Anyone attended a retirement planning dinner?

[kdonnel]

I get flyers in the mail often since I am getting closer to retirement that come from financial planners looking for new business.

The most recent flyer in the mail has the event being hosted at a $100+ per person steak restaurant nearby.

Recently my wife and I attended a timeshare presentation to get the $200 git card offered. We have no problem just saying no to the high pressure sales as long as we see getting value for our time.

In this case it looks like there is a fixed menu with a choice of petite filet mignon, wild alaskan salmon filet, or garlic butter chicken. All are accompanied by a house salad. All those items are on the restaurants menu, $68, $48, $38 and $19 for the salad.

Would you RSVP and attend to get the free meal?

 

[gmi3804]

I get flyers in the mail often since I am getting closer to retirement that come from financial planners looking for new business.

The most recent flyer in the mail has the event being hosted at a $100+ per person steak restaurant nearby.

Recently my wife and I attended a timeshare presentation to get the $200 git card offered. We have no problem just saying no to the high pressure sales as long as we see getting value for our time.

In this case it looks like there is a fixed menu with a choice of petite filet mignon, wild alaskan salmon filet, or garlic butter chicken. All are accompanied by a house salad. All those items are on the restaurants menu, $68, $48, $38 and $19 for the salad.

Would you RSVP and attend to get the free meal?

No. I wouldn't be going in good faith. and my time's more valuable than that.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Those presentations feel like a high-pressure car salesman. i don't need the indigestion.

 

[kdonnel]

I find it funny that the companies only listed BBB complaint is in relation to the mailings.

 

[MICKIMINI]

No thank you. We did go to a retirement planning seminar that was about 2 hours. Free water was it. It was informative and NO pressure.

Let's face it, the only reason they want to spend money to talk to you is to impress you with their amazing personality and knowledge and make money on YOUR money. Totally unnecessary IMO and potentially a trainwreck. YMMV.

 

[kdonnel]

No. I wouldn't be going in good faith. and my time's more valuable than that.

It works out to them paying me about $100 an hour. I am going to be eating that day anyway. I'm tempted for sure.

$100 an hour is about where I draw the value line.

 

[VandVsmama]

I get flyers in the mail often since I am getting closer to retirement that come from financial planners looking for new business.

The most recent flyer in the mail has the event being hosted at a $100+ per person steak restaurant nearby.

Recently my wife and I attended a timeshare presentation to get the $200 git card offered. We have no problem just saying no to the high pressure sales as long as we see getting value for our time.

In this case it looks like there is a fixed menu with a choice of petite filet mignon, wild alaskan salmon filet, or garlic butter chicken. All are accompanied by a house salad. All those items are on the restaurants menu, $68, $48, $38 and $19 for the salad.

Would you RSVP and attend to get the free meal?

View attachment 1005962

Nope. Would not attend. It's just a sales presentation. I'll skip the free expensive dinner.

 

[amcnj]

I have been getting those offers for many years, but have never gone to one. However I know others that go to every one that comes their way.

From what they have told me about their experiences, most have not been high pressure type situations. Though the food can be a mixed bag. But at least your offer shows the food selection, so you aren’t flying blind. And I assume the restaurant is also known to you, and has a good reputation.

 

[kdonnel]

And I assume the restaurant is also known to you, and has a good reputation.

I have been wanting to try the restaurant, but not at their prices. But if my wife and I can eat there free while someone gives a presentation.....

 

[gmi3804]

I have been wanting to try the restaurant, but not at their prices. But if my wife and I can eat there free while someone gives a presentation.....

Boy, she's got a winner in you!

 

[kdonnel]

Boy, she's got a winner in you!

We are amazingly cheap together. But we will spend some money on vacations!

If you don’t buy a few $200+ dinners, you have suddenly paid for a 4-5 day cruise.

 

[Marrila]

We are amazingly cheap together. But we will spend some money on vacations!

If you don’t buy a few $200+ dinners, you have suddenly paid for a 4-5 day cruise.

If you go, would you post your thoughts on the experience?

 

[kdonnel]

If you go, would you post your thoughts on the experience?

Sure. There are two dates offered. September 30th or October 2nd.

 

[Ellie008]

We went to one, oh probably 15 years ago... I'm feeling old now. We went for the free dinner, at a well known local steakhouse. They didn't list the menu on the flyer and it ended up with everyone only got chicken, no choices. The presentation was a moderately hard sell; boring, but not super high pressure. We didn't feel it was worth it. Have not tried again even though we get these kind of offers once in awhile still.

 

[_19disnA]

Nope would never attend and clearly the 'free' dinner is simply an incentive to get you to attend and then likely have to listen to some boring presentation that says really basic things you already know regarding retirement/investing. Many are also high-pressure sales pitches to get you to signup with them. If you already work with a financial advisor, you can't be using multiple firms to do your investing. Similar to timeshare pitches, if you have ZERO intent to buy, then attending doesn't make any sense to me.

If you have waited until you are nearing retirement age to think about investment options and develop 'strategies' you have clearly waited too long. Virtually all investment advisors will say the same thing and none of them have any magical approach that is any different from what everyone else offers.

 

[soccerdad72]

We already have a financial planner, so no. We meet up with them for lunch every couple months.

 

[georgina]

We are amazingly cheap together. But we will spend some money on vacations!

If you don’t buy a few $200+ dinners, you have suddenly paid for a 4-5 day cruise.

Cheapskates here also. If someone offers me a free dinner (there was one at a nearby winery where we used to live) I will take them up on it. Went to several a few years ago, when DH was getting close to retirement. None of them were high pressure. Some of them had speakers I liked and some I detested. It was fairly easy to say no thanks. There may have been one follow-up email but that was it. There were a couple of people that I would consider if I needed specialty planning, but I do our investing mostly on my own.

Funny thing - now we are older and are getting bombarded with senior living community advertisements. I did go to a free brunch at one (with mimosas!) I have older friends who are moving to some of these places, the one we went to was impressive. Still at least 10 years away for us.

 

[disney212]

I work for a financial firm already and it's against SEC regulations for me to get a free dinner as it is a conflict of interest.

 

[Genie+]

We’ve gotten a few of these offers. A couple months ago I showed the last postcard to DH. After a minute we looked at each other said nah.

Maybe if I knew for sure that drinks and tips were included and the entrees and salad were served exactly the same as the normal menu, and if people I knew went and did not regret the overall experience.

 

[anniemae]

I would not. Things like that make me uncomfortable.