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After 5.5 months in Ukraine last year and a previous trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg doing socials with EC, I was approached by a few people who discussed the possibility of starting an agency which would operate in a more effective manner.
Socials are entertaining, amusing, interesting but not always the best way to meet a prospective mate. And they can be expensive when the total cost is added up. That type of party environment is not for everyone, and at some socials hosted by the major companies, it seems they will let any lady in the door with no knowledge of her background, intent, or interest. And most of the agencies place only a tiny bit of information about ladies in their catalog, and often it is just something like "I seek a Western man for marriage"
Some of the comments I heard from girls at socials: "Not enough men", "The men were too old","I feel like I am in a zoo". Some came from long distances and spoke to no-one, or donned their best clothes only to be ignored. The young and pretty girls got most of the attention.
Some of the comments from the men: "There are so many I don't know where to start", "The girls are too young for me","I don't know what to say to them".
I have often seen men surrounded by all of the ladies in a large room with the music blasting, standing together having a drink while trying to get up enough nerve to speak to someone, or waiting for someone to come over and speak to them.
In addition, sometimes you will see someone on the street and she will REALLY get your attention, but most likely will not speak English, and will not speak to a total stranger who approaches her.
So I would like to ask the readers for their constructive input. How can meeting Eastern European women be made more effective for both parties? What do you think would be effective in this endeavor?
What problems do you see that should be avoided when in those countries? How could the whole process be made easier, more efficient.
Personally I have spent too much time and money on women there, getting to know something about them, only to find after an expensive night out on the town that we are not for each other.
So I think it is better for both parties to know something more about each other if possible before meeting.
Your comments would be appreciated.

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

This has to be considered for price/service -vs- profit considerations.  If you can't make a buck doing it, then you'll end up being the welfare queen of am looking for rw.

More services, more info, more stuff, requires more money  (worse yet *time*) up front, out of your own pocket.  

Be careful.  If you actually charge five bucks for an addy or 5 bucks for interpeted emails or whatever, you might be accused of scamming folks here just because you have a business, all because of some 20 year old olya scam babe took advantage of some 50 yo fool.

It's an admirable trait to want to make a better mousetrap, however, never forget that the reason to get into it, is to actually make a profit.

For that alone, you will be black-balled by all of the trolls and malcontents.

Good luck...

(my advice?  unless you're able to devote 90 percent of your free time -forget the rw in your life- to it, then forget it).

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Pete,
what the heck I'll give my two cents worth here. If you've noticed there are men from every walk of life wanting a FSU lady, some have a good income and have the luxury of an all out service, there are those that make an average income. Then you have men who have never traveled more then a few states away and need assistance, and you have those that have traveled the world either on vacations, or while in the military. You have many options really. You can subcontract to an agency that you highly trust and make a few bucks on the side (possibly like a finders fee ) you could make a low budget service for the man that wants to go meet ladies, but cant afford the big package ( not meaning he is poor but some men have houses to pay for or whatever and don't want to save money for such a gamble ) and you can make arrangements for him by placing newspaper ads for him( and add a small profit ) and have a travel agent throw you a few bucks for making his flight arrangements, and find reliable translator that may charge a small fee and throw that in as a freeby, locate nice places for him to stay and charge a few more bucks then the actual price. Basically you may be lucky to make $200 for this type of client and you can even throw in some things that will not bring you a profit ( but these things will reward you later)such as the hot spots in that town, tips on everything you can think of , but hey these men are out there and by making it affordable you wont get rich quick, but typically every business starts off small and grows with persistence, integrity,and always looking for improvements. As for the English classes and the rest work those things in later, and the same with gifts. Make contacts (trusted friends) with people in those countries and have them find nice ladies wanting to meet an American,which will increase your odds of not having a scammer come into your business, and give out their addresses free. You could even post at different sights and ask if any married FSU ladies have sisters or friends wanting to meet an American ( if possible talk to the husband to learn more about these girls). Be creative. You may not start off with a 1000 girls for men to corrisponde to but take your time, and think of this project as something that must be nurtured slowly and carefully. Your name and reputation will prevail if you fallow the 7 P's - Perfect prior planning prevents piss poor performance!
Mike

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Well I agree that there are too many Agencies at present. What might be needed is only a few quality ones. First of all you must consider the "economics" of your customer base. For some Agencies it is price per address, translation service, and gifts. That is just for the introduction with no guarantee that you will be matched with the lady. Remember this is all virtual communication over the Internet. So if a ladies address is $10, translation service $40 and an initial gift $25 you will be spending $75 for one lady. You also will not know how many other men are communicating with this lady? Considering it will cost $750 to make an introduction with 10 ladies I believe you will price out many good men. Some are one hundred percent against the Agency. Others will swear by them. So what do we want??? As one poster said to you. There aresome that like vanilla while others like chocolate or strawberry. This is what I would look for. Number one is integrity! I then would be looking dependability, quality and price. What will it take to make initial contact? From there what is the cost for travel expensives? ( Hotel rooms, interpreter, etc. ) If the lady needs to better her English skills what is the cost? Finally the Visa process. For me, I would think that $25 to $30 is more than I would want to pay for letter correspondence. Remember that many vets will not pay any fees and are looking for women who speak English. Second if the lady does need to learn English what are the costs? I think if you have an Agency you could offer a class for the ladies involved for around $50 a month. That is for beginner, intermediate and advanced. For travel expensive why not 20% above cost. Maybe $25 - $40 for a daily interpreter. I am against what you said about charging what a tour would cost. That is my opinion. So in a nutshell you can forget all the crap I wrote down above ( did anyone really read it? :-) and write down this. Correspondence $25. Correspodence with English lessons $75. Gifts reasonable $20 -$40. Seven day travel expensives not including airline tickets. No more than $1200 for escort, train, rooms, interpreters etc. I personally think this Agency business has gotten out of hand. Think of the sincere girls and men involved.

... in response to Re: Start my own agency??, posted by KenMan on Feb 13, 2002

You say $25 - $30 for letter correspondence.  I am guessing this is per month for interpreted 2-way letter writing.  Am I correct?

... in response to Just Curious, posted by Mark W on Feb 14, 2002

Yes, I am thinking about unlimited services. I know one service I use offers $30 unlimitted a month for one girl and $50 for all the girls. This is "without" a Western Union fee. I saw where LifetimePartners is $195 unlimited for the year  ( all girls ) = $16.25 a month. I mean it is all a gimmik. How much can one afford ( or does one want ) to pay for email correspondence? What it boils down to is the level of English skills a girl has. How many have excellent skills? If they do they can use a local Internet Cafe. If not you most probably will need a translator of some sort. I think the mechanical ones stink. So if you use a human translator we are talking some expense. And some of them are not so good. This really is a long shot to some degree. I had visited and have been corresponding to a girl. I really feel she is "too young". I mean she is centerfold material but I do not feel like I want to keep up with a 20 y.o. heart and mind. Maybe I could as a girlfriend and date but for a wife I think somewhere in her 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 years she will feel as though she missed out on life. That she married too young. And even if she never did it is too great a risk for me. So now I am back looking. Funny how you will go back to what you first read on this board. I now am looking for around 25 y.o. with at least some English skills. I have found a couple of really nice girls who meet this and will hopefully see them in May. I feel a little bad about the other girl but 42 y.o. and 20 y.o.??? And to think she tells me she loves me and would like to discuss marriage? This Ukraine is definetly different!!! But again I do not want to spend much more than $50 a month total on email. But I understand that it is not free for the girls either. How can I expect them to pay although many guys do.

... in response to Re: Just Curious, posted by KenMan on Feb 15, 2002

Knowing what I know now I would just make friends here in the states that are from Russia then e-mail them the letter, and then call and have them read it to you,or translate it and e-mail it back to you, and in return buy them phone cards or offer some kind of back scratching for their time.
Mike

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

The key is having lots of good looking girls in the key age ranges without children for me ie. past 22 but before 30.  There is definitely a dearth of 20's girls that look good without children.  Get them together - I'd increase the girl number to 35 for the guys approaching 50 and you have the age range of the key demographic man 35 - 50 covered.  Honestly screen the girls for sincerety.  Do not permit scammers.

Then, have an agency that follows through after a guy wants to do a fiance visa with a girl and ensure that her paperwork is processed expeditiously and correctly.  Also, so many good girls do not speak English, have the classes as part of the fee for using the agency.

Pick a city that is smaller in Ukraine or Russia without any big agency or with just smaller agency(ies) that are nonfunctional.  That way you have the steady supply of women.  Charge as much as a tour for a guy to use your agency but have flats and interpreters included.

Take good photos of the girls.  The key is the girls.  If you have the girls some men will come - PERIOD.  If the girls are real and sincere and the agency is half way decent more guys will come, if not you will be a peanuts operation or have to close your doors.

... in response to Re: Start my own agency??, posted by hockeybrain on Feb 13, 2002

Hocky,
Except for the ages of the women, LTP does everything you suggest.  Interpreters are included in their package as well as drivers, flats, office staff, computer (for emails) and free translations (both ways).  They have also upgraded their photos and videos and added free English classes for K-1 girls.  You can pay for more intensive English classes if you choose.  I think the younger women are more apt to be involved with an agency, where as a more mature woman will not.  The mature women are there, for sure, just not in any agencies.
KenC

... in response to you just described Lifetime Partners, posted by KenC on Feb 13, 2002

Regarding "Lifetime Partners".. I used it, not recently, and it IS an honest agency.  It works about as well as I think an agency can over there.. The ONLY problem was that the girls are all soooo young!  If you are in your 20's or 30's and want a girl that is 18-21, great!  If you want anything older, I feel it's a waste of time..

Just my experience,
Oscar

... in response to you just described Lifetime Partners, posted by KenC on Feb 13, 2002

So from what I gather you get unlimited translations and correspondence to all the girls you are interested in for $195 a year = $16.25 a month. The $250 a day although it seems high does include hotel accomodations, interpreter and car w/driver? That is worth at least $50 a piece = $150. But when you consider what you were paying for correspondence and personal attention I think the extra dollars you pay them is only fair. Actually they have earned it. Especially if they are going to teach English lessons for free. Most Agencies are asking $100+ minimum a month. They seem to be looking out for both sides of their clients. Men and Women!

... in response to KenC? ... you just described Lifetime Pa..., posted by KenMan on Feb 13, 2002

Kenman,
Plus they send you the videos for your viewing pleasure at your home.  The way I understand the classes is that they offer 3 free ones per week, but you can choose to pay for more.  The interpreters are assigned in teams of two.  They are available to you 24/7.  The drivers are a little more hit and miss, but are usually available and I noticed that they added more than a few. They have some good flats and some bad one though.  Most important is that they are very sincere and really try to match you up.  They also have a relationship with an attorney that will do all the K-1 stuff for you, if you would like (for a fee of course.  It used to be $800) There are more than a few individuals in their office that feel that they have pretty good matchmaking abilities too.  The girls are real and the website is pretty well up dated.  They also encourage clients to hand carry items (small packages and paperwork) over for other clients.  I thought they did everything they promised.
KenC

... in response to KenC? ... you just described Lifetime Pa..., posted by KenMan on Feb 13, 2002

Look at the website and see for yourself.  However, KenC and I strongly disagree on the "quality" fo pictures of the girls.  My reality does not match his.  I think I have never seen more dogs in one agency and I was there the end of December last year to the very beginning of January and again in March - believe me not much has changed except ownership and the promise of a fresh start.  I brought a friend with me in March - the guy just went out with one dog after another because there was nothing else.  He ultimately went home empty handed - as did I.  Also, alot of the girls whose pictures are still on the site are matched (in fiance visa process with someone) ie. just about anything that is not a dog is taken in that agency - get my point!

... in response to Re: Start my own agency??, posted by hockeybrain on Feb 13, 2002

OK... this goes off topic for a moment... bear with me... I'm coming back to the point...

I read something once that was great. There was this bestseller called: "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People." Written by a Rabbi Kushne. (That's not what was great. In fact, it was pretty simplistci and stupid, IMHO.)

In his second book, though, Rabbi Kushner included something a friend said to him after reading the first one. His friend said this:

"The problem with trying to answer the question about why bad things happen to good people is the same problem with all of theology: It is written by men and with men's perspective. How do *WE* know ANYTHING? Do we even know what a BAD thing is? So we know who a GOOD person is? After all, if Theology were written by frogs, they would be asking "Why aren't their more swamps and misquitoes?"

And, that is somewhat your problem with trying to create the "Best Agency."

Every man will advise you based on what he thinks he needs.

I completely disagree that we need 20-something women with no children. I, for one, prefer a woman with a child. Someone else will prefer a 30-something woman with children...another without... etc, etc.

Some will want better socials. Some will want individual consulting. Some will want a better catalog, and cheaper addresses, because they prefer to write first.

The point is, Pete, you DON'T want to start an agency. You want a wife. Focus on that.

AFTER you have a wife, you may have something to add to the agency wars... but who will want to use the services of a man who never found his wife?

Say what you want to about Jack... at least he IS married to a woman from Ukraine. I mean, you may or may not agreee with his approach, but no one can argue that at least he was successful.

Same with the guy who owns LTP.

I think that one of the reasons Anastasia has fallen, is the marriage plight of the owner/s.

The fact is that there are good agencies, and bad agencies.

The social thing didn't work for you -- Great! Move on to something else.

There are enough agencies out there to assist you in whichever way you want to proceed. Wait until you finish before you decide what is the best and worst part of the process.

Because, until you have reached your goal, you don't know WHAT works, and what DOESN'T.

I know the frustration you are feeling. But don't lose your focus...

A wife will make you happy.

An Agency will not.

Stay on target...

... in response to Good God NO!!! Please Not ANOTHER Agency..., posted by MarkInTx on Feb 13, 2002

Excellent points.  I can not disagree.

... in response to Good God NO!!! Please Not ANOTHER Agency..., posted by MarkInTx on Feb 13, 2002

n/t

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Pete

One idea I feel would be good  is more inforation on the ladies . A intreview with each lady with lots of question's aboutthem selves. I have read alot of personals onladies from Russia adn they all say about the same thing. I don't feel you  get enought info to really know a lot about the lady to start with. If the man and the lady are really sincere about what they are trying to do, I feel that the way things are now, they really do not know what to say to each other and how to go about learning the other person. but if both had a quistionaire to feel out about different things, then before they realy start writing to each other, there is a way to find if you and her have something in common.  A lot of this you can not learn until you meet face to face. But i feel there has to be a better way to learn more about her before you write the first letter.  and there needs to be a better way she can learn about you.

Just an idea, also ,I like the video idea. you look at a picture and wonder really what she is like. you can see a little her in a video.

Terry

... in response to Re: Start my own agency??, posted by terry on Feb 13, 2002

I just don't understand how a grown adult can spell as badly as Terry.  I can understand people like Spyke not knowing how to spell because he is just retarded, but Terry seems like he is intelligent, but it is lost due to his very poor spelling.  And it's not just typos, it is a definite lack of spelling and basic grammar skills.  Sorry for an off topic post, but it is such a big pet peeve for me when I see posts like this.

... in response to Spelling, posted by Jeff on Feb 13, 2002

I'm the worst speller and I too ( when not feeling lazy) will use the spell checker. Anyway I've heard that for some people spelling is like remembering phone numbers and the like, and if you don't use the same numbers over and over you'll soon forget them. Typically these type of people excel at other things.
Mike

... in response to Re: Spelling, posted by Mike on Feb 13, 2002

Thank you Mike , you are very kind, you are right, I can not remember telephone number's .LOL

... in response to Spelling, posted by Jeff on Feb 13, 2002

I people work for me with PHD and impeccible English skills-mine suck. I made my first 100k at 30 years old. Guess how much these people make with pristine grammer and punctuation-25k average. Whilel guys like me make things happen-I hire people with 'good' grammer to clean up. We all have our strengths-do not judge yest ye may live in a glass house.
YOE-world's worst speller-anyone disagree?

... in response to here is the funny thing........., posted by hardyharhar on Feb 13, 2002

Good spelling may indicate a well disciplined mind, but not an ambitious one.  Go-get-iveness counts for a lot in this world.

... in response to Spelling, posted by Jeff on Feb 13, 2002

I often have trouble with spelling. As a result, I will often type my posts into my word processor, run the spell checker and cut and paste the post into Planet Love.

(One of my favorite quotes is from Dilbert's boss: "What's a spell checker?")

... in response to Spelling, posted by Jeff on Feb 13, 2002

Jeff

that is ok, i understand, i don't spell that well at all and have no problem and understand. I do have 4 bookeeeper that can spell for me, just don't want them in this board.

Thank You

... in response to Jeff, posted by terry on Feb 13, 2002

guess i'm in trouble, the spelling looked good to me.

... in response to Jeff, posted by terry on Feb 13, 2002

I know lots of adults who can't spell at all, it's sad that our education system is failing in this area.  And I doubt it's going to get any better with GWB as our president, I am sure he has someone to spell for him too.  He sure can't talk worth crap!

... in response to Re: Jeff, posted by Jeff on Feb 13, 2002

I have my own spelling mistakes that I don't correct simply because they make many of my messages unique.

-blm

... in response to Spelling mistakes are like a signature., posted by BarryM on Feb 13, 2002

Barry

I know I do not spell very well, and it is ok if jeff does not like that. I am not a perfect person. I sure if I wanted to , I could find some things about all people that I do not like about them. But I do get a birthday card from my bank every year. :)

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Pete

One idea I feel would be good  is more inforation on the ladies . A intreview with each lady with lots of question's aboutthem selves. I have read alot of personals onladies from Russia adn they all say about the same thing. I don't feel you  get enought info to really know a lot about the lady to start with. If the man and the lady are really sincere about what they are trying to do, I feel that the way things are now, they really do not know what to say to each other and how to go about learning the other person. but if both had a quistionaire to feel out about different things, then before they realy start writing to each other, there is a way to find if you and her have something in common.  A lot of this you can not learn until you meet face to face. But i feel there has to be a better way to learn more about her before you write the first letter.  and there needs to be a better way she can learn about you.

Just an idea, also ,I like the video idea. you look at a picture and wonder really what she is like. you can see a little her in a video.

Terry

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

These are popular in Colombia, but not in Russia, and I don't know why. You could rent a flat in Moscow and make it a place for men to meet the women of the agency and also stay.

This would solve the problem of finding a reasonable place for the men to stay, and also provide a meeting place for the women.

You could then simply charge a daily rate of $60-$80 for lodging and introductions. This would be hugely popular.

... in response to Also, how about a "bed and breakfas..., posted by Marc on Feb 13, 2002

nt

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Why not open an American themed bar in Ukraine or Russia and let women in for free, but charge men $40 admission.  This would ensure that only single Russian women would be there because I doubt a Russian man would pay half his months salary to get in the door.  Once word gets out about a bar filled with single Russian women, you will surely get men coming from their failed socials from all the agencies.  It would definitely be a more natural way to meet a woman than at a social, and it would be cheaper than one too.

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Perhaps some sort of "speed dating" format would work. It is quickly gaining popularity here in the States.

The idea is this: A roughly equal number of men and women gather at restaurant or club and you meet with each person for no longer than 5-10 minutes. After that you rotate onto the next person.

At the end of the night you choose which women you liked and if they in return chose you, you have a match.

A third party tallies the matches up at the end of the night and gives you the contact information of the people interested in you.

It is a great way to quickly get to meet personally with many women and narrow your choices in one evening. I'm sure there could be modifications made to fit a situation with a more uneven number of men and women.

... in response to Start my own agency??, posted by Pete on Feb 13, 2002

Make it free for everyone involved..  Do eveything for free and do not charge a dime.  You can ask for a donation or something but never ask for money.  This will make you the biggest and best agency on the planet...  I assure you if you do it the donation will be well worth your time but it will take awhile to get started.  Think FREE FOR EVERYONE...
Ryan

... in response to Make it FREE for everyone, posted by Ryan on Feb 13, 2002

In theory that sounds great, but in Russia ( I've never been to Ukrain )you will need a Russian partner because of the red tape there, and then you have to deal with the mofia!
Mike

... in response to Make it FREE for everyone, posted by Ryan on Feb 13, 2002

nt

... in response to Troll /nt, posted by BarryM on Feb 13, 2002

I kind of liked his idea.  Going with strictly donations would probably be a good way to not pay any income taxes.  Just say you are a charitable organization that cures the depression in middle aged men!