if you go solo it's not too bad they will walk you through everything and only steal a small amount of money. If you want to actually visit Laos they will be confused because 99% of people get the stamp and turn around and go back. You will be the 1 millionth customer it is very smooth.
further, what they can and what they WILL do are not the same. If they are "jungle people" like my family they are so used to getting fucked over they don't even try to defend themselves.