Having had a financial advisor for around 15 years (have had 2 of them), I often talk about the benefits (obviously, why else would I have one?). The most common question I get is how to find one.
I thought it was simple. Financial advisors want clients, don’t they?
Nope, I was wrong.
On May 9, 2007, I conducted a mini experiment. I contacted via email 7 of the larger firms (Raymond James, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Ameriprise, Smith Barney, and Wachovia). Why those 7? Because they employed Hawaii's top financial advisors so I figured they prided themselves on quality service.
I’ll admit to cheating (or being honest, whichever stance you wish to take). I told the general response email addie that I was a personal finance blogger looking to conduct a super short cyber interview (3-5 general questions) with a preferably female financial advisor. This should have skewed the results in favor of the financial advisors. Free advertising, right?
Again, wrong.
At first, I was pleased. I got an auto-response email from both Ameriprise and Wachovia.
Then nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not a single email (I didn't leave a phone number). Not even, “thank you for your interest but I’m afraid we must pass”. Nothing.
So I apologize to readers. Finding any financial advisor is not easy and a good one even less so.
Oh, I was going to extend this experiment, posing as a male but…honestly, I didn’t want to know whether the responses (or lack of) would differ. One big shock to my faith in financial advisors is sufficient.
Comments (1)
I contacted hundreds and hundreds of pension plan administrators, and less than 10% contacted me back.
I guess some people just don't want to make money (or don't do a very good job)
Posted by Griffin | July 19, 2007 7:28 AM
Posted on July 19, 2007 07:28