Cornerstone America ripoff Encino California

I am happy that i found this site, but in all honest a little dissappointed as well. dissapointed in the information i found here. i was hired to sell insurance for cornerstone america a few weeks ago, and went through everything that is explained here. i paid $300 when i went in to fill out the actual application (backround check fees, study guides, etc.) then took 2 1/2 weeks out of my life to study this book and take practice tests on the computer to get me ready for the actual exam. the exam costs you $100 every time you need to take it.

i just took the test 8/5/07 and unfortunatly failed by one point. i was extemely dissappointed in myself because of this. i quit a bartending job where i made really good money to work for this company. i quit working at the bar because of the hours and the people i had to deal with on a nightly basis and thought this would be a place where i could start an "actual career". a "big girl job" so to speak. well, i already paid anoth $100 to retake this test on 8/9/07 and it id nonrefundable. i was really excited to get started and actually start working, because i have not been recaeving any income while studying. I feel like i have to at least give it a shot now that i have already invested my valuable time and money. i hope that i am one of those successful people, i cant afford not to be. i plan on working like a mule. and if i do, and still fail, i will feel like such an *&*&. well, thank you all for at least making me open my eyes so i can be weary and not so naive.

I am happy that i found this site, but in all honest a little dissappointed as well. dissapointed in the information i found here. i was hired to sell insurance for cornerstone america a few weeks ago, and went through everything that is explained here. i paid $300 when i went in to fill out the actual application (backround check fees, study guides, etc.) then took 2 1/2 weeks out of my life to study this book and take practice tests on the computer to get me ready for the actual exam. the exam costs you $100 every time you need to take it.

i just took the test 8/5/07 and unfortunatly failed by one point. i was extemely dissappointed in myself because of this. i quit a bartending job where i made really good money to work for this company. i quit working at the bar because of the hours and the people i had to deal with on a nightly basis and thought this would be a place where i could start an "actual career". a "big girl job" so to speak. well, i already paid anoth $100 to retake this test on 8/9/07 and it id nonrefundable. i was really excited to get started and actually start working, because i have not been recaeving any income while studying. I feel like i have to at least give it a shot now that i have already invested my valuable time and money. i hope that i am one of those successful people, i cant afford not to be. i plan on working like a mule. and if i do, and still fail, i will feel like such an *&*&. well, thank you all for at least making me open my eyes so i can be weary and not so naive.

I am happy that i found this site, but in all honest a little dissappointed as well. dissapointed in the information i found here. i was hired to sell insurance for cornerstone america a few weeks ago, and went through everything that is explained here. i paid $300 when i went in to fill out the actual application (backround check fees, study guides, etc.) then took 2 1/2 weeks out of my life to study this book and take practice tests on the computer to get me ready for the actual exam. the exam costs you $100 every time you need to take it.

i just took the test 8/5/07 and unfortunatly failed by one point. i was extemely dissappointed in myself because of this. i quit a bartending job where i made really good money to work for this company. i quit working at the bar because of the hours and the people i had to deal with on a nightly basis and thought this would be a place where i could start an "actual career". a "big girl job" so to speak. well, i already paid anoth $100 to retake this test on 8/9/07 and it id nonrefundable. i was really excited to get started and actually start working, because i have not been recaeving any income while studying. I feel like i have to at least give it a shot now that i have already invested my valuable time and money. i hope that i am one of those successful people, i cant afford not to be. i plan on working like a mule. and if i do, and still fail, i will feel like such an *&*&. well, thank you all for at least making me open my eyes so i can be weary and not so naive.

I am happy that i found this site, but in all honest a little dissappointed as well. dissapointed in the information i found here. i was hired to sell insurance for cornerstone america a few weeks ago, and went through everything that is explained here. i paid $300 when i went in to fill out the actual application (backround check fees, study guides, etc.) then took 2 1/2 weeks out of my life to study this book and take practice tests on the computer to get me ready for the actual exam. the exam costs you $100 every time you need to take it.

i just took the test 8/5/07 and unfortunatly failed by one point. i was extemely dissappointed in myself because of this. i quit a bartending job where i made really good money to work for this company. i quit working at the bar because of the hours and the people i had to deal with on a nightly basis and thought this would be a place where i could start an "actual career". a "big girl job" so to speak. well, i already paid anoth $100 to retake this test on 8/9/07 and it id nonrefundable. i was really excited to get started and actually start working, because i have not been recaeving any income while studying. I feel like i have to at least give it a shot now that i have already invested my valuable time and money. i hope that i am one of those successful people, i cant afford not to be. i plan on working like a mule. and if i do, and still fail, i will feel like such an *&*&. well, thank you all for at least making me open my eyes so i can be weary and not so naive.

If the company says they will give you leads that you can make a good living on and you believe them you are sadly mistaken.

Cornerstone told me if I attended 2 early morning sales meetings a week I would get 10 leads. I found out later than these "leads" were new business listings (Cornerstone did not have a group health insurance product). They were not leads requesting information on health insurance.

Also, 99% of Internet leads are no good -- most people never answer the phone or return your messages, the names and phone numbers are bogus, they are looking for a friend or their dog, etc., etc.

An insurance company in NY told me: If we have the best and lowest health insurance product in the market and we give you 10 leads (people who have spent time completing an extensive form with their personal information) -- do you think you can sell 3 of them?

Unfortunately they were Internet leads. If you were "lucky" enough to be answering the phone at the home office you could sell quite a few incoming calls (these people wanted health insurance). However, my turn was only once every 3 months. They really encouraged you to go door-to-door to businesses (self-employed people got a lower rate).

If you are not willing to go door-to-door and start up conversations with as many people on the street or subway that you can, you will not be able to sell enough to support yourself.

One of the sales managers told us he built his business by putting 100 pennies in his pocket and transferring one penny every time he entered a business. He would not go home at night until all 100 pennies were in the other pocket. If you are willing to do that every day you probably will succeed.

I wish these companies would tell the truth on the first interview. I guess they feel they are not out any money hiring you and maybe at least they can sell you some leads. When you leave, maybe they will get referrals from your sales. The sales manager will also take over your policies and get the residuals after you leave. Cornerstone even charged over $100/month for you to be able to use a small space with a telephone. THEY made money even if you did not sell much.

AXA at least gave a truthful picture of the business. You must have a lot of networking groups and know a lot of people as well as cold calling and door-to-door. It will take about 2 years to establish your business. If you can do this they have very good benefits. They also sell most of the large insurance companies so you are not tied to one company's product. You can get your securities licenses through them and sell securities also. If you're ambitious and willing to work a couple of years I think you can do very well.

Then you just have to worry about the product you are selling and if the sales managers are telling you the truth about the policies or just enough information to get a sale. Good luck!

If the company says they will give you leads that you can make a good living on and you believe them you are sadly mistaken.

Cornerstone told me if I attended 2 early morning sales meetings a week I would get 10 leads. I found out later than these "leads" were new business listings (Cornerstone did not have a group health insurance product). They were not leads requesting information on health insurance.

Also, 99% of Internet leads are no good -- most people never answer the phone or return your messages, the names and phone numbers are bogus, they are looking for a friend or their dog, etc., etc.

An insurance company in NY told me: If we have the best and lowest health insurance product in the market and we give you 10 leads (people who have spent time completing an extensive form with their personal information) -- do you think you can sell 3 of them?

Unfortunately they were Internet leads. If you were "lucky" enough to be answering the phone at the home office you could sell quite a few incoming calls (these people wanted health insurance). However, my turn was only once every 3 months. They really encouraged you to go door-to-door to businesses (self-employed people got a lower rate).

If you are not willing to go door-to-door and start up conversations with as many people on the street or subway that you can, you will not be able to sell enough to support yourself.

One of the sales managers told us he built his business by putting 100 pennies in his pocket and transferring one penny every time he entered a business. He would not go home at night until all 100 pennies were in the other pocket. If you are willing to do that every day you probably will succeed.

I wish these companies would tell the truth on the first interview. I guess they feel they are not out any money hiring you and maybe at least they can sell you some leads. When you leave, maybe they will get referrals from your sales. The sales manager will also take over your policies and get the residuals after you leave. Cornerstone even charged over $100/month for you to be able to use a small space with a telephone. THEY made money even if you did not sell much.

AXA at least gave a truthful picture of the business. You must have a lot of networking groups and know a lot of people as well as cold calling and door-to-door. It will take about 2 years to establish your business. If you can do this they have very good benefits. They also sell most of the large insurance companies so you are not tied to one company's product. You can get your securities licenses through them and sell securities also. If you're ambitious and willing to work a couple of years I think you can do very well.

Then you just have to worry about the product you are selling and if the sales managers are telling you the truth about the policies or just enough information to get a sale. Good luck!

If the company says they will give you leads that you can make a good living on and you believe them you are sadly mistaken.

Cornerstone told me if I attended 2 early morning sales meetings a week I would get 10 leads. I found out later than these "leads" were new business listings (Cornerstone did not have a group health insurance product). They were not leads requesting information on health insurance.

Also, 99% of Internet leads are no good -- most people never answer the phone or return your messages, the names and phone numbers are bogus, they are looking for a friend or their dog, etc., etc.

An insurance company in NY told me: If we have the best and lowest health insurance product in the market and we give you 10 leads (people who have spent time completing an extensive form with their personal information) -- do you think you can sell 3 of them?

Unfortunately they were Internet leads. If you were "lucky" enough to be answering the phone at the home office you could sell quite a few incoming calls (these people wanted health insurance). However, my turn was only once every 3 months. They really encouraged you to go door-to-door to businesses (self-employed people got a lower rate).

If you are not willing to go door-to-door and start up conversations with as many people on the street or subway that you can, you will not be able to sell enough to support yourself.

One of the sales managers told us he built his business by putting 100 pennies in his pocket and transferring one penny every time he entered a business. He would not go home at night until all 100 pennies were in the other pocket. If you are willing to do that every day you probably will succeed.

I wish these companies would tell the truth on the first interview. I guess they feel they are not out any money hiring you and maybe at least they can sell you some leads. When you leave, maybe they will get referrals from your sales. The sales manager will also take over your policies and get the residuals after you leave. Cornerstone even charged over $100/month for you to be able to use a small space with a telephone. THEY made money even if you did not sell much.

AXA at least gave a truthful picture of the business. You must have a lot of networking groups and know a lot of people as well as cold calling and door-to-door. It will take about 2 years to establish your business. If you can do this they have very good benefits. They also sell most of the large insurance companies so you are not tied to one company's product. You can get your securities licenses through them and sell securities also. If you're ambitious and willing to work a couple of years I think you can do very well.

Then you just have to worry about the product you are selling and if the sales managers are telling you the truth about the policies or just enough information to get a sale. Good luck!

Rachel,
You asked if any company has been a rip off and been in business for more that 20 years? I don't have enough room to list them all. I'm sure you have heard of our Government, Enron, Adelphia, many nursing homes and countless medical places. There are other insurance companies as well. Conerstone has not been in business for 20 years, they use that line because of they work subsidiaries of other insurance names. Theses names changes quite often. They are not registered to sell insurance in many states. I'm in Colorado and they are under investigation. The do not belong to the BBB, not that you have too, but it helps. I have spent this week researching this company so far it does not look good. Like most companies they start over and the change the name. Think about the retire program they have. I have never seen a company put into a retirement plan like they do, but y ou have to work there to get it all?? You don't find that odd. Cornerstone America is a division of Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee...this office is in Texas and is under a class action lawsuite as we speak.Cornerstone is wholly owned subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Yet another name! They are not listed in Barrons or morningstar. I had friends help and it was difficult to find real information on this company. If you have to buy your own list of leads...RUN. I have been in sales for man,man years. Not once have I had to "buy" my ownlist. I am currently working with the Feds and State to contiunue to investiagte this/these companies. I hope it's wrong...

Rachel,
You asked if any company has been a rip off and been in business for more that 20 years? I don't have enough room to list them all. I'm sure you have heard of our Government, Enron, Adelphia, many nursing homes and countless medical places. There are other insurance companies as well. Conerstone has not been in business for 20 years, they use that line because of they work subsidiaries of other insurance names. Theses names changes quite often. They are not registered to sell insurance in many states. I'm in Colorado and they are under investigation. The do not belong to the BBB, not that you have too, but it helps. I have spent this week researching this company so far it does not look good. Like most companies they start over and the change the name. Think about the retire program they have. I have never seen a company put into a retirement plan like they do, but y ou have to work there to get it all?? You don't find that odd. Cornerstone America is a division of Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee...this office is in Texas and is under a class action lawsuite as we speak.Cornerstone is wholly owned subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Yet another name! They are not listed in Barrons or morningstar. I had friends help and it was difficult to find real information on this company. If you have to buy your own list of leads...RUN. I have been in sales for man,man years. Not once have I had to "buy" my ownlist. I am currently working with the Feds and State to contiunue to investiagte this/these companies. I hope it's wrong...

Rachel,
You asked if any company has been a rip off and been in business for more that 20 years? I don't have enough room to list them all. I'm sure you have heard of our Government, Enron, Adelphia, many nursing homes and countless medical places. There are other insurance companies as well. Conerstone has not been in business for 20 years, they use that line because of they work subsidiaries of other insurance names. Theses names changes quite often. They are not registered to sell insurance in many states. I'm in Colorado and they are under investigation. The do not belong to the BBB, not that you have too, but it helps. I have spent this week researching this company so far it does not look good. Like most companies they start over and the change the name. Think about the retire program they have. I have never seen a company put into a retirement plan like they do, but y ou have to work there to get it all?? You don't find that odd. Cornerstone America is a division of Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee...this office is in Texas and is under a class action lawsuite as we speak.Cornerstone is wholly owned subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Yet another name! They are not listed in Barrons or morningstar. I had friends help and it was difficult to find real information on this company. If you have to buy your own list of leads...RUN. I have been in sales for man,man years. Not once have I had to "buy" my ownlist. I am currently working with the Feds and State to contiunue to investiagte this/these companies. I hope it's wrong...

Rachel,
You asked if any company has been a rip off and been in business for more that 20 years? I don't have enough room to list them all. I'm sure you have heard of our Government, Enron, Adelphia, many nursing homes and countless medical places. There are other insurance companies as well. Conerstone has not been in business for 20 years, they use that line because of they work subsidiaries of other insurance names. Theses names changes quite often. They are not registered to sell insurance in many states. I'm in Colorado and they are under investigation. The do not belong to the BBB, not that you have too, but it helps. I have spent this week researching this company so far it does not look good. Like most companies they start over and the change the name. Think about the retire program they have. I have never seen a company put into a retirement plan like they do, but y ou have to work there to get it all?? You don't find that odd. Cornerstone America is a division of Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee...this office is in Texas and is under a class action lawsuite as we speak.Cornerstone is wholly owned subsidiary of HealthMarkets, Yet another name! They are not listed in Barrons or morningstar. I had friends help and it was difficult to find real information on this company. If you have to buy your own list of leads...RUN. I have been in sales for man,man years. Not once have I had to "buy" my ownlist. I am currently working with the Feds and State to contiunue to investiagte this/these companies. I hope it's wrong...

Cornerstone America is nothing more than an untrained, greedy little firm that promotes only getting rich quick on the backs of hard working Americans. They recruit anyone who has a pulse and then proceed to teach them nothing about the insurance business. They never learn about what insurance is really about (the hard working families they are suppose to help and protect through indemnity).

Instead they are taught the only thing that matters in this industry is what they call A.V., what is refered to as annual premium in the real world this refered to as annual premium. I've written indemnity for years. Thats right I used the word INDEMNITY. Which is what this really is supposed to be.

Never once are they taught the family is what it's really about. Real agents like us laugh at these "whores". They prostitute the market and give a black eye to the honest, helpful agent. I once worked for Cornerstone (very short time), literally was ashamed, and had trouble sleeping at night. I've worked for some of the finest companies in this land, I've delivered death benefits and honestly helped to finance college educations.

If you do anything in the future, stay away from Cornerstone America. Your eternal soul may actually be at stake. No kidding.

Real agent-Dallas, Texas

This person Joy, started in the same class as I did. My first week in, I wrote double digits. She never wrote any business or at least any business that was note worthy. Since we started, I have seen may people come and go, they come, see the success in the room and then think that it will just come to them since they are there. That is not the case, one must accept this opportunity as a business with an extremely supportive attitude from the others. One must work 40 hours, not M-F from, 8-5, but whatever hours are needed. Since most of our business is done with people who are self employed, many of them are busy working during the days. That means that we must meet with them in the evenings or weekends.

As for leads, yes, many of the successful agents do buy there own leads and spend $200-$400 per month, but the amount of money that you will make given you are working will far surpass the output. There are agents that do not purchase any leads from outside sources and do extremely well with leads given by company.

It is really too bad that this one posting could sway many people from opting out of this great opportunity. I have seen a few agents come in months behind on their mortgage, about lose everything and after this opportunity have been able to change their lives around.

This is not a scam, if it were, I don't believe that:

A) it would be around for more than 20 years! Have you ever heard of a scam that has been around that long?

B)Would have been traded on the NYSE or now purchased by the Blackstone Group / Goldman Sachs.

C) Would be allowed to continue to do business by the Dept of Insurance.

Like I said, all of these postings with regards to Cornerstone America / MidWest National Life are posting by people that did have the work ethic to build themselves a business.

Don't let yourself fall prey to these losers.

Zippy, Encino CA