Alas, it's true that skeptics will try to question the reputation of good people after having been burned by the fires of bad people. It's absolutely prudent to check the authenticity of offers of high salaries. I would never tell someone to take an offer from an agent or school in China at face value. In my personal dealings with AmericanESLCentre, they have been nothing but helpful, diplomatic, and reassuring to me. I think that until one has dealt with them first-hand, one might keep your commentary to oneself. They are good, honest, hard-working people that care about teachers, schools, and China, a true rarety in the agent biz these days. So, if you're going to take the trip down the rabbit hole, better to have someone that will help you to decide which cake to eat (which school), which tonic to drink (which contract to accept), and the rules of croquet (how to get around China), lest you hear the Queen (LingDao) shouting, "Off with His/Her Head!" (If you don't get the metaphor, rent the DVD.)