Q.  Do they tell you the price over the phone?  If not, hang up!  Big warning flag-high pressure sales tactics in use! It's an old sales tactic and once they've got you in and depending on how you answer some financial questions, the price can typically range from $395.00 to $895.00, sometimes up to $1500.  Also, many schools have "Hidden Fees" added if you feel the need for extra practice time past the 2-week program, extra books, glass breakage, etc...  (See Our Comparison of Bartending Schools & Fees-located 1/2 way down on the Home Page.)   PCBS will always tell you anything and everything over the phone and will never hide or add anything else to your Tuition! 

Q. What Is The Difference Between PCBS and All The Other Schools? 
A.   I could join the rest of the crowd and list a dozen slick, manipulative; sales oriented reasons, but would rather get right to the core reason.  It’s not a question of what, but why – It’s the 20+ years of passion I have for the bartending profession.  The opportunities it has given me & the desire to share those opportunities with you.  I Dare to Care!  Yes, I’m in business to make a profit, but only if I can help you out at the same time.  I don’t try and tell you what I think you want to hear in order to persuade you to part with your money.  I’d rather share what has worked for me and  enjoy watching it work for you. 
It’s literally that simple...I LOVE TO SHARE...Watch my video clips & see the difference!

Q. How many students in each class?  Many schools have an 'Unlimited' enrollment.  Find out how many stations the school has & how many students are accepted for each class.  Then do the math...If they have 6 stations & have 30 students enrolled, you are sharing your station with 4 other students and are literally being cheated out of your  time to practice and become comfortable & confident in your new bartending skills.  We limit the enrollment to 12 students, 6 students per class - so each student is guaranteed their own station for the utmost time to practice and develop your skills, but if you still feel the need for more time...No worries...stay as long as you like...&  It's free!

Q.  How do they advertise?  Are they asking would you like to make $100, $200, $300 a day -Who wouldn't!...or advertise in the jobs want ads!  These are common and unfortunatly very effective, motivational sales techniques driving the student into action to buy - without relying on their caution or research!  Also, ask to review the contract...if they are more of a business than a school - they have contracts stating that after you complete 50% of the class but decide bartending is not for you - You STill Owe It All!  PCBS only charges for the time you've spent in class - 50% = 50%! 

Q.  Can you visit a class in session?Be careful on this one - All schools love to have possible students visit.  Some because it gives a chance to apply the high pressure sales tactics-others because it gives us a chance to show & for you to see a comfortable, professional, learning atmosphere.

Q. Why Not On-line Courses or “On The Job” training verses Schooling?
A.   How can someone learn a "Hands On" occupation without any real equipment!?   Now if you have access to that equipment and all you need to do is practice and memorize.  Then, online can be adequate - but nothing beats "Hands On" for learning and retaining.  “On the Job” training is not uncommon, but can be very time consuming, stressful, confusing, unforgiving of mistakes and sadly enough more often than not – an atmosphere of an unwillingness to share all ones years of learned techniques and knowledge – fearing if one teaches all they know they may be replaced.  These pressures and atmosphere are not welcomed, accepted or tolerated at PCBS.  Making the transfer of knowledge much easier to learn and apply.  PCBS's teaching is we give you a template to the most common methods & best tasting recipes that are being served.  This template gives you the flexibility to adjust & not just learn to pour one way as you might learn being "On the Job." trained.  We all know that many establishments have different ratio's depending on their clientele.  Therefore, with a template, you can easily, accurately and confidently add or take away to fashion drinks specifically for your patrons demands. 

Q. Do they claim to have an abundance of jobs or guarantee jobs?    Another warning flag! 
A.  Beware of those who make big promises like "never without job leads or guarantee jobs-these are more sales tactics!  As you know, job offers are unpredictable - so how can anyone promise you'll never be without job leads!  Obviously, we will keep giving every lead we can get to you & when PCBS doesn't have any to give - we work on our networking to drum up jobs for you.  But PCBS will not lure you with these misleading promises.  Even when I have more job offers than graduates - I still can't know what the manager is thinking- so how can I promise or guarantee you those jobs!  I can't and won't...The best I can do is inform you of those opportunities and promise to make sure you are readily trained.  Anything else is just a con to get your money! 

Q.  What are their credintials?Are they a member of the Better Buisness Bureau and if not why not!  Do they display their Letter of Authorization & School Code Number as a School Registered with the State of CA Bureau of Private and Postsecondary Education?  If not they are most likely just registered as a business & not bound by the laws & regulations of our state bureau.  Literally translated....if they scam you-you have very little recourse to fight back!  What are the instructors credintials...many unreputable schools hire students as teachers who have never even been behind a real bar.

Q. Do you use real alcohol?
A.  No and for those who make light of the use of colored waters verses real alcohol, let me be the first to enlighten them on PCBS's in house special mixes!  Almost without exception have our colored waters been mistaken for the real thing by adding just the right amount of colors, thickeners, foaming agents, etc!  Three very important reasons PCBS has chosen to do this...    1.By not using real alcohols, I can reduce the price drastically!  2.  It gives you a much larger selection of the different brands of alcohol bottles to use & get comfortable with.  3.Then the biggest reason of all and my promise to you.  My course will set you up for successand that success can be said in one word..."Repetition" Your learning, both physically & mentally, is tremendously enhanced by enabling you to become very accurate and confident with your abilities by literally pouring hundreds of drinks over & over again.  Try doing that with real alcohol!  Not something practiced or even suggested without becoming very, very expensive!  The only difference between you & an experienced bartender is that they have had that chance to pour frequently!

Q. Do you have to be certified to become a bartender?    No! Many have learned by the school of hard knocks.  Vocational schools, technical trade schools, career programs, seminars, colleges and universities have always been a very viable and typically reliable resource for training.   To actually get certified shows a prospective employer your dedication and becomes an easy way to verify credintials and test scores in order to make a logical decision of whom to hire.  It often gives the establishment a lower insurance rate also when hiring state certified graduates.  Just make sure the school has the credentials, staff, tools & equipment and the curriculum you desire.

Q. Is it really necassary to learn 150 drinks?
A.  No doubt you have read or heard that many bartenders only pour about 40-75 different drinks.  That may be true if that bartender has never ventured outside of their one type of establishment.  If you were to learn the minimum standard 40 drinks at your neighborhood bar then got hired at a nightclub which added another 25 shooters to your list.  Then got a job at a beachfront bar-which again added another 35 exotic drinks-do you see where I'm going with this?  Then you apply at a 5 star hotel where another 35 dessert and 25 upscale cocktails are made - you are already at 160 drinks - minimum!   Therefore, we teach you 150, in order to give you a much broader knowledge of cocktails that allows you to have as many possible job opportunity choices, ranging from neighborhood bars to the 5 star hotels.   When lacking experience, knowledge becomes your power.  That gives you the confidence to start convincing managers to take a chance on you.

Q. Does PCBS or any course or school really train you to be a professional bartender? 
A.   Let’s stop and talk realistically for a moment.  All the schools and courses that talk about making you a professional bartender in 1 or 2 weeks or even overnight - is misunderstood, some even misleading.  All we can do as a fully set up training facility is provide the tools & methods to have you pour accurately and remember popular drinks needed to perform your job in a “professional” manner.  Give you techniques on how to efficiently multi-task and suggestions on how to handle difficult situations all with a “professional” attitude.  Whether you can sustain that professionalism for a prolonged period of time is what makes you a “professional” bartender.  That is why owners/managers desire “experienced” personnel.  They have a proven track record that can be depended upon.  But that doesn’t mean they won’t give you a chance right out of school.  Your personality, the schools track record and the confidence and professionalism you display in your abilities from the classroom will be extremely valuable.

PCBS looks forward to working with you and providing dependable, service oriented, fun loving bartenders.

Cheers,
John Rickman
Owner/Director
Pacific Coast Bartenders School