She's perfect in everyway...but listen to what just happened....

[clarkcr]

I have been conversing with a girl from Ukraine for a month now.  We talk on the phone almost everyday and she passes all the tests with flying colors.  She says she's been with her agency for 2 months.  And yes...I found her through Anastasia-International...okay, just let me finish...this morning I am making the decision of which apartment to get.  She suggested a place a few days ago in Kiev called the "Stoneborne" or something like that.  I looked into it, and although the prices were reasonable, they had only 2 and 3 BEDroom apts left. 

so this morning she SMSs me saying that the agency told her that they talked to me yesterday about my reservations there!  What the...????  No, I didn't .  I don't know her agency and according to her she hasn't been in for a while to check her emails either.  I paid for the big money phone call and she's off the agency (so am I).  Of course, there is a little here that I'm not understanding because of the language barrier.  What I did do was submit a written email request for room availability...is that considered a reservation?

she said that they knew me and they somehow KNEW that she suggested I look there at this particular Stoneborne place or whatever.  By the way, she suggested this apartment through her cell phone SMS! 

I explained that the only possible explanation is that she somehow told them that was where we were going to meet.  Then they attempting to create some doubt that I am actually going to make the trip to see her therefore stay with their service.  She DID say they were miffed at her leaving them so soon.  So, she DID go in there to cancel...only to be manipulated.

Has anyone here heard of this????  i'm confused and if it's a scam, I can't figure out the end-game.

C

[SANDRO43]

What I did do was submit a written email request for room availability...is that considered a reservation?

I'd say it depends:
- On how your "request for room availability" was exactly worded and, also considering:

Then they attempting to create some doubt that I am actually going to make the trip to see her therefore stay with their service.  She DID say they were miffed at her leaving them so soon. So, she DID go in there to cancel...only to be manipulated.

- On the agency's desire to squeeze the last possible penny out of a possibly soon-vanishing resource, generously interpreting your request for info as a formal reservation .

Assuming of course your girl is not in cahoots with them, but you should be the best judge of that .

[Taz]

Maybe it was the Sherbourne Guest House? Normally you have to fill out a form AND send payment of some sort to reserve a place. I suggest looking for another place if you haven't already found one. PM and I can help you out.

[clarkcr]

I don't think she is in cahoots...she wanted to know why I was talking to the agency.  She's dropped it since then.  As soon as I told her the place she suggested was full, she ordered me to get on with it and find a place, because they fill up fast....there seems to be plenty of available housing!!! 

She has said she doesn't care were we stay...just wants a seperate bedroom. 

[Taz]

This may or may not impact you directly but most apartment rental places you find on the internet won't give you a specific apartment unless you rent for 4 days or more. For example, lets say you want an apartment you see that is listed as 25 Kreshatik. If you don't reserve it for 4 days or more, they will only promise you that they'll have an apartment for you of possibly similar type/location/cost but not that exact one. Read the fine print on each website. Some have a 5 day minimum.

I've had better luck looking in Ukrainian websites as there I've been able to find a 3 day minimum or sometimes none at all. Prices in Kiev have gone up quite a bit this year over last. A great apartment I had late last year at Besarabska Market (one end of Kreshatik) has gone up almost 50% in about 9 months. This was through the same exact company. Other sources for the apartment wanted even more.

[clarkcr]

It WAS the Sherborne!  Sorry.  anyway, I'm definately renting for 4 days, so not a problem.  thanks for the advice.  I'll make sure to ask this question before I send money.