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When is a lead not a lead? When the lead vendor says it isn't. Here are just a few of the games vendors play . ...


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Old 11-29-2008, 07:49 AM   #1
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When is a lead not a lead?

When the lead vendor says it isn't.

Here are just a few of the games vendors play . . .

Denying credit for a lead, because you are over the limit for credits. Some vendors tell you in advance they will credit up to 20% of leads while others don't. Everything is fine until you submit a valid request for credit, only to be denied because they will lose money if they credit that lead.

Providing an on-off switch for leads, but then holding leads that come in during the night and flooding your box once you turn the leads back on.

Charging for a filter, and then denying credit when a lead gets thru the filter. As long as at least one person on the lead request is insurable, you will not get credit.

Denying credit for a lead that meets the filter requirement but because they did not list the medical condition on their request, you do not get credit.

Changing the price of the leads in your agreement without warning. Of course the price is going up, not down.
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Old 11-29-2008, 10:59 AM   #2
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CPACINS on The games people play - Insurance Agent Forum
 
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So what lead companies would you say falls into those criteria?
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Old 11-29-2008, 11:06 AM   #3
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Just about all of 'em...
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Old 11-29-2008, 01:47 PM   #4
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In no particular order . . .

Netquote

Hometown Quotes

Vimo

4freequotes
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Old 11-29-2008, 07:00 PM   #5
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Who plays the least games, who are the good lead companies? I have never purchased leads, but would like to....
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Old 11-29-2008, 08:25 PM   #6
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A "solid" lead - only shared with say three agents, no call centers, health filtered, actually search driven by prospects seeking health insurance quotes would cost around $15.

At that price there are no takers because agents don't have a business owners mind. They want high quality but also cheap leads.

Cheap leads are not high quality. Oh, agents also want volume - they want many high quality returnable leads - let's just make sure they don't cost more than say $6 to $8.

Can't happen. If anything thinks it can happen slap up a website and have at it.

Also internet leads are one leg of a marketing program. If it's your only leg and you live and die on internet leads - God bless you.

There have indeed be "great" lead companies out there - short life span. Word spread quickly, demand goes crazy, quality suffers.
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Old 11-29-2008, 09:09 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by healthagent View Post
A "solid" lead - only shared with say three agents, no call centers, health filtered, actually search driven by prospects seeking health insurance quotes would cost around $15.

At that price there are no takers because agents don't have a business owners mind. They want high quality but also cheap leads.

Cheap leads are not high quality. Oh, agents also want volume - they want many high quality returnable leads - let's just make sure they don't cost more than say $6 to $8.

Can't happen. If anything thinks it can happen slap up a website and have at it.

Also internet leads are one leg of a marketing program. If it's your only leg and you live and die on internet leads - God bless you.

There have indeed be "great" lead companies out there - short life span. Word spread quickly, demand goes crazy, quality suffers.
"Only the good die young..." (says Billy Joel)
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Old 11-30-2008, 01:52 AM   #8
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I always got free leads, door knock, B to B , referral, so on... but lately I have been thinking about adding the purchased lead- leg to my marketing portfolio... I had always hated telemarketed leads provided to me by GA's in the past, but that was pre-internet...
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Old 11-30-2008, 06:10 PM   #9
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I would gladly pay $15 for a lead of a real person who will answer their phone and not yell because so many agents called.

Since the morals of the business community are in the basement, it's difficult to buy quality products.

All the leads companies are the same. You're looking for an app in a haystack.

Your alternative is to walk and talk. In South Florida, it could get me killed. No thanks.

It costs about $75 an app in Internet lead cost. I think that's cheap.
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Old 11-30-2008, 06:21 PM   #10
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It costs about $75 an app in Internet lead cost. I think that's cheap.
It is cheap when you look at other factors.

$75 to get a new client isn't bad at all.
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Old 12-01-2008, 11:39 AM   #11
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So do you take this back? Lol



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Old 12-01-2008, 02:03 PM   #12
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somarco on The games people play - Insurance Agent Forum
 
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That's not my shade of green . . .

It makes me look fat.
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Old 12-02-2008, 10:13 AM   #13
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I just received a call from my NAICS guy... he said that he will start calling the lead first, making sure there is a connection and verifying interest...

Not sure how this is going to work, we will see... I just bought 20, i will keep you updated!!!
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Old 12-02-2008, 10:32 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by somarco View Post
When is a lead not a lead?

When the lead vendor says it isn't.

Here are just a few of the games vendors play . . .

Denying credit for a lead, because you are over the limit for credits. Some vendors tell you in advance they will credit up to 20% of leads while others don't. Everything is fine until you submit a valid request for credit, only to be denied because they will lose money if they credit that lead.

Providing an on-off switch for leads, but then holding leads that come in during the night and flooding your box once you turn the leads back on.

Charging for a filter, and then denying credit when a lead gets thru the filter. As long as at least one person on the lead request is insurable, you will not get credit.

Denying credit for a lead that meets the filter requirement but because they did not list the medical condition on their request, you do not get credit.

Changing the price of the leads in your agreement without warning. Of course the price is going up, not down.

That's why when I buy leads, they are unfiltered and uncut, full and have the NC-17 rating.

Somarco, why are you buying leads anyway after 35 years, I can bearly keep up with my current clients now, and my lead buying has been falling steadily over the last two years.

Is this what I have to look forward to? Do all of your clients desert you when you hit the 35 year mark?
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Old 12-02-2008, 10:43 AM   #15
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why are you buying leads anyway after 35 years
Fair question. You are not the first to ask.

Short answer.

23 yrs on the carrier side (large group).

11 on the GA side (self funded plans).

A bit over 3 yrs direct to consumer with a focus strictly on individual health.

I have a decent client base but not enough to be totally self sufficient, plus I like the opportunity to meet new folks.
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Old 12-04-2008, 01:03 AM   #16
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Has any tried Acxiom leads? Our company is considering using them. Also, is the effectiveness of leads decreasing? Or is it increasing because lead generating companies are collecting more information about their lists?
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Old 12-04-2008, 11:45 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by nickkime View Post
Has any tried Acxiom leads? Our company is considering using them. Also, is the effectiveness of leads decreasing? Or is it increasing because lead generating companies are collecting more information about their lists?
I believe Acxicom is a Data/Information and List provider. Did not realize they are generating leads.
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Old 12-05-2008, 09:12 AM   #18
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It seems like they were able to take the Data/Information they had on individuals and indentify those that would be a good potential sale. Maybe this is just a list though.
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