Avoid MyTennisLessons

[Fabresque]

Hello,

Ive been an instructor on the site for a few weeks now. I have to say that it’s an organization mess with 0 communication to be found.

Here’s the gist. You apply to become a coach, get accepted, set your availability and your rate and you’re set. Right? Not really. They fluff the statistics on how many people actually use the site, to kind of swing you in. The site looks professionally made, etc.. but in reality it’s an elaborate scam, for both players and coaches.

I’m sat here with 3 texts from random people at MTL called “Baker”, “Scott”, and “Will”. **** knows who they are. They tell me somebody in my area wants a lesson. And if I wanna take them on. I’m like yes I wanna take them on. So I reply to them. Within minutes. No reply back. So I’m thinking they just made the students available on my dashboard. Nope. Desperately trying to call the numbers and no reply or response. ****. No idea what the students names are, their address, phone number, anything. Just the area code of where they live in. Can’t get in touch with them in any sort of capacity. I call the company, last ditch effort to get my clients. They tell me it’s “not the companies responsibility if a student drops out”. But how am I supposed to know that? Some communication would be nice, let me know they’re not interested just something instead of ghosting me and sending my number to VM. Jesus. Real sketchy that they claim they aren’t interested mere minutes after I reply too.

I see the reviews online too. People complain that the middle-man isn’t there. He communicates one thing and disappears. Seen one review, 1 star. Claims that they reached out after he wanted to book a lesson with a local coach, said if you’re still interested we’ll contact him. They say yes. Middleman disappears nowhere to be seen. Another review, student isn’t notified that an instructor ****s off for vacation or whatnot. Can’t refund his money. MTL says the package was prepaid. Another 1 star. People complain about the middleman constantly, it’s terrible.

Stay away, instructors and students. Instructors: Build a local client base, word of mouth and through relatives is stronger than you think. Students: Either go to a club or ask around for local coaches. MTL puts my lessons at $77 an hour (!) even though I only charge $35 (!!!). I understand they need to make money as well, but that’s over half. Gonna try PlayYourCourt. They seem a bit more genuine. Hopefully it works.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

At $77 per hour, you can get a real coach at a real club, usually even if you are not a member. During coronavirus, lessons are even cheaper in many places. There is no need for something like MyTennisLessons. There is no demand, no market, and no way to break in. Not sure why it exists.

 

[sureshs]

These sites better be careful about requiring background checks because these are becoming almost mandatory, especially when working with kids. And also liability insurance.

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[austintennis2005]

ive found some of the things you said to be true. but if they send me a client great if not then i wasnt expecting anything from them anyway. im not out anything and they actually sent me a good client.... a very cute young lady to boot.

 

[R1FF]

Hello,

Ive been an instructor on the site for a few weeks now. I have to say that it’s an organization mess with 0 communication to be found.

Here’s the gist. You apply to become a coach, get accepted, set your availability and your rate and you’re set. Right? Not really. They fluff the statistics on how many people actually use the site, to kind of swing you in. The site looks professionally made, etc.. but in reality it’s an elaborate scam, for both players and coaches.

I’m sat here with 3 texts from random people at MTL called “Baker”, “Scott”, and “Will”. **** knows who they are. They tell me somebody in my area wants a lesson. And if I wanna take them on. I’m like yes I wanna take them on. So I reply to them. Within minutes. No reply back. So I’m thinking they just made the students available on my dashboard. Nope. Desperately trying to call the numbers and no reply or response. ****. No idea what the students names are, their address, phone number, anything. Just the area code of where they live in. Can’t get in touch with them in any sort of capacity. I call the company, last ditch effort to get my clients. They tell me it’s “not the companies responsibility if a student drops out”. But how am I supposed to know that? Some communication would be nice, let me know they’re not interested just something instead of ghosting me and sending my number to VM. Jesus. Real sketchy that they claim they aren’t interested mere minutes after I reply too.

I see the reviews online too. People complain that the middle-man isn’t there. He communicates one thing and disappears. Seen one review, 1 star. Claims that they reached out after he wanted to book a lesson with a local coach, said if you’re still interested we’ll contact him. They say yes. Middleman disappears nowhere to be seen. Another review, student isn’t notified that an instructor ****s off for vacation or whatnot. Can’t refund his money. MTL says the package was prepaid. Another 1 star. People complain about the middleman constantly, it’s terrible.

Stay away, instructors and students. Instructors: Build a local client base, word of mouth and through relatives is stronger than you think. Students: Either go to a club or ask around for local coaches. MTL puts my lessons at $77 an hour (!) even though I only charge $35 (!!!). I understand they need to make money as well, but that’s over half. Gonna try PlayYourCourt. They seem a bit more genuine. Hopefully it works.

PlayYourCourt is a joke also

I think all of these sites are battling a culture within a sport that just makes things difficult inherently

As said before, clinics/clubs/coaches/word of mouth are the only foreseeable routes

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Very few people know how to play tennis well. Even fewer know how to teach it well. If someone is capable, they are already affiliated with a club and do not need gimmick marketing tools like this. If you want high quality training, go to the person affiliated with your local club’s high performance junior academy. Yes, this will cost $$ and you get what you pay for. If you are not that serious and considering paying someone from a website like this, you are better off watching YouTube instructional videos and having a parent or friend drop feed you at the local park.

 

[sureshs]

PlayYourCourt is a joke also

I think all of these sites are battling a culture within a sport that just makes things difficult inherently

As said before, clinics/clubs/coaches/word of mouth are the only foreseeable routes

I really don't know how Play Your Court makes money. It has created multiple Meetup groups in cities and those need to be paid for

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[sovertennis]

These sites better be careful about requiring background checks because these are becoming almost mandatory, especially when working with kids. And also liability insurance.

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"Mandatory" for whom? Not coaches--I don't know any that use either PYC or MTL? Players? Not sure.

A year or so ago, PYC contacted me about joining. it seemed legit, but I balked when it was suggested that I give a free lesson to first time students.

 

[sureshs]

"Mandatory" for whom? Not coaches--I don't know any that use either PYC or MTL? Players? Not sure.

A year or so ago, PYC contacted me about joining. it seemed legit, but I balked when it was suggested that I give a free lesson to first time students.

Mandatory for coaches of accredited organizations

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[am1899]

Mandatory for coaches of accredited organizations

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Yup, AFAIK background checks (as part of the SafeSport training I think?) are now a requirement - if you want to maintain your certification with PTR or USPTA.

And before people say, “those certifications are useless ripoffs,” at some clubs (like the one where I work) PTR or USPTA certification is a requirement of employment for teaching pros. Which, like it or not, has become a bit of an “end around” for clubs to ensure all their teaching pros to have had a recent background check.

Is what it is. I will say that I used to think tennis was fairly “safe,” as it relates to say sexual misconduct, for example. Then someone in my family told me about how he had been taking private lessons from a pro at a club for a couple years, only to read in the paper that said pro had been arrested for solicitation of a minor for sex (a cop posing as a 13yr old girl, if I recall).

Not to say tennis is necessarily rife with people like the above. But tennis isn’t immune, either.

 

[am1899]

@Fabresque thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds pretty shady to me. I’d be inclined to stay away.

 

[Fabresque]

Yup, AFAIK background checks (as part of the SafeSport training I think?) are now a requirement - if you want to maintain your certification with PTR or USPTA.

And before people say, “those certifications are useless ripoffs,” at some clubs (like the one where I work) PTR or USPTA certification is a requirement of employment for teaching pros. Which, like it or not, has become a bit of an “end around” for clubs to ensure all their teaching pros to have had a recent background check.

Is what it is. I will say that I used to think tennis was fairly “safe,” as it relates to say sexual misconduct, for example. Then someone in my family told me about how he had been taking private lessons from a pro at a club for a couple years, only to read in the paper that said pro had been arrested for solicitation of a minor for sex (a cop posing as a 13yr old girl, if I recall).

Not to say tennis is necessarily rife with people like the above. But tennis isn’t immune, either.

PTR and USPTA aren’t necessarily required to start teaching at a club or tennis center, but if you want to move up in said club or get a better job elsewhere, they’re damn near a necessity. Quite scary to think about that second point.

@Fabresque thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds pretty shady to me. I’d be inclined to stay away.

Still on the site mainly because, well, if I do get any business then I’ll still get money. I’m not paying a dime to be on that site, and I’m not necessarily getting ripped off. I talked to coaches who used the sites before and say that for long term, they’re useless. But for introducing them to new clients, it’s very useful. Clients usually don’t stick around after that initially purchased lesson plan, they just ask the coach for their number to set up future lessons, at the coaches rate, nor whatever those sites put us at. So they do have a place in the world but not really for what they intend.

 

[am1899]

PTR and USPTA aren’t necessarily required to start teaching at a club or tennis center, but if you want to move up in said club or get a better job elsewhere, they’re damn near a necessity.

True, not necessarily. But indeed some clubs do require it before they’ll even consider you for an open position. Others require you to get certified within 6 months of employment. Seems to me to be an increasing trend.

Still on the site mainly because, well, if I do get any business then I’ll still get money. I’m not paying a dime to be on that site, and I’m not necessarily getting ripped off. I talked to coaches who used the sites before and say that for long term, they’re useless. But for introducing them to new clients, it’s very useful. Clients usually don’t stick around after that initially purchased lesson plan, they just ask the coach for their number to set up future lessons, at the coaches rate, nor whatever those sites put us at. So they do have a place in the world but not really for what they intend.

I suppose then, if you’re looking to build a client list, that it could give you some leads. Just seemed like that one experience that you outlined in the OP was akin to a wild goose chase. Me, I don’t much care for wild goose chases.

 

[sureshs]

Yup, AFAIK background checks (as part of the SafeSport training I think?) are now a requirement - if you want to maintain your certification with PTR or USPTA.

And before people say, “those certifications are useless ripoffs,” at some clubs (like the one where I work) PTR or USPTA certification is a requirement of employment for teaching pros. Which, like it or not, has become a bit of an “end around” for clubs to ensure all their teaching pros to have had a recent background check.

Is what it is. I will say that I used to think tennis was fairly “safe,” as it relates to say sexual misconduct, for example. Then someone in my family told me about how he had been taking private lessons from a pro at a club for a couple years, only to read in the paper that said pro had been arrested for solicitation of a minor for sex (a cop posing as a 13yr old girl, if I recall).

Not to say tennis is necessarily rife with people like the above. But tennis isn’t immune, either.

SafePlay is about harassment training. Background checks are different. I have completed both through the USPTA.

 

[am1899]

You’re right @sureshs. It’s been a few months for me, so it’s all a little fuzzy at this point.

 

[polksio]

Thread sounds like a playyourcourt ad

 

[nyta2]

Hello,

Ive been an instructor on the site for a few weeks now. I have to say that it’s an organization mess with 0 communication to be found.

Here’s the gist. You apply to become a coach, get accepted, set your availability and your rate and you’re set. Right? Not really. They fluff the statistics on how many people actually use the site, to kind of swing you in. The site looks professionally made, etc.. but in reality it’s an elaborate scam, for both players and coaches.

I’m sat here with 3 texts from random people at MTL called “Baker”, “Scott”, and “Will”. **** knows who they are. They tell me somebody in my area wants a lesson. And if I wanna take them on. I’m like yes I wanna take them on. So I reply to them. Within minutes. No reply back. So I’m thinking they just made the students available on my dashboard. Nope. Desperately trying to call the numbers and no reply or response. ****. No idea what the students names are, their address, phone number, anything. Just the area code of where they live in. Can’t get in touch with them in any sort of capacity. I call the company, last ditch effort to get my clients. They tell me it’s “not the companies responsibility if a student drops out”. But how am I supposed to know that? Some communication would be nice, let me know they’re not interested just something instead of ghosting me and sending my number to VM. Jesus. Real sketchy that they claim they aren’t interested mere minutes after I reply too.

I see the reviews online too. People complain that the middle-man isn’t there. He communicates one thing and disappears. Seen one review, 1 star. Claims that they reached out after he wanted to book a lesson with a local coach, said if you’re still interested we’ll contact him. They say yes. Middleman disappears nowhere to be seen. Another review, student isn’t notified that an instructor ****s off for vacation or whatnot. Can’t refund his money. MTL says the package was prepaid. Another 1 star. People complain about the middleman constantly, it’s terrible.

Stay away, instructors and students. Instructors: Build a local client base, word of mouth and through relatives is stronger than you think. Students: Either go to a club or ask around for local coaches. MTL puts my lessons at $77 an hour (!) even though I only charge $35 (!!!). I understand they need to make money as well, but that’s over half. Gonna try PlayYourCourt. They seem a bit more genuine. Hopefully it works.

old post, sorry to revive...
i'm on both... i've had communication issues with both... hit or miss.
i've had arguments with pyc about my expectations of what they should be doing (one example: they ask if i can take client, i say probably but need to confirm needs/time/etc..., but they accept the client on their end (ie. take their money), *then* give me contact info, then find out they have specific time requirements, then get mad when i cxl, and they have to refund (because they get charged 3%)). the reason they do this, i suspect, is that they don't want to give up contact info until after they've collected money, else unscrupulous coaches might just tell them to cxl with pyc, and go with them directly for cheaper..
on the flip side, mtl has been great, and haven't had comm issues...

sounds like, in your case, the student dropped out before accepting... happens. hehe some savvy students have just searched on fb for my name (ie. it's fairly unique), and found me that way, bypassing the middle man. i found mtl and pyc ok about refunds, but they will try to find a replacement if they can. pyc used to silently expire lessons until i complained...

i don't think it's a scam... it is very expensive marketing though... they both take about $30 on top of each lessson (eg. a 6 lesson package is 400 ~70/lesson... of which i get 40, that is taxed)... that said i wouldn't have found those students in the first place, and will have them go direct to me after the package is done... so i think it's fair.
lessons.com imo is a better pricing model (pay per connect), but they don't advertise as much as mtl and pyc.

anywho, how'd your experience go on pyc?

 

[nyta2]

At $77 per hour, you can get a real coach at a real club, usually even if you are not a member. During coronavirus, lessons are even cheaper in many places. There is no need for something like MyTennisLessons. There is no demand, no market, and no way to break in. Not sure why it exists.

$100-130 in ny tri state area.

 

[nyta2]

Very few people know how to play tennis well. Even fewer know how to teach it well. If someone is capable, they are already affiliated with a club and do not need gimmick marketing tools like this. If you want high quality training, go to the person affiliated with your local club’s high performance junior academy. Yes, this will cost $$ and you get what you pay for. If you are not that serious and considering paying someone from a website like this, you are better off watching YouTube instructional videos and having a parent or friend drop feed you at the local park.

that's definitley the way to get "proofed" coaches... but i have alot of students that just said they couldn't afford/didn't want to pay club prices (e.g $130 vs. 50-70)
every person i taught, tried vids, but have no idea where to start, or are too busy and rather pay someone to guide them ((ie. i taught a couple doctors this summer, and they had no time for searching through yt... that said, they obviously could have afforded club rates )

 

[nyta2]

I really don't know how Play Your Court makes money. It has created multiple Meetup groups in cities and those need to be paid for

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they get $30 on each lesson a coach teaches through pyc/mtl

 

[Cindysphinx]

I do not understand this at all.

If you need a coach around here, you can call the various clubs and tennis facilities. All but the most posh facilities will let a non-member take instruction.

Why would I want to go through some sketchy middle-man to take lessons from a person who might be a great pro or might be a serial killer?

 

[nyta2]

I do not understand this at all.

If you need a coach around here, you can call the various clubs and tennis facilities. All but the most posh facilities will let a non-member take instruction.

Why would I want to go through some sketchy middle-man to take lessons from a person who might be a great pro or might be a serial killer?

50-75% discount
but that savings comes with a price:
* often an unvetted coach (a problem if you don't know what to look for, and don't know the difference between a PTR or NTRP or UTR or PTA)
* less equipment onhand (eg. just a basket of balls)
* competition for court time on public courts
* scheduling needs to be more flexible
* etc...

 

[OnTheLine]

50-75% discount
but that savings comes with a price:
* often an unvetted coach (a problem if you don't know what to look for, and don't know the difference between a PTR or NTRP or UTR or PTA)
* less equipment onhand (eg. just a basket of balls)
* competition for court time on public courts
* scheduling needs to be more flexible
* etc...

Still left with that serial killer problem ....

"he he he.... I have a great private court just past the woods near the lake .... the best environment for really learning the sport he he he"

 

[nyta2]

Still left with that serial killer problem ....

"he he he.... I have a great private court just past the woods near the lake .... the best environment for really learning the sport he he he"

still have that problem with "professionals": https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/0...g-to-kill-her-romantic-rival-in-new-rochelle/

 

[Cindysphinx]

Must be a guy thing.

I think the women here will tell you they won't meet a strange guy alone, anywhere, for any reason.

Or maybe I should say "the surviving women."

 

[nyta2]

Must be a guy thing.

I think the women here will tell you they won't meet a strange guy alone, anywhere, for any reason.

Or maybe I should say "the surviving women."

i've taught many women over the summer... public court, midday, lots of other people around... no need to be alone.

 

[sureshs]

I do not understand this at all.

If you need a coach around here, you can call the various clubs and tennis facilities. All but the most posh facilities will let a non-member take instruction.

Why would I want to go through some sketchy middle-man to take lessons from a person who might be a great pro or might be a serial killer?

Why are there so many "Craigslist" coaches? Because of convenience and economical prices.

 

[sureshs]

Still left with that serial killer problem ....

"he he he.... I have a great private court just past the woods near the lake .... the best environment for really learning the sport he he he"

Most of these free lancers teach in public, middle/high school, and private apartment complex courts.

 

[sureshs]

i've taught many women over the summer... public court, midday, lots of other people around... no need to be alone.

I am going to be advertising myself as a coach with a killer forehand and see how that goes.

 

[nyta2]

I am going to be advertising myself as a coach with a killer forehand and see how that goes.

most people wouldn't question you.
there's a guy on the court teaching kids, can hardly hit a ball, but for the 3-6 age range (that he teaches), he's perfect... feed balls, encourage, make it fun, etc...

 

[r2473]

I'm very interested in growing the sport with 18-30 year old women. In fact I'm so passionate, I'll offer free lessons at my private court.

Please send a recent photo and I'll get back to you with a date and time we can hook up.

 

[sureshs]

most people wouldn't question you.
there's a guy on the court teaching kids, can hardly hit a ball, but for the 3-6 age range (that he teaches), he's perfect... feed balls, encourage, make it fun, etc...

You didn't get the joke .....

Killer forehand -> serial killer which otl and sphinxy are afraid of

 

[sureshs]

I'm very interested in growing the sport with 18-30 year old women. In fact I'm so passionate, I'll offer free lessons at my private court.

Please send a recent photo and I'll get back to you with a date and time we can hook up.

I would limit the age to 22 in order to tap into their skills early

 

[nyta2]

You didn't get the joke .....

Killer forehand -> serial killer which otl and sphinxy are afraid of

duh! r/whoosh! haha, that's a good one.

 

[OnTheLine]

You didn't get the joke .....

Killer forehand -> serial killer which otl and sphinxy are afraid of

And "afraid" is probably a bit strong. Wary and protective a little more on point.

There are a lot of very creepy people out there ... I would prefer that most are far away from me. Usually if screened by a club I get to work with the least creepy. How many are free-lancing because they can't pass a background check?

 

[sureshs]

If the coach has a current USPTA certification (as proven by an ID card), then with the new rules either implemented or coming up, you should be OK because Safeplay and background checks have become mandatory. You can also look up the pro in the USPTA database. USPTR may have similar rules.

 

[sureshs]

And "afraid" is probably a bit strong. Wary and protective a little more on point.

There are a lot of very creepy people out there ... I would prefer that most are far away from me. Usually if screened by a club I get to work with the least creepy. How many are free-lancing because they can't pass a background check?

Great minds think alike. See my previous post.

BTW, I am a USPTA-certified Rec Coach with Safeplay and Background check, and will be upgraded to Tennis Instructor next year. You can safely learn killer forehands from me.

Though I have never taught a single real lesson (not required for this level of certification - only mock lessons in a workshop)

 

[nyta2]

And "afraid" is probably a bit strong. Wary and protective a little more on point.

There are a lot of very creepy people out there ... I would prefer that most are far away from me. Usually if screened by a club I get to work with the least creepy. How many are free-lancing because they can't pass a background check?

is your creep-dar broken?
call the guy, if you get a bad vibe, bail out.
if the location/time is desolate, bail out... choose a busy location.
when you meet the guy, if you get bad vibe, bail out.

or or or... pick a female instructor (there are a few by me...)

coaches by me that i've talked to fall into these categories:
* current college student (several by me)
* works a full time job (me)
* works part time (a few)
* teacher with the summer off (one guy)
* is working full time as an instructor, but isn't get enough hours at the club, or are flat out moonlighting (a couple by me)
* unemployed (eg. recent college grad, in between jobs)
* retired (one woman started teaching her grand kids, then realized there was a demand, and it was fun for her)
* full time instructor that makes more money on his own via word of mouth (one guy by me has atp points, and makes like $240+/hr, and is always busy)

anywho, if you have the means to go to a club, that can do the vetting, make you feel safe, can schedule court time, does marketing, etc... then perfect.... but for many, they prefer a discount. ironically i've had more than a handful of compliments from folks that thought i gave them better lessons than their double-the-price-country-club-pro (probably the "staff pro" or whatever the new-guy-title is)

 

[OnTheLine]

is your creep-dar broken?

Yes. It never worked.

No doubt that there are lots of totally legit instructors out their not in clubs for whatever reason. I know of at least one who left the club because he was sick of the politics ... charges practically the same that was charged at the club and is booked solid.

 

[sureshs]

I once paid $20 for 1 hour with a D1 college student on summer vacation. His slices were enough to overpower my racket.

 

[nyta2]

Yes. It never worked.

fair enough. then i'd go to a club too...

 

[nyta2]

I once paid $20 for 1 hour with a D1 college student on summer vacation. His slices were enough to overpower my racket.

that's a fantastic deal. they charge $70 by me.

 

[sureshs]

I'm very interested in growing the sport with 18-30 year old women. In fact I'm so passionate, I'll offer free lessons at my private court.

Please send a recent photo and I'll get back to you with a date and time we can hook up.

I found your pic on the internets.

 

[stringertom]

I am going to be advertising myself as a coach with a killer forehand and see how that goes.

If you need references, tell them to join TTW and find their weigh to the 1K pages of tribute to you...or watch this if they’re short of thyme:

 

[5sets]

If you need references, tell them to join TTW and find their weigh to the 1K pages of tribute to you...or watch this if they’re short of thyme:

Lmao, that footwork doeeeeee

 

[r2473]

I found your pic on the internets.

What does this have to do with me and my generous offer?

This guy looks like a pervert. I wouldn't trust him.

 

[5sets]

What does this have to do with me and my generous offer?

This guy looks like a pervert. I wouldn't trust him.

I’ve never seen this. It must be Sean William Scott pre American Pie. I’ll have to see if Netflix has it.

 

[sureshs]

What does this have to do with me and my generous offer?

This guy looks like a pervert. I wouldn't trust him.

I thought you were the shirtless guy

 

[5sets]

PTR and USPTA aren’t necessarily required to start teaching at a club or tennis center, but if you want to move up in said club or get a better job elsewhere, they’re damn near a necessity. Quite scary to think about that second point.



Still on the site mainly because, well, if I do get any business then I’ll still get money. I’m not paying a dime to be on that site, and I’m not necessarily getting ripped off. I talked to coaches who used the sites before and say that for long term, they’re useless. But for introducing them to new clients, it’s very useful. Clients usually don’t stick around after that initially purchased lesson plan, they just ask the coach for their number to set up future lessons, at the coaches rate, nor whatever those sites put us at. So they do have a place in the world but not really for what they intend.
[/QUOTE
There’s nothing lost by being on MTL and PYC. They have thrown lots of clients my way and it doesn’t cost me a dime unlike Thumbtack and lessons.com where you have to purchase tokens to just talk to a potential client, who knows if they are even a real person or not- I stay away from those last two sites.

 

[5sets]

Hey, free advertising. That’s how I look at it. I never messed w/ Thumbtack or tennislessons.com as they make you purchase tokens to speak to “leads”, who even knows if they are real people or not. PYC and MTL have sent me loads of clients I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.