The Perfect Agency

[KenC]

From the never ending thread regarding scamming and unethical agencies, Capt B made an off hand comment about what it would take to have a good agency and I would like to run with that thought.  Many of us have worked with an agency or many agencies.  Some had feature we liked and others had some we didn't.  My question to you is what makes for a Perfect Agency?  Of course honesty and integrity would have to be a cornerstone for an agency.  That is too easy and a given.  But what else is important?

The quality of the women?  The quantity of the women?  Cost of correspondence?  Or easiness (availability) of the correspondence?  How about trip coordination?  How should interpreters be handled?  How about video chats?  Flat rentals?  What are the very best features you have seen or experienced with agencies?  Come on guys (and girls) give your input!!!
KenC

[KenC]

I thought that there were two very cool features that Lifetime Partners offered (8 years ago)  They would let you pick out your favorite women up to like 25 or so and they would send you via mail a video tape of interviews of all of them.  Of course DVD's would mail easier now.  But that gave you the time to study the mannerisms, voice and even posture of the women in the comfort of your own home.  They may not have been able to speak English, but even so, you could see how they answered questions, smiled and laughed.

The other feature LTP had for a very short time was where you could call direct to a handful of women that could speak English.  The cost was huge (almost like a 900 number) but man there was nothing better than to pick up the phone and talk to the woman right then and there.

[aikorob]

Flat rentals, airport/train connections---at least for the first few trips.
When I first started, the Angelika network offered a flat rate per month for correspondence with a particular lady--a good deal once you have narrowed your choice down.

[Bruce]

Perhaps some of this is a dream, but I only have a few minutes this morning:

1.  The perfect agency starts with a great choice of real girls of upstanding character who honestly want to consider a Western man for marriage who we guys are physically attracted and excited about.

2.  The perfect agency is a full service agency ie. you pay them one fee, albeit with profit margin, but it is worth it and they help you if necessary with your tickets, you show up at the airport and they take it from there.  I do not need to be nickeled and dimed to death, ok Bruce, thats $75 per night for that apartment and the train cost is $80 and the party here is $250, but the bus ride to the party is another $50 and each letter costs $4 to translate, but the fee for sending your translated letter is $15, plus the ride to the airport is $200 but the ride back is $50 and the phone rental is $50 and translator A is $25 per hour, but her sister is $38 per four hours..................the nickel and dime packaging is good for an experienced guy who wants one or two services.  What worked for me is not worrying about as little as possible except the women..................so the agency has to be full service.

3.  The best agencies I dealt with were full service agencies.  Service was always great, the problem they all had was recruiting quality women without children (nothing against the ones with children, but they are easier to recruit for many reasons).  So, the ideal agency will be able to recruit a steady stream of quality women.  As I always say, its the women stupid......................

4.  The flat is decent and close to the agency, forget about hotel rooms.

5.  Agency personnel really get to know you, your personality, your likes, your dislikes and know enough about their women to know which ones they believe best suit your personality.

6.   Agency personnel give you their frank and honest opinion about which women seem as into you as you are them.  Always remember its not about you, its the other person ie. she has to be as into you or more into you than you are into her.

7.   The best agencies know the word service in customer service.  They keep the guy as safe as possible during his forays into their world ie. they make sure the guy gets home and is locked in for the night.  They try their best to keep their guests happy.

8.  The best agencies have alternative activities to suggest a guy does / sees with his dates. 

9.  The best agencies help the guy make the most of his time in the FSU.

10.  The best agencies continue helping the guy and his girl once he leaves the agency, whether in advice, help with paperwork, English lessons for the girl etc.

11.  The best agencies present the girls / guys to each other tastefully.

12.  The best agencies are as aware as possible of the schedules of the girls so when a guy sets up a trip there are as few emergencies where girls a guy wants to meet are actually able to meet him.

13.  Correspondence occurs in an air of confidence (huge problem for agencies on the Russian side, because girls do not want others in their community knowing their business) and is of course part of the package. 

14.  The best agencies are also able to screen out the dregs of society kind of guys so women do not get turned off by their agency.

Well, thats alot to chew on, but remember recruiting, screening and helping ensure availability of the girls is the key thing. 

[Manny]

I think the perfect agency is one that will sell you the verified contact details including numbers, address, e mail etc and then but out if you want them to. You can then choose to approach them again should you want translation or any other services they offer.

I dislike the agencies I read about who only allow men to communicate via agency e mail accounts and any attempt at exchanging personal details is edited out etc. Seems like writing them a blank cheque.

[KenC]

I think the perfect agency is one that will sell you the verified contact details including numbers, address, e mail etc and then but out if you want them to. You can then choose to approach them again should you want translation or any other services they offer.

I dislike the agencies I read about who only allow men to communicate via agency e mail accounts and any attempt at exchanging personal details is edited out etc. Seems like writing them a blank cheque.

Manchester,
I agree with you, but that only works for guys like you that are familiar with travel to the fsu and know their way around a bit.  What about the guys that need a little hand holding (at least for the first trip)?  Don't you think the services should be more like a buffet?  Take as much or as little as you want?  To the inexperienced traveler, airport transportation, availability of interpreters, flat rental coordination and such would go a long long way.
KenC

[jb]

I agree with you, but that only works for guys like you that are familiar with travel to the fsu and know their way around a bit.  What about the guys that need a little hand holding (at least for the first trip)?  Don't you think the services should be more like a buffet?  Take as much or as little as you want?  To the inexperienced traveler, airport transportation, availability of interpreters, flat rental coordination and such would go a long long way.

Ken, we seldom disagree, but what you've listed here is called lack of preparation, guys making their first trip should put forth at least a little effort to learn a little of the language and culture of their prospective mate's country.   It speaks volumes of the disrespect shown otherwise.

[KenC]

Ken, we seldom disagree, but what you've listed here is called lack of preparation, guys making their first trip should put forth at least a little effort to learn a little of the language and culture of their prospective mate's country.   It speaks volumes of the disrespect shown otherwise.

Jb,
the problem with your opinion here (as I see it) is that you are hung up on the idea of a guy going to Russia to fill a wife vacancy.  I just went over to meet a woman I met on line.  When things did turn serious, I did take Russia a lot more serious too.  Hell, I'm Russian for God's sake, and it was a pleasure to explore the possibilities.
Ken

[Manny]

Don't you think the services should be more like a buffet? 

Thats exactly what I meant when I said You can then choose to approach them again should you want translation or any other services they offer.

But as JB suggests, hand holding is all very well but maybe people need to read up a little before they leap in.

If they use a one stop shop they would surely pay more than they might if they spent some time snooping around on these forums and google and putting the package together themselves. Sure it may be handy to use certain aspects of an agencies services like Airport Transfer and a flat rental but it should be an informed decision they make rather than "deals" pushed by an agency that may be a little greedy and wanting to pocket some tourist dollars.

[BC]

If an agency could deliver via dhl in 24 hours they would be 'perfect' for over 90% of RW seekers..

I'd like mine with red ribbon and a stick-on bow..

Forget all this honesty, service and integrity stuff.. It's only valid for the remaining 10% or so.

-just a 'big picture' view..

FWIW

[KenC]

BC,
You are exactly right as I see it.  An agency has to be two agencies in one.  One for the lookie loos that never go to Russia and another to support the guys that do go.  My take is that there is a lot more profits to be made from the guys that never go.  But profiting shouldn't allow the agency to deceive even the lookie loos.
KenC

[BC]

Ken,

Could you imagine, revenue generated from the 90%, even if acquired in a manner that the remaining 10% consider 'unethical' supports efforts of the few that do manage to land on tarmac somewhere in FSU?

As a businessman I just have a hard time trying to figure out how an agency can survive using only 'ethical' business practices. 

Is it not a similar concept when a ciity uses funds generated from traffic violations to support schools?.. something few would consider 'unethical"..

I'm sure some foks do get tickets that didn't really deserve them..

Is there a fundamental difference?

[KenC]

BC,
I see nothing unethical about providing services to the 90-95% of the guys that never actually go to Russia.  Providing them with email, translations, video chats or letter writing services are all money making activities which are not unethical.  There is no way to determine which customer is going to fall into the 5-10% that go to Russia, so you have to treat them all with the assumption that they will eventually go.
KenC

[BC]

There is no way to determine which customer is going to fall into the 5-10% that go to Russia, so you have to treat them all with the assumption that they will eventually go.
KenC

Yes Ken, and that is where things tend to go haywire..  There are obviously few successful business models that support equal treatment.  More or less screw them all and serve the tough ones that stick it out.. - that's what seems to work.

[ConnerVT]

Jb,
the problem with your opinion here (as I see it) is that you are hung up on the idea of a guy going to Russia to fill a wife vacancy.  I just went over to meet a woman I met on line. 

Again, I have to agree with KenC, only as my experience was very similar.  I had ended up in Russia after doing some traveling from Internet dating in the US.  When I went to Russia for the first time, it was more of a fact finding mission with a few dates thrown in.  I wasn't committed to the whole RW thing.

Perhaps that's why it worked for KenC and me.  I didn't go with any preconceived ideas.  Helps to maintain one's objectivity that way.

[Marc Dayton]

first you must start with the basics. The office staff in Russia in the corner stone, and the foundashion.

Next you must think about what service you want to provide to the RW, and how to get the best girl in your service. You can,t just put your name on a door, and think good girls are going to walk in the door with a bow on there forehead, and say Mary x-mas please take me.

O.k. less say you have the girls about 300 to start. I don't think an agency will be taken serous by most men with out a fair amount of RW.

Next you can plan the type of service so you say how can I give a man the service he want, but? do you go one step up and also give him the services he needs. Needs and want are two different things.

Know what makes or breaks the service is 100% you!

So to use the right agency that suits your personal needs is as in portent as finding the right RW. If you try and use a service that is not what YOU want & need then you will make the agency look bad no matter if the agency is good or bad.

YOU 100% must!!! use the service that is right for YOU if you don't you will have only cheated yourself!

So when you talk about the perfect agency you must also talk about using the right agency for you. This is were many men go wrong.

[Manny]

O.k. less say you have the girls about 300 to start. I don't think an agency will be taken serous by most men with out a fair amount of RW.

I agree with most of your words there Marc, but my opinion differs on the quote above. I think agencies with fewer women can sometimes come across OK. I know a handful of agencies with ladies that only number in the tens rather than the hundreds. I would think such a small outfit could devote more time to clients and have possibly met or otherwise confirmed all the ladies they list so the chances of encountering Fat Yuri are minimised.

Another point to note is very small agencies will never be big money spinners for the owners so they are most likely operated part time, ie, they are not the owners main source of income. That being the case, it is not a necessity to scew every client to the boards for every last $ or £.

That does come back around to your point of choosing an agency/ies you feel comfortable with. Some men are comfortable with very small ones, some are confortable with the ones they imagine to be the big players in the arena.

A small one that allows you direct access to personal details at first base without any gold programs/tokens/credits/agency intervention in contact and who lets you choose which of their other services thereafter* (if any) would be my personal choice. But everybody differs.

*likened to a buffet previously by KenC - good phrase!

[Marc Dayton]

Yes some small agencies like to claim they know there girls well, but don't forget 1 thing here

It can be 10 girls or 10.000 girls you only know what the girl wants you to know?

I have Sean many small agencies who once they get you to there service they try to sell you this trip to go fishing or hunting or sight seeing. These services are playing on your second reason to go to Russia. In my mind this type of service is only setting you up to fail.

If a service feeds on your travail needs he or she is just feeding you what you want to here to get you to use there service.

[Marc Dayton]

I have a true story for you ?

Many years ago I was living in Russia. My wife's best friend came for a visit. Back then I was told how they had a friendship for 10 plus years. I was told what a wonderful wife she would be. I liked the girl and so i set her up with a man that I knew and new vary well.

Well soon after the two went on a trip together, and the girls was a nightmare she treated this man like sh_t

So my point no mater how well you think you know a girl dose not mean anything at all in the way she will treat a man or for that fact how a man will treat a woman.

[Gator]

Perfect agency - is this not an oxymoron?

I would think being an agency owner would be a very difficult job for a sincere person.  On one side you must deal with a strange assortment of men, many with problems, almost all looking for a wife out of their league, almost all thinking you are trying to scam them, and few understanding much less appreciating your country.

On the other side, you have two types of constant complaints:  1)  "the man you sent is a loser" or 2) "you never send me any men".

How any two people can hook up and become happily married eludes me, and I guess the marriage rates are indeed low as a percentage of women and men clients.

Yet there are some agencies who will endure this abuse and who will allow you to send a free intro letter, charge you a reasonable fee for correspondence, and allow a woman after a few letters to disclose her telephone number so you can call her directly.  And if you do travel, they try to facilitate everything without coddling you.  And if you and a woman become attracted to each other, the agency withdraws and wishes you success.

[CaptB]

An interesting subject. The thought has crossed my mind a few times (about starting an agency). My starting point for the perfect agency would be MASKSIM'S in Yoshkar Ola. Great website.....he does it all.

TOUR PACKAGE

The all-inclussive package for the first-timer. You are taken care of.....all needs met.
Transportation, flat, interpreter, access to all women in the program. A well organized first trip.....minimum 10 days.....may give a first timer the greatest chance for success. Prescreening the clients wants/ needs in what they are looking for in a partner.....meeting all a large selection of women meeting his criteria......AND KEEPING HIM ON TRACK AND FOCUSSED. If the client strayed of his own accord against agency advice (ie. he decided to go for a 19 yo cutie....instead of the 35-40
year old age group he originally chose....he is 50) I would make the clent sign a waver
and put it in the original customer contract. This would cut out alot of BS with the small portion of clients that can give you business a bad name. I think documentation
will ultimately benefit the client (maintaining focus) as well as the agency.

ALA CARTE SERVICES

Also offer all services "ala carte". Reasonable prices. With the understanding that all services such as interpreters, flats and airport pick-ups may or may not be available to "walk-ins".......but recomend contracting for these services before ariving. Agencies don't exist for "picking up the pieces" for independent travelers. About the only thing I could find about complaints for (ie) MAKSIMS was a few guys who madew arrangements for "a flat" to lease.......then complained that they felt "abandoned" after the agency person dropped them off at their flat. This was not a package tour.........only a flat for X number of days. If you want someone to attend to your needs (and discomforts).......then "an all-inclussive package is the way to go.

GIFT SERVICES

One agency offered a coupon book for $10 for 10 taxi rides for your RW. I like things like this. To the guy......its only $10 (my agency might make $2 a book). But for his RW going to "English lessons"......it means less wasted time comuting by public transportation. It also means she has a well-established contact.....with as set price
.......for taxi service. It also means the guy can purchase the book.....and get discount taxi service.....without having to negotiate......and with a "honest" taxi service. Coupon books for other services I have in mind also.....and of course flowers, candy etc.

LOCAL ATTRACTION RELATED SERVICE

One guy here complained he would not use an agency for outside activities. I would welcome having an agency be able to set-up special activities before he arrives or shortly after. Buying tickets to events, trains, busses etc......can be an adventure itself in Russia. The time for a guys trip is valuable......and always too short. Organizing such things benefits the client by not wasting hours of his time on such things. Hmmmm do I want to gripe that an agency made $5 from me......or spend and entire morning accomplishing the same thing......to save $5. Yes I'm in business....I make a living at this......but I will weigh the benefit to the customer before adding a new service. If I can offer flowers for the same price as "you" going to a vendor....and deliver them....and save you transportation....and time in doing so....who would'nt want to use our service.

PLEDGE BOARD

I like the idea of an online "pledgeboard". When two people decide to be be in contact with each other "exclussively".....by mutual consent....they will place their names and/or photo on the pledgeboard. Both parties will know they are "exclussive"
and now "unavailable". My gut says this should really be for folks who have at least "met". If they hav'nt met.....I would discuss it with each party to make sure one is more receptive to the idea.....than the other (no pressure).

ENGAGEMENT/MARRIED BOARD

Like the pledgeboard. I would want to show "all" the sucessful folks.....I can't believe so many websites do not have this......its the best advertising. No....we won't have a "who later got divorced board. No agency can "guarantee" the sucess oif any marriage........that is really up to the couyple. What I can do is carefully "screen" and "make recomendations".

My list does not offer lots of details of services.....I'll offer whatever "customers" ask for ..........with a few helpful services (ieTaxi coupon books etc.) they might not think of. Mainly I wanted to point out that this is a business. Many agencies offer services at inflated prices. I am a firm believer in volume at at a reasonable price over ............."let me charge as much as I can for as long as I can get it. If the price is "competitive and more convenient" I'll get all the business I want. All of these little things add-up. They can help an agency pay the day-to-day expences without waiting for the big-ticket items (package tours) to come rolling in......and always be the maker or breaker of an agencies sucess. Most agencies only focus on the "big".................I would focus on both big (intermittent)........and the small (steady) services

ADDRESSES & MISC

 For trhe "dreamers".......I would be honest......and tell them, ultimately, (IMHO) letter writing is only the beginning.....and of small value.....in the greater scheme of things. Yes I would offer written/e-mail/phone contact of women in the program.......but to what extent. That would be something I would have to give alot of thought to. Imagine.......you have a business......in a foreign company.....6,000
miles away. THE MAIN PART OF YOUR BUSINESS IS INTRODUCING RW TO FOREIGN MEN. I REPEAT......THIS "IS" YOUR BUSSINESS.........INTRODUCTIONS. Are you going to sell this information for onl $10? Yes the guys want to know if the women are real.
But for many......all they need is that address....................................and they whine about the price.........and want it for $10, $15.....$20 a piece. Nice for them....but this is "your" business. I really want the guys to meet the women. Trips mean more money for the bussiness........yes. I want success for my clients. I want every couple who matched on the website. I want success to speak for "itself".
Selling off contact information "cheap"......will take alot of thought with no finite answers. I want the guys to know the RW they are in contact with are real (my number priority would be screening "all" clients for sinserity. I think the women should be contacted periodically at "reasonable" intervals (say every six months) for a brief up-date.....maybe a new photo. I think all women should give at least a brief reply to each inquiry.....even to state "not interested". Maybe this should be part of selling contact information....or a contact contract (as with LTP)......that if a woman is not interested.....her privacy is maintained......and "she" gets to choose (before the guy pays)......whether to release her information or not. Not easy solutions. You are not going to please everyone regarding "contact information". Of course....ideally......cheap.....with no agency intervention......is what everyguy wants. I would like a Westsail 32 sailboat for $1.........also. My discission would ultimately be based on making a reasonablr profit......and protecting the interests of the "both" parties (client and RW). No easy answers on "contact information".

Capt B

[Marc Dayton]

My discission would ultimately be based on making a reasonablr profit......and protecting the interests of the "both" parties (client and RW). No easy answers on "contact information".
-------------------------------------------------------------

First what is a reasonable profit ? Lets just say with out added expense your cost just to open the door each day is around 2K per month rent office staff and all the normal bills.

Know you book 1 trip for 10 days @ are price thats 2K the same as the cost to open your doors. This dose not cover interputers, flats or cleaning of the flats. There are some other small fees from time.

Know if you have a sales person who has been helping you he gets paid for his or her services, what are your internet cost, and any advertising you do on this side of the world to find men to use your services. Not cheep trust me on that one.

Know we also have the web-site cost added in, and If your like me there is a cost paying to have a person upload new BIOS take off the old and make changes to the site?

So your cost will add up. So know you plan what type of services you offer to pay your bills.

From here you should do your own math then talk about what the perfect agencies should be, just add 1 more thing into the debate to be a perfect agency you need the perfect men in your program?

Its must be good for each party or its not a perfect agency?

Also one more thing you should talk about it been talked about all over the boards. Don't forget with all your overhead the $50 dollar date. Is this good for and agency or is it only good for the men?

I will make my comments and why after I here your thoughts on why its good or bad about the pay by date.

[Bruce]

The way I see it the $50 date is usually bad for everybody, but could be good for everybody.  Here is why:  As far as I am concerned the good agency makes its money by selling package trips to guys.  Unfortunately, even the good agencies tend to make a lot of dollars on guys who never make the trip by selling addresses / email correspondence etc.  That being said, if the good agency has a large selection of quality girls the guy buys the package trip with the good agency and everybody is happy ie. guy meets lots of girls, agency gets the guys full attention and full fare.  Now, if the good agency only has a few girls the guy is interested in meeting, then the agency is not so good for the guy, hence he uses another agency, perhaps a middleman and comes to the so called good agency to meet one or two women.  In that case, the $50 is good for everybody, because the good agency at least got some dollars and some of its girls were met and the guy got to meet at least two good girls.  By the way, everything else probably was not as good for the guy, because he did not use the better agency.  Still, if he knows the language well and is experienced with the culture and travel, he really does not need a full service agency at all - though it is always helpful for a guy on time constraints to have a pool of girls who theoretically are interested in him  . 

[Marc Dayton]

Bruce ?

The Perfect Agency is the theam so my ? about the $50 date what if some of the agencies are not honest should the so called perfect agencie for any reason work with an agency that is not so good?