Please do NOT use Craig’s List,  I will say no more.  Also, anyone advertising prices dramatically lower than industry standards is most likely going to get you drastically reduced results.

(As we are based in Indiana, operating 2 physical offices in Fort Wayne and the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers, these guidelines can apply to ANY state or region.)

  •  Ask for legal business name.  I doubt the company is called carmel private investigator.  Like many other companies we have paid advertising on separate sites called Adversites, for example 1 of ours .(http://www.carmelprivateinvestigator.com)  *Most of these re-direct to our actual company site which clearly states our business name and locations.  Some do not and are free standing separate websites, but they still say the same true name.
  • Ask for their license Number. It REQUIRED by the state to be on business cards and websites (any advertising material).
  • Ask if the company is insured, ask to see insurance carrier “accord” form.
  • Do not rely on internet reviews completely, This goes against the norm, but think about it.  Who hires a private investigator for a matter that they most likely want to keep private because of a court hearing or simply because it’s embarrassing.  Most online reviews require some sort of back check to determine its not a SEO or programming trick.  But in our 30 years of experience, I can only think of a handful of clients that want anyone to know they contacted and used a private investigator. (We have some clients that require signed confidentiality and non-disclosure statements)
  • Research (internet).   Many of the “googled” responses to your search for a local Private investigator will result in another advertising directory type of website, or other subscriber lists dedicated to simply pointing you to more links for varies companies (those are expensive to the PI Agency and most good PI firms wont spend the big dollars to advertise there). Or you will get a link for a large national firm that does not even have an office or employee in your state or local area.  They sub contract it to the lowest bidder.  Find the actual web site of the company.  See what they are about.  Does the website tell you anything or is it just there to be a search engine listing of key words & services.
  • Talk with them over phone, then meet them in person!  Not just an answering service, or a sales rep on the phone. If you cannot talk with the owner, manager or director of operations, or the actually assigned private investigator working the case;  then keep calling!  If your lucky, these large national firms simple take your case and then re-sell it to an actually private investigator in your area.  Worse case, if they do have someone in the area, you will never know if that guy is working his first PI case ever or if they have 15 years experience.  Talking with the actually guy working your case gives direct, and immediate facts as to what is happening.
  • Get a signed contract, They should have some form of written agreement that lists service being provided and costs of said services.
  • Get a receipt for any retainer paid.
  • Have a reasonable expectation of results, don’t get convinced that proof is easy.  There are no guarantees in this business or the services we provide, but don’t get burned by someone taking a retainer and then simply saying sorry, no results.  We go through our results with clients and even the lack of activity or lack of results still has some documentation depending on the type of case.
  • Talk with them (I repeat this because its important), you don’t pick you doctor or lawyer or home contractor without meeting or talking on the phone a couple times.  Heck you probably even call around at least 2 or 3 times to get your car repaired.  On the flip side please don’t waste our time with physical meetings that are not honest, we are busy;  but a phone call is quick and easy, spend a bit of time on the phone.  We like to talk with potential clients on a call or email either a couple times or a fair amount of time in a single call, but we then expect the meeting to be business.  Meaning, you give a much more detailed description of case, photos, etc. and we sign contract and collect retainer at that time.  It is the time for you to confirm what was said during free phone consultations and then hire us for the job.  A physical meeting should be to confirm what your gut instinct was during the phone calls and emails,  Not to shop around, do that over the phone.  BUT if that meeting doesn’t feel right then Don’t do it.  Be honest and tell them your not comfortable and want to talk with some other firms.  A QUICK NOTE—We do not always take cases and we are doing the same thing you are as a consumer.  If something is not quite right, we will tell you we are not talking your case.
  • MAKE SURE ITS LEGAL.  Your requested service must be something that is legally obtained, any actions being taken illegally can come back to haunt you in court.  If one company says yes and the other says no, you may want to ask WHY?