Yes indeed. I dealt with Plato very recently for a few days and although his offer did not require me to do an in-person interview, the terms were essentially the same as those posted here. After I told him a) that the probationary period was excessive (especially in view that the FT has to rent his/her own place) and b) that the number of hours was also quite excessive, he said that this are negotiable *if* and only *if* one is highly popular with the students. I am indeed quite popular with my students (as attested by several of the recommendation letters I had sent to him from various previous employers in China and the US), but clearly salary and work load negotiations must not be based on "popularity" alone, and certainly not after one is already formally employed. It's an absurd idea. What he meant was this: "If you are a good entertainer (i.e. white monkey), we might pay you a bit more, but who knows..." I unceremoniously turned him down, yet he came back with more nonsense for several days. I eventually had to tell him to %#@* off, but with kinder words. In sum, if you look carefully and do your homework with him, you will realize that this offer is bad, simply put. It's a bs school and a bs recruiter. Avoid.