Most people ask if having an agent work for you is wise or stupid.
I'm sharing some information based on my own experience. But remember there is no right or wrong.
If you are planning to use an agent., Bam! Bam! Bam! Wondering what that is?! Gunshot sounds written in words in comics books!! They'll target your wallet and you'll bleed money to them, quite a lot!!
I've had wonderful and unforgettable experiences with agents! DON'T GO TO THEM! Here in this forum, we may not give you wonderful experiences like what agents give you; but definitely worthwhile experience! And some information! Of course, undoubtedly can guide you thru all the stages.
Some of my local friends asked me which agency I used to get my PR. I always tell them that when I was using agents I was never able to get anywhere closer to getting a PR. But it was only after I got rid of them (patching that hole in my wallet!) and started doing everything on my own I got to the level of getting a PR to Canada! Then, they get curious and even more suspicious and will try to cross examine me as majority of them regardless of their nationalities believe that immigration processing can be done only with the help of agents!
After sensing their unbelief (I don't prefer to spend my time to someone who doesn't believe me), I quickly end the conversation by saying. 'Look, if you go to an agent, you'll pay money; if you come to me for information you'll only pay attention!" Guess what? Even after seeing evidence, most people still want to spend their hard earned money only to the agents; but not willing to do the processing on their own. I'm not sure, but may be, nobody wants to take personal responsibility if things go wrong as they can easily shift the blame to the agent. Human psychology!
I personally know a friend, who went to an agent. They advised her to take IELTS classes only with their coach as they convinced her that they provide comprehensive service along with immigration services. Her IELTS score went to south every time she took it! 4 times! She had to renew her immigration contract with the agent twice in the meantime which costed her a price of., lets say a new Enfield Bullet!! After spending more than a year grappling to grab a good IELTS score she got fed up and ultimately gave up the idea of immigration. She asked for a refund. Agent gave her 25 percent of her last contract value. Price of a bicycle!!? Her new country dream is now a sore wound!
After a few months, she asked me how I was able to get a better score in IELTS the very first attempt. I told her that I have the habit of watching hollywood movies quite often. She thought I was joking and making fun of her situation. Folks, don't you all agree with the fact that if we soak ourselves in a movie scene with a lot of English conversation we can pick quite a lot of good English than religiously attending IELTS classes taken by UnEnlish coaches, so to speak? She can't relate that what I say has any chance of fetching good IELTS score. This is the same problem when it comes to using agents for immigration. The solutions for most problems might be pretty simple. But we'll complicate it and worse, never get closer to the solution.
I think I'm going to the boring zone! Agents or by ourselves? My suggestion is ourselves. Again, there is no right or wrong. It all comes down to our mindsets. But we can always adjust our mindsets by going along with simple straightforward methods that work rather than sticking and operating under illusioned conventional ideas!
All the best to everyone here!
Cheers,
Luder
