what are your suggestions

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by ald07 on Feb 21, 2004

Yes

[Gator]

... in response to what are your suggestions, posted by jim c on Feb 21, 2004

Are YOU starting the business or will this be a Colombian SA?  Becareful if you fail to follow ALL Colombian government requirements for foreigners starting businesses in Colombia.  If you don't someone who owns a "legitimate" agency will turn you over in a New York minute.

Happened to a friend of mine from West Palm Beach a few years ago. Had to sell to a shell SA but it cost hm big $$$$

A la orden,

Gator

[JSlo]

... in response to Re: what are your suggestions, posted by Gator on Feb 21, 2004

I have a similar story to relate. My first trip to Colombia was in part to create a web presence for an older gringo that wanted to get started in the agency business. To make a long story short, someone turned him in (he thought it was an agency owner). In addition to his home being raided and computer and photos being confiscated, he went to jail and had to pay quite a bit to get out. He chose not to continue in the biz once cleared. Moral: make sure all ducks are in a row before proceeding.

[mar33]

... in response to Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by JSlo on Feb 21, 2004

JSlo,
     Are you saying your friend had only wanted to create a website before starting an agency and he was raided? Why is that? What were the charges?

[JSlo]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by mar33 on Feb 22, 2004

He was offering introduction services before he attempted to put up a website. I believe he was charged the equivalent of operating without a license.

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by JSlo on Feb 21, 2004

What agency are you referring too?

[Gator]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by Cali James on Feb 21, 2004

I assume you are talking about the "other"agency in Colimbia-I don't think he was ever told who dropped a dime on him.

[Cali James]

... in response to Unknown, posted by Gator on Feb 21, 2004


No, I'm talking about the older guy with the agency, what was his agency's name?

[JimmySTLOUIS]

... in response to what are your suggestions, posted by jim c on Feb 21, 2004

Hi

I am curious about the agency business as well. I always have my nose in ten diffrent business ventures.

I never really used the agency much in Peru (matchingsys.com)

I only spent like $75 with them on-line. Once I started writing the girl I am with now, I was done.

Do most agencies do most of their business with the guys showing up wanting to meet 20 hot chicks?
It seems like I Love Latins really promotes the tours and looks more like a party tour agency. That Sam guys really is a promotions guru.

I would think that most agencies make the bulk of their money selling e-mails. (?)

I would think that an agency ran by a couple (that met the same way) would be a good idea. I think you would have to live in the country where the girls are though.
How else would you really screen the girls?
As far as making a ton of money I dont really see that. But making 10-12 grand a year down there is not too bad.

Have a good trip

TE AMO PERU!!!!!

Jim

[Cali James]

... in response to what are your suggestions, posted by jim c on Feb 21, 2004


The agency business is tough to make a profit in.  I think the one's that have been successful long term in Cali are the ones that have learned to keep their costs down and have stable management and ownership.  Latin Best and Latin Encounters would be an example of this.  Gringos as a whole haven't been too successful at running agencies.  Part of this may be absentee ownership but certainly not all of it.

This whole adventure ain't cheap.  Anyone who's been at this a few years or has married a Colombian can testify to this.  You need at least a 50 to 75 grand salary to even to begin thinking about going down this road.  There are expenses at every turn and most of the guys who end up married put up 30 to 50k getting there.  With all the costs involved, you'd think the agency would be the biggest winner.  Well no, the agency isn't and in my case only got about 2 or 3 percent of my little adventure's costs. (I remember paying Bud $700 the first week I ever spent in Cali and then for the next three years I probably spent about that again.  I met my wife after paying Latin Best only $80 for a weeks worth of appointments at the agency.)

I don't know if my experience is unique but once you've made a trip or two, the agency turns out to be the least expensive cost you have.  This makes the agency a tough business.  To survive you need to either run a no frills very tight business or cater to first timers and tours.  

I think a useful service might be someone who acts as a sort of personal assistant/broker through the adventure.  Perhaps an American with a Colombian wife, someone living there in Colombia who knows the adventure inside and out, the agencies, understands both cultures and can kind of hand hold the newbie through all the hoops.  The agencies don't really provide this level of service.  This service probably wouldn't be for everyone and I'm not sure it would even sell.

[Calipro]

... in response to what are your suggestions, posted by jim c on Feb 21, 2004

I think the thing that bothers guys the most is when their appointments don't show up. I really think the women should give the agency a call if they can't make it so the guy doesn't waste his time waiting around when he could be with another girl.

I'll tell you the agencies that show me pictures of beautiful women get my money and if the women show up to the appointments they get my money again and again. Nobody can guarantee that the women are going to fall in love with you but if the agency can't show me something I'm really interested in, they won't get past square one.

I would rather be turned down by a few very attractive women than meet a 100 average women that were dying to meet me.

If you want the calipros to join your agency you have to have the hot ones. I really don't care how insincere somebody thinks they maybe. If they are hot and not in a commited relationship, I say bring them on. Just give me 30 minutes of their undivided attention and if they can walk away so be it.

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: what are your suggestions, posted by Calipro on Feb 21, 2004

Wayne,
 I agree.  The key to a successful agency is to have all obviously attractive women.  Some agencys believe that a large elaborate facility will be a draw.  If I wanted that I would simply drive to Vegas and check in at the "Venetian"
All you need is scores of marriage minded obviously attractive women and the gringos will come.  If the women are average then the agency success will suffer.  Did you ever notice the best looking gals are always on the homepage (and are usually married by the way).  The office can just be a small office.  Service was another point.  All the agency needs is to make sure obviously attractive women show up to meet you.  If you pull this off Jim C can get away with being grumpy.  The gringos came to meet the women not the "wonderful" staff. I think traveler had the right idea with his calicita agency.  All (thats right ALL) the girls were obviously attractive.  When an agency does this, and the agency will make mucho dinero.

[beenthere]

... in response to Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by HeyNow on Feb 24, 2004

HeyNow,
I agree, but there is one problem, all of these attractive women are going to get bored and disappointed with the gringos. Most of the very attractive agency women that I've known have always complained to me about the quality (not quantity) of gringos who make the trip.  Again, this is not me talking, but the girls.  The very attractive women eventually get tired of going out with gringos that don't meet THEIR expectations, so they drop out of the agency.  Of course, the majority of agency owners keep these women in their albums or web-pages as "bait", even if the girls ask that their pictures be removed.
When I saw traveler's website with the calicita agency, I knew it wouldn't work, because there are just not enough gringos going to Cali that would meet those girls' expectations........maybe one or two, but not enough to keep the flow of girls going to the agency to join.
The agency business is difficult and is something I wouldn't want to undertake.

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: what are your suggestions, posted by beenthere on Feb 24, 2004

Beenthere,
Excellent point!  I guess I didn't think of that perspective.  The ideal gringo for these gals would be a handsome 40 year old.  In reality there aren't that many of these guys going south.  During my last trip I met a 40 year old guy that married a 19 year old.  Neither had a problem with the age difference.  He claimed that eventually the MOB option will become mainstream.  What are your thought on that?

[beenthere]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: what are your suggestion..., posted by HeyNow on Feb 24, 2004

I think the MOB option is certainly more "mainstream" than it was 5 years ago, and I don't see it fizzling out any time soon.  The age difference you described above is no big deal, that is, if the girl is mature enough to handle it.
I think what many on this board who are seeking should strive for is:  learn the language, the culture, the music.  Become more latino, but still stay a gringo (if that makes sense). Then you won't have to be so dependent on the agencies and you can broaden your horizons and meet so many more interesting women.