Your friends are immature. They are literally going to cost you money for something that's NOT going to happen when it comes to PR applications. There are no continuous rejections.
To go with RCIC or not is your own prerogative, but you are unlikely to make the mistake again of sending a PCC that wouldn't be valid(as was your last case with not covering the entire duration of stay). Very very few things can lead to rejection and it was very unfortunate that you made one of those. If you simply spend some time on the forum, ask questions, you'll be more than covered. So many of us here filed our own applications and got our PRs. Unless you've any other complexities you can do your application on your own.
A much cheaper and easier way to do this would be to book an hourly session with an RCIC or a lawyer, get them to check your docs and that's it. You've already applied before, you know the drill, but if you uncertain you can have someone review your docs and do it again. Cheap, easy, faster, better.
