Latin Encounters: Just my own curiosity.

[Traveller]

Does anyone know what the deal is with their website?
"Account for domain latinencounters.com has been suspended"
Just curious because the webmaster for that site did some major re-vamping of the site. Shame to see all that work went for nothing.
Like I said, just curious.

[Pete E]

... in response to Latin Encounters: Just my own curiosity., posted by Traveller on Dec 25, 2004

I was waiting for the principals involved to anounce it but a weeks mystery here is enough.
I asked Margarteh why her web site was down.The first answer,because I am no longer in the agency business.
Apparently the agency was sold to a guy who opened an office accross the street from the intercontinental hotel.The phones ring there now.She said the guy was changing the server or something like that and the new site would be up Friday.
I'm no web site guru like some off you guys but am under the impression the old site doesn't need to be down for much time if you have the new one ready to go.I told Margareth the guy is really screwing up with the web site down at this time of year with so many gringos here or coming here.Doesn't show alot of savy about the realities of the business.She just sort of said its his problem.
Margareth said she will keep the big  Ingenio house untill February when her lease is up,then move to a smaller placewhile waiting for her spousal visa she hopes to get in April,then move to Florida.She said she would be at my party last night but we didn't see her,I was hoping for more imformation.
Bruce that owns TLC was here.He said the number of guys coming in the last few years is way down and the agencies are fighting over the few guys with the balls to get on a plane.He said he used to think if he talked to a group of 100 guys he could get 20 to come.Now he thinks its like 3.
Funny,just when its alot safer here.And I doubt the US woman situation is better.Just lots of guys content to fantisize and watch porno and never get on a f--king plane??
Or just give up,its too risky,scary,expensive,my family and friends think its crazy-- fill in the blanks?

Pete

[wayne3]

... in response to OK  -  The story, posted by Pete E on Dec 26, 2004

Been married to a girl I met at Margareth's for 3 years.  We are happy.  I know many guys that found love at Margareth's.  She is a really good person and took great care of me.  We butted heads a little over some trivial misunderstanding, but overall it was the time of my life.  Running an agency can't be easy and I have to give her alot of credit for pulling it off for so long.  Having the patience to deal with some of the wackos that go down there.  You wouldn't believe the stories of guys that haven't been honest and showed up....in various states.  Losing Margareth is a loss to the agency scene, and I am personally sad to see her go.

Rod

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: OK  -  The story, posted by wayne3 on Dec 28, 2004

Not only is Margareth my friend but she introduced me to my number one girl friend.Just from sheer numbers she had probably the most successfull agency in Colombia.
And some other agencies are calling themselves the most successfull agency in Colombia with probably not 50 gringos ever showing up.And Zero successfull relationships we have heard of.Even INITIALLY successfull,as in even a serious relationship out of it.
My guess is Margareth is probably directly responsible for more marriages than any other person in LATIN AMERICA.
Luz Amparo has done well here also,but my bet is on Margareth for numbers.

Pete

[NW Jim]

... in response to OK  -  The story, posted by Pete E on Dec 26, 2004

Pete, interesting insight from Bruce, was he just talking about how hard it is to get guys to go to Cali or latin america in general?  It's kinda surprising given the number of agencies in Cali that he still runs two tour a year there. Maybe guys are realizing that TLC doesn't add much value in Cali as opposed to say going on a tour to Panama City or another place without a lot of agencies.

I would guess that a weak US economy continues to hamper lots of guys who might be interested. Many of guys up this way that got laid off by Boeing and the dot.coms are slowly finding work, but usually for a lot less pay.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: OK  -  The story, posted by NW Jim on Dec 26, 2004

Bruce was talking about to all of Latin America I believe.
I can understand Cali declining if other places are attracting more guys.But I don't think that is the whole explanation.And things like airfare and peso rates will make a difference,but I think its just not that many guys being interested enough to overcome their fears,family and friend objections and basic tendency to lurk in life vs living it.If the will is there,the other obstacles are no big deal usually.First you have to want it enough to give it a priority in life.To me its a shame guys living alone not being happy.Life is too short.I have a little postcard.Its a dog on a motorcycle.Its says "Grab life by the throttle and never look back."What is life for?Why not have that woman you want instead of all the f--king excuses why you do not?And if it doesn't work,you learned.Go from there.I wish some of my lessons didn't cost me so much money,but thats part of the lesson.Maybe I shoould be more concerned with time.Life is short and things like health are not guaranteed.One of my friendswho comes here is a financial planner.He encouters lots of people who are in the quandry retire now or with more money later.He tends to encourage now.He has seen too many couples plan and save,then one or both die  or lose their health.Got to remember that clock on the wall.
One trip here is usually suficient to make a guy a beliver who will keep at it,in one city or another untill he finds what he wants.And if it doesn't work,back again.Thats my approach.The only question to me is which city in Latin America.For me,right now,its Cali.But I am intrieged by Medellin.

Pete

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: OK  -  The story, posted by NW Jim on Dec 26, 2004

Without looking for any deals or anything, I found the following prices to different cities in South America through "Cheap Tickets." R/T Departing LAX. Dates: Jan 27th - Mar. 28th.
Cali - $818
Buenos Aires - $851
Lima - $618
San Jose, CR - $395
Caracas - $497
I am wondering if this isn't a factor concerning going to Cali. Cali, generally is one of the most expensive flights if you are NOT originating out of Miami. I am also wondering if more and more "Newbies" are finding alternative locations to Cali. Bruce has confirmed it that less guys are going down to Cali. This is for various reasons including safety and price of flight. I mean, it's only $33 more to fly to Buenos Aires and it's twice as far as Cali. Perhaps, guys want more of a vacation on the limited amount of time they have and Cali doesn't look as appealing any more as to say, Caracas or San Jose.
Now this is just specualtion on my part; If you go to South America, don't you expect to pay South American prices instead of American prices? Now I understand that the agencies are providing a service and they can charge what they want. But, about 3 months ago, I compared a week long trip to CaliVIP versus a week long trip to Hawaii. The trip to Hawaii was cheaper with roundtrip airfare and hotel than just the lodging and service at CaliVIP (Originating from LAX).  I'm not bagging on CaliVIP, just pointing out the difference in price for a potential vacation option.  Add to this the loss of cutomers to TLC's tours. What is it? $1,000 plus you pay for your hotel and your airfare. That's defintley going to be higher than that trip to Hawaii. Like I said, I'm not bagging on these guys for the price. In these case, I believe you are getting what you pay for, but that's because I am not a new guy to the marriage agency business.
Many people will say you don't have to pay and you don't have to go. Well, that's kind of my point. Guys apparently aren't willing to pay that much any longer and along with the other issues of security and whatever else there might be, the new Gringo guy looking for a Calena might be declining. Not to metion, the US dollar doesn't go as far as it used to. What's the peso down to now, 2,340 now or something. Oh, how I long for the day of 2,900 pesos again.
There is perhaps another reason. There are now three agencies who have screwed their customers with the all powerful Life Time Membership. Connecton, Aspiring Latin Models Inc, and now Encounters.I think that might have left a bad taste in some people's mouth. Not to mention all the crap that went on a few years ago about agencies accusing each other of having prostitutes in their agency. Come on, give me a break! If we haven't figured that one out by now, we got no business visiting Cali. A few here, a few there. Who can tell? But, I think people who read the board at that time, but never went to Cali might have gotten a bad idea of how it really was in Cali.
So, what is the reason less guys are finding the joy of Cali? Economics, Security, or something else?
Just bored,
K
PS: Boston Legal Rules! Denny Crane!

[harleyman]

... in response to OK  -  The story, posted by Pete E on Dec 26, 2004

I wonder if all the guys that got suckered into buying "lifetime memberships" at Latin Encounters will get burned like the thousands of Latin Connection members that got screwed by Ed Beckwith.
The writing was on the wall at LE, Margareth was posting false profiles to get the guys in the door, those type of business practices always come to an end.
To all the newbies, NEVER buy a membership at an agency, if they will not negotiate a daily or weekly rate stay the hell away.
Just my $.02 worth of advice.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: OK  -  The story, posted by harleyman on Dec 26, 2004

I don't know of any false profiles Margarth has posted.I have seen people knocking her in general but never any specifics other than women not being available now,which can happen any time with all of them.This is just one option in their life.And she has 1000 girls.Does she really need to play games to keep one on the site?I think anybody talking about it should give specifics.I never saw a story that didn't have an explanation.
And,I cringe at Margareth being mentioned in the same context as Ed Beckwith.Now there you have a whole different type of character.He used to come on to defend himself and just came off as such an a--hole it was counter productive.
About "lifetime memberships".I always thought that a bad idea.You never know how  long a company will be around.I belonged to a gym trying to sell me one one time.I didn't go for it.They went under in a year.A year out is about as far out as anyone should plan,and if your not coming back for a year a bad idea.I would tend to deal for the here and now,this trip.Plus you hope to meet someone soon and not need them anymore,which is more possible the better the agency you use.
Sometimes a new business will honor old memberships.I doubt there is any law in Colombia to help here but it would be good jesture by the new owner.
Deal for the here and now is my advice.Don't get sold something you probably won't need and might not be available.For guys staying here we talk options and it comes down to 2 agencies,at least for guys who don't want to pay lots of money for a few introductions,but also actually have some introductions.
It will be interesting to see what the guy who bought LA comes up with.He has the best data base in Cali to work with.

Pete

[OkieMan]

... in response to OK  -  The story, posted by Pete E on Dec 26, 2004

Hey Pete,

 Since you talked to Bruce with TLC, I am curious about why he never started an actual agency in Colombia?  It would seem to be a natural.  I am not too hot on the idea of going on one of his tours.  That seems to be a poor substitute for an agency headquartered in Colombia.  I also prefer the one-on-one introductions, rather than a "cattle call" type arrangement  with one of those tours.  I have his tape and it shows some highlights of his tours.  It might be for some people, but not for me.  Anyway, I hope that these agencies can stay afloat.  The worst thing would be for most if not all of them to go "belly up".  Since I don't speak spanish, and don't live there, the agencies are the best way for me to meet the latinas.  Give me your opinion on the status and overall condition of the other agencies down there.  Thanks.

                                 OkieMan

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: OK  -  The story, posted by OkieMan on Dec 26, 2004

I don't think Bruce has any interest in starting an agency in Colombia.I think he has a better deal going.
I have always thought the tours very expensive for what you get and never even wanted to be in a room with 300 women.I prefer one to one citas with women I choose to meet.
But I will give him credit for introducing alot of new guys to the opportunities to meet women in latin america.
I am still amazed so few guys take advantage of this as bad as things are for guys in the states.And with the internet it is no secret any longer.Maybe someone needs to runs adds on porno sites.Tired of j--king off?Want to find
an attractive real woman?
Whatever.I guess it keeps it better for the guys willing to come here.

Pete

[Gary Bala]

... in response to Re: Re: OK  -  The story, posted by Pete E on Dec 27, 2004

[This message has been edited by Gary Bala]

Please allow me a brief additional comment along the lines
of your last thoughts.

I would like to see more US gentlemen consider romance
and marriage options in LA. Having helped many couples
with the visa process over the years, I know (as most of us
do) that LA offers a world of possibilities for meeting,
courting and marrying a lady who is younger, prettier,
sweeter of disposition, and with more traditional values
than what is available to most guys back home.

No matter what country or city one chooses (though some
locations are probably better suited for finding one type
of lady vs. another), and no matter whether one chooses
to attend a romance tour, or visit an introduction agency, or use
correspondence or letter writing, or just peruse a matchmaking
website, or even just bump into her in the grocery line
at the local Super Ley or Carulla, more guys would have
more choices and possibilities if they lifted their sights beyond
their short horizon of singles bars and friends' local parties,
and dare to take action. As Woody Allen said once, "98% of life
is just showing up."

As for us, the truth is that the band of us gringos who travel
to LA for romance, fun and adventure is really a
very small percentage of the total "singles" population
at large. Two conclusions flow from that truth, in my mind.

First, we should all make an effort to stick together in these
and other chat forums, and avoid being irritated and even
sometimes hostile with each other, even if we happen to
disagree about something. We all have something in common,
the world of LA, which separates us from singles at large.
Second, we are all - each of us - an ambassador so to
speak, for the LA romance option and experience, especially
the married guys among us. The more we tell and show our friends,
the circle gets bigger, the vision moves higher.

A pebble thrown into a pond creates only a single ripple.
But many pebbles thrown into the pond can make a wave
that could make a difference, maybe one day even a tsunami.

Good luck to all in 2005.

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: OK  -  The story, posted by Gary Bala on Dec 27, 2004

Gary, nice post. well said. i will be in MDE in early Jan. also may try to get to San Andres

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: OK  -  The story, posted by Gary Bala on Dec 27, 2004

and created one hell of a tsunami.  I don't think you could have selected a more untimely metaphor if you tried.  

[doombug]

... in response to apparently alot of gringos were throwing..., posted by Malandro on Dec 27, 2004

EXACTLY!  I was thinking the very same thing as I was reading his post.

He got fooled by a little subconscious trickery of the mind, and used a word recently tossed out in the media.