cemetaries.
They are cemetaries, just like any other, except that the taxpayers pick up the costs.
If they were final resting places for heroes–and nobody else–perhaps
all the whining would be appropriate. But they are not–and
somebody who figures that every person taking their dirt nap in such a
place was a hero is simply wrong.
So service to the United States (a subject about which you have no firsthand knowledge) means nothing?
You really are a piece of garbage, Put.
[quote=Starka]
So service to the United States (a subject about which you have no firsthand knowledge) means nothing?
You really are a piece of garbage, Put.
[/quote]Virtually nothing.
Government employees are not worthy of any more praise than employees of any other organization.
I am the son of a Genral officer and an officer's wife--does it make sense to you that I and my brothers would not have spent some time wearing the country's uniform?
What accolades should I be given for having done my part in the mid to late 1960s?
I think you said you were in the Army--what did you do, keep Fort Knox safe from an invasion from somewhere in Kentucky?
Are we, the nation, supposed to give you a lifelong collective attaboy--or say thanks serving, good luck with the rest of your life.
Put, do you have any children??
[quote=Duke#1]Put, do you have any children??[/quote]
And to think there are those who think that irrelevant questions never come up on message boards.
AMEX is a poor firm with poor management (Put who spends his day here) and poor products. Your client’s deserve. Do more research. Try to get an interview at Raymond James. They are first class.
[quote=maybeeeeeeee]AMEX is a poor firm with poor management (Put who
spends his day here) and poor products. Your client’s
deserve. Do more research. Try to get an interview at
Raymond James. They are first class.[/quote]
This girl will be gone from RJ on her first anniversary date because
she is the epitome of the punk kid who thinks they have the answers.
A young person is going to fail at the wirehouses 95% of the time because the standards are high and punks cannot hit the marks.
Instead a young person–punk know it alls or kids just looking for
advice–should look for an opportunity to break in where they have a
chance of making it.
Again, this Maybeeeee girl is a definite RJ reject.
Anybody wanna bet the “Maybeeeee” indicates that she is morally
casual? That could be her ace in the hole–there are guys who
will open accounts with girls who get around.
[quote=maybeeeeeeee]AMEX is a poor firm with poor management (Put who spends his day here) and poor products. Your client's deserve. Do more research. Try to get an interview at Raymond James. They are first class.[/quote]
Have you worked at AMEX?
[quote=sienna]
[quote=maybeeeeeeee]AMEX is a poor firm with poor
management (Put who spends his day here) and poor products. Your
client’s deserve. Do more research. Try to get an interview
at Raymond James. They are first class.[/quote]
Have you worked at AMEX?
[/quote]Nah, she has all the credibility of a sixteen year old attending her first pep-rally.
She's the girl who said she interviewed with "every" firm, had offers from all of them, but chose a second tier player out of that hot-bed of finance, St. Petersburgh.
Actually, St.Petersburg has some great beaches stretching from ft.de sota all the way up past Clearwater. If I had to make a decision strictly based on location, I would rather work out of St.Pete versus Minneapolis (ameriprise hq).
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Duke#1]Put, do you have any children??[/quote]
And to think there are those who think that irrelevant questions never come up on message boards.
[/quote]
Maybe irrelevant, yes, Put. I was just putting on my amateur psychology hat and trying to figure out some possible reasons for your anger, lack of compassion, intolerance, prejudice, "me, me, me" attitude, holier than thou attitude, etc. that permeates throughout most of your posts.
[quote=Duke#1]
Maybe irrelevant, yes, Put. I was just putting on my amateur psychology hat and trying to figure out some possible reasons for your anger, lack of compassion, intolerance, prejudice, "me, me, me" attitude, holier than thou attitude, etc. that permeates throughout most of your posts.
[/quote]Anger? How so?
Lack of compassion? What about a message board requires compassion?
Intollerance? A sure sign of immaturity is the inability to grasp the meaning of, "I do not suffer fools gladly."
Prejudice? Yep, and only a moron does not prejudge. Being able to prejudge is what seperates us from the rest of the animal kingdom--I know not to run into traffic because I have prejudged, my dog is incapable of prejudging and as a result needs me to watch out for him.
Me, me, me? If you were enjoying your life as much as I am enjoying mine you'd want to tell me about yours too. I think it's sad that so m any people lead such boring lives that they never have anything to say--and eventually end up envying those of us who live life to the hilt.
Holier than thou? I suppose that's a way of saying that I think I'm better than somebody else. Well, I am. There is not a way of measuring ourselves against others that I do not come out in the upper 5%--not one.
In any case, what would the presence or absence of children have to do with it?
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Duke#1]
Maybe irrelevant, yes, Put. I was just putting on my amateur psychology hat and trying to figure out some possible reasons for your anger, lack of compassion, intolerance, prejudice, "me, me, me" attitude, holier than thou attitude, etc. that permeates throughout most of your posts.
[/quote]
Anger? How so?
Lack of compassion? What about a message board requires compassion?
Intollerance? A sure sign of immaturity is the inability to grasp the meaning of, "I do not suffer fools gladly."
Prejudice? Yep, and only a moron does not prejudge. Being able to prejudge is what seperates us from the rest of the animal kingdom--I know not to run into traffic because I have prejudged, my dog is incapable of prejudging and as a result needs me to watch out for him.
Me, me, me? If you were enjoying your life as much as I am enjoying mine you'd want to tell me about yours too. I think it's sad that so m any people lead such boring lives that they never have anything to say--and eventually end up envying those of us who live life to the hilt.
Holier than thou? I suppose that's a way of saying that I think I'm better than somebody else. Well, I am. There is not a way of measuring ourselves against others that I do not come out in the upper 5%--not one.
In any case, what would the presence or absence of children have to do with it?
[/quote]
Just some psychology stuff, Put, re the children question. If you're really interested, some night while you're petting your dog do some research. You'll find some studies relating to those who have never had children. You'll also find stuff on those who had children, but lost them through death or estrangement. You're just evidencing a lot of the traits of those who have been subject to such situations. Of course, it may have nothing to do with any of that -- just my own musings about the reason. There are many other life events which could have caused how you're behaving and thinking.
[quote=Duke#1]
Just some psychology stuff, Put, re the children
question. If you’re really interested, some night while you’re
petting your dog do some research. You’ll find some studies
relating to those who have never had children. You’ll also find
stuff on those who had children, but lost them through death or
estrangement. You’re just evidencing a lot of the traits of those
who have been subject to such situations. Of course, it may have
nothing to do with any of that – just my own musings about the
reason. There are many other life events which could have caused
how you’re behaving and thinking.
Oh I see. You are capable of analyzing me through an internet
forum. Sort of like Senator Frist diagnosed that Schivo woman on
a video tape.
Do you grasp what a fool you appear to be when you actually spend time to type something like the above?
"Oh I see. You are capable of analyzing me through an internet forum."
Why Put, havent you claimed to have that very same ability for the past 2 months???
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Duke#1]
Just some psychology stuff, Put, re the children question. If you're really interested, some night while you're petting your dog do some research. You'll find some studies relating to those who have never had children. You'll also find stuff on those who had children, but lost them through death or estrangement. You're just evidencing a lot of the traits of those who have been subject to such situations. Of course, it may have nothing to do with any of that -- just my own musings about the reason. There are many other life events which could have caused how you're behaving and thinking.
[/quote]
Oh I see. You are capable of analyzing me through an internet forum. Sort of like Senator Frist diagnosed that Schivo woman on a video tape.
Do you grasp what a fool you appear to be when you actually spend time to type something like the above?
[/quote]
I really am not interested in what I may appear to you, Put. I'm free to take the time to post, just like you are. I'm also free to amuse myself by putting on my Dr. Phil hat. But, if you don't want to play the game, that's your choice.
By they way, based on the responses you get to most of your posts, I'm very confident in who is thought of as the greater fool on this forum.
[quote=Duke#1]
By they way, based on the responses you get to most
of your posts, I’m very confident in who is thought of as the greater
fool on this forum.
Is the validity of what I have to say based on half a dozen responses on an Internet forum?
Is it possible–just possible–that my years in the business, the
variety of jobs I’ve held, the people I’ve met, the conferences I’ve
taken part in all combine to make the sum total of my experience
greater than everybody else who posts here combined?
The way I see it I’m engaging half a dozen folks who are doing entry
level work–some are literally entry level, others have never
progressed beyond entry level.
I know, I know, some of the readers of this forum have been telling
people about mutual funds for several years–but they’ve never done
anything else. Entry level.
Who among the readers might I have met at a NASD or SIA conference
somewhere? Who might have served as a committee chairman of a
group on which I served–who may have served as a member of a committee
I chaired?
Where am I wrong?
The amazing analysis by Doctor Frist.. What a bunch of BS that was.. I guess that was sorta a lie.. After 20 doctors stated she was a zombie (for the most part) he used her for the abortion issue.. That is messed up..
Hey guys chill out.. Maybe I should become a professional mediator. Does that require a spelling expert?
[quote=Put Trader] [quote=Duke#1]
By they way, based on the responses you get to most of your posts, I'm very confident in who is thought of as the greater fool on this forum.
[/quote]
Is the validity of what I have to say based on half a dozen responses on an Internet forum?
Is it possible--just possible--that my years in the business, the variety of jobs I've held, the people I've met, the conferences I've taken part in all combine to make the sum total of my experience greater than everybody else who posts here combined?
The way I see it I'm engaging half a dozen folks who are doing entry level work--some are literally entry level, others have never progressed beyond entry level.
I know, I know, some of the readers of this forum have been telling people about mutual funds for several years--but they've never done anything else. Entry level.
Who among the readers might I have met at a NASD or SIA conference somewhere? Who might have served as a committee chairman of a group on which I served--who may have served as a member of a committee I chaired?
Where am I wrong?
[/quote]
Put your thoughts regarding the various licensing tests and preparation techniques were useful, but you should stick to what you really know, mi amigo.
Serving with fellow bureaucrats on panels and surviving firm politics for years as an administrative leech hardly qualifies you to determine how best to survive as an advisor guiding real clients facing real problems.......
[quote=joedabrkr]
Serving with fellow bureaucrats on panels and
surviving firm politics for years as an administrative leech hardly
qualifies you to determine how best to survive as an advisor guiding
real clients facing real problems…
How many of us that are “bureaucrats” do you figure came to our current jobs via the sales route?
A question I’ve asked several times remains unanswered. That is,
how long does one have to be in production in order to be able to
understand what those are in production are dealing with?
Tell me, readers, if you were invited to serve on an NASD committee
would that experience enhance your knowledge of the industry?
Is it possible that the more different things you do in any industry the more you understand that industry?
There is no doubt that in almost any organization nothing happens until
somebody sells something–you will get no argument from those of us who
steer the ship that those of you who are pushing it are not doing
something important.
It could be argued that pilots are the key employees of an airline–but
it too is a job that involves virtually no upward mobility. In
other words somebody with thirty years experience is doing essentially
the same thing as somebody with thirty months of experience.
There is a job in the airlines known as “Chief Pilot.” Does it
make sense to you that the Chief Pilot would not be able to fly a plane
because it had been a few years since he wore a uniform and carried one
of those pilot bags onto a plane and hauled a load of people from point
A to point B?
To conclude that I, and my peers, have no idea what your day-to-day is like is ridiculous.
Administrators like yourself are usually looked down upon by those out in the field. It's just the way it is. Put, you must know that. Heck, the military is the same way.
Committees are great but you have to understand that it really isn't the meat of what someone like me cares about. Sure being on some NASD committee would be interesting and informative but I'd much rather figure out a way to present retirement programs inside the fortune 500 company located down the street from me.
One thing that would be great for everyone would be to sit on an arbitration panel. To see what goes on and to see how a good, experienced broker can be made to look like a complete dope by some clients "expert" witness who is also a broker. That would be good for anyone. It can really make you want to take better records and be more prepared. Do you have any comments on that?
As for everything else, I think our time would be better spent prospecting. That's just my opinion though.
[quote=Malcolm]
Administrators like yourself are usually
looked down upon by those out in the field. It’s just the
way it is. Put, you must know that. Heck, the military is
the same way.
Committees are great but you have to understand that it really isn't the meat of what someone like me cares about. Sure being on some NASD committee would be interesting and informative but I'd much rather figure out a way to present retirement programs inside the fortune 500 company located down the street from me.
One thing that would be great for everyone would be to sit on an arbitration panel. To see what goes on and to see how a good, experienced broker can be made to look like a complete dope by some clients "expert" witness who is also a broker. That would be good for anyone. It can really make you want to take better records and be more prepared. Do you have any comments on that?
As for everything else, I think our time would be better spent prospecting. That's just my opinion though.
[/quote]Why is serving on an NASD committee and figuring out how to present something mutually exclusive?
My question is simple, but I'll rephrase it. Is it possible to hurt your understanding of Wall Street by serving on an NASD board, committee, roundtable or other collection of fellow professionals?
As for serving on an arbitration panel. I agree that it is always amazing to me that people I know to be professionals come across as fools with criminal tenencies under a withering attack by a plaintiff's attorney.
No, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I think serving on a board or committee or round table would be helpful. It would also probably be helpful to drop the fact that you have done that into a conversation with a client or prospect. Until now, I have never really even considered it. Maybe I should.
If you are not producing what you need to be though, obviously, your time might be better spent doing things that lead directly to producing revenue. If you're a vet with a good business, then take the time if you want.
Do you have any suggestions for what things to serve on for the best experience?
[quote=Malcolm]
No, I don’t think there is anything wrong with
it. I think serving on a board or committee or round table would
be helpful. It would also probably be helpful to
drop the fact that you have done that into a conversation
with a client or prospect. Until now, I have never really even
considered it. Maybe I should.
If you are not producing what you need to be though, obviously, your time might be better spent doing things that lead directly to producing revenue. If you're a vet with a good business, then take the time if you want.
Do you have any suggestions for what things to serve on for the best experience?
[/quote]
Most of the committees are populated with volunteers suggested to
the organizations by their firms. In other words, you don't just
get on the committees--your employer suggests you because your employer
wants you to gain the experience and insight that these committees
afford.
That said, your local NASD district is probably looking for people
to do things at the district level--organize meetings, suggest topics
for discussion and so forth.
I'd start by contacting the district office and asking what you
could do to help. Do not mention that your motivation is so that
you'll be able to tell a prospect that you work on such and such a
committee--the NASD is looking for those who want to contribute to the
NASD, not take from the NASD.
You could also let your boss know that you'd be interested in being
recommended by the firm to the NASD for things that would be nearby and
"up your alley."
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