The questions every investor should ask before parting with their hard-earned cash This book serves as an advocate of the consumer and brings to light what insiders know about the side of the sales pitches that consumers don't, but need to hear. Stop the Investing Rip-Off reveals the questions every investor should ask during a financial sales pitch before they pull the trigger and buy the next mutual fund, stock, advisory service, or other investment product. Based on David Loeper's nearly twenty-five years of experience of seeing the inner workings of the industry, this updated edition of his classic book offers new strategies based on the performance of the stock market over the past two years. Sheds light on the oft unseen deceit of the financial services industry An updated and revised edition of the bestselling Stop the Investing Rip-Off Written by David Loeper who is regularly quoted in Kiplinger's Money and Investment News and regularity contributes to Forbes Intelligent Investing Stop the Investing Rip-Off, Revised and Updated is filled with advice for investors who want to avoid becoming victims of smooth talking salespeople and the effective advertising and marketing campaigns designed to evade reality and prey on your emotional desires.

The questions every investor should ask before parting withtheir hard-earned cashThis book serves as an advocate of the consumer and brings tolight what insiders know about the side of the sales pitches thatconsumers don't, but need to hear. Stop the InvestingRip-Off reveals the questions every investor should ask duringa financial sales pitch before they pull the trigger and buy thenext mutual fund, stock, advisory service, or other investmentproduct.Based on David Loeper's nearly twenty-five years of experienceof seeing the inner workings of the industry, this updated editionof his classic book offers new strategies based on the performanceof the stock market over the past two years.* Sheds light on the oft unseen deceit of the financial servicesindustry* An updated and revised edition of the bestselling Stop theInvesting Rip-Off* Written by David Loeper who is regularly quoted inKiplinger's Money and Investment News and regularitycontributes to Forbes Intelligent InvestingStop the Investing Rip-Off, Revised and Updated is filledwith advice for investors who want to avoid becoming victims ofsmooth talking salespeople and the effective advertising andmarketing campaigns designed to evade reality and prey on youremotional desires.

Preface ixAcknowledgments xixChapter 1 Major Brokerage Firms 1Chapter 2 Investment Advisers 19Chapter 3 Hybrids--Advisory Services Provided throughBrokerages 27Chapter 4 Discount Brokers 33Chapter 5 Financial Planners and Wealth Managers 43Chapter 6 The Financial Press 49Chapter 7 The Broadcast Media 55Chapter 8 Authors, Self-Help Books, and Financial Celebrities61Chapter 9 Mutual Funds and ETFs 73Chapter 10 Insurance Agents (and Insurance Companies)87Chapter 11 Your Company-Endorsed Retirement Plan Adviser119Chapter 12 Banks and Trust Companies 123Chapter 13 Software, Web Sites, and Financial Educators127Chapter 14 Pitches They All Use to Sacrifice Your Life139Chapter 15 Resources to Protect Yourself 161Conclusion 179Appendix A The Other Millionaire You Make with 2.5 PercentExcess Fees 181Appendix B The Other Millionaire You Make with 1.5 PercentExcess Fees 185About the Author 189Index 191