They have phony lying advertising that says that they are looking for agents but it is a way of marketing their junk. I went there for an interview and the guy said oh, I have filled 2 out of the "only" 3 positions, why should I hire you. He is disqualifying you so you are put on the defensive and trying to convince this person to give you a "position" but then he asks you for a $285 processing fee but says it is the cost of getting the license but that is a lie. HE WILL NOT TELL YOU IT IS A NON-REFUNDABLE processing fee all he will say is that this is to cover the cost of getting the license. But, TO GET AN INSURANCE LICENSE IN FLORIDA DOES NOT COST THAT MUCH. You have just forked over about $600 dollars half of which is this processing fee written in really small letters so you can not see it and he makes you sign it so fast like an idiot because he has been playing with your mind the whole time. Don't fall for it. NON OF IT IS REFUNDABLE. THIS PERSON RICHARD BANVILLE OR ANY OF THESE HEARTLESS VILLAINS WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT IT IS NOT REFUNDABLE, BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE. THIS IS NOT A LEGITIMATE JOB IT IS A SCAM.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Hmmmm Tina P just like Mark H, Mark B and Rick B.
I've worked in several industries where you have to put forth money for the job. HOWEVER, the company just pulled that from your first few paychecks. This kind of scam is the worst kind. It prays on those already looking for work who can afford the cost the least. You can claim I'm lazy, or unmotivated or whatever, but forking out a chunk of money to start working? That's just low. You can claim it's for the security screen... Um.. I worked for a financial institution that dealt with the Federal Reserve. I didn't get charged for that background check. Licenses? Well if it's such a "Sure Thing" as the recruiter claims, then why not just take that fee out of the first monster sized 100k paycheck.
Tina, I'm betting you are one of their recruiters. You certainly utilize the same scam story. The person who tried to recruit me used almost the same script. Talking about the "boring 9 to 5 job" Well I have news for ya. people put up with boring for one good reason. It's stable. They know that in a week they get paid. They earn x dollars. Even if they have a slow week. Sure there's no such thing as a guaranteed paycheck. Heck I worked in a department that was undermanned, and I got fired. Yup FIRED! I accept that responsibility. I accept that blame, because it was something I did. But I did have a steady check the entire time I was there. It was MY mistake that caused that to end. And at least I don't have some hefty overhead to deal with.
I know it's a scam when they don't even bother to read the resume that they claim says I would be a perfect fit. I have ZERO sales listed on my resume. NONE! NOT EVEN RETAIL! I have over 15 years worth of IT experience. The last sales I did was prior to my joining the service in 94. I don't do retail, and I don't do sales. I don't like commission, and refuse to take a "percentage of each contract." I've done Database Administration contract work for $75 an hour heck I've even had a few independent contracts which I did that afforded me $200 an hour. I got those jobs through the job board Independent Producers of America exploits for their scam. If you don't want to be called a scam, don't contact everyone who posts a resume on the site. Actually take the time to READ their resume, and target the ones with SALES or INSURANCE experience, not years of IT experience.
Thomas M in Phoenix.
Looks like I am a little late on comments but o’well! Ok, here we go. I too went on an interview with this company, December of 2009. It is now February 2010. I woke up this morning at about 4:30am wondering how my fiancé and I are going to make it through this next week, financially of course. I started to think of this company, who inquired about my resume just a few months ago. Times are hard for everyone, I get it! Let me start by saying this: my fiancé has started a Carpet Cleaning company here in NC and I am a student and a stay at home mom. I am only in my second year of school and I am already at $20, 000 in student loans. My fiancé has had his company since; well let’s just say December of 2009 (since this is when he got his first job). Do you realize how much money he has put out for licensing, insurance and you don’t even want to know the cost for him to get only liability insurance vs. the money he has actually brought in? It doesn’t add up! Oh yeah, and here in NC if you have any points on your DL, it cost much more money to change your papers From Florida to NC. So, to say the least…..We are in major dept trying to run a business, get an education and raise a family and meanwhile, we don’t even have nearly enough money to feed our two small children. Those of you complaining are (excuse my expression) completely full of Sh**. First off, when my fiancé and I were in car sales, we both worked for two different companies yet we had to pay for weekend work shirts with the dealers logo (those were $35 a pop plus they deducted money out of our checks for business cards. Realtors pay for licensing and education and must put out more money to work for somebody else, unless they dish out more money to run their own office. So, for those of you who say it shouldn’t cost money to work for someone else, maybe you should do some research before you open your mouth because you look pretty stupid right now! And as for “Adam the Lawyer” above, I sure do hope you didn’t pay for any legal education because for one you can’t even spell, your terminology is……..well…….my 7 year old daughter speaks with more intellect then you. I sure do hope you are not a lawyer! Then again, that would explain why you are looking for a “JOB”. I don’t know if this company is reputable, but I do know all of those who complain about these scams are upset more so because they want to try something they can’t afford! OR, you are too lazy and don’t have what it takes to be successful. So, you all go and work a 9-5 job and enjoy your $200-$300 a week paycheck (minus taxes). That is if you are even getting that much………….. And let me just say, I do not think any of you have the ability or common sense to get a job that pays that much, if you don't have the understanding of the importance for licensing and knowledge to consult clients about insurance. If they did hire you on chance, would you know the first thing to do without the proper knowledge or training they offer you? What do you want an education and opportunity to make 6 figures for free? GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! How many of you have lost money buying into $19.95-$39.95 “Work online” job scams? COM”ON! You didn’t know that was a scam when you purchased it? Let me just say, I have even bought into those scams and do you know why? The same reason you did…..because I figured someone else is making money (a fortune actually) scamming people, so why can’t I? Then again you’re probably too ignorant to even understand that concept. Well, it has been over 200 days since all of you replied to this post and how many of you are working today? How many of you are making decent money? How many of you are in a position to advance your career? How many of you are in a position that offers assistance to others? How many of you are getting bonuses and recognition for your hard work? I’ll tell you what, Today is 2/11/2010 at 8.55am and I don’t know where I will be tomorrow and I don’t know if I will even call this company and give it a try, but let me just say this……..you are not going to get far by complaining about the credibility of another company, because too many people realize that not everyone possesses the qualities needed to be successful. If you want to slam a company, do it because you honestly feel that the opportunity is not there and give a good reason why you feel this way and back it up with “facts”……….opinions are like a** holes, Everyone has one! If I wanted to complain about a company like this, I would simply say…….”This is not a good idea to invest in an insurance job opportunity right now, because of the whole Obama vs. the Insurance charades. However, with a little research, depending on the city and state you live in, maybe this could be a good opportunity and the perfect time to get the right education and knowledge now, so that in a few months or a year, when all this is said and done, you have not only received the education and knowledge but most important you can get the experience you need to grow a very big opportunity and life style for yourself and your family.” But you know what, some of you will never see the light, it’s just human nature for some individuals to just be ignorant and oblivious to reality. Making good money and living the “American Dream” is very hard work! Donald Trump didn’t get rich sitting around waiting for his ship to come in…….he had to invest some kind of money to get where he is…….Can I suggest you invest in his book (any of them are sufficient), to get a clear understanding that success is hard work not sitting around waiting for your ship to come in! Well, I some classes I have to study for so that I can get an education, so that I can get a decent position within a corporation so that I am able to pay for that $20, 000 piece of paper that says I have a 2 year degree…...Get my point people?
Good luck to all of you and all of your future ventures! Maybe I will post anther comment in 6 months to see if any of you have become successful with your 9-5 stressful, boring, unproductive and unsuccessful jobs!
Tina P.
CareerBuilder: interview
From: Mark Allen (CandidateEmail@Site.Careerbuilder.com)
Sent: Sat 2/06/10 3:16 PM
To: xxxxxx xxxxxxx(xxxxxx@live.com )
Dear xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx,
I reviewed your resume on Careerbuilder.com today. I am currently seeking an extremely professional account executive in our sales and marketing department. After reviewing your resume, I feel your skills and experience would be an excellent match for this position. I would like to move forward with an interview. I have an opening on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 11:30 am to meet with you. If that time is suitable, please reply to my email to confirm the interview. Please provide a good contact number that I may reach you. I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Highest regards,
Mark Allen
Regional Sales Leader
America's Business Benefit Association
http://abbaplans.com/new/index.html
http://www.independenceholding.com/
Directions
We are located at 4251 Kipling #170 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. We are on Kipling about a half mile south of I 70. From I 70, drive south on Kipling. Go through the intersection at 44th and take your first right which is 43rd. Go west one block on 43rd and turn left into the parking lot. We are in the five-story red brick office building. Please arrive no later than 11:20 am. Also, please bring a hard copy of your resume. The attire is professional business. I am looking forward to meeting with you on Monday, February 8 at 11:20 am.
This one gave me a link... But it sounds like a scam...
I also got the same thing.
Good Evening,
I reviewed your resume on Careerbuilder.com today. I am currently seeking a professional Account Executive in our Sales and Marketing Department. After reviewing your resume, I feel your skills and experience would be a good match for this position. I would like to move forward with an interview with you next week. I have an opening on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:50 a.m. to meet with you. If that time is suitable, please reply to my email to confirm the interview, and provide a good contact number. I am looking forward to speaking with you soon. Have a spectacular evening.
Warmest regards,
Bruce Tripp
Regional Sales Leader
America's Business Benefit Association
Regency Plaza Center
4643 S. Ulster Street
8th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
Who is this company...
I was doing some pre-interview research about IPA and came upon this website. All I had to do what search for the person that sent me the e-mail on google.. and wha-lah! SCAM! I am so upset, because I was scheduled for an interview this afternoon and thought this company might be legitimate. Now after reading all of the posts, I'm going to not be attending my interview. Most insurance companies do want you to pay for your license. However a flag kind of came up when someone posted on here that they already had their insurance license, and IPA still wanted them to pay for a license. Sounds pretty fishy!
I'm going to try for something in a different field. Sales can be kind of a weird job position, sometimes you will receive possible scams.
To all those searching on careerbuilder.com, BE VERY CAREFUL. I submitted my resume to several job posts. SEVERAL people e-mailed me back saying that they loved my resumes and sent me a link to fill out further information. They should NEVER ask you for your SSN, and please if you see that they want your SSN report it! BE SO CAREFUL, there are so many scams out there right now... especially in this job market.
I got the same email today. 2 websites links were provided but they did'nt match at all with the location of the interview. Thanks for Google and your comments on IPA !
Dear xxx
I reviewed your resume on Careerbuilder.com today. I am currently seeking an extremely professional account executive in our sales and marketing department. After reviewing your resume, I feel your skills and experience would be an excellent match for this position. I would like to move forward with an interview. I have an opening on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:30 am to meet with you. If that time is suitable, please reply to my email to confirm the interview. Please provide a good contact number that I may reach you. I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Highest regards,
Mark Allen
Regional Sales Leader
America's Business Benefit Association
http://abbaplans.com/new/index.html
http://www.independenceholding.com/
Directions
We are located at 4251 Kipling #170 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. We are on Kipling about a half mile south of I 70. From I 70, drive south on Kipling. Go through the intersection at 44th and take your first right which is 43rd. Go west one block on 43rd and turn left into the parking lot. We are in the five-story red brick office building. Please arrive no later than 11:20 am. Also, please bring a hard copy of your resume. The attire is professional business. I am looking forward to meeting with you on Monday, January 18 at 11:20 am.
Robert Heafey
sender-time Sent at 12:41 PM (GMT-05:00). Current time there: 2:55 PM. ✆
reply-to rheafey@abbaplans.com
date Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 12:41 PM
subject CareerBuilder: Great resume! I would like to have you in for an interview
mailed-by site.careerbuilder.com
signed-by careerbuilder.com
CareerBuilder: Great resume! I would like to have you in for an interview
Dear Job Seeker,
Independent Producers of America and Independence Holding Group are expanding in Scottsdale. We are seeking local candidates to fill the position of Professional Sales Representative/Sales Manager and to join the #1 Regional Sales Office in the nation. After reviewing your resume online, I feel that you have the necessary qualifications to be a candidate for a position with our company.
Independent Producers of America provides Fortune 500 benefit consulting services to the self-employed and small business community. This is one of the most dynamic markets today and our organization is aggressively seeking talented, motivated professionals to join our innovative company.
I am conducting interviews at our Arizona Regional Office next week and I would like to schedule an interview with you on Tuesday, January 5th - I still have 10:00 am and 2:00 pm available. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the specific details of the position including compensation.
Our Arizona Regional Office is located at the following address:
Mammoth Professional Building
1490 S. Price Rd.
Suite 209
Chandler, Az. 85286
Note: We are located on the NW corner of Price and Willis (South of the 101/202 Santan freeway interchange on Price Rd). Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out preliminary paperwork and please bring a hard copy of your resume. Professional attire is required.
To confirm your interview, please respond via email and advise whether you will attend the 10:00 am or 2:00 pm appointment. Also, please include your contact information. Please review our company website http://www.ipafamily.com/ and be sure to click on the brochure located in the media center to learn more about your opportunity with Independent Producers of America.
I look forward to meeting you in person to further discuss your career opportunity.
Kind Regards,
Jennifer Heafey
Regional Sales Leader
Independent Producers of America, LLC.
A Member of Independence Holding Group (NYSE: IHC)
E-Mail: rheafey@abbaplans.com
NATIONAL ETHICS BUREAU MEMBER:
View Jennifer's Certificate of Approval
View Jennifer's Professional Profile
I just read every post in here about this company - it's so easy to tell who works for the company and i trying to make this BAAAAD company look better...
Mark B? Rick B? Mark H? - do they have anyone who works for the company who's name isn't a 4 letter word...
Stay Away from these CROOKS - too much bad press...
I received the same ole song and dance from these [censored]...sent them back an email message with this website. Now they are cursed...shame on them.
Scam...and for anyone who says otherwise, you're just a back row chess piece trying to sacrifice pawns for the sack of IPA and your own pockets. Your email reads the same as the other dozen other emails received by anyone in these hard times. Playing off the desperation of lost and distraught individuals is nothing short of what Marshall Applewhite's actions when he convinced 38 people to drink the "koolaid".
Choosing a new career path is never an easy decision. But if you want to fulfill your dream of being an independent entrepreneur and leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones, IPA might be the right fit for you. Do you seek:
We also believe that something as BIG as making a career change should be done with reliable and credible sources that can be trusted!
I encourage you to visit www.ipafamily.com/media.html for a list of credible sources to research our company and affiliated companies.
The internet is a wonderful tool. However not everything on the internet is reliable nor can some things always be trusted. Please be aware that there are some sites that encourage and promote internet graffiti that is not always verified.
Perhaps before you make any further decisions or form any judgments you should do some additional research.
www.reportsripoff.com/[redacted]scam.php
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHAcf1fYknE
Regardless of weather IPA is the right fit for you and your family, or whether you are better suited for another organization we want to make sure that you do thorough and reliable research before making any career decision.
Highest Regards,
Independent Producers of America
Thank you everyone. I received the same e-mail and Tuesday, November 17th at 9:50am have a Interview here in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
I reviewed your resume on Careerbuilder.com today. I am currently seeking an extremely professional account executive in our sales and marketing department. After reviewing your resume, I feel your skills and experience would be an excellent match for this position. I would like to move forward with an interview. I have an opening on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 9:50 am to meet with you. If that time is suitable, please reply to my email to confirm the interview, or call me at [protected]. Please provide a good contact number that I may reach you. I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Highest regards,
Mark Allen
Regional Sales Leader
Mark Allen and Associates
[protected]
Directions
We are located at 4251 Kipling #170 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. We are on Kipling about a half mile south of I 70. From I 70, drive south on Kipling. Go through the intersection at 44th and take your first right which is 43rd. Go west one block on 43rd and turn left into the parking lot. We are in the five-story red brick office building. Please arrive no later than 9:50 am. Also, please bring a hard copy of your resume. The attire is professional business. I am looking forward to meeting with you on Wednesday, November 17 at 10:00 am.
*Yawn*
Guys like "Pizano" are the true "dime-a-dozen".
Those of us who have actually worked sales have legitimate concerns- if you are a respective employee [recruit, etc] and there is an "up-front fee" to commit to any line of business- that fee is redacted from their initial pay at the start of their [true] employment- not at the time they sign a bunch of "legalese".
I'm going to be interested in "grabk009's" position once he's been hit with the company's hard-sell and that his licensing 'doesn't count with this kind of select service".
ALL industries- even the motion picture/television industries- have strict laws governing the hiring and utilization of a work-force. This IPA "group" [gypsies most likely] is nothing more than a loosely collected MLM facade designed to fleece-n-leave.
I've seen- and yes, even been seduced once- by this scam.
It is a scam.
Caveat Emptore.
I received this same email, but I did a little snooping and on google maps he is registered as Allen Mark
Unit 170, 4251 Kipling St, Wheat Ridge, CO
[protected]
The phone # listed on the internet sounds like a fax machine.
I had previously contacted a consulting firm about a position sales position. Ironically, the company's name was Mark Allen & Associates. You can imagine the my excitement when I was contact for an interview by the Mark Allen & Associates. Fortunately, I was doing my preliminary interview prep work and found out about this little scam. The IPA Mark Allen and the Mark Allen that I was trying to work for are two different companies. I am glad I didn't' waste my time to drive 2 hours each way to interview with the wrong company.
Thanks to all the warnings. I was scheduled for Tue.9am here in Denver. I too thought it strange that I could not get info or find a website. I wont say how I came to find out about IPA Colorado mark allen but thanks also to google.
That is because you are all a bunch of losers. You were in elementary school, Jr. high school, and you probably didn't finish high school. If you did, you were a loser then as well. I am going to work for IPA. I will be successfull. They weed out the weak, like yourselves. Get a life and go work at McDonalds where you belong. You bunch of queers.
Bobby Pizano
I just received the same email, but this time it did not include a phone number, but did offer a website. After some digging, it seems that "Account Executive" is just a fancy name for a Sales Person.
Dear *******
We are expanding in North Carolina, and we are seeking candidates to fill our Account Executive position. I would like to invite you to an interview in our North Carolina Office on Friday, October 30th at 10:00 a.m.
Please reply back with your name, interview time and contact number to confirm your interview. The purpose of the interview will be to discuss the specific details of the position including compensation.
We are a member of the Independence Holding Group (NYSE:IHC). A $1.3 Billion dollar publicly traded company. Please review our website at www.independenceholding.com
Please arrive 15 minutes early and dress in Professional Attire.
Below are the directions and the address for the interview.
I look forward to meeting you in person to further discuss this career opportunity.
North Carolina Regional Office:
201 Shannon Oaks Circle
Suite 200
Cary, NC 27511
Click here for map.
Thank you,
Edwin Britt
Regional Sales Leader
Brittnorthcarolina@ipa-america.com
I received the same e-mail and something about it just didn't ring true. So, I googled the phone number and found your comments. I am very happy I did because I did seem odd. I have already been burned once before by a company called American Business Benefits Association (ABBA), which sent me an e-mail very similar to the one from Mark Allen. This company was also looking for sales executives and promised tremendous wages. I turns out that they will advance you your pay but you also need to pay it back with interest. In addition, they wanted me to pay for my background check and to pay training to get a license to sell health insurance. Times are tough, especially for those of us looking for employment so we all need to be on the lookout for those who will try to swindle people who just want to make a living and provide for our families.
Lee Ales
Received the same as above today (date change to 10.22.2009 is the only difference). No details of the interview nor company website rules this one out very quickly.
I just received an email from 'Mark Allen' about 30 minutes ago:
I reviewed your resume on Careerbuilder.com today. I am currently seeking an extremely professional account executive in our sales and marketing department. After reviewing your resume, I feel your skills and experience would be an excellent match for this position. I would like to move forward with an interview. I have an opening on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 10:00 am to meet with you. If that time is suitable, please reply to my email to confirm the interview, or call me at [protected]. Please provide a good contact number that I may reach you. I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.
Highest regards,
Mark Allen
Regional Sales Leader
Mark Allen and Associates
[protected]
Directions
We are located at 4251 Kipling #170 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. We are on Kipling about a half mile south of I 70. From I 70, drive south on Kipling. Go through the intersection at 44th and take your first right which is 43rd. Go west one block on 43rd and turn left into the parking lot. We are in the five-story red brick office building. Please arrive no later than 9:50 am. Also, please bring a hard copy of your resume. The attire is professional business. I am looking forward to meeting with you on Wednesday, October 21 at 9:50 am.
I was curious when there was no website address and after sending him a request for a website, I never heard back. With further researching, I found the IPA information which linked me here. I definitely will not be attending the interview... thank you to all who take the time to warn others.
It's much appreciated!
I am going for an interview this coming Monday for IPA. I understand the book of business and insurance. I currently have my life and health license; you do have to invest in order to get into any insurance that you are independently contracted. And yes I know you'll have to work long hours at the beginning.
These insurance companies are not scams and they are not run all the same. They are independent agencies that are contracted to sell their products. So every one is ran differently and I believe that the ethics of each company varies.
I am looking forward to the interview and hope that I'm a good fit for the company. Best of luck to the unemployed whiners who don't know the process of insurance licensing. Some companies do offer in-house classes and tests so you become licensed. That could be part of the fees. I love helping people and that's why I'm going into insurance. Then I direct my own success by working hard!
News flash CJS1979, you do not pay for a background check. You probably do work for them, and if you don't ; then your dumb for paying for a job you didn't even get yet.
None of you get it. Nice made up name Mark Hunt. Is your brother Mike? I don't work there but I've been selling insurance for a LONG time and you ALWAYS have to pay for your license - that means paying your way into the business. A $285 background check is essential because this business is HIGHLY REGULATED and we can't have people who are not responsible working in agencies. Those complaining about the fee most likely can't afford it. You need to find a $30, 000 job and take it up the a** for the rest of your life. If you have a pair hanging between your legs, pay the fee, get your license and work hard. I hate reading posts from momies boys who can't fork up a measly $285 - you make me sick.
Mike Hunt
These types of "opportunities" are coming out of the woodwork as soon as I posted my resume on careerbuilder (I received 4 in 2 days). The best thing that I have done is to google them and see what people are saying about them. Most are not good, however I did receive one from AFLAC and found a blog that really wasn't putting them down as much as it listed a lot of information on what you can expect. Most of the e-mail are written the same way; "I saw your resume on careerbuilder..." Just be cautious.
I agree with marymay, you don't pay someone to get a job. I knew it was a scam because my resume is strictly IT experience yet they are offering me a sales position. Also, read the comments from Happy, he/she tried to put consecutive comments as different people, but didn't change the name! LOL. Those that are defending the company have prewritten responses to sites like this that call out companies like this.
FOR THOSE STILL UNSURE
This is how to tell if things like this are scams: You should NEVER EVER EVER HAVE TO FORK OUT MONEY TO GET A JOB! For purchasing a franchise or starting your own independent office where you are self employed, yes maybe- but for a real legit job- no. SO LET ME REPEAT: YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR A LEGIT JOB! And Whats with this "meeting minimum qualifications"?
I could tell definitely that this "company" was bad news just by the email I received from the "Regional Vice President". Since when does someone that high up respond to resumes online-uh, never. Usually HR only and only in response to an actual application. Besides, it is so easy for anyone to get LLC for their "business" so its typical for small business owners. Real companies in this field would be a General Corporation.
GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND PEOPLE, AND ACTUALLY RESEARCH THINGS BEFORE AGREEING TO OR SIGNING ANYTHING! ITS CALLED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. IF THEY AREN'T WITH 'EM YOU SHOULDN'T BE EITHER.
And for those comments from people saying they work for this company, either they are completely in the dark and are too dumb to tell they've been screwed or they are fake responses from IPA. Just wait and see- all those poor people duped into signing up with this "insurance company" have invested lots of money and when they file a claim, either it will be denied or the "company" will dissolve. They are preying on gullible or ill-educated people, Don't be next.
Mary from TN
To all you burger-flippers out there,
Don't get mad because an opportunity was laid out in front of you and you didn't take it. IPA is for business-minded people. Why are you crying about $285? That's nothing! If you had been contacted by IPA through a employment site, didn't you do a little homework and check out the company? Didn't you see that it is an "outside sales position" that was available ? It is an insurance agency. Hello? You need a license to sell insurance! Just like real estate! Do you think real estate agents complain that they had to get their license before they could sell in the marketplace? I'll bet they had to pay a helluva lot more than $600 to get their business up and running. Keep making excuses for yourself. I'll keep making money. Oh, and by the way, I'll take a #7 with no pickles, a large fries, and a coke.
This company is going downhill - and it is because of guys like Mark B (Burns for thoseof you who need to know). I hired Mark 2 years ago - and he is the Nations top recruiter - and he has been paid handsomely for it - he doesn't tell you though that less than 2% of his agents even stay with the company for more than a month - I should know - I am his boss. We should have fired him on a cruise 2 years ago when we had a legitimate sexual harrassment complaint against him.
Mark Hunt
A reputable comapny would NEVER ask for money upfront to sell insurance. NO WAY!
Definitely reads as a scam. ALL the signs are there. They get really pissed off and show it in their emails when you ask them to remove your name. I sent all the info to the fraud department at CareerBuilder. If enough people do this, they will not have a way to scam others.
To all complainers. How can you say anything bad about the company if you never worked there. This is an offer to start your own career and if it takes $285 for you to make 35k-150k I think it is well worth it, at least if you are self employed you don't have to be afraid of being fired again. All of you that complain obviously don't have a desire to work as independent contractor and just looking for somebody to hand you 100k offer without any commitment from your side. Well it isn't like that, nothing come easy and I think Wallmart hires without any commitment as well as Burger King as long as you can flip burgers without dropping them on the floor.
Have a great career.
Bart B
They don't present this as a self-employment opportunity. They come on as if they were an employer when they contact people who've posted their resumes on employment websites. If they said, "business opportunity, requires an investment, " most of us would have simply treated it as run-of-the-mill spam and deleted it, rather than reporting it. In my case, I had specifically opted out of self-employment "opportunities" and was looking for an ordinary job. I bet that's the case with everyone else who's complaining about this company here, too. It isn't that we don't understand that you have to invest money when you start your own business, it's that the email they send to lure you into an interview doesn't indicate that you would be getting into anything of the sort, so the whole thing is dishonest and they're wasting the time... and in some instances the money... of job-seekers who often have little time or money to spare.
Jon K in Chicago. I think that a lot of these proffessional complainers on here don't understand business. There are fees involved! Get over it. What do you get in return. Also, working as an independant contractor, you will always have to pay for things yourself. However, if you have the true work ethic, then you will experience the kind of success where the cost of the fees won't matter. This is silly folks. Any real proffessional knows this. Obviously these people are just looking for a job and don't want to make any real money. Good luck whith that. I just opened an email from them as well, and I will go to meet with them today. Why? Because I understand real business. $280 bucks $600 bucks is not serious money. Try to open a franchise. There is probably not a single one that you could open, and opperate with $600 bucks. You would need at least 10 grand to get into a cleaning company, and make enough money to call it income instead of a hobby. Anyway To thoses who are doing well in this company, thanks for defending IPA. Continue to be blessed. Have a great day!
My name is Bill H., and I don't see anyone else putting their full names on ths site. I also work for IPA with great success. I wasn't offered a job, I was offered a career. I have been with the company for 1 year now and am pacing about $90k, but man it ain't easy. I am very satisfied with the company and the products. My well explained investment of $285 was more than reimbursed to me with a $500 check when I hit the minimum requirements.
Seems like the complainers on this site, made the investment and didn't follow through. Now, they are crying because they want their money back.
I am running a business here and helping people, and I thank God every day for this opportunity. I am so grateful that I am making money, helping people, providing for my family and have a real hope for the future.
Glad that I made the leap of faith,
Bill H. in Florida
Honest companies don't operate that way. They don't tell you that you have an interview, without mentioning that you're wasting your time if you don't have a spare $285. bucks lying around.
What "everything" does that cover? Because employers pay for background checks and training. Any state license fees would be paid to the state.
I have been with IPA for six months. Prior to that I was with another insurance company that is over 130 years old with $5.5 billion in assets on hand. I have found IPA to be much more integrity based than my prior company in every way. As for the $285 it was clearly explained to me what it covered and I was NEVER told it covered licensing but was told licensing would be an additional cost to the $285 but that to be appointed with the company I had to have state issued credentials through the DOI. My previous company charged all first year agents 9% of their commissions for "administrative costs" which I never liked even after I didn't pay that fee any longer. The $285 covers everything I have needed to get up and going including all the technology needs I have had. Everything I was told has been accurate thus far and the professionalism surpasses my previous firm that is a well known, long-standing name in the insurance industry. I am working long hours, but I haven't found a career yet that one can earn six figures in and do little for it. The team I am part of has two attorneys, a successful financial planner(was making $290K a year with a large national bank), and several insurance agents from other companies like NY LIfe, John Hancock to name a couple. This work is not easy so I would recommend anyone wanting to make significant dollars without long hours, stay away from the selling profession all together! You won't make it without lots of hard work!
Thank you for posting all this information. I am like everyone else I don't have $280 to give anyone. I need a job to make money for my family but I can't afford to give any upfront. I posted my resume online and I received an email from them for an interview at like 11:45pm. I thought that was kind of strange so my husband told me to research the company and find out if it is a scam! I am in Arizona and the place they told me to interview is a rent for the day or week office location.
Thank you so much for warning me about this company. After posting my resume' on an online job site, I got an unsolicited email for an interview with them. I don't have $285. to my name, anyway, but I can spend that morning looking for work instead of wasting it.
I have researched licenses to sell health insurance, nor does it come close to 280 dollars, but you get most of the money back from the state. They are saying to join you pay $280 for the license, background check, and training. Everyone knows you don't pay for a background check or training for a company you applied for. This company is obviously involved in money laundering. It seems that in this country now a days, employees and customer do not have any rights any more. In the state of Florida, it is illegal to deduct any money from an employees check unless it benefits the employee, regardless from fraud or any other illegal activities the employee is involved in. The way they are involved in money laundering; they find any reason to deduct illegally from an employees check and because they are a commission structure company, I guarantee they can hide it from you, the public, and as well as the I.R.S. If they can continue to deduct on every employees check weekly or biweekly for number of years, it adds up. Do not be fooled by their professional website, its very easy for someone with no experience to create a website even better then theirs. If the company was professional; they would pay for the the license for you when hired. All the people on this [redacted] page that disagrees that this is a scam; first go to Independent Producers Of America's website, read what they half to say, then go to and read these disagreements; do you notice the similar writing form. Its definitely a scam, be careful with these people. Report them if needed(wages and hour board).