The problem is not the actual products, it's the people who are selling them.
In the "real world" most countries have fairly tight regulation, the UAE has next to nothing. No need to have qualifications, no need for professional experience, no need to have your client's best interests at heart, no accountability etc...it's no wonder so many people get stung badly the industry's reputation is awful.
A good Financial Planner or Advisor probably won't cold you to start with. You're more likely to be referred to them, get an email you can delete if you're not interested or find them through your own contacts. Even if you do get a cold call it will not be pushy and will likely follow an email or letter introduction. Next they will not be harassing you constantly and will be happy to go over any recommendation they make with a fine tooth pick to make sure you're fully aware of what you're taking. An excellent advisor will give you the cons and pros in that order and will only do so after listening carefully to what you want and need.
Unfortunately there's not too many trustworthy Financial Planners and Advisors in the region - partly due to lack of regulation and partly due to the short term make a quick buck mentality that's prominant in most businesses here.
If anyone needs a second opinion on anything they are thinking of signing up for feel free to PM me...I work in the UAE as a Financial Advisor and am a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute in London, working for the only Chartered brokerage in the region.
N.