In any unregulated industry, there will always be people who claim to be competent professionals so they can make a quick buck. While the average Joe can’t just claim to be a brain surgeon or a pilot and get away with it, there are many folks who set up their own type of shop without any training or licensure and start raking in the unsuspecting dough.
While it’s easy to place blame on these people for misrepresenting themselves — or at least exploiting a bit of a gray area — some of the blame has to be placed on the person who hires them and doesn’t request any sort of paperwork.
This is not to say that anyone lacking a license is a scam artist. There are many successful therapists, for example, who don’t hold official licensure, but are highly sought after and respected for their empathy and natural ability to help others. But just imagine what could happen if an unlicensed therapist was sued by a patient. In court, that lack of a license would surely be a hotly contested point.
That’s why, in the world of machinery equipment and appraisal, you don’t want to find yourself dealing with the “clipboard guy” — someone who shows up to do an appraisal and somehow believes that carrying around a clipboard makes him an expert. Only a CMEA designation can do that, and you can be sure that lenders, the IRS, courts, CPAs, and attorneys will not accept a clipboard as a legitimate credential.
If you require the services of a trained, licensed, and experienced CMEA, use the NEBB Institute’s CMEA Search function. When it’s all said and done, you’ll be glad you did.
The NEBB Institute endorses and strives to observe the highest standards of professional ethics to preserve the public trust inherent in the professional appraisal practice. The Institute provides initial and monthly comprehensive education, ongoing support, and a dynamic international network, and certifies professionals in the art of machinery/equipment appraisal and brokerage.
By: NEBB Institute
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