>> Unless you have a good financial planner with series 6 or series 7 you don't stand a chance - and even then if you don't have a zillion dollars to play with it's very difficult.

I passed series 7 while working on Wall Street. Also while working on Wall Street I got an insider's look at how customers are viewed there.
My mother used to tell me to cross the street when I saw trouble coming.
If I were you I'd cross the street if a Financial Planner approaches.