How to be a good PI Client
http://pittmaninvestigations.com/articles/8/1/How-to-be-a-good-PI-Client/Page1.html
Ken Pittman
Ken Pittman is the owner and founder of Pittman Investigations.
Ken has over 19 years of experience in the private investigation field and is an expert surveillance operative/supervisor, witness background investigator, bodyguard and well rounded in all aspects of private investigations.
By Ken Pittman
Published on 07/28/2007
If you need a private detective, the odds are that something is wrong. In Massachusetts or anywhere else we serve, we exist to right wrongs. We are not as feared as the dentist but we are called on to help less than envious scenarios. If you do call on us, here are some things you should know to help with the case and the costs.
Ways to control investigation costs
Before you call a private eye, make sure you have exhausted your own resources. Our operating costs in Massachusetts or anywhere else are unavoidably substantial so anything you can learn on your own without alerting the wrong people ought to be your first priority.
1) Make sure you understand your own information which you will pass on to the investigator. There are facts and then there are things that are not factual. Rumors and guesses can cost the client a substantial amount of money so make sure you learn which is which when handing over your data to assist your detective. Most PIs like to start from scratch when assembling the goal; truth. There are virtuous detectives out there but there are also some who are more than happy to pursue wild goose chases during the investigative effort (especially when you the boss have granted the effort).
2) Decide for yourself if a PI is needed. In some cases, lawyers don't offer the correct advise. While PIs and attorneys work together on a regular basis, sometimes PIs can help a client better but clients are not advised of this. Again, there are virtuous attorneys aplenty but there are some who study their clients to figure out ways to squeeze the most amount of money from them. I can't begin to list the things a detective can do for less money than a law firm so keep in mind something important. Most of us work for a fraction of the cost of attorneys and don't think they don't know it. So why pay an attorney to perform tasks that a PI can do cheaper and probably better? Lawyers are normally impressive and in fact are trained to come off as imposing but remember this at all times; YOU ARE THE BOSS. You can lose less money by overseeing and delegating responsibilities. Be frugal while being wise. Let it be known that you have knowledge. Without insisting on hiring a PI, there are times when attorneys will charge you their rate for chasing down information that can be done at our rates which, again, is almost always less expensive. Hey, I don't know why you'll need either attorney or detective but it can't be good. Don't add to the stress by losing more money than you have to.
3) Evidence is not proof. One more time for the math student? Evidence < Proof. You probably cannot win in court with evidence alone. You'll need proof. This means you should want proof. If you have proof already, you don't need a private detective. Our vocation is very simple. We work to unveil the truth when covered or elusive. In other words we obtain proof. Have your attorney help you figure out which is which and then move forward but do not stray very far from that equation.
1) Make sure you understand your own information which you will pass on to the investigator. There are facts and then there are things that are not factual. Rumors and guesses can cost the client a substantial amount of money so make sure you learn which is which when handing over your data to assist your detective. Most PIs like to start from scratch when assembling the goal; truth. There are virtuous detectives out there but there are also some who are more than happy to pursue wild goose chases during the investigative effort (especially when you the boss have granted the effort).
2) Decide for yourself if a PI is needed. In some cases, lawyers don't offer the correct advise. While PIs and attorneys work together on a regular basis, sometimes PIs can help a client better but clients are not advised of this. Again, there are virtuous attorneys aplenty but there are some who study their clients to figure out ways to squeeze the most amount of money from them. I can't begin to list the things a detective can do for less money than a law firm so keep in mind something important. Most of us work for a fraction of the cost of attorneys and don't think they don't know it. So why pay an attorney to perform tasks that a PI can do cheaper and probably better? Lawyers are normally impressive and in fact are trained to come off as imposing but remember this at all times; YOU ARE THE BOSS. You can lose less money by overseeing and delegating responsibilities. Be frugal while being wise. Let it be known that you have knowledge. Without insisting on hiring a PI, there are times when attorneys will charge you their rate for chasing down information that can be done at our rates which, again, is almost always less expensive. Hey, I don't know why you'll need either attorney or detective but it can't be good. Don't add to the stress by losing more money than you have to.
3) Evidence is not proof. One more time for the math student? Evidence < Proof. You probably cannot win in court with evidence alone. You'll need proof. This means you should want proof. If you have proof already, you don't need a private detective. Our vocation is very simple. We work to unveil the truth when covered or elusive. In other words we obtain proof. Have your attorney help you figure out which is which and then move forward but do not stray very far from that equation.