Remember, folks, if a training vendor refuses to give you details about what they are offering and only boasts their pass rates, it's probably too good to be true or it's something shady.

Any reputable training vendor should be able to pass "the sniff test" which means the following:

- If they provide rack rentals, they should be able to share the topology if it's legitimate or non-NDA breaking. For example, INE does a great job of that here:

http://labs.ine.com/workbook/view/rs-rack-rental-v5/

- If they provide workbooks, they should be able to provide the book outline or table of contents. For example, see what Micronics Training does here: https://micronicstraining.com/product/mastering-asa-firewall/

- They should not become defensive when you ask questions about their content or lack of details on their website. Sometimes vendors may take some time to update their site but their reaction to lash out if you question it is telling. You have a right to ask what is being provided before you pay for the training. Anyone who pushes back isn't worth doing business with.

- If Skype or traveling to a foreign country is the only means in which they will share information about their course, run. Any legitimate company should be able to share information via a form of communication that can't be easily deleted. If they have something to say about their course, make sure they say it via e-mail and not a chat where they can't delete their own messages.

- If a company guarantees you will pass an expert-level certification, run. Either they're going to take your money and run or there's something shady going on. Some companies like Micronics or others will allow you to retake a course until you pass but I haven't seen a reputable company guarantee a pass or your money back. Since most people don't pass the CCIE on the first try regardless of which vendor they go with, there would be no profit margin for them if they're constantly having to refund people due to them failing if they are a legitimate company.

- If a requirement of you using them is that they have full rights to post your CCIE number and take credit for it, keep away from that. INE, IPExpert, Micronics, and so many other vendors make it optional and incentive you to let them use that information. Often times when you're studying for a CCIE, you'll find yourself using multiple vendors or finding a much better training vendor later. Don't find yourself forced to put your name/reputation with a company that was less-than-ethical because you tried them at some point.