Unfortunately there are times that you the individual needs the services of a Private Investigator, but how do you know that the PI that you hire is a qualified Professional? If you don't have someone who can make a recommendation you are left to the only resources available, phone book ads and/or the inter-net. Which ad do you trust, the largest, the one who has the neatest website or the one who talks the best sell? A Private Investigator is a salesman, he/she must sell themselves to the prospective client in order to get hired. Is he/she a snake oil salesperson or are they a professional? What are your rights as a consumer? What can you expect? Are you getting your money's worth? Is the investigator going to get you in trouble with the law? How do you know that he/she actually did what they said they did?
YES, you do have rights as a consumer and you should do your homework, research, own investigation, and interrogation of your prospective investigator, before you give them one dime.
Majority of individual clients are emotionally torn apart and are most likely in crisis mode and may not be thinking straight. You need to realize you are most likely going to be spending several hundred, if not, thousands of dollars in obtaining whatever information/evidence that you seek. Most people will get three or four bids for a home improvement job, so why not do the same when you need an investigator. Now that brings up the big question: Does the client get a warranty? The basic response to this question is NO, no Professional investigator will or can give you a guarantee of results, all the Professional investigator will guarantee is that he/she will provide you with the best efforts possible in obtaining evidence and information necessary to resolve your case. Now allow me to provide you with a laundry list, if you will, that will greatly increase your chances of hiring a Professional Private Investigator.
All individuals providing Private Investigative services to the public in South Carolina are required to be licensed and bonded by South Carolina Law, regulated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
How do you know that the PI that you hire is a qualified Professional?
* Meet with the investigator. You can tell a lot about a person by sitting down over a cup of coffee in a face-to-face interview.
* Ask for references.
* Ask for a copy of their license/bond
* South Carolina law Title 40 Chapter 18 paragraph 70(f) states that Private Investigators are to provide you with a contract, (previously approved by SLED), or a waiver of a contract. I can't tell you what other investigative agencies do but I insist my individual clients do not sign a waiver. This protects both parties. The contract should provide you with the fees being charged, (all fees), work to be provided, and that you are entitled a breakdown of fees, expenses and a report of work conducted. You have an absolute right to be provided with a detailed report of what the Private Investigator did for your money.
* How do you know that the fees are fair based on the work that you require? You don't and to be honest there is no hard fee schedule or guidelines. There are a lot of variables involved due to the complexity of the case, experience of the investigator, and other factors. You can go price shopping but the one point I would suggest in determining the fees is for you to determine the PI's experience, education, qualifications, etc. Your primary concern should be the quality of the service you are going to receive. If your resources are limited, as most of us are, then be sure to discuss this with your investigator, set a limit and have him/her put the financial arrangement in the contract, however be prepared to pay a retainer.
* Do not allow your PI to talk you into doing anything illegal. Should your PI break the law you are just as guilty as he/she would be. It's just not worth it.
Last but not least recommendation is go with your gut feeling. A Professional Investigator will work with you, not attempt to force, bully, or talk you into something just to increase their bottom line. They will allow you to ask questions and professionally answer them. If they attempt to talk you out of the above recommendations, don't get upset or argue, just move on to the next investigative agency on your list.
I can tell you story after story of people telling me of the horrible experience they had with a Private Investigator and the thousands of dollars they paid for unprofessional services. It doesn't have to be, the choice is in your hands.
There are a lot of Professional Investigators and Investigative Agencies licensed in South Carolina. Do your homework and you can be assured that you will be getting a quality professional investigation. Remember It's your money.
This article was prepared by Tim Williams,
President of Carolina Investigative Agency, LLC
Any questions I may be reached at (803) 413-4226
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