Giving information advice

[dip your toe]

One of the main benefits of forums such as this is that it gives people access to opinions and information regarding the immigration maze. Whilst I am sure that all information is given in good faith, occasionally there is a conflict of opinion which, at best, leads to good debate and at worst ends up in a slanging match. In either event, the result is that it leaves the original poster, and many others, confused, perhaps unnecessarily worried and maybe even distraught.

Would it not be a good idea to reference information given to a personal bio of the advising posters experience in putting forward that information. This could be broken down into two categories, amateur and professional.

Amateur could be as simple as : personal experience or personal research

Professional should provide a bit more information, such as length of experience, full or part time professional, qualifications, vocational license number if applicable and references.

Even a simple cut and paste addendum to the post along the lines of…….

This information is given in my capacity as an amateur who has personal experience and has researched the subject.

Or…

This information is given in my capacity as a part - time professional visa consultant, with ‘x’ years experience, my licence number is ****** , etc. etc.

Or…

This information is given in my capacity as a full time professional immigration lawyer with etc. etc.

Obviously, all of the above would need tweaking to allow for what information the forum and, in the case of the lawyer, legal ethics and rules, would allow.

It may or may not work, but in my opinion it would be beneficial to the poster who asks an immigration question.

Thoughts?

[kirtida8]

DYT - the vast majority of posters on this forum are "amateurs" by your description and post from their own experience and usually say so during their post. We have separate sections that are for use of lawyers and the British Consul for more specific questions that require more detailed answers. Due to the large number of victims of fraud that we have personal knowledge off, the forum does not endorse the use of visa consultants as they are not licensed and so can offer no protection to the consumer. The forum rules also do not allow self promotion - which would occur if everyone was allowed to state their occupation. Just because someone is a "professional" doesn't mean that they are fully aware of all rules and regulations to do with their profession, and not apt to making a mistake due to their unfamiliarity with a part that they normally do not deal with.

[peter gold]

Well said Kay I agree 100%
I see no harm though in name and shame.

[dip your toe]

Thank you Kay. Excellent reply.

My post comes from a feeling that many who ask for advice take the responses as absolute and do not seek further advice or use due diligence to make further inquires. At the end of the day though, the buck stops at the individual. I just wish there was some way of constantly reminding people not to take the written word as gospel and to seek confirmation from other sources that the advice given is correct.

BTW I did not mean 'amateur" in a negative sense, it was a way of differentiating between non professional and professional advice.

[Carl]

Professional advice cost money, or it isnt professional. A Lawyer is the only person who is allowed to offer Proffesional Immigration advice.

Carl.

[InnVic]

It also depends upon the question to be answered. Some "professionals" can still give a less than truthful or accurate answer. One would hope that common sense would prevail and people would use forums just as an adjunct to information obtained from several other sources....however we know that is not always the case. Oh well you can lead a horse to water.....

[Kriz1]

I don't believe you should go to a place like this for advice...its a place to throw ideas around and talk over a subject..and to swap problems and stories...advice should come from a lawyer who even then may get it wrong..we as far as I was last told do not let people give advice here that may lead to them getting payment..so everyone is an Amateur..

[britcan]

I thought that it was purely a place for those to relate their own experiences and sometimes perhaps the information would be useful.

[jim]

Hey, the way I look at it is there is so much bad advice given just in everyday life over here in the US. It has certainly helped me talking to people who are in the same boat and who have had the same experiences. I mean there is no point in reinventing the wheel if you don't have to.
We all have to deal with the same departments and processes over here, so yes I take it as advice. Obviously, that is my choice and I guess there is always more than one opinoin.
For me this forum is 'bloody marvelous mate'
WHOOPS! I no we should take advice only from professional people....hee hee
thats why we are all in the crap.

Jim;)

[GLORIA GRAY]

Advice and support is what this forum has given me and for that I am very grateful. As I am not that computer literate I have been saved hours of browsing by using links given by some of the members. Keep it up all of you. You have my thanks

[JulieC]

It has to be opinion only. None of us are qualified to give legal advice. We are all self taught amateurs who have gleaned knowledge from years of experience with immigration and from our own research. None of us are any more than that and I dont think we profess to be.

[Ed Tha Brit]

I have picked up on a few things from the Natives over here, OPIN: means my opinion and it's in the constitution of the United States Of America, a bit like been able to bare arms (weapons) realy!

As Julie rightly say's it is an Opinion only and If I can give advice and help other people from my own experiences it can save you time and MONEY? and by discussing other items on this forum I also learn things, trouble is where were folk when I started my Journey, t' internet was not used as it is today Ha! Ha!

I am not an Attorney, Lawyer, Visa Consultant, just a bloke helping others!

Have a nice Day

Ed Tha Brit

[dip your toe]

Do American Muslim women have the right to bear arms?

[Ed Tha Brit]

You are on your own on that one, I have no Idea?

Be careful what you type big brother might be watching?

I am not a Lawyer, Attorney or a Visa Consultant, just a bloke helping others!

Ed Tha Brit

[dip your toe]

You are on your own on that one, I have no Idea?

Be careful what you type big brother might be watching?

I am not a Lawyer, Attorney or a Visa Consultant, just a bloke helping others!

Ed Tha Brit


Whoooooooooooosshhh!!!! :):):):)

[bizboots]

I too have learned a lot for which I am very greateful, wish I had found this much earlier, that also would have saved us a ton of money.



Advice and support is what this forum has given me and for that I am very grateful. As I am not that computer literate I have been saved hours of browsing by using links given by some of the members. Keep it up all of you. You have my thanks

[byjove]

DYT - the vast majority of posters on this forum are "amateurs" by your description and post from their own experience and usually say so during their post. We have separate sections that are for use of lawyers and the British Consul for more specific questions that require more detailed answers. Due to the large number of victims of fraud that we have personal knowledge off, the forum does not endorse the use of visa consultants as they are not licensed and so can offer no protection to the consumer. The forum rules also do not allow self promotion - which would occur if everyone was allowed to state their occupation. Just because someone is a "professional" doesn't mean that they are fully aware of all rules and regulations to do with their profession, and not apt to making a mistake due to their unfamiliarity with a part that they normally do not deal with.

Well said, lets face it not even the POE officers know the law hehehehehe

[Susie]

I think my signature clarifies my position, lol

Good thread, points and comments made :)

[jay]

Giving information advice........Ok my fellow armchair lawyers,LOL... I am looking for some information/advise regarding speech and language therapist in kissimmee area for a kindergarden child.

I have no idea where to start with this one.....it's for a 4 year old coming to Florida to live and goes to a speech and language therapist in the Uk at the moment.
jayne

[dip your toe]

Giving information advice........Ok my fellow armchair lawyers,LOL... I am looking for some information/advise regarding speech and language therapist in kissimmee area for a kindergarden child.

I have no idea where to start with this one.....it's for a 4 year old coming to Florida to live and goes to a speech and language therapist in the Uk at the moment.
jayne


You need to get a referral from a doctor for insurance purposes. When the child is in the school system they will pick up the tab. To the best of my knowledge, they are all private. Just look in the yellow pages.