Just curious what people think is so different.

This makes a good point for paid investigations. The optimum words being "First Investigations". Depending on which is chosen of course, it could afford a new person a place to legally practice and test their equipment.

For what it is worth too, I wouldn't recommend anyone new to the field to use paranormal TV as an educational tool. Especially Ghost Hunters Academy.

Agreed.

Don't get me wrong. I still go to the paid places once in a while because I love the structures, the history, and it's good practice. I don't think it harms me, but it doesn't give me the full opportunity of a true, controlled investigation, either.

I don't think anyone should base their investigations, even if they are just beginning, on what they see on TV. It can only get them into trouble and it won't help them learn the true aspect of what investigating ghosts and the paranormal entails.

True, but everyone has to start somewhere. My first "investigations" were at paid places, and it "done me well"!

This makes a good point for paid investigations. The optimum words being "First Investigations". Depending on which is chosen of course, it could afford a new person a place to legally practice and test their equipment.

For what it is worth too, I wouldn't recommend anyone new to the field to use paranormal TV as an educational tool. Especially Ghost Hunters Academy.

Yep, people just don't know what to expect if they don't know what they are doing.

True, but everyone has to start somewhere. My first "investigations" were at paid places, and it "done me well"!

True but there are worst shows to emulate. Like Extreme Paranormal.

they could watch PS or GA and think they were possessed by a Demon /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

Yep, people just don't know what to expect if they don't know what they are doing.

and why would they, i'm sure a lot of them are using shows like GH

as their guide /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

So did you get any pictures of the girls in skirts, I mean the ghosts in Moundsville? /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

*lol*

Actually, yes. We were amazed they (and their boyfriends) showed up dressed all nice and preppified to investigate in an old, dirty abandoned prison! That was from a few years ago though.

One of the nights we spent in Moundsville, this group of "foo foo" college kids came in on the ghost hunt. The girls had short-short denim skirts on and flip flops. They had their Coach purses. It was hilarious. They walked around for about an hour and left out of "boredom". Never in a millions years would I not wear tennis shoes to a place like that, not even talking about the dirt, but for safety reasons, let alone a mini skirt! You can tell right away who the people are that are more serious about it and understand the idea of the paranormal verus those who are dressed to see it take place in movie form!

So did you get any pictures of the girls in skirts, I mean the ghosts in Moundsville? /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

One of the nights we spent in Moundsville, this group of "foo foo" college kids came in on the ghost hunt. The girls had short-short denim skirts on and flip flops. They had their Coach purses. It was hilarious. They walked around for about an hour and left out of "boredom". Never in a millions years would I not wear tennis shoes to a place like that, not even talking about the dirt, but for safety reasons, let alone a mini skirt! You can tell right away who the people are that are more serious about it and understand the idea of the paranormal verus those who are dressed to see it take place in movie form!

You're right though, that people have a preconeived notion of what they will experience by paying to spend the night in a "haunted" location. They heard the ghost stories correlated with the place and really have no clue what to expect otherwise.

To me, it is what you make it; if I go on a tour, I know that I'm going for several different reasons: historical information, to get a glimpse of a place I'd normally not be in, and to just enjoy it for what it is - paid for or not. The tours are (usually) fantastic opportunities to check out a place.

You know what it all reminds me of? That expectation that a customer pays for something and they expect to get what they paid for; unfortunately, I think too many people have a preconceived notion that if they pay for a ghost tour, they had better see a ghost! /blink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I think many people confuse a paid ghost "hunting" excursion with a paid ghost "tour." There IS a difference, the former being that your group pays to investigate a place by yourself for a specific time limit, and a tour is just that - a tour.

Caveat Emptor, as the saying goes; do your homework before going on a "tour," but in no way should you expect it to be a ghost "hunt" where you can actually spend time doing what you see on television; these are usually meant to bring in extra money for the preservation of the place (or greed, whichever you prefer).

Regardless, they need the money to continue their business. Any of these paying places will not give you the 100% "clean" environment you need to conduct an investigation. Earlier in the conversation we mentioned that they are good "grounds" for practicing or for people who don't get the opportunity to be involved with the industry much to see the inside of the places you'd only see on TV. Nothing wrong with that.

Caveat Emptor, as the saying goes; do your homework before going on a "tour," but in no way should you expect it to be a ghost "hunt" where you can actually spend time doing what you see on television; these are usually meant to bring in extra money for the preservation of the place (or greed, whichever you prefer).

Remember that most people who go are those that are basically weekend warriors. Many may not be too grounded in the science of ghost hunting. Most are just those wanting stories to tell back at the office on Monday. Armed with a camera and a flashlight they take everything at face value. This is what the business is gunning for. There are risks in everything. My group debunked some stuff when we were at the Myrtles, stuff that they were reporting as caused by ghosts. In most cases it doesn't take much to figure the stuff out.

There are some groups who won't touch these places. They might think of them as being under their abilities to investigate. Others will take what they can get.