Having met Glenn Werner quite a few years ago, I started to invest with him a couple of years later after first meeting. Based upon his demeanor/professionalism/level of comfort I felt we with him, I turned over my investment account to him. Fast forward to today(going thru retirement/losing spouse/relocating to Florida/buying new home) Glenn was always there making changes/adjustments/keeping me informed and updated. I cannot express my gratitude and good fortune in finding someone like Glenn to make my retirement years as fruitful and financially safe/secure as it is now. I really owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Glenn. A sincere, heartfelt THANK YOU read more

The worst company for investing. My dad had them for years. When his advisor left, the new one talked him into Puerto Rico bonds every time any bond matured. When my dad passed and I took over, I couldn't believe 70% of his portfolio was with those bonds. And we all know how those bonds collapsed. I got a good lawyer and sued. And won. Took 8 months but was worth it. read more

Years ago I invested with DL when Zoran Voz was my broker. He was very professional and upfront and honest. I invested in REITS. I did well with him, but then he left and I should've pulled my money out then. Instead, this broker Shawn Steadman sweet talked me into getting into this Energy Fund and sold me a bunch of lies. My money has been tied in there and now, they won't let me get my money back. I told him I was a single mother and I didn't want to get into anything risky, but wanted conservative. He said he had the perfect investment as long as I kept it in for 5-7 years, it would return more than I invested and pay out monthly dividends, which that has stopped now for months. Please do not trust any of those smooth talking swindlers. Then when you call the Hartsdale office, they don't even want to pick up calls when they see your number. Stay Away! read more

My husband's brother sadly passed away last year and left our daughter as the beneficiary for his investments with this Company. Despite numerous e-mails and phone calls she still hasn't been paid the money she is due. It is now getting on for 18 months. It isn't a vast amount of money but that is beside the point, the money was left to her and they have not paid it out. They are a diabolical Company and I would not recommend anybody to invest with them. read more

Nothing but von artists and shelter. Locked up 200k of my money for the last 7 years. I still can't touch it and it's now worth half. But they got their piece up front so why do they care read more

I worked there a long time ago. Things may have changed, who knows, but they were sort of shysters then. Check their Form BD. A history of bad behavior. If I had to guess, a number of their brokers are probably just honest hard-working guys, but their control environment is so lacking and the greed so strong from the top, that they let things slide among the handful brokers who really cause the problems. I think their CEO either is or was under investigation too. read more

All they do is invest in horrible mutual funds. In really bad stocks. You'll never make money with them.

When I first started with DL 20 years ago ,they were a good "Middle ground of investment" company , low non volatile predictable gains .. Then things started to change for the good of them ,not so for their clients.. They kept bouncing your investments from stocks to securities and REITs to skim the dividends for commission, They were also investing your money in artwork , How do you turn a sensible profit on that? I never even saw the artwork but guess it was sitting in one of the CEOs living room... So while they were making the money, you were churning butter but never seeing cream " you get it !"..I was hearing good stuff but never seeing it on paper... So back in 2016 when my third replacement broker shows up at my house for an update meeting with a brand new diesel Audi SUV, wearing a $2,000 suit and tells me about the home he is having built ,then follows with " We really didn't do good with our financial investments this year!".. I'm saying " I didn't do good with my money , you seem to be doing great with it !" that's when I moved my money elsewhere. Since then I have been pleased and doing very well ..I am so glad I got out of there when I did, based on the later reviews', it seems it didn't get any better... read more

Ronald Ganz is truly amazing. My entire Family has been doing business with Ron Ganz at David Lerner Associates for over forty years. He has made our life enjoyable and without financial worries. Kudos to Ron Ganz and Lerner Associates. read more

This has to be the worst investment firm of all time. My mother has money with them and it's been years of us trying to recoup our money.

Horrendous. I tried for NINE years to get my money back from them. Got it over the course of nine years in drips and drabs. I just inquired about the last bit and found that it had been liquid for six months and they never bothered to alert me. So, I used the checkbook they provided to write a check for the liquid amount to deposit into my bank and it was returned (incurring a fee with my bank). So, I call DL and they, rudely, stated that they don't use that checkbook anymore and they will send me a check for the liquid amount. When I asked when I could expect to receive that (like, are you doing it today or am I waiting another nine years), the woman said "well, it's coming from Minnesota, so however long that takes." And hung up. I am so thankful I won't have to deal with these people anymore. read more

My review is based on an amazing woman from this office named Nicole Sapienza (hope I spelled it correctly). She was very knowledgable with all the questions I threw at her which were quite a few! She dealt with what I needed and offered me info on oTher grEat opportunities. She was NOT pushy at all and ultimately left the choices to me. If you are looking for someone knowledgeable and HONEST as for Nicole. read more

Terrible company. Bought Apple Reits and when they were converted to stock I still had them at DL. Then when Covid started I removed All via DL into cash. Was NEVER advised upfront per FINRA Rules of trading fee-$1100 supposedly because I did not sell with my Adviser. Well I did try to call my adviser but got VM 3 times before I got to sell stock via another trader. Their Compliance person is a Farce. Letters not even signed with person's name. No protection from not following FINRA rules. They stated that the didn't receive my emails and Certified letters despite me having a Delivery receipt. They never even commented on the Main FINRA complaint. Disgusting business practices. FINRA sure knows these guys from their NUMEROUS corrupt, inept, misleading practices. Cashed out. Sold All REIT and bought most back at 1/3 the cost. Now it's doing fine at FIDELITY. Glad I never bought their Energy Products. Stay FAR AWAY from this Company. read more

If I could give a zero to this inept and corrupted firm I would. I started out with DL many years ago with a good advisor. I was looking for muni bonds where I can protect principal and gain dividends to invest. With the dividends, I reinvested into various offerings. One was the APLE REIT which was not liquid. I had time on my side so I did not mind. I asked when APLE would become liquid and was "told 3-5 years". Well 3-5 years turned into greater than 10 with calls for class action suits. My advisor left and I went through another keeping my account consistent waiting for the liquidation day. That counselor left and then in came the devil. My bonds came due and I foolishly invested in SOAEX, the energy funds. This dude played on the fact I wanted a liquid fund with dividends so I went with the flow, not realizing he made a killing on commissions and fees which are enormous for the fund, but I had a plan in place, a retirement plan that once I retired I'd pull out. Finally APLE became liquid and I sold, long after the 5-year period. When my 1099 statement came (and David Lerner is ALWAYS LATE with the 1099's), I notice the cost basis was 0 for the sale, so that was screwed up. I paid $11.. per share but because it was not liquid they put in the 1099 that I paid zero, ZERO DOLLARS. It took a few calls to DL and they had no clue how to clean that up on their forms nor would they. My Investment Counselor washed his hands from this stating "not my problem" so luckily I kept my original sales conformations and used them otherwise I'd be in debt to the IRS for thousands. Calls to the IRS suggested I do that, which were helpful, but I was still audited because the computers pick up cost and sell, so it took time to clean up that mess. Now comes the SOAEX....I decided I had enough of DL, so I wanted to cash out. I told my Investment Counselor to sell ALL my holdings, HE askes me a zillion times "why" I told him "Just do it". After two weeks I find he did not so I call him and he claims "I never told him to sell we spoke about a few things but I never mentioned sell", as he tries to cover up from his gaff. Meanwhile the fund tanked because of pandemic and energy being depressed so I'm out money. He then puts account on hold because of an upcoming reverse split which would cost me more money. Finally after threatening legal action he sells but his delay and incompetence costs me several thousands. After filing a complaint with the compliance manager it turned into a "he said she said" and the Compliance Manager washed his dirty hands from this. I filed a complaint with the SEC and they are still waiting from a response from DL on this matter. David Lerner has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. They prey on the uninformed, they sell non-liquid funds with the promise of liquidation that never happen unless a class action suit happens. They sell funds of high loads and keep reverse splitting to make the funds look investment worthy. The sales "counselors" only care about commissions and not the investor. If this keeps one potential investor form ever considering investing with DL, I've been successful in recovering my loss. My advice.. do your homework first, google David Lerner, and see all the legal action taken against them and look for someone clean and trustworthy. read more

Beautiful building, free yummy chocolates and a great concerned staff. We dropped by today right when everyone was leaving for the day and our guy still sat us down to take care of our concerns. I like how any questions I asked were thoroughly explained. It makes me feel confident that my money is in good, trusting hands. read more

David Lerner Associates - Investing Near Me - Syosset, New York

I wish I could give zero rating. Very bad customer service and they are only interested for selling front load fund. I lost so much with them. I am moving out. Don't trust fonny advice. I wish I would have learned from my friend advice. read more

Like so many other folks who have left reviews here, I got taken by this firm. They sold lousy, proprietary investment products that yielded great results for DAVID Lerner and his sales people and mediocre returns for clients. On top of this, they charge yearly account fees AND then charge you again when you want to move your assets out of their firm. This firm's business practices are appalling!! There are much more reputable places to go for investment advice and guidance; places that have high ethical standards and who respect their clients and their hard earned money. read more

If I could give MINUS stars I would. They are scammers who prey on unsophisticated investors (like me). Their APLE REIT (now publicly traded) is worth 1/4 of what it was after they did a reverse split when it went public. With dividend now suspended APLE is the WORST investment I've ever made. Stay away from them. read more

They sold their products to my 70 year old parents who were not financially aware. They had a table at an an event and thats how they got them. I took over their investments and could not believe the horrible investments they had them in. They were not even close to what their needs were and even if they wanted this form of investment, they picked the wrong ones. Very bad REITS compared to others in the same sectors. I need to add to this. Seems like they push the same things to everyone. Just read Marc W review and it was the exact same thing. All they did was push Aple Reit and the energy partnership. Both of them were as bad an investment as possible. My parents were looking for low risk dividend stocks. Energy is about as risky as anything can be. I was a floor commodity trader for over 25 years and then traded on a desk until I retired, so I have a clue about investing. After I have seen that all they do is sell the same crap to everyone, it infuriates me how much of my parents money they lost!!! In one of the best bull markets in history they LOST money. I am not sure if I should add the brokers name here as I am not that vindictive but please avoid these scam artists at all costs. read more

Full disclosure...I work in Administration at David Lerner Associates, but I am also a client! David Neuwirth has taken the time to teach me the importance of diversification. I don't know much about the world of finance, but David made sure I was fully informed and comfortable throughout the process. He helped me to re-allocate my current 401k, rollover my old 401k into an IRA, and establish a vehicle for future after-tax savings :-) For months, almost a year even, I was afraid to do anything with my investments, but David broke me out of my "fear of the unknown" by making sure I understood every step of the way! read more

I've been with David Lerner & Assoc for almost 20 years, with Rich Lerner as my advisor. Needless to say, if I hadn't been pleased, I wouldn't still be there. Rich has always been upfront, helpful, not only regarding my investments with him, but other financial big life decisions, even if he wouldn't benefit. That's the kind of man and professional and now friend he is. During marital crises, health crises, and of course for help for general financial advice, he has soundly, honestly and simply explained my options and guided me in wise decisions. I consider him indispensable and part of my family. My son is now using him and is so impressed and glad he followed my suggestion. Rich took over an hour with him on first conversation just explaining investment basics. What more can I say? I'm well into my senior years and have more peace and security with Rich and Lerner & Associates by my side. read more

i closed an account 4 months and they mailed me a check. it was stolen. i filled out all the paperwork and have been waiting 4 and half months for them to replace my check. they stole my money and wont give me any info. i have filed multiple complaints with many websites including the BBB (better business bureau). i will not rest till i get my money back. dont invest with these guys. they will steal your money. read more

You are better off giving your money to the guy on the corner who promises you a return too good to be true. That is how David Lerner operates. The turn over there is astounding among its employees. They had more people working with my moms account than the Browns have had QB's. That is because they train them to go after unsuspecting elderly customers, promise them safety and steady rates on their "can't miss" investments. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. My my mom lost 170k of her 300k investment. No recourse either. This company should be shut down. It reminds me of the movie Boiler Room. read more

Same problem as Shawn. Money tied up in Great Art Fund - WAY PAST the estimated holding time and WORSE is not just NO COMMUNICATIONS - but no RESPONSE from account manager (who unlike my previous account manager) is basically an insurance agent who doesn't understand investing. Been trying to get out of this organization for years - but they still have not liquidated the last fund and won't talk about why or why not. AND while it is "private equity" - I have other similar type investments - but they will talk to me. DLA WON'T!!! read more

I invested in their REITand I inquired about the fees because the fees are to be paid no matter what. I was told that the only fee is the $35 annual fee. As a closed investment they should have known that eventually they will have to file a form T 990 on our behalf. On their calculation they took $18 to pay the IRS and charged me $250 filling fee without notifying me. I received this form before which is about 4 pages long from Merril Edge and Vanguard and these companies did not charge a filling fee because it should be within the other paperwork that the investment has to file. I spoke with the operation manager B. o D. in Syosset office, but no help. Next day I tried to speak with the GM A. M. but he was busy and a secretary gave me a number to contact RBC. I left messages to this individual , but she did not get back to me. This fee should be absorbed by the REIT and I will try to find out which CRIMINAL in their organization agreed to this enormous fee and how much kickback their received from accounting firm that got that contract. As an investor in the REIT I demand to know why they do not absorb the cost like the other legitimate companies and who chose and agree to this fee. I hope that other investors in this fund will open their eyes and I wonder how much they will charge next year read more

If I could've rated this company ZERO stars, I would have. One of the most HIGHLY DISRESPECTFUL, UNPROFESSIONAL companies I've ever come into contact with. When you call on the phone, they are abrupt, rude, and not helpful in the slightest. I wouldn't recommend this company to my worst enemy. STAY AWAY. read more

These people will handle your money in such a way that is in THEIR best interest- not necessarily the customer's. They will call you incessantly and practically beg you to turn over your outside accounts to them after asking them to review the accounts for advice. And when you don't respond because you don't want to do business with them, they VIOLATE CONFIDENTIALITY and call your family members who do business with them, and TELL THEM ABOUT YOUR OUTSIDE ACCOUNTS, VALUE, VEHICLE TYPES AND ALL, in hopes that your family will tell you to work with them! I mean, just unbelievable. How dare you share my financial information with somebody else in hopes of gaining my business. Anywhere but here, people. read more

My mom had invested some of her retirement money with David Lerner with Xavier from the White Plains NY office. She was promised some monthly return and sounded all good at first. After initially receiving a couple of checks, the investment started going downhill. This is the time of the uptick in the economy of late 2017 and 2018 when the DOW was climbing past 20k in its index. My mom lost about 5k and I told her to pull out before she lost anymore. What kind of respectable investment bank cannot take advantage of a soaring economy for its customers? They are either incompetent or thieves. My mom is retired and firms like this should be ashamed of themselves for providing such awful investment services. I advise to stay away from them. There are better options out there if you take some time to research. read more

Would never recommend the group to anyone .The service is horrible.Never ever do they call you back.And I am lossing money on stock I was told i had to buy when selling one of my investments.When I first invested I has a excellent investment broker he left the group and since then I get in touch with anybody read more

WARNING!!!! AVOID AT ALL COST!!!! Was with DL in the early years. They where a provider of consistent, no drama, investments. Low returns, low risk, but steady and predictable. They messed up bad. Google the story yourself. It took me 5 years to get what was left of my money out. STAY AWAY!! read more

I would run,not walk. The money you put in to their recommended investment will erode. They will say, oh you earned interest etc. Losing your investment money is not a good investment. You may as well get a lower a lower return in safer inve s tments and sleep at night. They were cited for excessively high commissions on bonds. They try to get you to buy loaded mutual funds. My two account managers left. read more

Nicole was amazing. She took the time to explain everything to me in ways that I understood. I look forward to doing a lot of business with her for years to come. read more

In Short, I wouldn't recommend doing business with this company period. As someone else mentioned, their main interest to make most money out of your money. I'm their customer for about a decade but they even don't respect or care about it unless you are keep losing money on them and keep them earning money. read more

I moved my IRA investments to this company 4 years ago and I have not regretted it. Investment Counselor John Fielding's professional experience and attention to my financial needs was and continues to be spot on. I recommend David Lerner Associates to anyone who wants a trustworthy, reliable and focused investment company to tend to the growth and security of their financial future. Ask for John Fielding(5and he will make things happen for you! read more

Cold, rude, and dismissive are some of the words that come to mind with David Lerner Associates. I had my account for 5+ years with them, and closed it last year. This year, for the third time in a row, they are late with their tax forms. Very frustrating. read more

I've been investing with David Lerner Associates for years now and have to say that I'm very happy. I get regular income each month that I have been able to count on. My advisor treats me like he would his own sister, and I feel that I'm in good hands with them. I've also been very happy with my Apple REIT purchase. I know some people can't get their money back but I wish the income they produce could continue indefinitely! read more

I have realized some nice gains and income as a result of my Lerner investments. I disagree with other reviews here about "preying on the unsophisticated investor" I loved the Apple REIT investments and still own Apple 10 and kept my stock in the Apple 9 which of this writing pays over 6% dividend and is investing in Hilton and Marriott hotels. They have a small selection of funds that pay dividends. My DLA advisor will review my account and answer questions whenever I call. They will even come to your house! Note that all investments have risks but they offer some of the better lower risk income producing funds. I like their municipal bond fund and Income fund through Spirit Of America. I feel they gave me good advice based on my risk tolerance and glad I took the time to listen and ask questions. read more

After luckily getting out of the last Apple reit without taking a bath we were told energy 11 was a winner at 7% guaranteed rate. (lies) We are 3 years from retirement and conservative. So we stupidly invested in Energy 11 from which no one can remove a cent until they go liquid. The "salesman made no mention of the volatility of energy stocks. By the way DL has never dealt with energy before, only after I began educating myself about energy stocks I realized they are one of the most volatile commodities to own. High risk and many many go belly up. So we were totally lied to. Next we were directed by our Westport DL "salesman " that energy 11 was doing great and putting the 50k we had from Spirit of America into Energy 11 was a smart move I finally pulled the trigger on the guy and told him, we are 80% into energy with energy 11 and you want us to ad more so we are 90% into your energy11. Our conservative values were not his concerns. He wants to put the bread where he gets the highest commissions. By the way we bought in from the get go at 20 dollars. They are now at or below 15.25 and paying their shareholders from investors money in energy 12. Ask any reputable broker if being 90% into any investment is wise. What the hell are you doing? Especially gas and oil. So we are in a loose loose. If energy goes up we only see 7% . If oil and gas belly up in North Dakota we loose our shirt. I hope to hell energy 11 goes liquid so I can bail out. Oh by the way if it does you will wait 6-8 months to get your cash to reinvest. We pulled $100,00.00 out of our investments and re invested in Raymond James as soon as the money became available. So enjoy the free seminars and chicken Dinner but DO NOT INVEST A DIME IN DAVID LERNER ASSOCIATES . read more

I've worked with the staff at David Lerner Associates for several years now. I have never seen them be rude or dismissive - quite the contrary. They really care about helping their clients and make the effort to give them excellent service and results. read more

I can only give you one statement. If you are looking for any type of customer service, any type of attention to your problem, even a question answered, good luck. This company has the worst customer service in the history of any company that I've ever done business with. They will never call you back, they are never there when you call, the front desk is just as quick to get you off the phone as the people that are trying to get in touch with. All they care about is new business, so if you have an account existing in this company good luck. Trying to get a sell order in and get a check from them is even more of a fiasco. I can't wait to finally get all my money out of this place and put it into somewhere reputable. read more