Thats a sensible attitude flyboy.
Although, if you want to steer clear of 'scams' then sims may not be the way either. Most schools that offer the IR with 35 hours in the sim are just as expensive if not more than those who offer the whole 55 hours in the A/C. So they were over priced in the first place!
I wouldn't be surprised to find that these simulator courses rise in cost too. Completely unjustifiable, but what can you do? It has happened before.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
You seem to have your head screwed on and I'm sure you'll choose well.
EK