Independance for you!

I want you to think about this analogy and ask yourself if it applies to your past experiences with your financial advisors.
 
Let's say you decide that the weather in your area is just too nasty in the winter time to keep driving around in a small commuter car and you are going to go out and shop for a big safe car that handles great in the snow and can seat all of your friends as well. Also, you need some extra space to haul cargo.
 
So off to the dealership you go.... and a very energetic salesman meets you as you enter the establishment and of course asks you if he can be of service.... You explain your needs for a big, safe, and snow friendly people hauler and the salesman says with a huge smile, "I have just what you need, wait here and I will drive it around from the back of the lot. It just got detailed and, in fact, I was looking for the same thing. I thought I might buy it myself."
 
So with great anticipation you wait.  All of a sudden, here rolls the salesman around the corner, and much to your surprise, he is driving a little red convertible sports car!
 
You look at your spouse and the confusion is apparent on both of your faces, but before you can say a word he jumps out and says, "I know what you’re thinking, but just hear me out.....You wanted something that handles good in the snow, so look here I had them add studded snow tires all the way around. It has incredible traction, and it is only an additional cost of 2% of the purchase price!"
 
Then, as you begin to ask another question, he interrupts you and says, ”Oh I did not forget about hauling your buddies, if you look here, you will notice another option I had them add is a heavy duty roof rack.  You can have at least 4 friends hang on here while you drive to the ski hill. And I did not forget about your cargo needs either.  As you can see, we also added a trailer hitch and optional trailer to take your luggage with you on the road."
 
Now, you storm out of the dealership and are really mad at the salesman, who apparently did not listen to your needs, until you look up and see the dealership sign. You’re at a Lamborghini dealership....What did you expect? This dealership only sells high performance sports cars, so aren’t you equally to blame for the confusion... The salesman can only sell you what they have on the lot.
 
This story may seem silly on the surface, however in the financial services industry; many people go to the sports car person asking for the safer, family-friendly vehicle and are really disappointed when things do not turn out the way they had expected.
 
Stock Brokers do what? Sell stocks, Insurance Agents do what? Sell Insurance Products and Annuities only! Bank employee's only sell what the bank tells them to push.... The major wire houses and investment firms like Merrill, Morgan, Citi, and Smith B. AGE etc.... have very limited product availability unless you’re determined to be 100% in stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
 
Working with an independent advisor, who has access to and expertise with traditional investment products, non-market traded products, and market based solutions, can give you the diversity we believe will be required to navigate the potentially troubling waters ahead for America and the rest of the world.
 
Come in and visit with us at NO COST to you and let us show you what the larger firms cannot; true asset class diversification...... every one could use a second opinion from time to time!