As I am from Glasgow, work for AIEP and joined them in Beijing in Feb (the same time, place and people as you describe, I was there and met). I am upset at the least that you would include me in your post (I'm guessing you must mean me). I have been with the company now for 10 months and have had a great time here. My pay is good and always on time, I live exactly where they advertised, my accomodation is 1st class and I am left to teach according to my rules, the school is nice and they have bent over backwards to help me. I came here through an awful company (chinaesl) who left me homeless and penniless in Beijing after me flying here for a job that didn't exist. AIEP, despite not having a vacancy at the time, paid for my hotel and living expenses for 3 weeks until the position I wanted became available.
I do however remember the most beligerant, rude. angry, awful man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. Despite living in China previously he had no understanding of working in China and hadn 't so much as googled the town he had applied to work in. I really cant understand people who come here and are then surpised at what they find. It only take a little homework. There are companies out there who will take you for everything and leave you for dead, I've been there, but AIEP is not one of them. So please do not involve me in any petty arguments over a company you spent less than 1 day with.