Do paranormal investigators charge for their services?

Question

I saw an answer on here that said they don't. My son thinks they do. Anyone know? Would Ghost Hunters/Taps charge? (I don't need them...I just wondered)

Answer 1

i believe it depends on the severity of the haunt or situation, if it involved a child or was somehow angry and dangerous taps wouldn't, but if it's out of curiosity then maybe

Answer 2

scammers charge

Answer 3

The group I'm a part of doesn't charge, either. We do accept donations, and because of gas prices we've had to start collecting dues (between $2-$5 a person). Most other expenses - batteries for cameras, digital recorder and flashlights, food, and gas- come straight from our own pockets. All of us have regular jobs, and while this is a hobby, we're very professional about it.

Almost all groups won't charge for their services, but, like us, do accept donations for better equipment or travel expenses. TAPS doesn't charge because they're sponsored by the SciFi Channel, and they work as plumbers during the day.

Answer 4

I know Taps doesn't  charge anything. I would think that most paranormal investigators wouldn't want to charge you for anything because they want to the opportunity to possible catch something on video or audio. Most of these investigators have other jobs and they do these investigations as a hobby so to speak. You could go to the internet and find different paranormal investigators to see who charges you for the investigation or who doesn't. I think you will find that most don't.Hope I have helped you with your question.

Answer 5

Who you gonna call?

Answer 6

Some do our team does not charge we are non-profit we do this to help others who are in need of our sevice and I know alot of teams that are non-profit as well

Answer 7

I am a Founder of a paranormal team, we do not charge for our services, however, we do accept donations if the person or persons want to donate. The way we get our funds is through fund raisers and donations from others, what we don't get this way just comes straight out of my own pocket. We understand people want to know what is happening and why. If I am able to help them understand and get there lives back in peace I am happy to do so as is every member of my team. TAPS is also like us and does not charge for there services, there funds come from big cooperate sponsors.

Answer 8

most good ghost hunting groups do not charge, and if they do I would seek someone else....

Mike

Founder

Texoma Area Paranormal Investigations

www.texomaghosts.com

Answer 9

donations are acceptable, but to charge a fee is against my rules. I am there to investigate and help out, this is not my job and I am not doing this for a career.  TAPS has a huge budget paid for by the Science channel so they go where ever they want to go.

EDIT: Later this month  I will be heading out from the western slope here in Colorado to the Denver area to do an investigation. Its a four hour trip. I will be there for two nights. The gas money, hotel money, and food money will come out of my pocket. The equipment and materials, will come from my pocket. Out west here, there is no such thing as a short trip. Towns are often 40 to 60 miles apart. The house I am going to investigate was built in the 60s. There was a murder/attempted murder in the home in the late 70s. A domestic situation, very violent with the children being locked away in their rooms from outside. A lot of abuse. I have been in it before and I dont like the vibes. They have recently begun to remodel and the activity has intensified. but I am going across the Contenental Divide during the winter Pro Bono.

Answer 10

Most legitimate investigators do not charge.  As they are learning themselves & trying to gather evidence.

I had one come to my house & we did not discuss fees, but at the end, they tried to charge me $500.00.  They had little equiptment & used a women who "claimed" to be a medium.  Which by the way, she was way off about the property and the people who owned it prior.

Taps, does not charge.  They are there to help, gather evidence & find out what is actually going on.

Answer 11

Anytime you charge for a service you should be able to show something for it.  So it really comes down to what the customer expects the investigative team to accomplish.  Personally, I would not charge for it because that would create an economic incentive to produce results that would reinforce the client's beliefs.

Someone could easily justify charging for services if a service were provided that relied on no subjective interpretation.  In other words, a team could say, "We'll charge you $X for doing Y."  For example, they could charge for setting up and recording with specific equipment and then leave the raw data with the customer.  That way they charge a specific dollar amount for an objectively quantifiable service.

Answer 12

Taps or "Ghost Hunters" do not charge money. They do what they do for free so that way they can make people feel comfortable around thier surroundings and help them relize that whatever is thier is not to hurt them. Its like that with alot of Parinormal research groups. They are thier to help, not for the money.

Answer 13

If they ask you for money, don't bother. Donations are different, im sure a local group would have no problem taking like $20 for gas money.

I run The Fraser Valley Paranormal Society. We don't charge anything for investigations unless you want a cd of our findings and a video (we have to cover costs) even then, its like $10. big deal. But $500????? that's a scam! check us out and follow the link:  www.fvps.info

Answer 14

Most do not charge, especially if they are simply  investigating.  Someone may charge if they are "cleansing" your home of a spirit.  TAPS would not charge, but I'm still working out how these guys make a living.  There web site and TV show are littered with free Roto Rooter product placements.

Answer 15

They should not charge.  Ghost hunters are normal every day people with an interest in ghosts so they buy books, read websites, join organizations to learn ghost hunting from them and most are crying for places to investigate.

There are a few scammers out there who charge but they usually are not as realiable as those who do not.

Now it is fair and reasonable for the ghost hunter to be reiembersed for expenses. Gas is high, film is not cheap etc. But those are reasonable expenses and they should not have any problem with provided you a reciept for expenses without padding it.

if you want to tip that is acceptable also but they should not ask it should be your choice to tip and they should be happy not being tipped.

I know lots of ghost hunters and  I only know one who charges or he did but he is not playing with a full deck either.

My advise is to stay away from any investigators who charge. Also some use psychics and if you are okay with that fine, but I have been on investigations where two psychics are in attendence and each one saw the ghost differently. There was an arguement on one site and one said there was ten ghosts while the other said only three.

Stick with people who will use only the tools like cameras, tape recorders, thermo scanner etc and give you documentation. Just be leary of orbs in photos a true paranormal orb will be  a ball of light and when it moves will leave a contrail and will cast a shadow. If it is transparent or little specks in the air chances it is just duse but you will be suprised as to how many people who claim to be professional parachologist will claim these as ghosts.

I prefer to stay within the scientific side of investigations.

Now as far as the television investigators I do not have a clue I have not even whatched one show.

BB