When They Say my Son is Insurance Agent

[PA Bill]

I come across these deranged or inebriated porch hangers in Philly once in a while. I've learned it is best to just leave. And fast! Insurance agent or not.

 

[WinoBlues]

Damn, I hate when this happens...I agree.

Me too ;'(

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I don't disagree with you and that's why I posted this experience, to get feedback and to handle it better in the future. I agree I was not professional. He was very aggressive and very angry the instant he walked in the door, swearing at me. I tried to drill down and explain to him that I could help his mother but he was having none of it and I did lose my patience with him, thus I had to wonder aloud why his 79 yr old mother was without life insurance.

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis.

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someone else i talked to about this said this also. I've seen a few family members talk people out of a monthly payment

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the half mexican comment was because his mother said they were having problems with some mexicans down the street parking in front of their house, I thought I could get him to chuckle and calm down, but I was wrong and should just keep it professional in the future. I feel better for posting this, helping to see my errors

Don't know if it would have helped in this case. But when I engage with a family "expert" agent or otherwise I ask them for their input and and present to them as well as the PI. Do the whole "how lucky they are to have a informed confidant" thing. As VolAgent said you can get some good referrals from some.

Yeah, racial remarks are always stupid. You do not know his background, what relationships he has or if he thinks racial comments are stupid.

Just my two cents.

 

[LGilmore]

Making Racist comments so you'll fit in for a sale?

While there may be lots wrong with the prospect, you may need to work on what's wrong with you.

This really is a bad story as you've told it. Doesn't put you in the best light.

 

[WinoBlues]

OK, I am not going to admit I agree with Larry too. That is just to much for one morning.

 

[sbbuhc]

Making Racist comments so you'll fit in for a sale?

While there may be lots wrong with the prospect, you may need to work on what's wrong with you.

This really is a bad story as you've told it. Doesn't put you in the best light.

yes, I understand. My best friends are Mexican so what to me was a lighthearted comment (which my Mexican friends would laugh at and agree with) would not be interpreted as such by all. I allowed him to take control of the environment as he made me uncomfortable when he started swearing at me, rather than just remaining professional and get him focused on helping his mother.

 

[LGilmore]

You're not with your best friends, you're on a sales call.

Never be so comfortable that you speak without thinking.

Seems wise doesn't it? Well Wisdom is simply making the mistake earlier than you. Most of us providing advice have made mistakes too. It's not that we're better than you, it's we've done it before you. So pay attention to the advice and spare yourself some pain.

 

[VolAgent]

yes, I understand. My best friends are Mexican so what to me was a lighthearted comment (which my Mexican friends would laugh at and agree with) would not be interpreted as such by all. I allowed him to take control of the environment as he made me uncomfortable when he started swearing at me, rather than just remaining professional and get him focused on helping his mother.

While I agree with the others, you probably didn't handle the situation well. But if the guy came in swearing, I would have been gone in a flash. I don't put up with that kind of behavior. If that is how things start, they aren't getting any better.

Again, you probably didn't handle it well. But I'm not really sure there was any way to "handle this well".

 

[DHK]

Some better ways to respond:

I say well that's ok, because I am a specialist so I will have the answers she needs. Begin to explain my program then I see her son out front, pacing back and forth looking into my car, obviously agitated and tell her "your son is here, looks like he's about to have a conniption"

Bad comment to make. "Looks like your son is here... and maybe he's had a bad day? Looks rather agitated about something."

He walks in and she tells him the insurance guy is here and he says to me, "don't you know how to f---ing park" I'm parked next to the curb on a public street so I have no idea what he's talking about.

"Oh? I didn't know. Do I need to move my car?"

[...]then says "I'm her broker, what are you trying to sale her"

Show him the card she sent in requesting info and mention final expense. So he says what company are you with, Colonial Penn? I laugh and explain that I'm an independent broker and work for myself and write for many different carriers, he says yes but you have to have your contract with a company. ???

When you're talking to an "insider"... treat them as such. "I'm contracted with a number of companies, such as 'x', 'y', and 'z'. I'm contracted primarily through XYZ IMO, and a few others for specialized cases."

So I know then he doesn't know much.

Bad assumption. I'll tell you that I didn't know much about "FE" when I was a financial advisor at a credit union... and I could've had the same conversation with you.

Once he heard the words final expense he went right to the tv companies and doesn't understand can work for himself. So I ask, he says he works for Health Markets, aka, Inspherion- a boiler room phone operation I believe.

You made another assumption. I would've asked how he likes it with them. What does he specialize in? What kinds of people does he work with?

I tried deflecting his anger and negativity for a few minutes with some humor and get him to understand

You need to read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Habit 5: Seek First to Understand... THEN to be Understood.

I could help his mother, who seriously wanted help and answers but finally I told him he wasn't much of a broker if his 79 yr old mother didnt have life insurance and didnt even know her options and he didn't know how to get her 1st day coverage when I could but he wouldn't bypass his ego.

Your ego was in the way first. And insulting him by saying he wasn't much of a broker didn't do you or him any favors. You instantly lost that sale and any respect they might've had for you... based on your post.

I told his mother I was going to leave and I did. she apologized. I figured even if I sold her it would never stay.

Correct. It wouldn't stay on the books.

I was angry at him for his confrontational attitude then today felt disappointed with myself for not helping his mother but I don't know that I really could have in that situation.

You started it.

Just a story from the field.

 

[sbbuhc]

While I agree with the others, you probably didn't handle the situation well. But if the guy came in swearing, I would have been gone in a flash. I don't put up with that kind of behavior. If that is how things start, they aren't getting any better.

Again, you probably didn't handle it well. But I'm not really sure there was any way to "handle this well".

this will be my procedure from now on. That type of action would get someone kicked out of the DMV or doctors office, so no reason for me to stick around. I did allow him to make me uncomfortable and he controlled the environment. I tried to steer things back to the purpose of helping his mother before the environment really broke down. All criticisms are valid but in the future if things start out that way I will just leave immediately. Thanks everyone for feedback.

 

[VolAgent]

this will be my procedure from now on. That type of action would get someone kicked out of the DMV or doctors office, so no reason for me to stick around. I did allow him to make me uncomfortable and he controlled the environment. I tried to steer things back to the purpose of helping his mother before the environment really broke down. All criticisms are valid but in the future if things start out that way I will just leave immediately. Thanks everyone for feedback.

If he came in swearing, my response would have been, "Hi, I'm VolAgent, an final expense specialist. Your mother asked me to come by. I understand you are in insurance as well. Bad day I guess?"

If his attitude didn't immediately change, I would have excused myself and left. Some people are just in a bad mood, but once they realize who you are do a complete 180. That is fine, annoying but fine. Those people can be great clients as they realize you are there to help. They were expecting someone else or a different situation. But if they want to stay nasty, I'm leaving.