Though this is an older post, I thought it worthwhile to respond to it.

I am an American, arrived with my wife at Buckland two months ago on a recommendation from a friend, and have been since working in Mianyang as an English teacher.

I have very few complaints about the Buckland group. My wife and I got paid on schedule (my #1 criteria) and I am about 98% satisfied with the fulfillment of my contract. We got exactly what we wanted as far as placement. Sure, I'd like more money, sure, I'd like more time off, and sure, there have been hitches and bottlenecks along the way, but face it. We're coming to China to work. These things happen. Between Owen and Ping, things have been remarkably smooth. Ping in particular was incredibly helpful, patient, and useful. I saw little of Owen along the way, but I'm not convinced at all by the furious character attacks I saw on the forums.

There is a lot of talk about visa issues. If you are qualified for a Z visa, they will get you a Z visa. We were, they did, it got lost in the mail, (arrived the day before we left) so they rushed to get an F visa for us, and we've had no issues with it. I don't think anyone at all came to Yangshuo on a tourist visa. The worse that I've heard of is having to take a trip back to Yangshuo mid-semester to sort out visa this-and-that; it happened to a friend with a Z visa. Again, these things happen.

Of course I've only been in country for two months. If you think you know better, you probably do. But I've been through the getting-there process and the decision to teach in China with Buckland was a good one. The kids are tons of fun, I've been to more amazing places in 2 months than I'd seen in my first 25 years, and I'm probably happier than I've ever been.