Ok so, I was being a little facetious in my post above. But it has got me thinking, what is the difference between a Vanguard adviser telling you "stay the course!" and an email from Betterment saying "stay the course!"
Also, don't think these Vanguard advisers aren't running off some kind of script. I wouldn't be surprised if they are just bulking up their data to replace their advisers first with offshored advisers, then later with a completely automated product.
I think a conversation with an expert is going to be more compelling than an email. People have already told you to stay the course. If things are bad enough that you are second guessing that then an email probably isn't going to cut it.
I highly doubt they are planning on outsourcing or replacing the service with a robo or that they are reading a script. For comparison the base phone reps at a Vanguard/Fidelity/Schwab/etc. are going to have at least Series 6 & 63 investment licenses. A fee only financial advisor/planner will have at least a Series 7, 63 & 65(or 66), and maybe a CFP and/or CFA to boot. These aren't really jobs you can outsource. For one I don't think you can even get these licenses unless you are a US resident. I can't think of a single firm that outsources 'these' types of jobs. Hiring hundreds(thousands?) of financial advisors is also going to be a whole lot more expensive than adding an automatic rebalancing tool to the website*. I don't know what they make, but given what advisors at other institutions(including the firm I work at) get paid I'm going to assume at least in the 60-80k range, maybe even 100k+.
* They already have a tool that will build a portfolio for you of index funds based on your goal, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Add tax efficiency standards to the recommendations and automatic rebalancing and you have a robo. They could probably offer such a service for free.... and then charge just the people who want a professional they can talk to.
EDIT: The ad that popped up at the bottom of the screen when I read back over this was a link to Vanguard's ETF recommendation tool! Wow.... fitting. :D
https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/etf/tools/recommendation?reset=true