Guaranteed exposure or placement
No advisor should need a guarantee to explain value. Be careful with claims that sound like automatic recruiting, certain junior placement, or guaranteed scout attention.
Pressure before proof
Deadlines happen, but pressure without details is a problem. Ask for the deliverables, full cost, cancellation terms, and exact next step before paying.
Every answer costs more money
If every recommendation is another showcase, camp, tournament, video package, or paid service, ask how those choices are tied to your player’s actual level and goals.
No clear deliverables
“Connections” is not a deliverable. Parents should know how often they meet, what gets reviewed, who is contacted, what written plan exists, and how progress is measured.
They avoid hard questions
If they will not discuss fit, odds, role, academics, budget, or a realistic fallback path, slow down before committing.
Before you pay, run the decision
Use Before You Pay to pressure-test the cost, promises, proof, and fit before committing to an advisor or agent-style service.
Check this before paying