Agency: TICA agency contract benefits one party - SF not the agent taking the plunge into "owning" their own agency. Which by the way, they don't. They basically rent office space to manage SF's business. When they leave they have nothing, Independent agents own their book of business and can sell it when they leave. They actually own a business. Agent sales are all about numbers. To reach their numbers they have to "fudge" on everything to try and reach numbers. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Sales leaders recruit new agents and give them glorified numbers of production and commission. SL's receive bonus based on their agent production so there you have it- a conflict in interest to produce and to maintain profit.
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I work in Agency...trust me, agents are just as (if not more) disillusioned than we are as employees. They basically mask the incompetencies of our enterprise for our customers.
It sounded more to me like the original post was responding to one of the many posts on this forum that suggest the agents are running away with all the benefits. Remember, this post was pulled from another thread. He never said, "Hey, I didn't understand this when I signed up for it!" He's basically saying it's not all a bed of roses.
Sounds to me like the original post felt they were burned when their agency failed and they walked away with nothing. TICAs are independent with a contract to sell SF products only. No mystery to how it works.
What gave you the impression he didn't understand the contract? Seems to me he understood it just fine.
The agent contract is very clear that you do not own your book of business. "When they leave they have nothing, Independent agents own their book of business and can sell it when they leave." There is nothing hidden from TICAs. If you didn't understand the terms of your contract then that is on you. Suggest reviewing it with an attorney and understanding your market. The agency opportunity is still the best position there is with SF if you are in a good market. It usually takes three to five years of hard work and determination to build up your business and to finally start making a profit. It isn't easy but it is a great opportunity if you have a mind for business and can build a good team.
Original post entered by @HeavyChevy - I am just reposting - (Source: by Heavy Chevy | Post ID: @RzpvS9r-1ill )