As of today, I am through trying to do business with low income people. I never targeted this demographic, but if I happened to stumble across some one in my prospecting that expressed interest but was low income, I would still try to work it. Not anymore! This one was the last straw. I scheduled yesterday for an appointment today, got up early to get together the proposal and play with my software for her situation. I mapquested her address (ghetto, great), showed up, knocked on the door, and had a man try to have a conversation with me through the door. He finally sent their daughter to the door. She opened it, and explained that her mom asked me to come back later. I told her that I was too busy, and if she wanted to talk to me again she'd come to my office because I wasn't coming back as I drove too far in my gas guzzling truck for her to break our appointment that we had scheduled less that 24 hours before.
I'm normally not this harsh, but I'm just tired of low income people trying to put me to excess work. These people will not ever be straight with me. I find that these folks will tell you how interested they are, that they want you to come by, and then don't show or ask you to reschedule because they are soooooooo damn busy. The next appointment they seem to be too busy then too!
Does anyone ever even try to work with low income folks?
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
It could be worse. Like you spend an hour and a half with them answering objections to where you are closing them and then you get to the point where they don't have a bank account. They tell you they do everything with cash or money orders. Even worse, they actually apply and you get them underwritten and issued. You get advanced one year's commission and they come up insufficient funds on the 2nd or 3rd month. It's sad because the reason many are poor is because the parents never taught them fiscal responsibility or they only know how to live day to day.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
Many low income people have plenty of time to kill in between collecting welfare checks and playing the lotto. They will gladly make an appointment for someone who is willing to put forth an effort to make their life easier as long as it does not inconvenience them or cost them money.
Just because the appointment was important to you does not mean they share your sentiment.
The only thing that really matters to them is, well . . . them.
They don't have a life. Why should you?
If any effort is required on their part then you might as well forget any attempt to make them change.
Some have a reason for their situation. Some are disabled. Others have real obstacles that cannot be overcome.
Many are just lazy.
Your sense of industry will not rub off on them.
If they are poor, chances are your product will not improve their life today. If it requires money, the purchase will only make them less able to afford bus fare to the 7-11 where the lotto tickets are sold.
If your product is life insurance you can probably forget it. If they do not care enough about their family to provide for today's needs why will things be any different after they are gone?
If you think I am bitter you are correct. I have wasted more time than I care to admit in the past by casting my pearls before swine.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
It's both because that's how I was raised and has burned me early on. My biggest concern with that is you can provide education to make a difference, but most would not take advantage of it.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
It's your own fault for letting it happen. You have a choice, continue to experience the problem or learn from it. Your best prospects already have coverage. If they don't have coverage, qualify them hard.
"Mr. Dead Beat, as you know the carriers don't give this stuff away. (this will usually get a chuckle and let them feel relaxed, they're already thinking how much is this going to cost)
"From my experience, it will probably cost somewhere between $300 and $600 per month for coverage depending on the plan you choose. Is this something that's even reasonable for your budget at this time?"
After this question, 90% of your prospects without coverage will be disqualified. For those that say, "I need the coverage," ask one more question:
"If we find a plan that fits, the first step is to put in an application to receive an offer back from the carrier. At that point, we choose to accept or decline their offer. After we narrow down what you want at our meeting, are you willing to put in an application to receive a firm offer?"
If not, don't meet. Spend your time with those who can afford what you do and have the ability to make a decision. Your not in this business to do charity work, you and your family need you to go to the bank.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
These people are the reason we are even talking about national or state health care. 90%+ are covered through employer or individual, yet we are going to reinvent the wheel for the 5-10% of people that won't cough up the money and play along.
How many of them have cell phones?
How many of them have AIR CONDITIONING?
How many of them have a computer?
Yet they can't buy a $50 to $100 health policy?
When we get maternity calls we always do the "... it will be $300 to $600/mo" range and 90% usually hang up because they DON'T WANT to or CAN'T afford it (usually don't want to). The other 10% are of course already pregnant and don't qualify anyhow.
People see no value in a non tangible item such as Health Insurance, and believe it should be FREE - since it primarily was free or came out of their check (can't miss what they never had) at the work place.
If Health Insurance came with an ipod or iphone with free music video downloads it would fly off the shelves like no tomorrow.
Insurance companies need to have fewer regulations and get creative on some attractive policies to the younger demographic, the growing Hispanic demographic, etc., etc., etc.,
We have 1950's plans in 2007 - I barely have a product that has a good pitch or is attractive for someone to purchase.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
Living for today? Isn't that a part of the teachings of Christ? Live for today as we don't know what tomorrow brings, look at the birds, God provides for them, they don't worry about tomorrow. I guess the poor are only following teachings of Christianity. Oh well, I always have like the Sinners more then the Saints.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
Everyone of them were out shopping today buying toaster ovens, t.v's, and other CRAP they don't need - but no health insurance.
You know what - I am starting a new thread... I am steamed after shopping this morning and seeing what the "low income" population considers a priority.
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
Work with low income clients – NO
Work with teenagers or twenty something singles – NO
Work with twenty or thirty something smokers who have no insurance –NO
I realized a long time ago that a smokers with no insurance are willing to pay 100.00 a month for their cigarettes but they will tell you that can afford your 80.00 health insurance policy.
I signed a self employed lady a few months ago on a plan for herself. She had BCBS and I got her on a plan with the same deductible and coverage that cut her premium down by 40%. She was a smoker. She has a 16 year old daughter that has no health insurance. To add her daughter to that plan I put her on would have increased her premium extra $40 per month. She said that was too much money to put her daughter on her plan. Again willing to fork out the $$ for her smokes but not for her teenage daughter to have health insurance, and I cut her premium down by $100 per month. Yes, more money for lotto tickets - Pity full
Re: Will you work with low income people?Go to Top
I had a meeting with a gal this morning that just turned 65. I went to talk Medicare supplements on the suggestion of her husband. I walked in and the first thing she said is if it's costs me "anything", I don't want it. We discussed the gaps (hospital deductible, no prescription coverage) and she told me she could care less about prescriptions. I told her about some scenerios where she could potentially have huge costs that may not be in her control, but she said "no thanks."
I showed her a both a supplement and an MA plan assuming she would pick the MA plan due to no premiums, but I was taken off guard. I explained the differences and the husband said he would pay for the supplement, but he also didn't want to pay for Part D. So I sold them the supplement and went out the door. You can't fix stupid.
Will you work with low income people?
Linear Mode
