“To use an agent or not use an agent? That is the question"

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

There is no requirement for applicants to use the services of a migration agent and the decision is entirely optional.

However, Australian Immigration law is one of the most complex laws in the world. This complexity is compounded by the frequent changes made to both the law and policy directions. It is the main reason why migration agencies are a flourishing industry in the country.

Many applicants who do their own research and who have straightforward cases which clearly meet the legal requirements, are able to put together their own applications and lodge them successfully with DIAC. The statistics show this. The statistics also show the numbers of applications that are refused. What is not shown is why they were refused. Could the outcome of some of these refusals have been different if the applicant had used an agent?

Statistics also do not show how many people ‘self-assess’ themselves as not meeting the requirements and thus decide not to apply. Perhaps if an agent was consulted more people would realise they are eligible for an Australian visa? Nor do the statistics show how many applicants resort to using the services of an agent only after a problem arises.

While the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website at www.immi.gov.au has valuable information on many visas, applicants should bear in mind there are currently over 140 visas available and they are not all spelled out in detail on this website. The information given applies to your standard, straight-forward, meet-all-the-requirements-first-up type applicant. ‘Square pegs fitting into square holes’ is a useful analogy. Not everyone is square fortunately (how boring would the world be if we were :) ).

But this non-uniformity is not catered for by DIAC on its website for obvious reasons. So this is where using the services of an agent is an important consideration and not one that should be dismissed lightly.

Migration Agents do not just assist with a form filling exercise for an exorbitant price as one so often sees bandied about. The benefits or ‘value-add’ of using a competent and experienced migration agent include:

The drawing up of a complete strategy and plan for the visa application which maximises the chances of success by ensuring that ALL available options are explored
receiving accurate advice in regard to the option most suited to an applicant’s circumstances
receiving expert advice and guidance on procedural matters
reducing problems and time-consuming delays as well as costly errors associated with an applicant’s lack of knowledge in immigration law and policy.

So agents cost money, yes, but in doing the application themselves, visa applicants need to ask the following questions:

am I saving money bearing in mind the hours and hours of my time needed to research my situation etc?
am I certain I have got it right?
are there any alternatives?
is the visa I have chosen the best option?


A caveat about obtaining advice from the internet!

The internet is full of places that purport to offer good solid advice. Some are truly useful, others hold outdated information or only anecdotal advice from people who might forget to include some key details.

Although several online forums are full of genuine and well meaning people who have useful information, many forum members appear to have selective memories or omit critical data that they decide is not worth repeating. Opinions given online only reflect that person’s experience and might not be at all relevant to others. So the challenge is what and who to believe.

Caveat on using a Migration Agent!

People offering migration advice in Australia must, as a matter of law, be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Some migration agents operating outside Australia are also registered with the OMARA. If you are outside Australia insist on using an Australian Registered Migration Agent when planning your temporary or permanent migration.

All Registered Migration Agents must:

meet the qualification requirements for registration as well as ongoing annual professional development activities
be of good character
abide by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct which they are required to display in their offices.

For peace of mind always consult a Registered Migration Agent for advice and assistance on your Australian visa needs. An updated list of Registered Migration Agents can be found on the OMARA website at http://www.mara.com.au/consumers/ .
.

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Comments, thoughts and personal experiences of forum readers on the use of a migration agent are most welcome!

[Susan Wareham McGrath]

Hi Sheelagh

I think this is a really important thread, and thank you for starting it. Below is the content of a blog I posted recently on the topic:

I'm often asked by prospective visa applicants whether they should use a migration agent to assist them with their Australian visa application.

My advice is that deciding whether to retain a migration agent is like deciding whether to use a tax agent to complete your tax return, or a lawyer to represent you in Court. Many people manage their own matters successfully; many others are glad they obtained professional support.

Immigration is a life changing decision and should not be taken lightly.

In deciding whether to use a registered migration agent, you should carefully consider your ability to:

* Familiarise yourself with Australian migration law to the extent that you can identify and assess all the migration options open to you (and your family where relevant)
*Keep up with Australia's changing migration law and policy and apply it to your case throughout the assessment period to ensure you have the best chance of success
*Identify any factors that might cause your application to be refused - even those that aren't immediately apparent - before spending time and money on your application
* Present your case to DIAC in the best possible light, particularly if you need to make a legal submission
* Prepare and submit a valid application
* Obtain a positive skills assessment, for the occupation that best suits your background, skills and experience
* Support your application with the correct documentation in the required format and, of course,
* The complexity of your case and the time you have to prepare and monitor the progress of your application.

The kind of services you could expect a registered migration agent to provide include:

*Identifying the visa or visas that best suit you and developing a strategy to help you get that visa in the shortest possible time
* Advising on the Department of Immigration’s eligibility requirements
* Assisting with skills assessments applications if required
* Identifying the documents you will need to submit to ensure your application is valid
* Preparing your visa application and a legally based submission to accompany your visa application where appropriate
* Lodging your application in line with DIAC's requirements
* Keeping up with changes to migration law and policy to ensure your application is finalised within the shortest possible time
* Following the progress of your application through to visa grant
* Advising you as developments occur throughout the processing period
* Liaising with the Department of Immigration on your behalf
* Responding to all your questions throughout the visa assessment process
* Managing Migration Review Tribunal appeals and Ministerial intervention cases

If you do decide to use a migration adviser, I recommend that you use a MARA Registered Migration agent.

RMAs are bound by a strict Code of Conduct, have to study at the post graduate level and pass a rigorous entry exam to become registered, must be of good character and also have to undergo regular continuing professional development.

You can find out if your adviser is registered with MARA by visiting the Migration Agents Registration Authority and typing their name in the Register of Agents section of the Consumer Information link.

Best regards
Susan

[Robert K Chelliah]

Hi Susan,

If i may add, a relevant bi-lingual-bi-cultural agent would be of greater asset to encapsulate and articulate the complex social, cultural and local work experiences to convert these backgrounds to fulfil the coded migration laws.

Australian laws are not generally designed or sensitive to serve multicultural populations. Often they are interpreted to serve a single cultural or social norm. This problem often crops up in meeting the legislated and policy requirements of dependency of "adult" children or in marriage arrangements.

The ability to convey these culturally based variances to fit the narrowly coded migration legislation can be a harrowing task if an agent is not involved.




Robert K Chelliah

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Thanks for your input Susan and Robert. Excellent points you both make.

The circumstances of each and every applicant will differ widely so at the end of the day it is very difficult to generalise whether to use an agent or not.

What I will advise all applicants though is that should you decide you need the services of an agent make sure he or she is registered with the Office of the MARA (OMARA). Using a registered agent is for your protection!

[Migration Help]

An interesting blog about using a migration agent:

I get a lot of e-mails lately, from people who seek advice because they intend to migrate to Australia. No surprise there. Why wouldn’t Australia be an sought-after destination? The rich cities, the friendly atmosphere, the exotic sights… Who wouldn’t want to live here? I moved here 8 years ago, and I gotta tell you, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Preparing for my immigration, though, was a terrible experience. Boy, that was bad. The neverending paperwork, the hours of standing in line in the embassy, the endless bureaucracy… All I wished was for somebody else to do it for me. I also had to get a job, sign the kids to schools, all those little things that can be really hard when you come to a new place and don’t really know the rules.

You can imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks ago a new family moved into our neighborhood, newcomers from the USA, and they all seemed as relaxed and happy as can be. It looked as if everything was taken care of, as if by magic, without their worrying about it. It baffled me, I had to know how it could be. My neighbors explained that they simply used the helpful services of Australian migration agents. Indeed, such miracle makers do exist, and they take all the paperwork away from you! Bill and Jessica, My neighbors, hired qualified, informed people to handle their migration, and took a huge burden off of their shoulders. Can you believe it, they only went to the embassy twice throughout the entire process! I admit, I was envious.

The agency did more than handle the paperwork; useful advice was at my neighbors’ service as well. The agents were familiar with the Australian laws and regulations, and so they were able to offer help with job options and work visas. My neighbors are both skilled workers (he’s a software engineer, she’s a nurse), so the agency told them about the so called Skilled Migration to Australia program. Turns out they could get visas that allowed them to retain their occupation, and their agents even gave them contacts of a few potential employers. A week after their landing, they were already working. I wish I had that kind of help — took me 3 months to find decent work… But then, it makes sense: I know Australia is in need of professional workers, why would it make it easier for them to come here? The thing is, it takes a professional to guide you through it!

My neighbors even got some info regarding their preparation for the flight, the first days, and how to prepare the kids. The agents really took them by the hand throughout the entire process. When they finally got here, they were a lot more confident and relaxed than your usual newcomers. They say that the agency’s assistance was worth every dime, and I can sure believe them.


Source (http://articles.vitanet.net/legal/index.php/2009/12/27/why-use-a-migration-agent-when-migrating-to-australia/)

MH

[Ash Upadhyay]

Hi Sheelagh,

I strongly agree with you on this topic that though it is an optional service for individual to choose whether they want to use an agent or not, but my personal opinion says that if you have a stomach ache, you go to doctor, if you been want to build a house - you go to civil engineer and if you are thinking of applying for migration then you should go to a Migration agent, as that is the only way possible you will get upto date and proper guidance on where you stand and how you proceed with your application

saying that i also need to streach what you have also said that choosing a migration agent is very important thing as choosing wrong migration agent could jeopardice your whole application and could get you negative result regardless of your strong application.

I am right now in search of a good migration agent myself and would like your advice on this. any chance of me getting in touch with you over the phone or on email as i am currently residing in london and would like to discuss my chances of migrating to Australia. I will give you my full history once i get your contact detail either on phone or on email.

Kind Regards,
Ash Upadhyay

There is no requirement for applicants to use the services of a migration agent and the decision is entirely optional.

However, Australian Immigration law is one of the most complex laws in the world. This complexity is compounded by the frequent changes made to both the law and policy directions. It is the main reason why migration agencies are a flourishing industry in the country.

Many applicants who do their own research and who have straightforward cases which clearly meet the legal requirements, are able to put together their own applications and lodge them successfully with DIAC. The statistics show this. The statistics also show the numbers of applications that are refused. What is not shown is why they were refused. Could the outcome of some of these refusals have been different if the applicant had used an agent?

Statistics also do not show how many people ‘self-assess’ themselves as not meeting the requirements and thus decide not to apply. Perhaps if an agent was consulted more people would realise they are eligible for an Australian visa? Nor do the statistics show how many applicants resort to using the services of an agent only after a problem arises.

While the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website at www.immi.gov.au has valuable information on many visas, applicants should bear in mind there are currently over 140 visas available and they are not all spelled out in detail on this website. The information given applies to your standard, straight-forward, meet-all-the-requirements-first-up type applicant. ‘Square pegs fitting into square holes’ is a useful analogy. Not everyone is square fortunately (how boring would the world be if we were :) ).

But this non-uniformity is not catered for by DIAC on its website for obvious reasons. So this is where using the services of an agent is an important consideration and not one that should be dismissed lightly.

Migration Agents do not just assist with a form filling exercise for an exorbitant price as one so often sees bandied about. The benefits or ‘value-add’ of using a competent and experienced migration agent include:

The drawing up of a complete strategy and plan for the visa application which maximises the chances of success by ensuring that ALL available options are explored
receiving accurate advice in regard to the option most suited to an applicant’s circumstances
receiving expert advice and guidance on procedural matters
reducing problems and time-consuming delays as well as costly errors associated with an applicant’s lack of knowledge in immigration law and policy.

So agents cost money, yes, but in doing the application themselves, visa applicants need to ask the following questions:

am I saving money bearing in mind the hours and hours of my time needed to research my situation etc?
am I certain I have got it right?
are there any alternatives?
is the visa I have chosen the best option?


A caveat about obtaining advice from the internet!

The internet is full of places that purport to offer good solid advice. Some are truly useful, others hold outdated information or only anecdotal advice from people who might forget to include some key details.

Although several online forums are full of genuine and well meaning people who have useful information, many forum members appear to have selective memories or omit critical data that they decide is not worth repeating. Opinions given online only reflect that person’s experience and might not be at all relevant to others. So the challenge is what and who to believe.

Caveat on using a Migration Agent!

People offering migration advice in Australia must, as a matter of law, be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Some migration agents operating outside Australia are also registered with the OMARA. If you are outside Australia insist on using an Australian Registered Migration Agent when planning your temporary or permanent migration.

All Registered Migration Agents must:

meet the qualification requirements for registration as well as ongoing annual professional development activities
be of good character
abide by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct which they are required to display in their offices.

For peace of mind always consult a Registered Migration Agent for advice and assistance on your Australian visa needs. An updated list of Registered Migration Agents can be found on the OMARA website at http://www.mara.com.au/consumers/ .
.

[downundervisa]

As Migration Agent I'd say there is probably at least one time in almost every application where I get to stop a client from doing something that would be really detrimental to their application. Those are the times when I know what I'm worth to them. Because the Regulations are painfully inflexible. There are some rules that can't be broken. And others that will cause serious problems.

And most certainly we take a huge amount of pressure off them and let them get on with everything else they need to do in life.

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

......saying that i also need to streach what you have also said that choosing a migration agent is very important thing as choosing wrong migration agent could jeopardice your whole application and could get you negative result regardless of your strong application.

A very valid point Ash. As in all professions and industries there are unfortunately those individuals who do the wrong thing and/or act unethically or unprofessionally. However, the numbers are small and I would like to say that the majority are very good at what they do. Certainly all the agents who participate in this forum are known to be professionals

I am right now in search of a good migration agent myself and would like your advice on this. any chance of me getting in touch with you over the phone or on email as i am currently residing in london and would like to discuss my chances of migrating to Australia. I will give you my full history once i get your contact detail either on phone or on email.


Sadly, for health reasons Ash I am not taking on any clients at the moment. However I would not hesitate referring you to any of the other agents on this forum. You have an option of either private messaging them through the forum or you can obtain contact details from the agent's personal profile which you access by clicking on their name.

Good luck and if you need any more help please dont hesitate to come back to the forum.

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

As Migration Agent I'd say there is probably at least one time in almost every application where I get to stop a client from doing something that would be really detrimental to their application. Those are the times when I know what I'm worth to them. Because the Regulations are painfully inflexible. There are some rules that can't be broken. And others that will cause serious problems.

And most certainly we take a huge amount of pressure off them and let them get on with everything else they need to do in life.

Extremely valid points as well Jeff, thank you.

[nvoorst]

Another point to consider about migration agents is that they have quick access to a wide range of relevant information. Most agents also have access to a network of other agents, so you, as the client, will benefit from their collective experience and knowledge. Having someone in Australia looking after your interests is certainly an advantage.

[Migration Help]

Migration Help encourages all prospective visa applicants to read the factsheet entitled "Using a Migration Agent in Australia" which is produced by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

For ease of reference this factsheet is reproduced below and can also be accessed and downloaded as a PDF document by clicking on the following link - Using a Migration Agent in Australia (http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/migration-agents/_pdf/agent-fact-sheet.pdf) .

using a migration agent in Australia

what is a migration agent?
a migration agent is a person who can:
. Advise on immigration matters
. Help you to prepare and lodge an application
. Deal with the department of immigration and citizenship (the department) on your behalf, usually for a fee.

do i need to use a migration agent?
no, you do not need to use a migration agent to prepare and lodge an application with the department. However, if you do not feel confident lodging an application or if your case is complex, you may wish to use a registered migration agent.

choosing a registered migration agent
migration agents operating in australia must be registered with the office of the migration agents registration authority (mara). To find a registered migration agent, search the register of migration agents on the office of the mara website at www.mara.gov.au (http://www.mara.gov.au)

what is the cost?
there are no set fees for their services. Information on average fee ranges is available at www.mara.gov.au (http://www.mara.gov.au)

why use a registered migration agent?
registered migration agents are required to:
. Have a sound knowledge of migration law and practice
. Act professionally and in a timely manner
. Abide by the migration agent's code of conduct
. Have appropriate insurance
. Pass character tests (including criminal history checks).
If you have a problem with a registered agent, you can make a complaint to the office of the mara. The procedure on how to make a complaint is available at www.mara.gov.au (http://www.mara.gov.au)

why shouldn't i use an unregistered person?
unregistered people may:
. Be unaware of current legislation and procedures
. Provide incorrect advice
. Make false claims about your chances of success.
Unregistered people are breaking the law and penalties of up to 10 years jail can apply.
To report an unregistered person telephone 1800 009 623 (free of charge). Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.

what if i can't afford a registered migration agent?
some community organisations may be able to help you. You can find an organisation close to you by entering your address or postcode in the 'settlement services locator' at www.immi.gov.au (http://www.immi.gov.au)

can anyone else help me?
the following people may also help you if they do not charge a fee:
. Your spouse, parent, brother, sister, child or adopted child
. Sponsors and nominators
. Parliamentarians and their staff
. Officials whose duties include providing immigration assistance (for example, legal aid providers)
. Members of diplomatic missions, consular posts or international organisations.

further information
about visa options
department of immigration and citizenship www.immi.gov.au (http://www.immi.gov.au) phone: 131 881
about registered migration agents
office of the mara www.mara.gov.au (http://www.mara.gov.au) phone: 1300 22 62 72 or 02 9078 3552

MH

[Migration Help]

DIAC have also produced an excellent video on fake agents. Don't get caught out! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RacpuZ3NQ0[/url) can be viewed on Youtube.

Don't use unregistered migration agents to help with your visa application!

Agents who are registered with the Office of the MARA (OMARA) not only have to comply with a Code of Conduct and keep up to date with immigration law, but they can be sanctioned for doing the wrong thing! This has all been put in place to protect you, the consumer.

Click here (https://www.mara.gov.au/agent/ARSearch.aspx?FolderID=394) to find a list of agents who are registered with the OMARA.

MH

[Migration Help]

Another excellent publication produced by the Office of the MARA


How to Choose a Migration Agent
The first thing you need to be sure of is that the person you are dealing with is a registered migration agent. You can do this by either asking to see their certificate of registration (which has their photograph on it) if you are with the agent at the time or by checking the Register of Agents (https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/Find-Agents/Find-an-Agent/Find-an-Agent/default.aspx) on our website.

Also, for your protection this website contains information about agents whose registration is suspended or cancelled by the Office of the MARA (sanctioned agents) (https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/Find-Agents/Sanctioned-Agents/Sanctioned-Agents/default.aspx) and information about agents who are no longer registered (lapsed agents) (https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/Find-Agents/Sanctioned-Agents/Lapsed-Agents/default.aspx).

Before engaging your migration agent ask for a contract or statement of services and an outline of fees applicable to your circumstances. You should not sign the contract or statement of services until you fully understand the terms of the work to be done. Ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand.

Questions you might ask when choosing your migration agent include:

Experience – What are your areas of expertise? Do you have sufficient experience, knowledge and competence to effectively deal with my matter? What were the outcomes of any prior similar matters?
Options – What are my options? What can I apply for? What do you expect from me in relation to the service? Could the fees be reduced by me doing some of the work, and what are the drawbacks in my doing some of the work?
Fees – What is the fee and what are the terms? If the fee includes a conditional refund, will you provide me with written information as to how you propose to refund my money? Are there any other costs?

You may also consider seeking another opinion on your matter before signing or agreeing to the registered migration agent representing you.

What to expect from a migration agent

Migration agents registered with the Office of the MARA are required to:

have a sound knowledge of migration law and administrative practice relating to immigration
abide by the Migration Agents’ Code of Conduct.

All registered migration agents must:

make clients aware of all costs involved with their application and the expected time needed to perform the service
inform clients as to the progress of their application
provide clients with written confirmation of total costs of their application and all steps of the process have to be documented
keep all client information confidential
not make misleading claims as to the likely success of the application.

Registered migration agents are obliged to provide you with a copy of Information on the Regulation of the Migration Agent Profession (https://www.mara.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/526/irmap-english.pdf.aspx), which provides you with basic consumer protection information, before starting work for you. The Office of the MARA produces this document. It includes information about the migration advice profession, the functions of the Office of the MARA, the legislation regulating the profession, what a client can reasonably expect from a migration agent, and complaint procedures.

What does it cost to use an Agent?
The fees charged by Registered Migration Agents are expected to be reasonable. While fees are not set, the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority provides details of the average range of fees charged by agents.

All registered migration agents provide the Office of the MARA with information on an annual basis on the average fees they charge for the services they provide. A table of the fees charge by registered migration agents during the period from January 2009 to December 2009 can be found here (https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/What-does-it-cost-to-use-an-Agent-/default.aspx).

Why do fees vary?

Fees charged for work performed can vary as a result of a number of factors.

A Registered Migration Agent might charge lower fees due to:

* their inexperience as an agent
* the desire to enter a particular market
* their desire to assist in unusual circumstances
* the ease of that particular application
* the applicant having already partly completed the assignment
* the current marketplace fee levels.

An agent might charge higher fees due to:

* their level of experience as a senior registered migration agent
* the specific difficulties or complexities of a particular case
* the costs associated with running a larger business or practice
* the desire of the applicant for high personal levels of service

You should check with your registered migration agent whether there are additional charges that are not included in the quoted fees, for example; photocopying, phone calls and couriers.

SOURCE: Office of the OMARA (https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/How-to-Choose-a-Migration-Agent/How-to-Choose-a-Migration-Agent/default.aspx)

MH

[dumbrhythm]

dear sir/ma'am,
as i saw many respected migration agents here, i want to ask a question regarding my bridging visa E condition as my agent and couple other are totally unfamiliar with this issue.
My visa was about to expire and i didnt have my IELTS score so i couldnt apply for TR so i had to extend my student visa. After i got student visa, i sat for IELTS test and got satisfactory IELTS score.after that i applied for TR. then i cancelled my student visa and got Bridging visa E. and i heard rumuors that the work experience between the date i got bridging visa E and the date i will get my TR doesnt count.please enlighten me.
regards,
G Adhikari

[Sheelagh Blanckenberg]

Hello G Adhikari

Welcome to the Migration Help forum.

Your post has been responded to under your other thread - see here - http://forum.migrationhelp.com.au/showthread.php?p=2953#post2953.

Kind regards
Sheelagh

[downundervisa]

If you have time? You mean if you're not spending your time using the "live casino" that's tagged to the bottom of your posting??

May I make a suggestion? Can you please go somewhere else? Making pointless posts in order to promote a link to a stupid online gambling thing, this is degrading to all of us including you!

[nvoorst]

Well said, Jeffrey !

[damo]

Hi guys, I was just wondering if there is any way of checking an immigration agents record of sucess. My situation is quite complicated but i've got in touch with an agent who has had success in similar circumstances. They also claim to have a 100% record and would never accept a case if they thought that it would fail. This all sounds really good and they do seem pretty genuine but I would prefer more concrete evidence that just their word as I've only met with them once.

I asked them if they had proof and they said they've never been asked that question before but will try and provide proof the next time (if there is a next time) i see them. They are regesitered on the MARN and there doesn't seem to have been any sanctions against them so thats always a bonus

[downundervisa]

Registered Migration Agents are governed by a Code of Conduct, and yes we're required to be honest and open about a case's prospects of success. Most of us will simply talk a client out of cases which appear hopeless. And vexatious applications (those which clearly have no chance of success) are likely to bring about complaints against us by Departmental officers.

So yes, being registered by MARA gives you a high level of protection. It's not an iron-clad guarantee, but it's as close to one as you can reasonably expect.

But no, there are no public records of success-rate. And you can't and won't get an agent to fling open his files to let you see which applications succeeded and which ones failed, because these matters are private and confidential.

No, I've never been asked for proof of success. I've had someone ask me once if I had a list of former clients they could contact and check up on me, and I said "Certainly not!" I felt a bit miffed at being asked such a question. I wonder if the local surgeon ever has someone ask him how many of his patients snuff it?

You'll have to make a decision about an agent somewhere along the way. If you feel confident in them, then go for it. If you don't? Then choose someone else.

[nvoorst]

Damo, if you are looking for some sort of guarantee that someone can sort out your situation and that your application will be successful, let me assure you that no such guarantee can be given. As for checking on an agent's success rate, there is no way to do that really. References by other clients might not tell the whole story. In the end you have to use your own judgement.

[downundervisa]

True! References mean very little, actually. If I had feedback sheets from 100 clients, and 10 wrote good things about me, and 90 wrote bad things about me.......which ones do you think I would show future clients?