IPIU says it does not advertise. That is a blatent lie. I learned and became involved with them through Career Biulders. I have found their services to be completely negative. I was at level 3 and was booted out because I complained to them and used the word "God" in a private email to them.
Following is a copy of a forum from another web site. The writer put it so well that I am just copying and pasting.
The letter follows:
I am not yet a licensed PI. I was introduced to IPIU via an advertisement at CareerBuilder.com & Here is the Ad I responded to:
Quote: "Undercover Agents or Private Investigators (both male and female) experienced or trainees are needed part time (which can lead to full time) in your local area working with our national clients, attorneys, and other firms and private investigative agencies. Good earnings, extremely interesting work. On-the-job paid training is available. Base Pay: $27 - $35/Hour
REQUIREMENTS:
State Fees or FBI fees: No fee to obtain a free Placement Application or Employment Application. If hired, applicant may be required to obtain either a state driver's license or state identification card as proof of identity. State fees for a Driver's License or State ID Card range from $15 to $30 for 3 years or more. Undercover Agents or Private Investigators that are unregulated by their state, or unlicensed or unmonitored may be required to obtain a periodic FBI criminal warrants-check and a periodic driver's license record printout at their own expense. Periodic FBI NCIC warrants screening may range from $79 to $93 for 3 years."
Having 20 years of business consulting and research experience, I was intrigued by the notion of expanding into the arena of private investigation. The ad and initial phone contact lead me to believe that with a $79 investment to cover the cost of a Criminal Warrants Check local expenses of Fingerprinting, Passport Photos, etc. I'd be quickly on my way to earning $30/hour.
My experience has taught me otherwise... It cost me another $129 to join IPIU after I made my initial investment and the "training" they provide is completely forum-based (they claim the use of the forums will help determine and/or improve an individual's level of investigative skills.) Personally I find it extremely annoying to have to read through hundreds of posts (many of which are filled with personal anecdotes having little to do with the subject or people's experiences/frustrations with the process) in order to gain a tidbit of knowledge. Ah, but for those impatient people like myself, there is the complete catalog of books one could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on in order to pick up the necessary knowledge. However, you cannot gain access to the online catalog (or receive one in the mail) until you reach the appropriate stage (i.E., pay your dues) I just received my catalog and first issue of the PI Magazine the last week of December (and I paid my dues in September.)
There are several steps and stages you must pass through in order to gain access to different levels of information and you are completely at the mercy of the mail system because everything they do is via snail mail (and they're in Canada). And with each step there is a new opportunity for you to spend more money (e.G., business cards, badges, tools, books, etc.)
I was given the distinct impression that they would place me with several local agencies/clients on a part-time basis for 6 months of on-the-job training. I have not received an assignment yet because I was sick when the open book test arrived in October and it ended up buried under piles of more important work on my desk. I just completed and mailed the test out last week. So, the next step will be for them to grade my test, provide me with the score and then see if they actually do set me up with any local assignments within the promised pay range. I'm skeptical because I've read other people's posts directing newcomers that once they've completed their testing process they'll be granted access to another level within the forum that will put them in touch with potential employers - which is not what the advertisement said.
I have also been quite dissatisfied with their level of response to my emails. I have been unable to post to the forums for weeks and emailed their support people I receive an autoresponder indicating I'd get their reply within 48 hours & nothing yet.
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