I too am struggling with this decision, i have been researching for a couple of weeks now on which course i should do.
My origional plan was a home learn as i have 3 little-ones to take care of and hubbies job comes first, so i'm not able to travel at the moment.
Then i found a salon quite locally which seamed to offer the ideal solution - Local, individual courses or foundation course, the right qualification etc. I am currently waiting for their prospectus. But in another thread i got the impression that those in the know, were maybe sending out warning vibes on the whole salon based course (although prob just me being paranoid).
I know Creative is highly reccommended here but as they were my first point of contact and had nothing in my area i'm afraid at this point they are not for me (maybe in the future).
But i want to get started now.
Another point of view here seams to be product company courses but i think this leaves me with the same problem as with Creative. So i am now well and truely confused.
And still stuck between home learn or salon. I can totally forsee the problems with home learn, not having a tutor right there to help you see where you may be going wrong, but at least you have the time to practice amd perfect.
My main isssue is the qualification you gain at the end and if they are recognised widely within the industry.
Sorry to nab your thread but i imagine these are the issues felt by many newbies just starting out.
Rant over