thinking about becoming a private investigator...

[theGlove]

anybody know of anybody who is a PI? I'm thinking about becoming one but want to see how the business part of it works. thanks

 

[krunchykrome]

I know a guy who is a PI. What do you mean by the "business part of it?"

 

[dug777]

OMG are you Veronica Mars?

 

[Baked]

I heard you can become a great PI by playing Carmen Santiago.

 

[getbush]

1. hook up with Higgins
2. buy a ferrari 308
3. ?
4 PRofit!

 

[theGlove]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I know a guy who is a PI. What do you mean by the "business part of it?"

you stuff like, how much they charge, how often they get clients, licensing requirements, etc

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: theGlove

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I know a guy who is a PI. What do you mean by the "business part of it?"

you stuff like, how much they charge, how often they get clients, licensing requirements, etc

I asked the guy a bunch of questions about his job because I found it interesting. He didnt mention anything about certifications. He said he charged people based on how long the investiagting took place. He told me it varried between an hour to weeks. And clients always seemed to keep coming. Word of mouth was how he kept getting clients.

 

[theGlove]

cool thanks. Some areas I think are can be sustainable:
1. Affairs investigation - people cheat on each other, sadly, this seems to always be in demand, ie, clients wanting to know if their spouts is cheating
2. Finding a lost love or missing person - no idea on demand but I think its pretty high
3. Background checks, character investigation - this i dont know how much demand is for

 

[JS80]

Inspired by Monk? Or Psych?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: theGlove
cool thanks. Some areas I think are can be sustainable:
1. Affairs investigation - people cheat on each other, sadly, this seems to always be in demand, ie, clients wanting to know if their spouts is cheating
2. Finding a lost love or missing person - no idea on demand but I think its pretty high
3. Background checks, character investigation - this i dont know how much demand is for

Yup... you'd be surprised how many cases of these things you'll get... but the catch is that you gotta be in the right town for it.

All in all... you might want to take a few courses on it from a local community college or at least have a lawyer to consult with about legalities and such. If you don't know what you are doing, you could get yourself in a lot of trouble.

 

[getbush]

I'm telling you... him plus this

 

[Fritzo]

Why would you want to investigate privates? You a pervert or something?

 

[getbush]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Why would you want to investigate privates? You a pervert or something?

Wait, that's what this is about? In that case, this and this instead.

 

[pclstyle]

had a friend recently hire a PI to check on his girlfriend. terribly funny to me, but of course i managed to keep a straight face. he was referred by another, equally distraught friend. the going rate was something like $400 for complete cell phone records dating back 1 year. That was as that particular friend took it, but I think he was tempted to do the $2000 "nightclub package" deal - which was having the PI and accomplice approach the girlfriend at a club and see her reaction toward flirting (i.e. mentions a boyfriend, accepts drink offer, gives out digits, etc etc).

cracked me up pretty hard.

but in answer to the OP, i'm guessing that to be successful you need a) knowledge of what exactly the word "private" entails, b) a moderate level of connections, perhaps with the police as well, to obtain any worthwhile information, and c) acceptance of the fact that you may very well be beaten senseless for prying into private affairs.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: getbush
I'm telling you... him plus this

I love the 308 - there is a freeware driving sim called Racer (?), and a very very good 308 GT available for it, complete with interior.

OP: You'll need a tan trenchcoat and a cool hat.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I know a guy who is a PI. What do you mean by the "business part of it?"

There's a business part of it? I thought it was all .45s, bourbon, trenchcoats and cigarettes...

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: pclstyle
I think he was tempted to do the $2000 "nightclub package" deal - which was having the PI and accomplice approach the girlfriend at a club and see her reaction toward flirting (i.e. mentions a boyfriend, accepts drink offer, gives out digits, etc etc).

Right... so basically the dude has a side job of railing the client's GFs, huh?

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Originally posted by: dug777
OMG are you Veronica Mars?

LOL That is what I was thinking. Good show by the way.

 

[conehead433]

Mike Hammer!

 

[Rubycon]

Every time I hear the words "private investigations" this awesome song comes to mind.

:music:

Its a mystery to me
The game commences
For the usual fee
Plus expenses
Confidential information
Its in a diary
This is my investigation
Its not a public inquiry

I go checking out the report
Digging up the dirt
You get to meet all sorts
In the line of work
Treachery and treason
Theres always an excuse for it
And when I find the reason
I still cant get used to it

And what have you got at the end of the day ?
What have you got to take away ?
A bottle of whisky and a new set of lies
Blinds on the window and a pain behind the eyes

Scarred for life
No compensation
Private investigations

:music:

 

[Goosemaster]

-.99/10

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I know a guy who is a PI. What do you mean by the "business part of it?"

There's a business part of it? I thought it was all .45s, bourbon, trenchcoats and cigarettes...

And the wimmins! Don't forget the wimmins!