AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™

Why AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™

Most investors need a competent financial advisor but have a problem distinguishing between the good and not-so-good advisors. The problem stems from the fact that all advisors are articulate and possess excellent sales skills but not all investors have the experience to do a proper evaluation. In fact, if investors could do a proper evaluation of the advisor’s competence they would know enough to manage their money themselves.

The AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ service is a safe and easy way to find a competent advisor while avoiding sales pressure and saving money. On fees alone the service will, on average, save you about $1,000 each year for every $100,000 invested and with compounding over the next 15 years this could add up to over $30,000. In addition, the service increases the probability of making the right decision because the potential advisors have been Weigh House approved.

Investors win by making financial advisors compete for their business!

Finding a Good Investment Advisor – The Problem

Most investors find selecting the right advisor to be a stressful process. The task is made more difficult for a variety of reasons.:

  • There is a knowledge gap – investors are at a disadvantage when the advisor selling and explaining the investments has more investment knowledge than they do.
  • Most investors don’t know the questions to ask, nor do they have the proper tools or experience to properly evaluate the answers, the investment proposal, or the advisor.
  • There is a shortage of time and, although everyone agrees it is wise to interview three financial advisors, few investors interview more than one.

Finding a Good Investment Advisor – The Solution

The Weigh House AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ is designed to help in several ways.

  • We level the playing field. By using AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ investors have ‘in their corner’ a knowledgeable expert who understands how the industry works.
  • At Weigh House we know the questions to ask. We’ve asked the hard questions and we know how to evaluate an investment proposal. We know the difference between a sound investment strategy and a good sales pitch.
  • In one afternoon investors can interview three advisors who have been pre-selected and who have demonstrated that they follow a sensible investment process.

Cost and Cost Savings

The workshop fee is $125.

Financial Advisors offer participants a fee discount

The financial advisors who participate in the Advisor SEARCH™ program use ETFs and other low cost solutions and pass the costs savings on to their clients. These discounts will enable most investors to reduce their investment management costs by about 1% per year. Investors presently using mutual funds will save even more.

For participants who wish to use the services of one of the advisors making a presentation, the next step is to have Weigh House prepare a plan designed to show the asset allocation best suited to achieve one’s financial objectives. The cost of the asset allocation calculation is $750 and this will make it easier for the financial advisor to put clients into an asset mix which can be expected to produce the rate of return necessary to achieve goals – without taking more risk that necessary to achieve these goals. Financial advisors will only offer the fee discount to investors who know the rate of return they require in order to achieve their goals.

Benefits to participants:

  • On a $100,000 mutual fund account, over a 15 year period, the savings in fees could add up to over $30,000.
  • Participants get a financial plan prepared at a 35% discount to the normal rate.
  • Participants can make their financial advisor selection decision free of any sales pressure.
  • By interviewing three advisors, one after another, it is easier to make a comparison.
  • Advisors are likely to be more service-oriented because they know that Weigh House monitors performance.

AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ Process

  • Decide if you want to compare your current advisor’s strategy and fees with that of pre-screened advisors who are part of the AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ program.
  • Attend an afternoon or evening session during which three pre-screened advisors each make 40 minute presentation.
  • Workshop begins at 1PM or 6 PM with a Weigh House review of the process, an explanation of what investors should be looking for, and the importance of each of the 10 measures on which the presenters are to be evaluated.
  • The first advisor speaks and answers questions for 40 minutes. The first advisor leaves and Weigh House provides a 10-minute summary and review of the first advisor’s presentation.
  • The second advisor is introduced and speaks and answers questions for 40 minutes. The second advisor leaves and Weigh House provides a 10-minute summary and review of the second advisor’s presentation.
  • The third advisor is introduced and speaks and answers questions for 40 minutes. The third advisor leaves and Weigh House provides a 10-minute summary and review of the third advisor’s presentation.
  • Weigh House does a wrap up and summary of the session.
  • If you decide you want to work with one of the advisors you will complete a financial planning questionnaire.
  • Come to Weigh House, or discuss on the phone, to review the financial plan.
  • Set up an appointment to meet with the financial advisor you have selected.

Advisors will not have the names of workshop participants so no communication will be made unless initiated by the workshop participant.

Weigh House’s Responsibility and Guarantee

  • We guarantee that if the relationship with your advisor does not work out we will either refund the workshop fee or carry out a new search at no charge.
  • We do not accept liability or responsibility for errors, or losses of any kind, which may occur while working with an advisor who presented at the workshops.
  • Weigh House Investor Services Inc is a fee-only consulting firm and we accept no fees or commissions or incentives of any kind from any investment advisor.

Next Workshops:

To be held at our Toronto location at 4141 Yonge Street, suite 304.

  • June 14th 1:00 PM  to 5:00PM
  • June 15th 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Event Dates

For more information call Chris Coholan at 416 640 0550 – extension 240.

If you are interested in a weekend session please call to register your interest.

For Financial Advisors:

If you would like to be included in this program please send in a proposal in which you address each of the 10 issues covered in the workshop handout found here.

The AdvisorSEARCH Workshop™ puts you in control and eliminates sales pressure by having three different advisors compete for your business. Ongoing support from Weighhouse ensures you will get preferential rates and proper performance monitoring.

Next Workshops to be held at our Toronto Location 4141 Yonge Street, suite 304:

June 14th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

May 18th from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Event Dates