Looks like some people will do anything to bullshit the public.

I've never heard of such a thing!  I never cease to be amazed at the extremes people will go to.

There was a local inspector here who claimed he had three PHDs and that he was a Master Certified Inspector because he was a member of NACHI, candidate member of ASHI and a member of NAHI.  He is no longer in business.

Hi David,

Multiple Ph.D.s are not unheard of.  When I was in my MBA program (University of Texas at Dallas) one of my fellow students was a woman who had two (legitimate) Ph.D.s.  She was also an executive for a very well known German corporation.  I think she collected degrees as a hobby. 

I've heard of the famous (or infamous) Trinity University, both the Spanish variety and the home-grown one.  It's no wonder they changed their name.  Also the A-pro franchise.  Not very well respected.  Rumor has it that their practices are as shady as the 'credentials' of their 'instructor'.

Are there any ethical concerns about getting a bogus degree from Trinty College and University?

http://www.trinityeducation.com/ethical.html

I'm having too much fun with this.   I'm starting to wonder about all those realtors with Ph.D.s :)

Wow! Its turns out that Dr. Jim Bonanno is also on the Advisory Board of CMI!

http://www.certifiedmasterinspector.com/cmi/contact.htm

Mitchell Captain is becoming more credible by the minute! 

LOL!! Mitchell certainly does his homework! Wouldn't that open up a big can of worms over on that "other" message board????  The good Dr. exposed as a fraud.  And his little franchise, too.

He got a great business.

Royalty of $145 per week times 72 businesses equals $10440 per week for him.

Yeah David, multiple degrees do happen.  This guy was a bull shipper and blowhard and ultimately was found to be a level three sex offender.

I'm thinking about going to the Spanish site and buying me a PhD in Home Analytical Science.  Then, I'm gonna hire me an MBA and start my own franchise operation, complete with my own 503c HI organization to legitimize it all.  I think I'll call the franchise operation Home Proctologists, or HomePro for short.  I could use an extra 10 grand a week.  Our inspectors will, of course offer repair and remodeling services on each home they inspect.  Then I'll set up my own school, dupe all the licensing states into accrediting all CE and training courses. Gonna hire James Bushart to teach the "Realtor Relations" course, Russell Ray to do the "Fly By Inspections Marketing" course, and contract with Gerry Beaumont to teach the "Used Mobile Home Inspections" course.  What y'all thank?

Oh! The HI Organization will be "Association of Sheisters Synically Exploiting Sales, or ASSES for short.

I think it just might fly.

Not to "toot my own horn" or anything, but I'll remind you that I am an MBA.  Keep that in mind when you start hiring!  I have many people who will vouch that I am a natural for the ASSES organization. 

Of course, you can become an MBA yourself for only $375:

http://www.trinityeducation.com/degree.html

Hmmm.... Used Mobile Home Inspections.  I like that.  If the Ph.D.s didn't cost so much, it might be fun to have a Ph.D. in Used Mobile Home Inspection Engineering

Well, Jimmy, Just by adding one more word you can make it sound legitimate.  ASSES ( I don't want to hire no ass).  Add "and Sellers" the acronym becomes ASSESS and makes your organization the tops in professional image.

Sign me up Jimmy!!!! I want to start the first Canadian chapter of ASSES!

-Brad

After giving it more thought, I suppose that ASSESS does have more of a legitimate ring to it.  One the other hand, ASSES might be more eye-catching, and the right standard phone spiel from all franchisees would rake 'em in.  I can see it now, all caps in the yellow pages.

Of course, as in any business, working capitol will be needed.  Once the corp. is formed, initial stock issuance will be to fellow inspectors only.  Individual shares may be purchased for only $399.  That will cover the cost of my PhD.  All interested parties, get yer checkbooks out, and make them out to Sherlock Home Inspections.  Don't worry guys...trust me... we'll work out those pesky details later.  Please call my business manager at whatever David's number is.  He will provide instructions for posting deposits to my..uh, our off shore bank account.

Franchise costs will begin at an incredibly low, absolutely unheard of price of $10,000.  This will include one week of training at Sheister U., located on the beautiful sandy red clay shores of Sardis Lake. Meals will be provided if you bring your own fishing gear, or you know how to wrestle wild hogs.  Oh, and bring your own tent.  Training will be under the Corp of Engineers Rec. Pavilion conveniently located next to the camping area, and provided by myself, David Harkness ("Slick Business Practices and Marketing"), and the aforementioned gang if I don't have to pay them too much.  David Helms will teach "Framing Defect Recognition: What We Can Let Them Get Away With," and will be providing dried, salted overgrown flounder from the Pacific Northwest in case you guys are piss poor fishermen, or you're too wussy for hog wrestling.

At the completion of training, all franchisees will receive a hand-made, specially designed, all mule skin tool belt with the ASSES logo (still working on that design) scorched in with a rusty old branding iron, all provided by my uncle Fred, who has finally been put out of the mule breeding business by modern technological advances such as tractors and stuff.  Which reminds me....raw hamburger will be provided daily, promptly at 6:00 PM, so bring your dogs, too.  I know my four trusty guard dogs...uh...lovable Dobermans will be constantly at my side.

Thanks Jimmy - Southern hospitality at it's finest!!!!!!!!!

-Brad

This is amazing!

I remember a thread off one of the sites wrote how there was some guy whom as part of his marketing bragged how since he was a professional airline pilot he was more qualified to inspect homes.

From what I read a lot of agents recommended him based only on that outrageous claim.

It says a lot about how gullible people can be.Amazing!!!

Don't you people have anything better to do them make fun of a sex offending franchise starting certified phd home inspector.

Get a life. 

This is the most fun I've had on a message board in a while.  Keep it coming!  Mitchell, I think you missed something on your last statement, but I don't know what.  I thought that the correct appellation would have had more words in it.  Maybe yours was the abbreviated version.

laconic 

LOL!!! Now, Mitchell....you know you are anything BUT laconic!  Why, I seem to remember a few times when I wished you were! :-)

Wow! Where to start. Although every American has the right to his or her opinion, it is best to remember the old adage about them that ends, "everyone has one".

While I come to AR as often as possible, I have never seemed to have found the time which others seem to have so much of to dedicate to their musings on the board. Instead, I visit the message board seeking information on becoming a more informed home inspection professional. So many members offer wonderful insights, experiences, humor, and technical information that I truly enjoy and benefit from. Even those of you who started or have replied to this blog have been great contributors to AR, and I have come to feel camaraderie with most of you even though we've never met. The opportunity to see and experience a place where every Real Estate professional can interact and share information is such a revolutionary idea, and I for one will never waste my time engaging in the pointless banter in regards to what organization is best, franchises vs. independents, the use of the word "certified", or making comments just to build points.

That being said, I'm going to add my two cents on the original subject, which is about two cents more than this blog is worth.

I happen to be an A-Pro franchise owner, and received a part of my training under Jim Bonanno. First, let me address the disparaging remarks in regards to A-Pro. As an owner, I'm not aware of the shady reputation that was mentioned previously. Rumors, unsubstantiated by fact, are what they are, meaningless. Our franchise is a business like any other, very small in comparison to many other home inspection franchise companies, and is in business to make a profit. The individual owners like me, around 100 or so, chose to purchase a franchise for our own reasons and without coercion. We operate our businesses as we see fit and in accordance with the state regulations (if any) in which we reside. I pay royalties like any other type of franchise owner and receive certain benefits, logos, marketing materials and ideas, and reporting software as part of my deal. I operate my business honestly; I work tirelessly to grow my business and my reputation; I am passionate about my work and the home inspection industry in general. This should sound fairly familiar to all of you reading this post, as I'm sure most of you feel the same way about your businesses, whether they are a franchise or not. Lastly, the statement regarding franchises in general pandering to Real Estate agents and running through inspections just to get paid is absurd. We are hard working American business people like anyone else, trying our best in this challenging market to prosper and provide for our families.

As for Jim Bonanno, I will not defend him in regards to the attacks on his credentials. I don't have any personal proof of what they are, and neither do the pinheads who have contributed to the defamation on him and his character. I will however tell you my personal feelings about a man I know and greatly respect; who teaches others how to get started in the home inspection profession and ignites a passion for this industry in those who have learned from him. I'm sure that all of you have met that certain someone in your lives whom you took an immediate liking to, well that's Jim Bonanno. Mr. Bonanno is a well and widely respected professional who does not deserve criticism from anyone who doesn't know him. A building contractor and engineer, teacher, home inspector, and author, he stands at the ready for any home inspector who requests his help or advice. Mr. Bonanno is not the owner of A-Pro, nor does he own a franchise. He is the owner of his own construction business, and teaches new A-Pro franchise owners when called upon. Like I said, if you've never met the man, how dare you comment in such a disparaging manner? If I had to choose someone who represents professionalism and expert status as a home inspector, Mr. Bonanno stands above the crowd when compared to the wannabes that have posted here.

It would be nice if those who wish to attack others would stop to think for a moment, how many other individuals might be caused harm or setbacks due to their words. A-Pro franchise owners, as well as the other franchise companies mentioned here, have been painted with a mighty broad brush it seems. How about keeping an open mind and getting to know us as fellow professionals, and our capabilities as individual business owners, before you spread your potentially harmful opinions? If you want to challenge someone based on the credentials they claim, why not give them a call and talk to them? You probably won't build up many points, but you just may get to know a really nice person.

Mike Plavsity

A-Pro Home Inspection Services

Avondale, Arizona

Hi Mike,

I am the "pinhead" who started this blog.  Sorry I touched a nerve.  You are correct--I don't know Jim Bonanno.  But, I do know a few things: 

1)  A-Pro says he has a Ph.D. in "Professional Inspection Engineering" from Trinity College and University.  (I provided the link to the A-Pro web page that makes this claim.)

2) Trinity College and University is a diploma mill providing bogus credentials. (I provided links to show this as well.)

3)  Contrary to your claims, I also know Jim is not an engineer (at least not in Texas) and he is not a licensed inspector in Texas.  (His license expired in 2006).  You don't need to take my word for it, just check the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE) web site or the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) web site.

I found the A-Pro web site when I was searching for companies that claim to provide protection to clients against latent defects.  I believe that will be the wave of the future, and A-Pro also seems to recognize that need in the market.  However, it's not unusual for charlatans to recognize needs as opportunities to exploit others, and I think that is what is happening at A-Pro.

Good luck in your endeavors.  If you are an honest inspector, I truely wish you well.

David Harkness, P.E.

Consulting Engineer / Inspector

http://homeanalytical.com

Sorry, no apology here.  Well, ok then, just one:  To Michael and other A-Pro franchisees.  I don't particularly like it when a realtor's blog, etc. attacks HIs or my organization, so you're justified in feeling the same way.  As for the rest of it, I'm just writing satire.  Take it as seriously as you like, if you like.  One pinhead should recognize when another pinhead is writing satire.  If pinhead one can't recgonize satire from pinhead two, then pinhead one is a bigger pinhead than pinhead two...or three, or four.  Besides, I don't recall using Mr. Banana's name anywhere. 

I think Jimmy just referred to me as a pinhead!!!

-Brad

Here is a picture of a pinhead:

Here is one definition of a pinhead:

pin·head ( ) n. The head of a pin. Something very small or insignificant.

And a few synonyms:

boob, booby, dope, dumbbell, dummy simpleton, simple

Brad:  You should notice that I included myself, also! :-)

Truth be known, Jimmy : pinhead is probably the nicest thing I've been called in a while!!  :)

-Brad "boob, booby, dope, dumbell........... " Manor

Dave,

Like I said before, I'm not going to defend Mr. Bonanno any further than I already have, other than these final thoughts. My opinions are been based on knowing the man personally, albeit a short relationship during my initial training. He is, and will remain, highly regarded by those who know him and have been taught by him. To label a person as a charlatan, if that was directed at Mr. Bonanno, with only the information you have produced here borders on ignorance and smugness. Unless you can prove that a person is not qualified, is not experienced, or who lacks the knowledge or skills to which they profess, the use of the word charlatan is unfounded and unfair with the evidence, or lack thereof, that you have presented. The links you provided only provide information on active license holders and not in-active or retired. And as I also said before, Mr. Bonanno is not the owner of A-Pro or an A-Pro franchise; he currently owns and operates a construction firm; and he teaches A-Pro franchise trainees when called upon.

Also, who exactly is being exploited, as per your comment, is not quite clear to me. If you mean potential A-Pro franchise owners not getting professional training, then you are wrong. If you are referring to the general public not receiving a qualified and properly trained home inspector, then wrong again. If your reference is in regards to something else, I would like to understand the meaning of your comment. It would seem you have a more intimate knowledge of the inner workings, business philosophies, marketing ideas, and the personnel of A-Pro than I do, but then again I am only a franchise owner with no degrees other than from the School of Hard Knocks.

I appreciate your comments, even though I strongly disagree with them and see no purposeful gain to anyone by posting them. Then again, I guess that's a part of what AR is all about. My apologies for the "pinhead" comment, and best of luck to you in your endeavors as well.

Jimmy,

I have enjoyed so many of your blogs and your participation in others very much, and I can recognize satire as well as the next pinhead. However, your first reply did not appear very satirical to me. You specifically called out A-Pro as not being well respected and also referred to Mr. Bonanno as "their instructor". C'mon, even we fellow pinheads could figure that one out. I do appreciate the personal apology though, and would like to offer mine as well for the original pinhead statement I used. However, I have heard it from a reliable authority (probably the same rumor mill you got you're A-Pro info) that you wear a very tiny hat. 

Michael Plavsity, CHI, PHI, SHK, BFD, CIA, FBI, MIA, ETC

A-Pro Home Inspection Services

Avondale, Arizona

Hi Mike,

Again it is true that I don't know the man, and it's quite possible that he's a nice person and even an excellent inspector and trainer.  I honestly hope that the bogus Ph.D. thing is nothing more than an unfortunate lapse of judgement and that he and A-Pro will stop making that claim.  (The claim is still on the A-Pro web site at the time I'm writing this.)  It sets a bad example for others in the industry who may believe they need to "puff" their credentials to be taken seriously, and it gives a black-eye to the industry in the eyes of others.

You may very well feel that I am the one giving a black-eye to the industry in this case.  That's a common reaction to people who reveal unpleasant truths.   (The Enron accountant who dared to point out accounting "irregularities" to Ken Lay wasn't treated very nicely for telling the truth.)

Who is being exploited?  First of all, anyone who believes and relies upon the bogus claims.  (Franchisees & clients.)  Furthermore, honest inspectors who work and study hard to acquire legitimate credentials are exploited by those who tout phony credentials.  *I* am being exploited.

Well, Michael, that's true....my hat is tiny.  I'm just one guy, and don't recall having ever attempted to present myself as anything else.  I don't use words like "our" or "ours", nor in any way attempt to misrepresent the fact that I am a one-man show.  I am, however, a damn good one-man show, trained not only in very the "school of hard knocks" to which you refer, but by a real, very, very, highly regarded academic institution as well.  Check that out at www.millsaps.edu .  My statement about A-Pro perhaps was a bit narrow, since any operation is only as good as the operator, but was made based on that same type of "reliable authority", that being word-of-mouth, or hearsay if you wish, concerning certain unnamed franchises. 

Since I'm at it, I will publish my list of credentials, some of which will run out soon, since I am no longer in the field of public education.

Jimmy Breazeale, Bls, History & English, Millsaps College, Jackson, Ms., 1-9 Ed. Cert., Ms. St. Board of Ed., Cert. in 7-12 Science, Mathematics, English & History, Ms. St. Board of Ed., ICC Cert., Cert. Well Sampler, Certificate of Hard Knocks, and some other unquantifiable stuff that is nevertheless relevant.  I have yet to be officially certified insane, but it seems I'm working on that, too.  I can hardly wait.

Now that we have established that there are a number of A-Pro franchises out there which are doing quality work, and you have since stated that you essentially have no interest in defending Mr. Banana's credentials, or misrepresentation thereof, it would seem now that you have no further beef.

So...how about one of those ASSES franchises?

Wherever Jimmy posts he creates hatred and anomaly. Yet, he is well educated and writes well. And maybe just maybe there is some truth in what he says.

BTW stay away from the fruit.

Hi Jimmy,

As I have stated, many people will attest to my qualifications for the ASSES organization.  (No doubt, I can include Mr. Plavsity in this number.)  Please reserve employee number 0002 for me!

Regards,

David Harkness, PE.

Consulting Engineer / Inspector, International Business Director, ASSES

Mitchell is correct that Jimmy writes well, and I admire that.  I've always been self-conscious about my writing.  I have a hard time with some grammar rules.  For example:  "Who is being exploited?"  Is "who" the subject or the object?  Should this be "whom?"  I'm pretty sure I've got their, there and they're; and to, too & two nailed down, but sometimes I even slip their :)

David Harkness, PE

• Registered Professional Engineer (Texas)
• Licensed Professional Inspector (Texas)
• BSME, Texas A&M University
• MBA, University of Texas at Dallas

Member:

• City of Tom Bean Planning and Zoning Board, Current Chairman
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• Texas Society of Professional Engineers
• Tau Beta Pi, (Engineering Academic Honor Society)
• Pi Tau Sigma, (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society)
• Beta Gamma Sigma, (International Business Honor Society)
• Mensa
• Lion's Club (I was elected to be the "tail twister" of our local club, but I'm not sure what that means.)

Other:

• Author and Professer of Irish History: http://www.amazon.com/Ireland-100-Years-David-Harkness/dp/0750917288/ref=sr_1_1/105-9309886-7217204?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183299493&sr=8-1
• Board of Directors Nielson Ratings: http://www.nielsen-netratings.com/corp.jsp?section=cor_ma&mgr=14
• Vice President and Chief Information Officer, PNM Resources: http://www.pnmresources.com/about/mgmt/harkness_d.htm
• Lawyer: http://www.legal500.com/legal500_html/l500/formex/pps/ukp42647.htm
• Ranch Hand: http://saloon.javaranch.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00054420
• Director, Bull Frog Spas: http://www.bullfrogspas.com/pages/about-board.asp
• Dallas Police Officer who made arrests following the Kennedy Assassination: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/5439/Susp_124-10273-10402.html
• Oldest living person: http://homepage.mac.com/jcrossley/wc/wc179/wc179_269.htm
• Furniture Store Owner: http://www.harknessfurniture.com/whatsnew/new1.html
• Reverend: http://www.irvingtonpresbychurch.org/Worship.html
• Killed in IRA attack: http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1992.html

Hey, David...my mother's family are Bells from around Belfast.  Any connection?

Hi Jimmy,

I suppose if you go back far enough we're all related.  My ancestors were of Scottish descent who came to the US via Ireland (i.e., they were kicked out.)  There are many more Harkness' in Australia than in the US, which is not surprising given Australia's history as a penal colony. :)

I don't know any Bells, but I live about ten miles from Bells, Texas!

In case you didn't notice, all the links I listed under "other" are other David Harkness's.  (Don't tell me you've never googled your own name!)  I'll bet there are lots more David Harkness's than there are Jimmy Breazeales.

By the way, is "Harkness's" the correct way to make Harkness plural?  I've always wondered about that.

Also, by the way, how do you pronounce your name?  I'm assuming: breeze-ZEAL

You are correct with the pronunciation, David.  Plural Harkness would be Harknesses, as in "Y'all remember the Harknesses, they'uz th' ones what got th' double-wide out on the blacktop."  I thought that sounded Scottishish.  So, was your family among the low-land Scots the British tried to seed Northern Ireland with in order to make it more Protestant?  My particular group were Protestant to begin with, Presbyterian, of course.  That's why I always think I'm correct.  It's predestined.  But then, there's French arrogance (Breazeale was originally Brassalle), Scottish bull-headedness, English cunning, and Native American humility all vying for playing time.  I am a genetic nightmare.

Funny you should mention it, but there are a number of Jimmy Breazeales out there.  One is my first cousin, born 3 years before me, and named for my Dad because nobody thought he was ever going to have a son (I have 3 older sisters).  When I was in the Army at Ft. Jackson, S.C., I went into a bank, and there was a Jimmy Breazeale working there.  That's when I began working on that family tree.  I moved to this little town 3 years ago from Jackson, Ms., where there are two more Jimmy Breazeale in the phone book, only to discover that the Jimmy Breazeale who lives here (pop., 2500) began getting my mail and I his.  And I thought this name was unusual!

Hi Jimmy,

That's my understanding... they were low landers transplanted by the British.  Like you, I am all mixed up, genetically speaking.  The name is Scottish, but I've got a little bit of everything including Native American and maybe even some African American.  (My father found a Civil War era record indicating that one of his ancestor's second wife was part black.)  My wife is half German, so my kids are even more "diverse."

When I was in college, there was another David Harkness in town who was a plumber.  I occasionally received calls from people desparately needing pipes fixed.  I also got calls threatening to cancel my credit cards even though I didn't have any at the time.  Once, I even got a call that went like this:

• Me: Hello.
• Woman:  Hi ... is this David Harkness?
• Me:  Yes.
• Woman: You sound different.  Anyway, Vicki and I would like to go up to the mall.  Is that OK with you?
• Me:  Yes.
• Woman:  OK, thanks! Bye.

I have no idea who the woman was, but I assume she meant to call the other David Harkness.

Update regarding the original subject.  It appears that A-Pro has removed the page that I found objectionable.  Good for them!

Also the links to "Trinity College and University" appear to be dead at this time.

David

Maybe as time goes on everyone that uses questionable claims will remove them.

I suppose that David has exposed the venerable Mr. Banana.  Small world, huh, David?  That even we who wear small hats can have such an effect.  Go figger.