We started the process for an initial consultation....which IS free...obviously, their goal is to manage your finances for you (which has a fee), but the initial consultation was no fee.
We did the first call, and our advisor was so unimpressive, we just cancelled the second call and declined to move forward with them. This is a good reminder for me to close our account!
The first call was "gathering info," and it took about and hour. There were a few points during the call where the advisor's questions / statements were just a bit uninformed or "generic," and the advisor just did not seem that savvy. I am trying to recall specifics, but after that call we basically said thanks but no thanks....so it is a bit unfair to them (we never actually heard their recommendations), but we also felt like we had wasted enough time with them that we were not eager to move forward.
I am surprised MMM had such a good experience with them, frankly, I expect he got to hear from their "top advisors" and they probably over-invested in ensuring he had a good experience.
Anyhow, that's my experience and I do think that these forums (and others) are just as valuable as a professional advisor. Plus, they force me to learn more and own the understanding of what I do with my money.
