Should Financial Advisors advise their clients to do what is in their clients' best interests or should they take advantage of them and screw them when they can? Why?

seriously? hahaha

The emphasis is on SELLING.  So you are taking the word of a salesman who depends on commission to pay his bills.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

Well the Republicans were working on repealing a bill that protects investors.  Guess why?. Thank you for your reply Sharonna.

Republicans were working to repeal  a bill that protects investors Baba. I betcha you can guess why. Thank you for your reply!  :)

What bill are you talking about? Is it the same bill that the the Dem refused to vote on when they had control? Or some other. I could not find any information when I googled.
The only bill I can find is one that wants to eliminate advisors being paid by commission and put them on fee based income.

 I will see if I can find something. Republicans want to reverse/repeal a bill that protects investors from being taken advantage of by financial advisors. How long ago that bill was passed or the exact name I do not know. But I do know Republicans dislike anything that restricts earning money. They were against Elizabeth Warren heading a Consumer Protection Agency because they don't want consumers protected at the expense of business owners. I'll come back to this thread if I can find anything on it m2c!.

 OK m2c. Here is is. Google "Customers First Rules" and it will come up. You're welcome.

So your just making a statement Republicans hate investors and no proof. Republicans are repealing a law but you don't know what law that is.

Now you are going to try and find something?

You're just throwing crap out there.

Yes this is the same law that the Dem also did/would not pass. So the Labor Department passed the law itself.
It is another law that sounds good on the surface. Like it will help the small investor but actually hurts the small investor because fees will increase. If it did not hurt themm, there would not be built in exceptions for small investment brokers to take advantage of another law helping big fat cats...out of commissions and onto flat fees.

@Sharonna: Actually, that depends. More FA's than you think, including many I worked with during my time on Wall Street, prefer to keep their clients and think more long term, which means putting what's best for the client first. You can still make money that way, but it's much less of a transactional process and relationship.

As I said in my response to Sharonna, many FAs find that it's better to put the client's best interest first. It fosters higher levels of comfort and trust, which leads to better and longer lasting client relationships. This happens regardless of any legislation - it's just a smart and ethical business practice.

they should be helping their clients, thats why theyre getting paid

Thank you for your reply StuB and Happy Friday to thee! :)

I agree. Thank you for your reply pearl! :)