Now about "preying" on IMG situation. I guess this is the same as saying that grocery stores prey on human physiology. As in any business we do charge more than we spend. But this margin is really small. Faxing is extremelly expensive.
Your grocery store analogy is stretching it a bit, don't you think?
Perhaps I was a bit harsh in using the term "preying" but the fact of the matter is that businesses such as yours do cater to the fear that IMGs/FMGs feel about the match and imply that the user will be more successful in obtaining a position by using your expensive services.
I did look at the web site and while yes, it sounds great that they'll get yur application out to every program with an open spot, this begs the questions:
1) do you really WANT ANY open spot
2) it is not clear that they FAX or mail them
3) again, its not something that MOST can't do on their own
FAXes are expensive if you have to go to Kinkos or some other commercial business to use them. Most FMGs/IMGs should have access to a FAX machine in their medical school or someplace else where it is free or a minimal charge. Libraries charge much less than a commercial business.
Besides, FAXing is not a particularly efficient manner of getting your application to programs - whether the hit rate is 5% or 25%. After watching the FAX machine and phone go crazy at my former residency program, all for a PRELIM spot, I can tell you that the FAXes run out of paper soon and no one bothers to replace it, phones are placed on answering machine, etc.
Even more important is the implication that getting your application to a program within 60 minutes or even the first day makes a difference. It does not, especially if you have a less than stellar application or are applying to programs which don't traditionally take FMGs/IMGs - your application may go straight into the trash without ever having been reviewed.
Programs, especially competitive ones, do not make a decision about filling those empty spots at the drop of the hat. If they are simply looking for a body to fill the spot, sure...you might get a phone interview and an invitation. But many find that they still have to come out for interviews or don't have contact for days. It takes awhile for the program coordinator and director to go through thousands of pages from hundreds of FAXes.
Finally, it costs very little to scan a CV, transcript, and write a cover letter which can be converted into a PDF file and emailed to programs. Frankly, its often more appreciated - you don't waste our FAX paper (we can look at the application on line, etc.) and decide whether or not to print it out, and are not forced to move out of the office while the FAX machine and phone go crazy.
Anyway, you asked for advice or thoughts on these services and I gave them...you and those affiliated with such businesses are entitled to a different, equally valid, opinion.
