Pinnacle Financial Services (PFS) of Southhampton, PA, headed by Kevin Shields, is the FMO I had difficulty with getting a release. I eventually obtained one, but it took from 5/14/07 to 10/17/07 to get his signature on the agent release form provided by the carrier in consideration.
Initially, during a phone call to him he said "send me a letter of release from your upline and I will look into it". Subsequently, another officer of his company called and asked if I would be willing to remain with them, to which I declined. She then reported that Kevin would sign the release and send it out. It never came. I called again, this time Kevin pledged to up my commission level to above street if I would remain with them. I declined again. Subsequent to that, and several times later, I was told that the paperwork would be sent "soon". Finally, PFS went into silent mode, and I had to obtain help from the carrier and some other FMOs to prod PFS into co-operating.
In the mean time, I discovered that their upline was Premier Senior Marketing out of Norfolk, NE. I implored Paul Sharron of PSM to help in the matter and he replied in the affirmative, but did nothing as well. After 6 months of no production, I was released. I then signed on direct with that carrier and have remained with them to this day.
I would never recommend PFS to any agent, nor would I give a recommendation to PSM. Both FMOs gave their word they would release me verbally, but did not sign the provided carrier release forms I gave them until after the 6 months were up.
