Planet-Love.com Searchable Archives

As the owner of Colombian Sweethearts, I would like to make something very clear, all of the pictures and profiles on Colombian Love Connection were stolen from my data base when I bought Robert, my partner of only seven months, out in July of 2003. He stole all of the files and computer system from my office and then returned them several hours later only after the police arrived. This was about 450 girls. He wasn't arrested because I was out of Medellin and the old Colombian theif he had working for him, Anibal, talked the police out of arresting him. Anibal was fired subsequenty by me, and then worked for another start up agency, American Colombian Dates, which just closed down after Anibal stole between $5,000 to $6,000 USD from them and then the two secretaries (both who worked for me and were fired and then recruited by Anibal) stole all of the computers, TV and even changed the lock on the door so that the owner, also a Pilot, could not get back in when he returned! All verifiable.

Robert is calling these girls on his site by telephone, my female clients, and telling them he is Colombian Sweethearts, my Agency, and that we have moved to another location. We get a few calls every other week from these ladies asking if we've moved and who are afraid to even participate in his Agency.

He clearly is running prostitution with his other American partner (see the other site listed by Pablo).

Please do not make any comparison between him and I.

Steve Valdez, Owner
www.colombiansweethearts.com

... in response to Colombian Love Connection Runs Prostitut..., posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

Steve,  It was interesting to hear one side of the story.   Robert may eventually come on this site to give his side as well, but it’s probably not likely as he is so busy giving personalized service to his clients, he would not have the time, as you do, to throw mud on what otherwise would be a very useful marriage agency discussion forum.

I think it would be in the best interest of all board members if a few observations were made by some one who actually used the agency Steve (the competitor) is so quick to push into the dirt.  I’ve met many of the girls from www.colombianloveconnection.com   Some of them were also available on the CSH website while others were new and exclusive to CLC.  All the girls I met through CLC were very nice and sweet, and Roberts service was EXCEPTIONAL.  I talked with many of the other guys using CLC as well, and all were very happy with the girls and service they were getting.  Some of them said they had tried CSH before coming to CLC, and made the switch because of bad experiences at Colombian SweetHearts.

I do not understand why Steve and his friends on the board are making accusations of prostitution (other than to slander the competition).  There is no mention at all of such things on CLC's website, nor was there even the slightest indication of it while I was there.  The CLC site recommends a place to stay as an alternative to the hotels (www.playboy-penthouse.com) but not even that site offers prostitution.  Because it was a better alternative to a hotel, many guys including myself stayed at the Penthouse.  I did not see any prostitutes there, nor was it offered to me.

I look at it this way... When I go to a foreign country to meet a potential wife, the history of various business owners has little to no relevance to my needs and objectives.  I look for attractive, friendly, honest girls and an agency staff that will do everything they can to make sure I have a productive and enjoyable vacation, while getting to know the women I’m interested in.  From my experience and discussion with other guys in Medellin, CLC wins this hands-down.  But just as I do not swallow what Steve says as gospel, I do not expect you take my experiences and observations as stan-clad either.  What I DO suggest, is go to the agencies yourself.  Talk to the owners and staff and form your own opinion.  I think you’ll be very surprised by what you find.

... in response to Colombian Love Connection Runs Prostitut..., posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

make me content with the boring routine of my life.

Keep fighting, Steve.

... in response to Colombian Love Connection Runs Prostitut..., posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

I believe I was the first person from this forum to visit your agency last January. After spending more than a week at your agency, I provided members of this forum with a very honest and positive review of colombiansweethearts.com. Also, it is possible that my African-American friend from Chicago that recently visited your agency may have done so based on my recommendation of your outstanding agency. However, he decided to stay with Robert. Since I met my friend at LE, I figured he would continue to pursue his goal of a meaningful relationship. In all honesty, I thought Robert's operation was legit and again, I will draw a parallel to what happened between LE and CaliVIP in Cali. Similar photographs are shown at both agencies. One agency member claims theft, the other claims a failed business partnership. Having both Margaret and Mike on this forum, hasn't helped me in arriving to the truth.

Anyways, the main point I want to get across is that how could we possibly have avoided comparing you to Robert without the valuable information you've just provided? In other words, your explanation of the history of colombiansweethearts, when you first introduced yourself to this forum, could have avoided this ordeal. You're right in that there is no need to compare your agencies, because each one of you caters to entirely different clientele and philosophically, you're worlds apart. Let's face it, you don't need an agency if sex is your main objective. Again, thank you for clarifying your relationship with Robert.

I'd like to reiterate that Steve runs a first class operation. I only wish you, your staff and your agency continued success.

... in response to Colombian Love Connection Runs Prostitut..., posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

Steve,
You and I have spoken on the phone, even though you may not remember the conversation.  I appreciate you giving us your imput on your former partner.  Since I have never been to Medellin yet, I certainly want to do any and everything I can to avoid disreputable businesses, or women, for that matter.  Which brings me to a followup question.  I have viewed the other website, and yes, I saw some of the same women on the other site as yours.  So, how am I supposed to know if any of those same ladies, or others on your site are prostitutes or not?  I will be the first to say that you have some very attractive ladies on your website; and as a matter of fact, I am planning on visiting your agency.  I am doing that partly because of the positive impression I have from your  website; partly because I appreciated your professional and friendly manner during our phone conversation; partly because I thought that Luz Maria was also trying to be helpful.  The other reason is because of the recommendation by the men on this message board.  I have read this board enough to feel that these men know who the "good, honest agencies" are.  However, I am sure you can understand my desire to be on the alert for scams.  I am sure that is why you have told us your side of this story.  So, as I continue to make my plans to visit Medellin and your agency, any further help would be appreciated.  Lastly, please allow me to do a short critique of your agency.  I will do this on this forum so that the other guys can weigh in too.  Steve, if you are going to offer an "on-line" membership, then you need to have the ladies prepared to answer the emails.  I have had terrible results, and I decided to just table it, and simply make my plans for the trip.  The only advantage on it, is that I am supposed to be getting a free night when I get there.  But, the main reason I ordered the membership was that I had intended to find out if some ladies might be interested in me, and to start building a rapport with them.  As it stands now, that is impossible, becuase the ladies will not correspond with me. I did get 1 response from the two ladies I am interested in, but iit is obvious that they cannot be reached to continue.  For details, ask Luz Maria.  However, since the men on this message board all encouraged me to just take the trip, and they all spoke highly of your agency; I will continue with my plans, and I am looking forward to it. (probably in March).  Best of luck with dealing with your problems with your ex-partner.  I am sure that's no fun!  Take care.

                            OkieMan

... in response to Re: Colombian Love Connection Runs Prost..., posted by OkieMan on Dec 16, 2004

Regarding the e-mail response...

Have you considered that either what you have written to these ladies was not something that caught their attention?  That it might be that they were not attracted to you as you are to them?  Or that they had a difficulty understanding English - as should be expected?  Now, I don't want to be cold or disrespectful, but this is not like going to Hooters.  This is a form of normal dating, and these girls don't HAVE to reply if they don't like you, just as you are not required to communicate with girls that you were not attracted to.  

And were you attracted only to TWO girls from that whole website?  I am quite picky myself, but I would say that if I were considering going to Medellin and using that agency I would have selected a few more.  The selection they have is really good.

I personally had what I consider a very good response rate with my e-mails.  Having said that, I have attempted to communicate with more than two ladies and I wrote in Spanish.  Sometime ago I used Match.com thing for a little while, so using that as a benchmark, the response I got from Colombia is just unbelievable!

Just be reasonable in your expectations and the ladies you choose, be honest with yourself, and optimistic.  

Good luck!

... in response to Re: Re: Colombian Love Connection Runs P..., posted by thunderbolt on Dec 16, 2004

OkieMan,
You can't draw conclusions from two lousy e-mails. Thunderbolt is right on target with his advice. The women don't have to respond to you if they don't want to. I'm sorry, but it pisses me off when guys think they have some kind of ownership on the women. We are paying for introductions, not cheap dates. Please understand that once you do arrive in Medellin, some women may decline to meet you for whatever reason. No agency can be held responsible for the women's response towards you. Some may decide they don't want to see you again. I had my share of them. It works both ways, you reject some, some will reject you. Hopefully, you'll meet a few ladies where mutual interest will be shared. If you believe that the women have an obligation to respond to you, then you need Robert's "agency" not Steve's. Steve can guarantee the e-mail's validity, but he can't, nor should he, guarantee a response.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Colombian Love Connection Ru..., posted by Seeker on Dec 16, 2004

Seeker,
You missed my point entirely.  Read my other post as I was trying to explain the "online membership", as I understood it. We all have our own perspectives and view points.  I am entitled to mine!  In no way, shape or form do I believe that these women are obligated to answer me or anyone else.  However, part of what I was trying to find out was if any other posters had a similar experience or possibly a better experience?  Since I have not been to Medellin in person as yet, my only purpose with the online membership was to see if indeed I could get any response from the ladies.  So, please don't go jumping to conclusion about my thoughts or intentions!  To close, I will repeat what I have already said in my other posts; and that is that I fully intent to travel to Medellin personally, and in the near future.
 
                                OkieMan

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Colombian Love Connectio..., posted by OkieMan on Dec 16, 2004

I am sorry if you felt in any way offended or misunderstood.  My main point is that just two e-mails are not a big enough sample to make judgement on efficacy of this service.

Good luck in Medellin!

... in response to Colombian Love Connection Runs Prostitut..., posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

This is going to be a good thread!

... in response to something tells me that................, posted by Heat on Dec 16, 2004


It certainly might be an interesting thread if CLC were a poster at P-L.

What is it with partnerships in a business, especially marriage/introduction agencies?  Before moving to Colombia I was going to open up a introduction agency in Sao Paulo, Brasil with an old poster going under the handle of Cherina and I too got ripped off resulting in my change of plans.  What made me think I could trust a gringa as a partner is beyond me now.  I feel for you Steve as I know what it's like to place your trust in someone who then takes advantage of you.

Although I don't doubt what you are saying about your former partner I have to point out that not all of the few current photos displayed at CLC were taken at CSH.  It is obvious though that CLC certainly isn't concerned about recruiting new female membership nor updating their database.  One of the ladies listed there is currently living in Bogota.

Peace out.

... in response to Re: something tells me that................, posted by pablo on Dec 16, 2004

I'd love to hear the rest of the story. She had this board snowed, it seems.

... in response to What happened with Cherinha?            ..., posted by surfscum on Dec 16, 2004


I'm not sure she was trying to snow the board but she pulled a number on me.  I had actually invited here to participate on P-L because I thought her perspective, an AW expat living in Brasil, would benefit the board.  She made a number of informative posts before deciding to stop posting.

I don't want to get into too much detail as to how I got burned by her because I was guilty of naively trusting her.  In a nutshell though she was living on savings while in Brasil and wasn't sure about future employment.  She was very interested in my suggestion of opening up a tour style agency in Brasil, similar to the ones in Colombian.  I felt that there would be a huge demand for such an agency and would provide a much needed option instead of using Latin Euro or Big B's services.  

At first I was mostly doing consultant work with her based on my experiences with Russian and Latin marriage agencies.  With my upcoming plans of moving to SA though it progressed to loaning her money for living expenses and then for start up operations for the new agency.  Before going further with the venture I wanted something in writing and this is when her true colors came out.  Yes, I put the cart before the horse and should have gotten things in writing first, but I thought I could trust her.

I'm planning on paying her a visit in the future.  The look on her face then will be priceless.

... in response to Re: What happened with Cherinha?        ..., posted by pablo on Dec 17, 2004

P,
I think she was just hanging on trying to stay in Brazil.The money you gave her helped her do it a little longer but I was guessing she is back in the US? Do you know she is still  in Brazil?

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: What happened with Cherinha?    ..., posted by Pete E on Dec 18, 2004


Hi Pete,

Yes you are correct.  Not only did it help "Big C" stay in Brasil longer but it also allowed her to take a vacation with her kids to southern Brasil and into Argentina. I think she is still in Brasil but time will tell. I'm surprised I haven't heard about a new agency in SP yet as she was very much interested in the financial aspect of the business.

... in response to Re: What happened with Cherinha?        ..., posted by pablo on Dec 17, 2004

Take a camera so we can see that look, too. ;-) Thanks for the update.

... in response to Re: something tells me that................, posted by pablo on Dec 16, 2004

What's the story on Cherina?  Last I heard you thought a lot of her.

... in response to Same question here - I thought she seeme..., posted by cancunhound on Dec 16, 2004

Thank you for your questions and comments.  

First, none of the ladies on Colombian Love Connection are prostitutes, these ladies were stolen from my data base after I bought out Robert in July 2003.

I have testimonies from my employees that worked with me at that time as to the theft of the information.  I would only love for Robert to join this forum but her never will since I do not think admitting to theft of personal information or running prostitution in a foreign country will stand well for him with the Colombian or US governments.

I fully support competition and this also would actually benefit my Agency in the long run, but not from dishonest people using my company name and stolen information.  

The women Colombian Love Connection presents as prostitutes are not on his website (stolen information from me) but are usually gathered from the strip or massage clubs in Medellín or other places.  I know this because this is one of the things Robert started doing on the side when we started the marriage agency and this is one of the major reasons why I bought him out as well as the fact that I was doing all of the work.

I also have a lawsuit with Anibal and the two secretaries I mentioned before.  This is no joke for me.

As I said, I invite Robert to challenge me on this as he will only bury himself deeper.

Yes, partnerships usually do not work out, but at least I can say that as an American in Colombia I have a Legal Colombian Business, Business Visa, Lawyers, a First Class Agency and an honest staff.  I myself am a professional and designed this agency as if I was the Gringo walking in the door.  I want honesty and a first class service with honest girls.

No, Robert does not update his data base at all and some of the girls you see on his site which are not on mine were removed from mine because they got married, have boyfriends, we lost contact with them or they resigned from the agency.  I can say that we work very hard everyday to keep our data base updated.  We remove girls from our web site if they are married, engaged, lost contact, etc.    

We also have already removed 8 girls from my Agency that were dishonest and we brief every one of our guests to let us know if there is something about he girl that seems dishonest.  When a girl joins Colombian Sweethearts, we have the girl bring a copy of her Colombian Identity Card, provide references and we also interview her as well as call her references and call were she says she works. Yes, it is virtually impossible to ensure 100% of the girls in any Agency are what they say they are and that is why we tell all of our male clients to get to know the girl, her family, friends, and if there are any “Red Flags” such as asking for money right away, lying, etc. to tell us as well as use caution with this girl or stop seeing her and then we will investigate her.  In fact, I can be more sure of the ladies in my Agency than I can of the Foreigners that walk in my door to meet them.  

Not to attack the agencies in Calí, but I know that some of the agencies there do not always update their data base or remove girls.

I have to say that 50% reply from two emails is not bad.  We can not guarantee that a girl will write back to you nor force her to.   We go well beyond what most agencies offer in calling the girl to tell her that you are writing and even doing our best to “sell” you to the girls so that she will respond to try and get to know you.  Unfortunately, not all women in Colombia have a computer at home or the time to go to an internet café everyday.  We do offer our 5 computers in my office to the girls to use free of charge and help them with emails.  We also guarantee the email will work or we will replace it.  Not many if any companies offer this.  As the owner of Colombian Sweethearts, I have already fired several of my employees that were not providing this excellent service to our clients.

We also just had one guest buy 20 emails/addresses and then correspond with 6-8 girls.  I know this because he came to Medellin to meet 4 laides in person and the 3rd girl was “the one” and they are planning on getting married and they are both very happy.  You will see his testimonial on Colombian Sweethearts soon.

Yes, but the best way to form a relationship and see if there is chemistry is to meet the girl in person.  

The excellent recommendations you have been given from our former guests are reality and we pride ourselves on making sure you have a great time while you are with us and that you meet many beautiful, cultured and sweet women and leave us happy.  This I can guarantee!

Please, ask any questions as I will be more than happy to answer.

Best Regards,
Steve Valdez, Owner
www.colombiansweethearts.com

... in response to Reply to Questions, posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

Steve,
I am impressed by your openness and apparant honesty.  The information that you just given us concerning how you and your staff interview and check up on the ladies says alot to me.  I really appreciate that information. I am sure that many of us on this board, including myself are truly sorry that you are going through the problems with your former partner.  But, by you explaining all of this to us, I believe that you will see alot of good will and business coming your way. I will be the first to admit that I have a tendency to ask alot of questions, especially since I am fairly new at all of this.  Also, I realize that your type of business is not a "one size fits all" type of business.  Certainly, I understand about the ladies not having their own computers, etc.  Also, it has been explained to me that most of the ladies work and go to school, so their time is limited.  It's just that I truly wanted to correspond with some ladies to just get a head start on what ladies are like there.  Naturally, I am trying to do at least a little comparison to Cali, because right now, Cali is the only other Colombian city I have been to.  We all know there are alot more agencies in Cali.  For a guy like me, who does not yet speak spanish, the agencies are a God send!  Maybe later on, I will become fairly fluent in spanish; but I am a long way from that now.  Well, I think you should better understand my position now.  Best of luck, and I hope to see you in Medellin in the near future.

                               OkieMan

... in response to Reply to Questions, posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

I was in Medellin for 6 days in August and used Colombian Sweethearts.I think Steve tries very hard to run a good agency and he has an excellent staff working with him.
And I loved Medellin.Got to get back there soon.

Pete

... in response to Reply to Questions, posted by Medellin Agency on Dec 16, 2004

From time to time, I receive visa cases from Steve's agency,
and I can tell you that there is no way I would handle a visa
assignment for any lady from Colombian Sweethearts (or
anywhere else) who has any known reputation for prostitution
or for any other conduct of ill-repute, nor would US Embassy
approve a visa for any such person.

Colombian Sweethearts is an honorable and professional agency,
and does not and would not introduce gentlemen to such ladies,
nor are there any such ladies with them.

I have no knowledge about Colombian Love Connection and
thus cannot comment on them.

Best regards, and keep up the good work, Steve.
Gary Bala

... in response to something tells me that................, posted by Heat on Dec 16, 2004

Break out the chips and beer. Is this going to be in Digital format?