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My interest in the "A Belarus Bride" web site is personal - I detest liars and sleazy cheats; swindlers who present themselves as honest business men. I detest a web based business that would have the viewer believe that everybody is a "friend" or "bud" of theirs; and that theirs is just one big happy family.

I'd been searching the Russian Internet dating sites for about one year, and I too liked what I saw when I initially found the "A Belarus Bride" web site. And fool that I was, I paid my money and actually joined the agency. But fortunately for me, though too late to save my $1000 membership, "A Belarus Bride" introduced me to several other men who were members at the time.

Since then I have been in contact with many present and former members of the "A Belarus Bride" agency. I have also contacted women in Vitebsk who have e-mail accounts. It is through all these people that I have learned what kind of marriage and introduction service "A Belarus Bride" really is.

The women in Belarus are getting together and sharing their stories with each other, and also with their men in America. Knowing what has happened to some of these people, and the sleazy spin that "A Belarus Bride" puts on everything they touch - sickens me.

The "A Belarus Bride" operators will do anything for a buck. This includes the embellishment and editing of men's and women's letters. Critical personal information for both the men and the women has been deleted from letters repeatedly. The deletions have contained personal information which would have had a profound effect on peoples decisions and impressions. Not only are their letters edited after they're written, the ladies are being told (or coached), what they can and can not tell their man, and what they should say.

"A Belarus Bride" has also lied about a woman's details in her picture profile. "A Belarus Bride" can deny it, but when the women were asked they swore they told "A Belarus Bride" all the details of their present day lives. Anything which "A Belarus Bride" viewed as detrimental to their profile was changed to make the women more marketable.

Women with e-mail access asked "A Belarus Bride" repeatedly for their mans e-mail address yet that information was withheld from them. This way "A Belarus Bride" can collect fees for the exchange of letters and it can control what is being said.

"A Belarus Bride" has been running ads in Belarusian newspapers advertising for women who want to meet American men. That's why there is a daily influx of women to the "A Belarus Bride" web pages. The agency vouches for these women by saying that they know them personally or that they were referred by some upstanding friend of theirs.

The women from Vitebsk who know the women on the "A Belarus Bride" web site have much to say. Many of the women promoted are not the pristine and virtuous innocents that the "A Belarus Bride" agency would have you believe.  

Two cases in point:  A man recently went to meet one of the women who is represented by the "A Belarus Bride" web site. While "A Belarus Bride"  was showcasing pictures of their "first meeting" and touting the couple as but another example of the success and happiness to be found using their agency, the woman's profile was newly spotted on one of the premier Russian dating web sites.  This while the "A Belarus Bride" agency assures it's members that the women it represents aren't listed anywhere else.

Another attractive woman who was once featured on their home page but has since been replaced by another even more beautiful fox, has been known to "work" the topless bar and disco scene in Germany.

"A Belarus Bride" has been accused of "ripping off" many men.  An example would be charging $145 for a $30 train ticket, or charging $125 for a $10 piece of jewelry bought as a gift for a woman.

Search back through the "A Belarus Bride" archive pages.  Look at all the people that they call "friends" and are they ever to be seen again?  No. And why not?  Because of their business practices.

As one of their current members recently pointed out to me: "A Belarus Bride is smart. They get relatively new members to make glowing testimonials for their agency before they come to know what it's really about!"

Follow the history of the members "A Belarus Bride" chooses to promote in their newsletter.  How many can you follow that don't just quietly disappear and are subtly forgotten about? "A Belarus Bride" is up front only with the information that shows favorably upon their agency.

Do yourself and your friends a favor and warn them about this operation.

Tony

... in response to A Heads-Up Warning About "A BELARUS..., posted by Tony3583 on Jun 29, 2002

The 911 agency also covers Belarus.  My dealings with them has been limited but I think they are honest.

... in response to A Heads-Up Warning About "A BELARUS..., posted by Tony3583 on Jun 29, 2002

The "heads-up warning" came straight from the agency itself in the form of a giant red flag when it asked for $1000 for a "membership." This in and of itself dictated a decision to just say no.

Sorry you had to find out the hard way.

I think that the safest and best practice is to never pay any money to any foreign agency for anything other than email correspondence *after* you have confirmed the authenticity and bona fides of the lady by talking to her on the telephone.

Better luck next time.

... in response to Re: A Heads-Up Warning, posted by WmGo on Jun 30, 2002

WmGo,
   First I can tell you haven't even been to their website.
They are not a foreign agency. In fact they list there address
and phone which you can call and go visit them. Believe me I
did. My father raised me not to be a fool and before I paid
anything I did visit them.
   I think you will find that "Tony" isn't Tony at all. Just
an assumed name that is being used.
   There are many ways to meet RW other than this agency.
Free email sites, tours, among others. I figured out my costs
for meeting my fiancee through this agency using them for
rose/candy deliveries 3 times, toy for a child and sending money once. I came up with 1215.00. This included letters
translated and sent 1/ week for 5 1/2 months. Hmm more expensive
than the other routes? I don't know, but I feel this is cheap and worth the money. The free email sites I imagine maybe
cheaper, but how many scammers will you encounter, how much
money for translation (unless you only write to ladies with
english reading and writing skills), and wasted time?
   Bottom line is it's your decision on how you spend your money.
Since Tony and the "guys" he's supposedly talking to think they
can run an agency for less, then they need to start one. Hey
those guys he's talked to have ladies either here now or will
be soon and they have friends; maybe they should open their
own agency and charge less and take the money to the bank.
   Oh well as my father once told me "there is an ass for every seat."

Cheers,
Bruce

... in response to Re: Re: A Heads-Up Warning, posted by BruceS on Jul 1, 2002

..you don't have to overpay to meet great women.  This website is all about helping guys avoid those mistakes.  Now you know to avoid companies like that in the future.  You could have done worse, you could have used the Miss Russia agency.

... in response to But the point is.., posted by BubbaGump on Jul 1, 2002

One man with supposedly a few other guys telling him they got
screwed, extorted, letters fixed and all the other 3rd party
gossip he spewed forth; doesn't count much in my book. Easy
to sit behind a keyboard and punch out what he did. Hearsay
isn't much proof is it?

Try this piece posted from Tony:
"I have also contacted women in Vitebsk who have e-mail
accounts. It is through all these people that I have learned
what kind of marriage and introduction service "A Belarus
Bride" really is."

and then he says this:

 Women with e-mail access asked "A Belarus Bride" repeatedly
for their mans e-mail address yet that information was withheld from them."

Funny how'd he contact women in this agency on email when they
have been charged with not giving out emails? How did he do that?

   I'd say this man is getting mighty close to slander.

Cheers,
Bruce

... in response to Re: But the point is.., posted by BruceS on Jul 2, 2002

You don't know how much faith you can put in any one person's experience.  We have a lot of guys here but it's hard to get a good depth of reporting on any particular agency.  The answers will inevitably go both ways with some men just angry over a soured relationship.  Some of the positive reports come agency flacks.  

... in response to Re: A Heads-Up Warning, posted by WmGo on Jun 30, 2002

I'd agree with at least that part.  I would never sign up for a membership with any agency charging anywhere near that much and would prefer to stay with pay as you go type outfits.  That's a lot of money to pay for future services which may, or may not, be good.  At least when you're paying as you go, you can quit and look for another service if you don't like it without being out too much money.

... in response to A Heads-Up Warning About "A BELARUS..., posted by Tony3583 on Jun 29, 2002

Wowzer, Tony!

In the immortal words of the Sundance Kid, "Do you think you used enough dynamite there, Butch?"!!!

... in response to A Heads-Up Warning About "A BELARUS..., posted by Tony3583 on Jun 29, 2002

Tony,
   My lady doesn't have computor experience so therefore no
email, but I did ask for and receive her home address. I could've
sent letters in the mail that would take 2 weeks to get there
if I wanted and either paid for someone to translate or let
her spend the time to translate it.
   I decided to send cards/photos to her via mail. Even went
as far to use the dictionary to write in the cards to her I
made. Yes try writing Russian! When she found out I spent the
time to write in Russian these notes in the cards and notes
on the photos...well words cannot describe how much it mean't
to her.

Cheers,
Bruce

... in response to Re:Forgot this about email, posted by BruceS on Jun 29, 2002

Bruce,

I think you missed the point of Tony's letter.   What you say may be true about the lady you have,  but he's warning us about the "A Belarus Bride" agency, the way they conduct business and the women they represent!!!  

Read his letter again. Would you want your letters to your woman edited (and vice-versa), and to be ripped off?  It's clear to me that the "A Belarus Bride" agency can not be trusted!!!  Buyer be ware!!!

Pat

... in response to Re: Re:Forgot this about email, posted by PatJohncox on Jun 30, 2002

Pat,
The point that Bruce makes is that although the agency will not give you an email address, they will give a mailing address.  I don't see any dishonest practices from the original post.  A lot of agencies will not give out email addresses so they can make money on the internal system they have set up. (No foul there)  No agency can have all pure white virgins of high character.  Because this agency listed a "working girl" is no indication of dishonesty.  The fact that one of their girls did appear on another site can be accounted for with many simple explanations: the other agency "lifted" the profile from the internet, or maybe the girl just did it on her own and didn't tell the original agency.  There is no conclusive indication of ANY unethical behavior from Belirus Bride, only weak innuendos.
KenC

... in response to Bruce makes a very good point, posted by KenC on Jun 30, 2002

So extortion is an ethical business practice?  Sorry, not in my book!!!  You want to pay your money and take your chances, fine.  Good luck.  That's why there's one born ever minute!  Thank you, thank you!!!

... in response to Re: Bruce makes a very good point, posted by PatJohncox on Jun 30, 2002

Remember there is always 2 sides to every story. If you
notice I didn't take sides on A Belarus Bride. Neither for or
against. All I stated was I used them. I'm happy with what my
money bought. I've visited Belarus. Every question in my
letters got answered. In six months of writing only one question
didn't get answered right. Hmm I think a pretty good record.
Was this question a problem. Yes it was, but my lady and I
talked about it and we found it wasn't a problem while I was
there. Her answer didn't get translated properly. That can/will
happen.
   I'm waiting for Tony to email me which I think won't happen.
   All I'm saying is I've used them, travel using them and a travel
agency they use for airport pick-up and back to the states,
another words I had no problems. From Tony's post he hasn't
really used their services and hasn't been to Belarus. All he
posts is well I've talked to some other men that suppossedly
have or are using this agency and may/may not have had a problem.
Have these men found a wife/fiancee, been to Belarus, and etc?
I have no idea. I know of 2 men that have their fiancees in the
states now and 3 more going through the paper work including me
using A Belarus Bride. Tony have you talked to these men and ladies?
If so tell them to email me. I'd like to know why/what has made
them unhappy or why they feel "screwed". Not for me to attack them,
but so I can let my lady know, so she can get her friends out of
A Belarus Bride's Agency.
   I know one thing if someone can show me that one payed
more/less for a service they provide, that they used newspaper
advertising to get ladies for their site, ripped a man off,
or anything unethical/sly then I'll stand right along with
Tony and the other men in slamming this agency.
   For now it's one unhappy customer that bought something
and isn't using what he bought cause maybe someone says the
product sucks.
   Like I stated in my other post. This women could've talked
to another buyer of my bacon and told her it's no good, had
maggot holes in it and if that person don't use my bacon then
it's their fault and yes they probably will bad mouth me to
all they know too. It's business and somehow that's the way
the ball bounces.
   Yes I know it sounds like I'm sticking up for A Belarus
Bride, but I'm not. As I stated above there is always 2 sides
to every story.

Cheers,
Bruce
Visit my website:
http://www.geocities.com/briarhll

... in response to Re: Bruce makes a very good point, posted by PatJohncox on Jun 30, 2002

n/t

... in response to extortion? where?  n/t, posted by KenC on Jun 30, 2002

And it's rampant among clients.  They go in expecting everyone involved in this business to be some slick con man and can interpret many things as fraud.  It's my belief that perhaps more than half the stories of fraud are not real, but are based on drawing conclusions using a heavily biased view of the operator's ethics.  No doubt many of the men reading this message believe I'm writing it to keep my own profits up because I'm just another "con man."

Some guys think it's inherently evil to be making money off of introducing people.  I think that was JJ's attititude if I remember correctly.  If someone wants to use a service to meet women, they're going to have to pay for it.  If someone wants to avoid agencies altogether, they can.  Learn the language and go solo.

I suspect there may be more fraud going on with agencies in Eastern Europe simply because in that sector, more of the agencies are owned and operated by natives.  Perhaps that's not a very PC thing to say, but most of the cultures from which these women come have much higher levels of graft and corruption than here.  I think it's just common sense to assume your chances of encountering suspect business practices in these countries is going to be higher than here.  When life is not easy, moral corners tend to be cut a bit here and there.

I think the best advice to avoid being ripped off is probably to forego using many of the services that make this whole thing more convenient.  Email forewarding with translation is nice and easy, but it creates a business model in which at least part of the agency's profits are dependent on remaining in the middle of the relationship.  Canned first responses are going to be common.  Making up women's profiles is also a possibility, but I think that's pretty rare.  It's just not going to be a sustainable business.

... in response to A Heads-Up Warning About "A BELARUS..., posted by Tony3583 on Jun 29, 2002

Tony,
   Sorry to hear about your problems with this agency. Being
in a business myself, not a agency business though; you won't
please everybody. Also I'm in business to make money. My business
is a small retail meat store. If you think I will give you my
recipes for my products your nuts. It's how I make my money.
I also won't give you the names of my sources of meat that will
sell to the public. I will give you the names of my wholesalers
though as the general public can't by from them. Then of course
I won't screw my customers over either or substitute a good
grade of beef for choice grade beef.
   Yes I've heard some other stories from about some men,
but not from the horses mouth. You can get my email addy from
this list. Heck I've had a women call and say we sold her bacon
that had maggot holes in it. LOL (the holes are caused by the
hangers used for hanging them in the smokehouse) Told her
to bring it back and we'd replace it..well she already through
it in the garbage. Think what she tells everyone about my store
and products. Write me I'm curious. You can get my email addy from this list.
   All I can tell you is I just came back from my visit there.
I'm completely satisfied with my visit and the lady who is
now my fiancee. I'm not defending the agency..I'm defending
the girls. I met probably 10 or so girls there and not a one
I'd call anything but good women looking for a good man. 3-I
met were friends of the lady I visited. All good women.
   I'm not saying all are and yes I'm sure some undesirables
get through the interogation they go through. Also remember
there are many words in English that have NO translatable
Russian version. (same for the Finnish language) I've learned
from being to other non english speaking countries to speak and
write in the simplest words. Much easier to get the proper
translation. Many times the translator will have a word with
nothing to use, so will try the best to convey your meaning
with what they can or know.
   No matter how you go about this journey whether your inferred
agency, the shopping mall sites, free email addy sites, tours
and the rest..It WILL cost money and not just a little. Expect
no matter which way atleast 4-5,000.00 and up. There is no cheap
way. To me every bit of money I spent with Greg and Nina was
worth every penny. I had no problems with my travels there,
Irina was so helpful while there, help with the airport and
customs from Smok Travel was a godsend.
   I hope that you are wrong about Greg and Nina screwing
some men over. The reason I hope that is for the ladies there.
It would be a shame for them not to be able to find a good man
to enjoy their lives with. I've only been back for a day and 1/2
and will post about my trip in a few days.
   I wish you luck in your quest and hope you find your native soul.

Cheers,
Bruce

... in response to Re: A Heads-Up Warning About "A BEL..., posted by BruceS on Jun 29, 2002

I also run a business, which happens to be a foreign introduction business (not East European though) and I can speak from experience when I say many complaints and scam stories are either mis-understandings or expectations way out of line with reality.

It happens with the ladies also.  We just had one lady write to us and say that a man she had developed what she thought was a strong relationship with dumped here because we updated another lady's status to married but modified the wrong photo so that this lady's foto showed up in another part of the data base under the married lady's biography.  Straight away he apparently presumed that the whole thing was a scam and dumped her.

We were roasted on another message board for trying to convince a woman seriously involved with a man to stay in the agency and that her fiancee was seeing other women.  Turns out that the lady was telling the man about another foreign owned agency (the indentity of which did not make it through the language barrier correctly).

Another guy assumed the women were all made up after he wrote to three women and got no reply.

The list goes on, and on, and on.

This particular story may actually be true, but as is usually the case, there's not enough detail to make any kind of judgement. I would tend to believe much of it is based on a preconcieved notion that all agencies are bad and are out to swindle everyone for what ever they can get.  I could be wrong, but I've seen lots of complaints over the years.  You are right, these are businesses.  They are in business to make a profit, as all businesses are.  When comunicating through translators, things can get garbled.  When someone goes in suspicious, it's easy to find conspiracies.

... in response to Re: A Heads-Up Warning About "A BEL..., posted by BruceS on Jun 29, 2002

nobody an beat your meat?
:)
Joe

... in response to So what you are saying is,, posted by yoe on Jun 29, 2002

HEHE Well wanted to make a hat that said.

   SMITH'S MEATS
You can't beat our meat

But my brother wouldn't go along with it!!! ROFLAO
Also thought maybe...Try our meat you won't go without it.

Ahh the finer things you can do when you have a meat business!

Cheers,
Bruce