Having read a very clear and concise post from PPRuNe Towers above I was disappointed at his blinkered view of Sales & Marketing. Before I continue further I make it known that I am in this field with a FTO.
I started training for my ATPL in 1999. I have been with my present company for 18 months. I deal with a variety of enquiries from all over the world. Everyone is different.
I am obviously employed to bring customers to my company, however I do not wish to be tarred with the same brush that seems that Towers seems to be brandishing.
I may have only had a relatively short time in the Industry but I have seen good, bad and ugly.
I try to give impartial advice taking from my own experience and knowledge of others experiences. The CAA/JAA is a mine field for the un initiated and I try to guide wanabes through the pitfalls along the way (of which there are many). I am still learning myself and I do not profess to know everything (anyone who does you should definitely be dubious about) but I do endeavour to seek the answer from a number of different resources at my disposal.
There are a number of people out there who are only out to take your money, who do not care about the service or product they provide. You should always be wary (with that I agree) however make an informed choice. Always visit more than one school and always look into the variety of options. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and everyone always wants to give you advice. Listen, filter out the good from the bad, and make your own decision. PPRuNe is an excellent resource but the clue is in the name (Professional Pilots RUMOUR Network). People posting as students at FTO's may only have knowledge and experience of that FTO so they cannot make comparisons in training quality only comments on their personal training experience. There are also imposters on here who do not make it clear that they have a financial interest in persuading you one way or another. There are theives, rogues and vagabonds in any industry!
As Towers said
Finally, I've been flying since 1975 and I will tell you this for free. In your journey through flight training you will be very lucky if you even meet 5 people in FTO's with integrity and no other thought than helping you. With a very few honourable and legendary exceptions they will be career flying and ground instructors with no say in sales, marketing, premises or equipment.
You have to choose which bracket the people you meet along the way fall into. But don't judge us all on our job title.