compare and contrast--HRB/AWEB versus two legitimate agencies

[knighta]

 I thought I argued about some silly stuff here. Wern't you guys only a few bucks apart on your prices? Does it really matter what the price of tea is in China?

$10+

I previously mentioned about the flowers if you are going to post something post it correctly.  I might at as well say that Belarus is in South America or there have been a total of 59899 presidents in the USA

[facetrock]

Whatever...

[Vaughn]

facetrock, some guys are going to experience a very rude awakening when they start dealing with
AOS/Removal of Conditions/Citizenship and fully demand exactness.

if you are going to post something post it correctly.

You are talking me still be in business with Aweb?

So how can am I doing business this with them?

[knighta]

facetrock, some guys are going to experience a very rude awakening when they start dealing with
AOS/Removal of Conditions/Citizenship and fully demand exactness.

So grammar is not my strong suit.  What is your point?  I could talk all day long about AJ and his spelling.

[Boethius]

I don't think Vaughn was referring to your grammar.  I think he was referring to the lack of clarity (or, "exactness") you will run into when dealing with bureaucracy.

Now let's get this thread back on track.

[Vaughn]

I will admit when I am wrong.  Can you do the same?

I have no trouble at all admitting when I'm wrong, knighta. Yes, Boethius, it's time for this thread to
either move on productively - or go the way of the triceratops.

[Jumper]

So grammar is not my strong suit.  What is your point?  I could talk all day long about AJ and his spelling.

all day long? really?

Well I believe that!
 and obviously  quite long about a $10 difference in price on a roughly $200 expense?

If you havn't noticed knighta , your dramatics really  don't help the position you've choosen to take.  

Saying $190 vs $200 is vastly different on some overpriced flowers at BOTH places,
is not the same as stating Belarus is in South America.

As Vaughn  mentioned, stating and explaining your positive experience with the agency  might much better make your point.. or help anyone to understand your need to " defend " the agencies policies ,prices, etc.


There are differences between a small mom and pop marraige agency and a larger corporate entity with many affiliates.
Rubicon  seemed to hit on some key points, ..
Now I wouldn't agree with the EXACT details of all of them, but it wouldn't change that in my experience his views on the differences are generally accurate.

 In my mind , you have nit picked a few smaller details or inaccuracies that wouldn't change the overall view or experience of some new man trying his hand at both types of these places.

[Vaughn]

This thread offered such a ripe opportunity in the form of an open door for any client of HRB/A-Web to
articulate a productive counterpoint, and that door remains wide open.

I really would like to have heard the opposing point of view, to include the path taken to a success story.

[Rubicon]

have YOU used  both types of agencies ?
using OTHER sites , and comparing your experinces?

those that have typically see a difference is like night and day.
I've never seen one  man that argued the valuie of such places,  if they had used any other means to compare.
Visiting locally as kievstar suggested is likely the best policy if you werr t o use theses places.

Knighta-
 I received at least that many letters and chat requests in a week..
 so Rubicon isn't exaggeratting the numbers in my experince at all.
you can put up a blank profile with no photo and get 100..!!
I know several  men who got 400 per week..
 Your experience is before the chat feature??? (or these type agencies  hiring girls to chat)

So your own *research* might just be a bit dated.
 mine's this year. and i was seriouisly researching them from my own curiosity...


Yes I certainly know there are sincere women at such agencies, and have met them.
I'm not a disgruntled customer at all. In fact i'm happy. I'm just a realist,and to wade thru the smioke and mirrors at such agencies is a tribulation for most sincere guys.They are bertter off doing most anything else.

These big agencies  have a horrible reputations ,where there is smoke there IS fire.
sure some of it could be built on jilted men ,sour grapes?
but I feel plenty of the bad reputation  is based on rational mens real expereinces there.

I feel ruibicons assement is fairly accurate.. GENERALLY speaking ,which is waht he was putting out there ,a general assesment.
i have a bad vibe about some local agencies as well.. even mordinsons,and don't believe any FSU agency is spotless  
but generally speaking ,I feel if a man is going to use an agency,
then he is better off going thru a *reputable* local agency, rather than the big middleman conglomerates.
Finding a reputable local one might be a task,,but worth doing so.

bickering over whether ,one or the other, overcharges more for flowers seems really pointless.

It's the business model of the big ones that reeks..and
 encourages sham in the affiliate local agencies.

put up a profile on any one  of these type agencies  today, you will have well over 100 replies by tomorrow ..
and a ton of additional chat requests.Other members here have tried it ,not one I know of failed to get this type of
high responce.

AJ--

the reason I like Mordinson is because they do not try to hide or obfuscate the costs involved with their agency.  they are very upfront about exactly what you get with them, and they do a good job of justifying their costs.  considering that they include one week in a luxury apartment, with unlimited introductions, and including the interpreter, their prices are reasonable in my opinion.  they also have a very high number of testimonials.  I also spoke with a man who used them and highly recommended them.  I might use them and if I do I will write a trip report about my experiences with them.

[Rubicon]

Well, I didn't go back and read the quoted thread again, but I took that as him quoting the words of Muckraker, who was actually doing the writing as if it were his girlfriend.

That being said, I certainly cannot agree that A-web should be a first choice for someone seriously seeking a partner.  Sure, anything is possible, but as AJ stated (and Faux Pas verified), there are simpler mazes to navigate.

this is the problem I have with Aweb and HRB.  they claim to be introduction agencies, but in reality they will do EVERYTHING they can to prevent men from actually meeting the women in their websites.  clearly, they make immense profits by writing letters, chatting, and selling expensive gifts.  if Aweb is correct that they send 600,000 letters each day, and assuming they make $2.00 profit a letter (they charge $10.00 a letter), than they are making $30,000,000.00 plus in profit each month!!  that is an enormous sum of money.  why would they want their women to meet men and get married??  they do not.  they want to make money, that is their primary motivation.  they don't give a hoot about a woman meeting her potential soulmate.  those who do get lucky are the exception.

[Rubicon]

This thread offered such a ripe opportunity in the form of an open door for any client of HRB/A-Web to
articulate a productive counterpoint, and that door remains wide open.

I really would like to have heard the opposing point of view, to include the path taken to a success story.

bingo!!  Knighta, this is your chance to tell your story about how you met your fiance thru Anastasia.  I cannot speak for others, however I will not interupt you.

[knighta]

bingo!!  Knighta, this is your chance to tell your story about how you met your fiance thru Anastasia.  I cannot speak for others, however I will not interupt you.

Read number 22 of my past posts.  As to AJ I will share my thoughts to your post later it is only half written now.  

[Rubicon]

I have never joined Aweb. I "believe" I visited the site once early in my interest East. I can't say what goes on there or what doesn't. Prior to a recent thread on this forum I had never visited HRB. As a result of that thread I was compelled to go to HRB and join.

 I am married to a RW and was not looking to find another, just to see for myself what HRB was about. I posted a fictitious profile with no picture. I set up a email account specifically to monitor the number of emails. I had over 100 emails within the first 24 hours and slightly less than 800 10 days later. I never opened or answered a single one. So yes, it's not only possible, its highly likely. Why I had that many I have no idea. I can only assume they use some software detections where they may find a fish.

I spent my initial 50 credits which cost me $30 bucks within one hour on web cam chats. As soon as I logged in the chat requests came and never stopped. I do not recall one second where there was not some young hottie requesting chat. Again, I am relatively sure there is a software to send chat request to anyone who happens to be online. I have no proof of this  just a feeling. There is/was no reasonable explanation for all these young gals wanting to chat with me other than using my credits. I purposely left the profile vague and stating my real age of 49.

Why am I stating this here? Because I understand Aweb and HRB is very much the same business model. It's not actually there to find a wife or does not facilitate finding a wife. It facilitates removing one from their money. If you happen to find a wife there, you turned an inside straight. Go to Vegas. It can happen but the house is against it

FWIW

I feel ripped off, Faux Pas.  I did not receive any credits from them!!!

but you are correct, those who happen to find a wife at either of these agencies were extremely lucky.  

[Rubicon]

Read number 22 of my past posts.  As to AJ I will share my thoughts to your post later it is only half written now.  

Knighta,

I read your post #22.  apparently you had to visit Ukraine four times in order to meet your fiance.  IMO this was a lot of time and money spent.  whereas if you had used a more honest agency, you might have met the correct woman the first time. 

[knighta]

Knighta,

I read your post #22.  apparently you had to visit Ukraine four times in order to meet your fiance.  IMO this was a lot of time and money spent.  whereas if you had used a more honest agency, you might have met the correct woman the first time. 

Actually 3 Ukraine, 1 Belarus.  You might be right, but others on the board I believe have mentioned they have done more than 10.  I can't recall a name.

[Rubicon]

Therein lies the problem that you seemingly felt justified to accuse Rubicon of pulling numbers out of his "ass"....

The price was never wrong - he actually understated his expenditure of $210. OK, OK - apples and oranges.
The point was Mordinson's - or whoever - charged less. The fact that you met your fiance through the higher
priced entity - well, dude, it appears you are taking his insinuation as a personal affront, and will nitpick to make
some profound point that few care about. What I would care about is your own positive experience with  A-Web or whomever.

my comparison of Mordinson to Aweb was an apples to apples comparison.  Mordinson does not give the option of sending just 11 roses.  if you send 11 roses with Mordinson, they also include chocolate.  this is why I inluded chocolate with Aweb to come up with $210.00  I pointed out to Knighta several times that my comparison was apples to apples.  he kept coming back with a price for Aweb of $190.00, which is an oranges to apples comparison.  I said so what, it is still overpriced, but if you want to use them, that is your choice.  it is always the choice of the man which agency (or no agency) he wants to use.  I was just asking people to compare and contrast the big two against the two I chose (Mordinson and Kiev Connections), which I believe are much better choices, to say the least.

[Rubicon]

Actually 3 Ukraine, 1 Belarus.  You might be right, but others on the board I believe have mentioned they have done more than 10.  I can't recall a name.

it's also true that some men need to make a lot of trips to meet their woman.  it is hard to know what the correct path to take is.  glad you met yours.  if you want to post a full trip report, that would probably be interesting.

[knighta]

it's also true that some men need to make a lot of trips to meet their woman.  it is hard to know what the correct path to take is.  glad you met yours.  if you want to post a full trip report, that would probably be interesting.

I am not a good story teller, but mostly went to eat, did some bowling, took some pictures standing on top of a cliff and a couple in front of a statue.  When I got back we quit writing each shortly afterward on Aweb and went to emails and ICQ.

[knighta]

Whatever...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101215/od_nm/us_words_annoying

[Rubicon]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101215/od_nm/us_words_annoying

whatever....

[neo]

Righto,

I have first hand experience of all 3.

Mordinson:

Met my fiance of 5 years through them on my first trip to Ukraine. Fantastic personal service, like a dating Concierge. Still friends with Micheal now, had more fun with Micheal go-karting, bowling and paintballing than I did with my Fiance who was a bit dull. Met lots of Mordinson girls over the years - probably did 5-6 trips with them? even after i met my fiance i still used their service as they did such a first rate job or organising everything and it was always great to have Micha to hang with when my missus was in a sulk (most of the time). I think they are a first rate agency and are perfect if you are a complete noob and have never been to Ukraine and don't want to go native.

Downside for me is the limited amount of girls with the agency and for a number of years I didn't find them attractive which kind of defeats the whole object, but if i was off to Kharkov i would definately use their services as their apartment is fantastic, Micha is great to go for a beer and shoot pool with.

HRB/RLM

After i broke up with my fiance of 5 years i joined HRB where i wrote to 30+ girls. this was about 6 years ago now when they were first getting going. met my wife there, chatted to her every day. probably spent 500-600 USD on chat, emails, and buying her some perfume and flowers (I normally wouldnt but was on WOVO and she was superhot). Fashion model. lovely photos, talked a lot. a bit mental but in a funny/quirky Juliette Lewis kind of way. I can generally tell if i am speaking to a genuine UW/RW vs a form letter based on how mental they are. If they appear in anyway rational or sane then its obviously canned. Anyway went to see her 5 weeks after first writing, HRB organised the trip with her local agent, was about 1800 USD all in at the time because i wanted a hotel suite. Local agent was fantastic, about the same age as my mum and a proper old school matchmaker, drove us around everywhere and worked tirelessly the whole week. highly recommended. wife turned out to be as beautiful and mental as expected. marriage ensued.

AWEB

After 3 years of marriage, seperation due to ongoing mentalness of wife and indescretions by husband with italian waitress and desire to own a Aston Martin (against the wishes of she who must be obeyed). 3 months solitude in LA followed by a bit of a frolic on AWEB with a girl with large hooters. nothing serious expected. lightning raid to Ukraine. good trip. girl was nice. she probably wanted more but I was still married and wife wanted reconciliation. Letter writing expensive, don't ever bother with the gifts - 180 USD for valentine day roses that the girl described as "looking like they were run over by a truck". Local service shoddy - treat it like a trip to hertz, negotiate for a 5"7 brunette with manual transmission and hope the local agent doesnt give you a SUV auto with a broken tailight and expired plates.

Summary:

There are many ways to meet women. Some work for some people. Nothing works for others. Concentrate on the end result and take the opinion the ends justifies the means and like a punt then you can use any method you wish. the end result is dependent on so many variables that after 10 years i have given up rationalising and concluded its all down to blind luck.

DISCLAIMER:

I have no useful advice to give, this post is purely for entertainment value only and cannot be relied upon in a court of law.

[Rubicon]

hilarious post, neo.  I don't think I have laughed so hard since I saw Home Alone about ten years ago.

thanks for confirming my suspicions that Mordinson is a quality agency to deal with.

regarding HRB, you are the first man I have ever heard of who actually married a woman from that agency.  did the local HRB agency charge you a fee to meet your future wife?
(and have you reconciled with her or are you still spending time with the lovely with big hooters from Aweb??)

I'll bet you are fun to go drinking with.  wish I could still drink!

[neo]

Rubicon,

Regarding HRB - I just paid circa 1800-2200 USD all in to meet my wife, was an all inclusive package of hotel (i upgraded to a suite), transfers and transportation/translation by the local rep all week. Was about the same cost as a Mordinson trip of the same time so wasn't too bad, they have changed their business model a lot post imbra with all this "qualification" business. I personally don't like their current model and the quality of their offer is definately going downhill.

Regarding the future of my marriage, who knows what the new year is going to bring. before the summer I was pretty sure i wanted a divorce but when we got in touch again to discuss this it relit some old flames, i did just intend to apologise for my behaviour of being a total shit of a husband but i seem to have overdone it and recharmed her. Its not exactly loves young dream but shes probably cancelled the hitman contract on me now put it that way.

its a difficult situation to be honest, at the moment we are both young enough to start again, no kids involved or property and no visa was applied for as we were living in Europe during our marriage so no real damage has been done, we both always accepting getting married after 3 months was at best a 50/50 so there was no real hard feelings, whether we move forward and try and rebuild what we had or cut our losses and make a clean break I don't know. Still in touch with the AWEB girl so will see how that develops, we are still effectively seperated and really just talking about if we have any future at the moment or its just wishful thinking/living in the past.

I'm sure more conservative folk probably think my behaviour is scandalous, but we had a good time, enjoyed the time we were married - not everything works out, its not put me off as insofar as "the process" of meeting a RW went i was successful, the marriage was entirely down to 2 people trying to compromise enough to live together both being quite young and idealistic about what marriage is all about, our marriage breakdown was entirely circumstantial and nothing to do with culture or the RW/AM thing - if anything she complained i was "too much" like a russian man (and not in a good way!)

Because I have already been through the journey i find it easy to play with fire on stuff like AWEB, would i trust my heart and future happiness to them or HRB? not in the slightest, but if there was a girl there i had some attraction to then i would be inclined to give it a shot if i had a credible backup plan because you just never know how things turn out.

Again, i would qualify this for any newbies reading, i am NOT recommending either HRB/AWEB services - I think they have some genuine and quite alarming issues with their business model and I find the way they do things to be a very effective dollar generative machine for the perpetrators but not entirely in the best interest of the consumer, therefore caveat emptor.

I wish i could still drink too tbh, when the hangovers hit 3 days i decided it was time to take life a bit easier.

[LAman]

Righto,

I have first hand experience of all 3.

 DISCLAIMER:

I have no useful advice to give, this post is purely for entertainment value only and cannot be relied upon in a court of law.

Mine is with 2

1st...in several years on Aweb...never had I got more than 10 letters per day but the chats come often( they know when you are online)I never counted...I have no idea where 400+ would come from...maybe I am just ugly or should have no photo

Aweb- no contact info in letters or chat or video but if use rules can get contact info in phone calls or a private flower delivery service( for no where near price you guys were quoting). Not a good place for guys that don't know what they are doing......have to have a good feel for non serious girls. But I do blame guys more for these business' to get out of hand, the lonely , aging, down-and-out guys that think some hot young chick is waiting to be sweep off their feet and be rescued...most are just entertainment with a few serious girls. My thoughts..if you can't get a young chick at home why do you try in FSU??

Kiev Connections- 1 experience, had some free time in Kiev and backups were from KC. Went to agency with ID's and withing half an hour had to 2 dates at $40 a piece. One girl kept checking her watch to give me '1 hour of her time' and other told she was not interested in me originally( going through motions?) until she actually got to know me and we spent a few days together...my thoughts of KC or maybe any city  agency??? Where else can you get a couple dates in a few minutes....makes you wonder if girls are just daters available for some $$$. ???

[Welder]

LAman
"Where else can you get a couple dates in a few minutes....makes you wonder if girls are just daters available for some $$$. Huh?"

This is a rhetorical question.....right.

My wife told me funny stories as we dated of her and her sister going on dates for agencies at the last minute.  Even though they were doing the agency a favor their "payment" wasn't money.  By doing the agency a courtesy of spending an hour with someone they had no interest in or by attending socials they got first call on new male clients which matched their interests.

One agency contacted my wife and asked why she was no longer interested in working with them even though she was married and preggers at the time.  We laughed at how funny that "date" would have been.