From what I've heard through the grapevine, working for Owen and Co is only a good deal for non-native speakers or 'teachers' who are underqualified. Why is that? Because those who are properly qualified and whose mother tongue is English needn't let him screw them over financially - they can land more lucrative teaching posts elsewhere in China! Owen is okay for backpackers; if you're one of them, I suggest you work for him. I'd imagine it beats picking fruit by a long, long way!