Choose your training program wisely!

This is for those of us just entering the bail industry...

Just recently, I communicated with a certain agent who is employed by a fugitive recovery business in my home state of Michigan. He told me to re-think my choice for FRA training because the school is listed on www.ripoffreport.com. He also tried persuading me into attending the training program that “he” represented.

I was curious, so I followed up on the validity of his allegation. To my surprise, not only was he right, but the school he tried selling me was also on the list! When I brought this to his attention via E-mail, he told me (in so many words) that the one complaint listed doesn't hold much weight. I'm sorry, but it shouldn’t matter how many times a school is labeled a scam or is reported to be un-professional. Even one complaint can open a big can of worms for any organization. Of course, I am a firm believer in researching and getting the facts BEFORE questioning anyone's integrity and values.

I am glad that I portray a little bit of common sense and willing to do my homework. In the end… hard work and research really pay off.

Thanks everyone for letting me vent.

Take care and keep your eyes and ears open!

Hello again...

I forgot to mention that the "certain someone" who tried playing me for a fool is a member of this site. I will not discredit him in a public forum because I am above that. I can bet I'm not the only one who experienced this.

Have a good night ladies & gentlemen.

Training is always a hard decision tp make these days with so many schools to chose from ie nibe, nebea, compass point internet plus many many more including LAWS school--first and foremost check with your state(if a license state)to find out what school is accepted for training credit(in N.H. its LAWS and only LAWS)

why go to a school that does not meet state requirements?
call local bondsmen and find out who their beas are-call them and ask who they recommend
find all the forums you can find and ask about schools
if a school promises gold and fame run away quick--there are no shortcuts in this business--it takes time and experiance to be successful-if the school says you will make thousands and they will give you many cases run like hell!!!!!!!!

the first thing i tell our students is most of them will not make a penny or make an arrest--we use some of our students as field agents--notice i said some because there are also some that i would not let take my trash to the can for fear of them screwing it up--as i have said many times before this is not a business taken lightly it is a dangerous and life altering occupation--three day wonders are a danger to themselves their skips and the general public--it takes months if not years to build a good bea if that person has the right attitude and personality - if not they will never be any good(just my opinion)

In my opinion you can teach skills not smarts or intuition or street knowledge--again i do not reccomend any school all have good and bad points --take state accepted training and apprentise with a good bea maybe you will be one of the few to be a BEA-most likely you will fall by the wayside when you see the real life of a pro bea---i wish you all the luck

MI_agent,

You did the right thing in checking out a school before paying your money to attend. As Hadley said, you should research your state laws and find a school that is authorized by your state to provide the required course and training. The best way to do that is to contact local agents who have "been there and done that".

Some schools say that they "license" agents nationwide. I can promise you that they are incorrect unless they have a person in each state that is authorized in that state to provide the course. I know of no such school but there is one school in the northeast with that claim and you will read many bad reports on. Check out all of the posts here by people who know and you will see the reputation they have.

Just because a company is listed on www.badbusinessbureau.com does not mean they are consistently bad. This website is open to the public and anyone can file a report against anybody on it. A report means that someone had a bad experience with a company and it affected them enough to make it public. The only substantiation that I know of is that the company is sent a copy and given a chance to respond. I'm not saying that the reports are wrong, just that they are one person's situation. If a company is repeatedly reported, you can count more on what is said.

I also agree with Hadley that you should check with local bondsmen and BEA's. You should find out how much work is available, who does the work and what they look for and require before hiring a person. If the work is not available or if you do not meet their requirements, you will be wasting your money no matter where you go for training. Check out all of your options and spend your money wisely. Listen to the pros and you will be much better able to make a good decision on where and how to get your training and if this work is right for you.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

You also can write to the better business bureau and the will write back to you to let you know how many complaints a company received and what was being done or correct by the BBB to fix the problem.


Perception is Everything!
Robert Brown
Pennsylvania Professional bail Bondsman
license # 5000121