Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jfarsetta wrote:
Jim,
Bill lists Western States University as where he received his doctorate.
Joe,
Then his doctorate appears to be worthless. This school is not authorized by the state to issue diplomas. It lists him as a "dean", but it has no students. I'll check and see if they were in 1987, when he said he graduated from there. Maybe it was a doctorate by correspondence or something. Missouri is a long way to commute from New York. 
I'm going to examine all of his other claims (including those he deleted) and see if there are any other interesting facts to uncover.
Originally Posted By: tallen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jfarsetta wrote:
Jim,
Bill lists Western States University as where he received his doctorate.
Bill,
The interesting thing regarding business here in NY, is that a person need not register as one. Its true. In the case of a home inspector, especially one who works part time, it is not unisual for a person to operae, and report profits as ordinary incoe on their tax returns. Its perfectly legal. In fact, it was one of the items I spoke with the Licensing Team up at the DOS in Albany about several months ago. This is part of the challenge in setting a benchmark of the time line thresholds that the two grandfathering provisions set forth. As there is no requirement, per the NYS Department of Taxation and FInance to collect sales tax for performing a home inspection, there is no requirement at all to register as a business, or to inform the State that you are doing this work.
Joust a point of clarification regarding business entities here in NY. You are correct in that Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, and LLCs do need to register. Others do not. In fact, the license is extended to the individual INSPECTOR, and not a business entity.
I heard tell you resigned? 
-- I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jfarsetta wrote:
Impressive site. I wonder when it went on-line.
It was cached on 8/20/05. Still under construction then, too. Looks like it was put up in a hurry. You would think a home inspection school instructor would be able to avoid advertising that he does, both "Residential Home Inspections" and "Commercial Home Inspections".
They must do a bang up business since he is personally reviewing reports (plural) on a daily basis and doing part time inspections, himself.
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
. You would think, with all of his other businesses listed here of little or no consequence, he would have included his very old and established home inspection business, wouldn’t you?
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
home inspectors in New York.
Your credentials have been formally challenged and your moral authority to lead in any endeavor is in question. Any time you would like to offer an explanation or discount any of these things tha have been uncovered, you may have the floor without interruption.
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
mboyett wrote:
Jeez Jim, it says on almost every page of his websites that his offerings are NACHI approved. What more do you want? 
I think that this is what riled Joe F. up in the first place. It would appear that poor Joe, on this issue, is the Billy Mitchell of NACHI. History has proven him right.
How about it, Mr. Merrell? Is there anything posted, yet, that you would care to address? Because...there's more.
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
Dr. Bill C. Merrell, Founder and Director of the
Merrell Institute
Appraisal Education Network School
Center for Professional and Legal Studies
Hauppauge Real Estate School
We are pleased you are considering our school over the many schools throughout the region. Our past students are a cross section of the country with students from over 30 states and 12 different foreign countries, with our most recent foreign exchange student from the Country of Turkey. We are the first school in New York State to offer approved Appraiser Continuing Education and the only school in New York State to host the Appraisal Foundation's USPAP Instructor Certification Course, which USPAP instructors must successfully complete in order to be permitted to teach USPAP in New York and throughout the country. We have even donated the web site, www.appraisalfoundation.com to the Appraisal Foundation to keep it from detractors of the Industry.
With over 25 years experience in the field of Real Estate and Appraisal, we are both proud and happy to be able to offer a diverse and well rounded educational program for those students who truly want to learn and succeed in the the twenty first century.
Dr. Merrell has developed more real estate and appraisal courses in New York State than any other educator. Dr. Merrell also is proud to write articles for various news media and internet media sites. His experience includes Real Estate, Home Inspection and Real Estate Appraisal. Dr. Merrell is qualified in multiple state and federal jurisdictions as an expert witness, and is the author of 6 educational manuals, used in conjunction with approved NY State courses.
Dr. Merrell: Author, Educator, Speaker, Qualified Expert Witness, and most important...Husband and Father
Thank You For making us The Most Successful Appraisal School in New York State and the Number # 1 Visited Appraisal School in the World. Dr. Merrell believes the true reason for our success is our no nonsense approach. Quoted, Dr. Merrell has stated,"...we say it like it is, not like people may hope it to be. Our facilities and our faculty are our school. We offer new classrooms, highly qualified educators and a great educational program. That sums it up. I'd like to see a school attempt to outperform us. It would give us the drive to do even more. We are usually working at 110%"
Oops....forgot all about that doggone home inspection business that keeps him so busy. Dr. Merrell: Author, Educator, Speaker, Qualified Expert Witness, and most important...Husband and Father bot not home inspector.
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
This is a Comprehensive Course plus 3 Residential Home Inspection Reviews
But, this is how Dr. Merrell describes his school on our message board:
Quote:
Wouldn't it be prudent to just offer an Introduction course, and explain that until the state finalizes an entire outline, the school will wait for an approval.
Which is this 30-hour HI course? Comprehensive or Introductory?
-- Joe Farsetta
Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."
I wonder if there is something more recent than that. At any rate, it does not appear that Mr. Merrell has carte blanche approval by the state, but must submit each of his programs, individually, and it is approved for a specific date.
Would you be able to check this out, Joe, and see if I'm right. You have a contact in that state department, don't you?
Originally Posted By: jfarsetta This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
I talked to Bill Merrill, Ph.D yesterday afternoon....
He is quite the talker....Very nice man.
Ok, he wants me to take the course he offers because he claims that NYS MIGHT be amending the requirements regarding licensure here, and they may not. He says not to waste money on other courses because I may have to take them again when the requirements change, if they do . He states that the board, which hasn't even been picked yet, will decide on the new requirements, if they even do....They may not, he claims. I did find it interesting that it was only 30 hours. The cost is $495.00 including books. He claims to be certified with NYS.
He also doesn't give out the course structure ... " It's all explained on the website", he exclaimed !!! I just received a course brochure.
He seems sincere, and very atimate regarding the position NYS has here.
Seems there are only 5 people handling all the licensing requirements in NYS, according to Bill.
" This is a Business Development series Sponsored in conjunction with NACHI, HIF ( Home Inspection Foundation) and ACI ( Association of Construction Inspectors). It is also approved for 22.5 hours of Real Estate Continuing Education Credit Under Appraisal Education Network"
" We cover the basics of the Profession from A-Z "
" Train here and learn the field the correct way! "
But today, the site reads as follows:
Quote:
Our competition is still offering 100+ hour programs costing thousands of dollars- with no guarantee that their program will be approved or recognized by NY State. No one is sure who will be approved. That is why our program is limited to 30 hours. When additional courses are disclosed by NY State, we will immediately apply for course approval of the required courses for the Home Inspector License. Those with experience will benefit from this course as prep for the State exam. To be grandfathered you must have completed 100 Home Inspections within the past 2 years and pass the state exam or an approved National Exam. Taking our course now allows you to enter the field of Home Inspecting now and also allow you the following: Membership to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (First year membership fee is waived as a graduate-
Wow... Free NACHI membership.
No. The membership fee waived. I think there's a difference.
Nick, can this be true? Is Dr Merrell payng a membership fee for every graduate, or is NACHI waiving it?
Also, I fail to understand how an introductory course can benefit experienced inspectors in passing a State Exam which has never been seen, and is still in the development phase.
Man... I'm so confused that my head hurts. Someone help me... please...
-- Joe Farsetta
Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."
Originally Posted By: jbushart This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When I saw the designation, MBA, following his name I was under the assumption that these initials stood for the traditional masters degree in Business Administration. Accredited universities will require a masters degree before awarding a doctorate. Boy, was I wrong.
