Just Go...

[spectris]

Talk and talk and talk and...
 
Well anyway, if someone reading this is really serious about finding someone in the FSU - my advice based on 5 trips over the past 2 years is JUST GO.  Contact some agencies in the city or cities you want to go to beforehand - because you really do need some plan (it's stupid to TRULY just show up - you DO need some plan, trust me on this), but don't spend much time online emailing and chatting, I don't think I actually saw 25% of the women I emailed the first couple of times I went, - JUST GO and sit down w/ the agency and in person they will be honest with you because they know the women - and believe me, the fact that you are there, IN PERSON, will open all kinds of doors for you. However, you do absolutely need some electronic info about yourself readily available including pictures, bio, etc. - no one is going to meet you sight unseen.  Same for you right?
 
I've spent most of my time in Kiev - which is supposedly the most difficult place to meet someone in the Ukraine (not true btw) because its a big city and it is definitely more expensive than the rest of the country, but honestly nothing about this long distance dating is cheap - know that now.  But I will tell you most of the women I went out with (late 20's to early 40's) told me they had spent 100's of hours emailing and Skyping men, but most (all but 2 actually) had only met 0-3 in real life.  Honestly, several of the women I went out with had never been to dinner with a man arranged by the agency in the 6 months or 2 years or however long they've been registered there.  I won't delve into the online scammer thing, because if you fall for that then well - you get what you get, JUST GO and meet the women in person.  The agency system is not perfect, but I've found it to be very reliable IF YOU ARE THERE IN PERSON.  On the web/phone, whatever I think its dicey since it is a "for profit" endeavor - but face-to-face, I've had nothing but a good experience.
 
Anyway, somehow I lucked out and found an AW that is amazing so no more Ukraine trips for me any time soon, but if I wasn't with her, I would be back to Kiev on the next flight - the women there are sincere, attractive, highly intelligent and available if you are serious.
 
I mean really - if you truly aren't prepared to travel over there, why are you spending your time (and wasting their time) with this - JUST GO.
 
 

[Patagonie]

A lot of people here are decrying agencies, in fact agencies are not a waste of time, quite the opposite. Of course it's better to focus on agencies with good reputation, but some fellows even success in the big ones, not known to be the more honest.
The real life begins when you open the door of the agency, or the door of the bar where you you meet your lady for the first time.
Your experience is interesting and show that the MOB business is not so high as few years ago. Not so many women are visited. The theorem is again verified : few profiles "hot babies" receive tons of mails and most of women see few men.
In my opinion if you observe some basic rules you can almost go anywhere and ask meetings in any agency. The rule is to keep control and not let them to control you. Have a personal interpreter available or two if possible.
Of course as you said it's not a good idea to just show up. The better combination is to prepare your travel, bring photo + profile if possible in both english and russian. Start a little correspondance two or three weeks previous your travel.
I have found ladies, in almost all cases,  as soon they agree to meet you, try to do their best to show them at their advantage. They dress and do make up. Some come from far and have to spend a lot of time in transportation. Be sure these ones don't come to waste their time.
Also as soon you show that you are serious and you are a good applicant, and so long that you are respectful for staff agencies, so you would have a good contact and staff would give you some  advices because they know girls (i don't speak about the big MOB swindlers of course).
The key as you say Spectris is to show. Agencies are valuable only if you show. The video and mails system is good for their business and absolutely necessary, but when you show up you wake up their human soul of matchmaker and let them to do what they are originally designed to perform. You gain some respect only when you show up, previously you are  nothing.
It's important to tell to newbies that they must work on photos and profile. This is very important, it will open you more meetings in the city.
But a lot of time things happen on phone. It's why it's important to come in the agency and have a good appearance and good manner. The agency can no longer lie to the girls about guys (if girls are not paid by agency, which is not so difficult to know), if the guy is ugly and overweihghted, agency cannot say each time "oh come to meet him he is nice guy, interesting and charming". After two or three calls of this type the girl get bored and don't show. It's why, if the agency tell you that almost any girls of the catalog want to meet you, you must interpret it as a clear RED flag showing that you are in an agency who has a problem.

[Gator]

 
Well anyway, if someone reading this is really serious about finding someone in the FSU - my advice based on 5 trips over the past 2 years is JUST GO.   

I agree.  Begs the question, however, of why you did not emotionally connect with a RW in any of your 5 trips over two years.  That fact will discourage many men from traveling.
 
Congratulations on finding an AW who satisfies you.  Proof that AW are okay, sometimes better than okay.

[Vincenzo]

But I will tell you most of the women I went out with (late 20's to early 40's) told me they had spent 100's of hours emailing and Skyping men, but most (all but 2 actually) had only met 0-3 in real life.  Honestly, several of the women I went out with had never been to dinner with a man arranged by the agency in the 6 months or 2 years or however long they've been registered there.

What is the bait for these women to stay in the agency catalogs without meeting anybody? Today she is 24, 2 years later she is 27. Time flies.

Also, they don't meet men because the women are always sick when men come to visit.

I know that attractive women from Elena Models who are 22-35 have visitors almost every month. With such a crowd of competitors, it's not worth for a man to use it.

[Daveman]

Also, they don't meet men because the women are always sick when men come to visit.

Never ran into that particular problem.  That must be strictly an "agency" thing when you write women in advance of your trip.  Spectris' thrust is in agreement with the patented Kievstar method (which basically espoused and asserted the same principles.. go THERE, get to know the people who work in the agency, let them point you toward sincerely interested ladies).  Makes a lot of sense.

I know that attractive women from Elena Models who are 22-35 have visitors almost every month. With such a crowd of competitors, it's not worth for a man to use it.

Competition is really irrelevant in the big picture and it isn't a bad thing.  I never really relished any thought of being in the "only option" position.  That position would certainly change rapidly after her arrival, wouldn't it?  Of course there are no guarantees anyway, but I'd much rather "win" a lady's heart as opposed to winning by default... so to speak.

[spectris]

To answer Gator's question specifically, don't let my shortcomings discourage anyone.  I think I connected w/ several women - one in particular that I will always feel badly about.  Being divorced more than once though, maybe I have a different perspective than some.  You better be DAMN serioous if you are going to re-locate one of these women and probably a child - and I guess I just wasn't quite there yet...
 
The biggest problem is you go and meet several women - let's say 10-12 over a 7 day period (easy to do if you use the agencies btw) usually for a quick lunch or maybe HH (or Tea Hour).  You get an hour or two window to see if there is any chemistry and then likely you have another date 2 hours later and repeat.  Best case scenario, you see 2 or 3 of them a second time while you are there for a more serious dinner and then its time to go home.  Just not long enough for me to form a relationship and then I did meet an AW woman about 1/2 way through that started out very casual but grew into something more so I cut off my communication w/ the UW I met on previous trips.  Funny how life works sometimes...
 
FWIW, my advice is either be able to schedule a long trip of say 3 weeks (not ever going to be possible for me btw because of my work, but...) and spend the first week meeting the women and then hang around for a couple more weeks so you can get a 3rd or 4th or more opportunity to spend time w/ someone (or someones) you connect with.  Then be able to return quickly (within 90 days at the longest - 60 would be much better) so that in the interim you've had a chance to Skype, email, whatever - really get to know the lady or maybe a 2-3 ladies if you adhere to the "Backup Plan" directive.  After this second visit, I think probably you (me, whoever) would have a chance to really make this work.
 
And this could work - absolutely I believe that, so I want to ENCOURAGE people to try if they are serious.  If I had not met my AW GF during this time, I'm confident I would be in a relationship w/ a UW as I write this - and if (when) my GF ever comes to her senses and casts me aside, I'm going to take my own advice! 

[Faux Pas]

The biggest problem is you go and meet several women - let's say 10-12 over a 7 day period (easy to do if you use the agencies btw) usually for a quick lunch or maybe HH (or Tea Hour). 
And this could work - absolutely I believe that, so I want to ENCOURAGE people to try if they are serious.  If I had not met my AW GF during this time, I'm confident I would be in a relationship w/ a UW as I write this - and if (when) my GF ever comes to her senses and casts me aside, I'm going to take my own advice!

Spectris, I'm not sure what you are trying to pass off as advice here. Speed dating? What? You see the methods you describe here as workable but, you did it and it didn't really work for you unless you count your AGF?

There are endless stories on this forum of where guys have went over and dated 15, 25 or 30 different women. Yes, that is all doable. Most anyone can walk into an agency, plop down the cash and have dates all day everyday. The "Just Go" part is sound enough for those seeking to meet the women. It's very difficult to meet them otherwise 

[Eduard]

2 years wasted, 5 trips to the tune of probably 15 to 20K at least - wasted. The man should have been playing with his first baby along with his lovely wife by now. Hey, but... Real great advice! I'm sorry but when I see posts like this just makes me wonder what are some people thinking?  I know, I know, just shut up, Ed! And I'm sorry... but when I see this kind of stuff it makes me wanna scream with frustration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The title should have been "Just go, then go again, then again, then one more time, then go again, then...!?!"

[Faux Pas]

2 years wasted, 5 trips to the tune of probably 15 to 20K at least - wasted. The man should have been playing with his first baby along with his lovely wife by now. Hey, but... Real great advice! I'm sorry but when I see posts like this just makes me wonder what are some people thinking?  I know, I know, just shut up, Ed! And I'm sorry... but when I see this kind of stuff it makes me wanna scream with frustration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screaming with frustration is a bit much but, I agree with you here Ed. I mean, whats the point? Spectris's crowning achievement is meeting a dozen women for 4-5 trips. He could have done that without leaving home, still had the same result he has now and not wasted the time of 50 women 

[GoodOlBoy]

... Spectris' thrust is in agreement with the patented Kievstar method (which basically espoused and asserted the same principles.. go THERE, get to know the people who work in the agency, let them point you toward sincerely interested ladies).  Makes a lot of sense.

Yeah, that Kstar was one interesting dude.
 
His postings here at RWD always reminded me of that Dos Equis beer commercial.... "The most interesting man in the world". 
 
Remember the "Nazi hunting" story?  Running around in the woods, late at night, drunk with his RW's relatives? She was pissed the next morning! 

Legendary stuff man! 
 
Anyway, IIRC he also suggested "plying" the agencies office ladies with sweets, flowers, and/or champagnski.
 
FWIW, KStar seemed to think the results were worth the effort of "greasing the wheels". 
 
GOB

[Patagonie]

I think Spectris would tell me more about his story, it's his personal life. But reading his limited posts number i can guess right now that he has not spent lasts two years by wasting his time.

For what i've understood he had had a real story and entered in the true life of FSU, and the true life of HR between FSU women and AW men. He started by a classical WOVO and sticked on it, enough to see not enough chemistry after three travels (which is not so bad to know if you need to continue or not), after he went to the WMVM (or only VM). Spectris correct me if i'm wrong.
In my opinion this guy has strongly boosted his abilities with women, tasted culture, understood what is the mob business and also has developped the sense of where to go, where not to stay, what is the best option to me. He has improved his skills, he has gained experience and will be able to enlarge his pool next time.
I have nothing again coach, it is valuable, but in the process, if you show to a pupil, he will never correctly do it as he MUST practice by himself. This is experience. Coaches give you valuables informations. Eduard, Jack you are some of them. But a guy can practice the hard way and become experimented. So he become autonomous, and needs nobody. Some persons highly enjoy the process, because learning is a true human pleasure.

The just go, go ? Relevant or no ? Perhaps he had understood that he was indecisive about what he want exactly. But also perhaps he hasn't find the true spark ? Which seems to be happened with the AW ?

I see, personaly no time wasted, and about money, he had enjoyed the price. He learnt. A lot, and understood, and tasted FSU special atmosphere. You can be sure that he will come back to if his story is not viable. People need time to adapt depending context and to adjust their goal in contact with a so big move.
 

[Ranetka]

Screaming with frustration is a bit much but, I agree with you here Ed. I mean, whats the point? Spectris's crowning achievement is meeting a dozen women for 4-5 trips. He could have done that without leaving home, still had the same result he has now and not wasted the time of 50 women 

Oh but you are forgetting one very improtant detail - he was meeting women late 20 to early 40s. He is 57....Could he do it in the US?

[GoodOlBoy]

Oh but you are forgetting one very improtant detail - he was meeting women late 20 to early 40s. He is 57....Could he do it in the US?

Shhhhh (finger to lips)...... Do not disturb the fantasy Ranetka. 
 
GOB

[Faux Pas]

Oh but you are forgetting one very improtant detail - he was meeting women late 20 to early 40s. He is 57....Could he do it in the US?

There are a number of guys in this venture that are just failures with women from their own country. These guys couldn't get dates in a women's prison with a fist full of pardons. No matter the age. This isn't most men. These guys are more the exception than the rule. Also, it appears an inordinate number of these guys go to the FSU. I'm in no way inferring that this is spectris. Obviously, not him given his latest revelations. But, to more directly answer your question, yes, he could have.

For many, it's really not that difficult to do. Could he have found as many to marry him or extended relationships? No doubt, no. For most men in their 40-50s. It's not difficult to get or have the company of younger attractive women. Money makes a lot of things possible and I am not referring to prostitutes. Many young attractive American women are playful and adventurous enough to hang out with an older man if they like him. Back in my single days, I had more than a few and most of them are still friends to this day. Nothing was romantic and usually my choice. More of a matter of, meeting needs by both parties.

So yes, I'm guessing spectris could have or did experience the same. All the more reason given his situation now, I think he wasted time and money. After 5 trips of speed dating, he wasted the ladies time too.

[JohnDearGreen]

Spectris' thrust is in agreement with the patented Kievstar method (which basically espoused and asserted the same principles.. go THERE, get to know the people who work in the agency, let them point you toward sincerely interested ladies).  Makes a lot of sense.

Agreed.  I never could figure out why someone who had executive jobs in US would be selling cars to mafia guys on a corner lot in Kyiv.   But interesting posts.

[spectris]

 Hmmm, interesting turn this discussion has taken.  My original post in this thread was sincere, we all realize that for every person who actually posts there are 25 or 50 or 100 lurkers that just read and theoretically try to learn about how to go about this.  I’m offering up and idea or a strategy or whatever word you don’t find offensive to someone who might be considering this.  I don’t mind taking the shots, but I’m not quite sure what motivates them?

I believe this (using an agency IN PERSON) is the most efficient, quickest, (or, again whatever word you don’t take offense to) way to meet and date a UW.  And you have to DATE women before you can marry them (will, I think you should anyway).  It’s also the most similar to dating in the US – with the added benefit of you both have the opportunity to “pre-screen” each other and eliminate a lot of bad dates.  And what is this “speed dating” you speak of?  Spending an hour or two with a woman you are meeting for the first time?  What would you suggest, meet 2 or 3 – pick the one you like or the only one that likes you and start the paperwork?  It takes a first meeting in Ukraine, in TX or I’m pretty sure anywhere in the world to see if either person has any interest in the other one.  What is the alternative?  I’m pretty sure some of you haven’t actually been on a date in the US anytime in recent history; because it’s exactly the same EXCEPT you know far less about the person as does she know about you in the US.

Yes, I’ve been out with a lot of women in Ukraine - and on each trip I’ve met 2 or 3 (out of the 10-12 that I had meetings with) on each trip that I liked enough or they liked me enough to have a second date.  Usually it’s down to 1 or 2 then by the time my 8-10 days are up and it’s time for me to return home.  So, now I should just pick one out – start the Visa process and be happy I found a wife?  You can’t really be serious – after TWO meetings?  Might be ok for you, but not me.  And I’ll be the first to admit that I shouldn’t have gone the last time because my current relationship had just barely started, but at the time I wasn’t sure it was going anywhere and I already had tickets and flats and well – I went anyway.  Whatever…

This is where my original post was trying to go – I was explaining what I perceive to be my mistake(s) so that if someone else tries this, they might do better.  I really believe that I didn’t stay long enough to get to know the 1 or 2 women that had possibilities each time and after you (me anyway) come back home, life gets in the way.  Work, family, business trips, more work, etc. – not to mention the time difference in trying to SKYPE w/ a woman who has even less time than you do because they work longer hours and are undoubtedly taking care of a parent and a child.  It’s not easy and with only a 2 date history – well it’s just a challenge (speaking for myself again) and is likely to gradually die off if you don’t get back there pretty quickly.

And finally, let me just say that I was 100% honest about myself and what I wanted.  My age, my looks, who knows what - didn’t interest some of the women, just as I didn’t consider >32 year old women, women who didn’t already have a child (because they will want one and I absolutely do not want a baby – I was very clear about that too btw), women who smoked, women who didn’t drink, and women I didn’t find attractive or whatever else that just didn’t interest me.  And I’ve posted this before, but I’ll repeat – the 35-42 year old demographic is very different in Ukraine than in the US – well at least in the DFW area where I live.  There are 1,000’s (10’s of 1,000’s?) divorced 40+ year old women here and I’ve been out with more than few and if you want to talk about their career or the new grandkids, than be my guest.  The women in their 30’s that would be willing to go out with me (a short list btw as you might imagine) either have small children or want one/some – neither of which I want.  But there are many 35-45 year old UW that have a teenager (usually 1), are better educated and let’s face it – as a rule more attractive than their AW counterparts. 

I was just offering up MY personal and pretty recent history to those that might be reading this and wondering how to get started.  I really do believe you should work w/ a couple of small, local agencies in advance and JUST GO.  Take flattering, recent photos, write a profile of who you are and what you are looking for and be honest with the woman who owns the agency.  Sure she gets her $40-50 a meeting (it IS a business after all), but it is in no one’s best interest for her to horribly miss-match you.  But again, this is just my opinion – and since most people who post here don’t specifically offer advice, I am offering up something that I know by personal experience works.

And yes, I changed my profile picture to my current FB profile pix of my girlfriend and I in the hopes it might explain why I’m not going back to Ukraine – I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

[Eduard]

Problem with "Pay- per-date" agency women is that you have no way of knowing whether she is going out with you because she likes you or because she is getting a cut of the fee you pay plus free dinner and the night on the town. In my experience many (if not most) of those women go out on dates set up by the MOB agencies for money and free stuff. To really gage your success dating RW or UW you need  to go outside of the agency circuit. I presume your dating experience in Ukraine didn't go beyond holding hands and a kiss on the cheek...

[Faux Pas]

spectris

I certainly wasn't/ am not offended if I am to whom you are referring  Not at all. And I am not taking shots at you. You appear to be a tad bit on the thin-skinned side. However, I find it a bit more than ironic that you tout this method of yours to newbies yet, you don't have much more than memories of a few paid dates to show for it. Yes, you had some female company and apparently little else. There is a contingent of men, past and present in the pursuit that really isn't convinced agencies are the way to go.

You show up at the door with a wad of cash, they welcome you with open arms, feeding you coffee and pastries and sell you dates from a catalogue. They parade 10-12 a visit for you to pick and choose which has cut the muster for the next round of "The Spectris Show". After 8-10 days you fly away home and plan on your next trip. Is that about right?

[Gator]

Spectris,
You lady friend is delightful.  Your reasons for stopping your FSU trips are obvious.  Does she speak English?    

[Gator]

There are many ways to skin a cat as well as to find a FSUW.  IMO there is no "best" method.  Each can work with proper homework and with sound judgment on the battlefield. 
 
Spectris proposes one method based on his experience.   Thank you Spectris for explaining it.   
This method has been referred to in the past as WNVM (write none, visit many).   I attempted the same method, working with two agencies in the Dnepropetrovsk area.  The method works well IMO.
 
An important point:  I researched the agencies and asked around to determine that their operations were reputable.  After that I just showed up.    As Kievstar recommended I spent much time in the agency offices reviewing profiles and observing the operations.  The latter was a mind opener.  I even attended a private party one evening with the agency staff,  and no AM other than me was present (my date was a good friend of the agency manager). 

At the time (2006) the agencies charged only $25 for the initial meeting, and subsequent meetings were free unless you needed a terp.  You sit down (or walk) with a pretty woman who had an interesting profile You have anywhere from 30 minutes to somehow the same  to determine if there is mutual interest. 
 
Some UW were keenly interested in me and clearly wanted a second date.  Others politely gave me "no interest" signals.  One asked for a gift of French shampoo (not expensive so I bought it and told her paka).  A couple of UW whom I requested to meet refused to meet me because of my advanced age (that was the direct answer from the agency and I appreciate such honesty).   I had a few second and third dates.  All the women knew they were one of many, yet each participated enthusiastically. 

At the end of the week, there were two UW with whom I was discussing a followup WOVO trip to include maybe a week in Turkey.  One said she loved me (after just three dates).  I have a soft heart so I gave her $200 for English lessons until our next meeting.  However, the same as Spectris, I became serious with another woman, a RW, not a UW.   
 
Of note I met two other AM doing the same WNVM trip.  One experienced man from California thought it the best method in his opinion.   He was different in that he wanted to meet for no more than 30 minutes and he tried to have 4-5 dates each day.
 
Spectris, thanks for presenting the method you followed.  To reitierate, I found it effective.   Some people will object to it because they prefer to develop a relationship with someone before meeting them. hat is another good method.  Whatever floats your boat. 

[spectris]

The "Spectris Show"?  That's hilarious  - but I like it!  Seriously though, I see you have 4,000  posts Faux Pas, but you obviously haven't been to an Agency lately (ever?).  And believe me I respect and understand there are many ways to accomplish this and it's not like I work for the Ukrainian Marriage Agency Union or anything, but you shouldn't misrepresent them.  There is no coffee and pastries (maybe I was slighted?), no wads of money and no parade of women.  Yes their are profiles of women (mostly online, sorry the catalogs are pretty much gone) to look through as you have to start somewhere.  If you see someone who you think you might like, and the agency person agrees with you (they have often just told me flat out that I was too old or they weren't serious and just wanted a free dinner or really can't speak English or really have 2 kids or whatever - very helpful in most instances) they then call the woman and see if she might be interested in you.  They also probably have some CURRENT photos to show you since most photos are somewhat old to really old.
If woman says she might, they send your information (photos and bio) electronically to the woman and see if she is interested enough to take time to meet you, if she is a mutual time and place is worked out.  And it is in the agencies best interest to try for a good match or you will go look at profiles in someone else's agency.  And believe me, I got turned down more than once by women - so if you are "thin skinned" you might not like this approach.  But this is how it works these days.

So you may disagree with the Agency idea - fine, but again you shouldn't misrepresent how the process works so the new people have an automatic bad impression of it.  It's really not at all like what you describe w/ most of the agencies these days - it's more like Match.com only w/ pre-screening so you better go prepared and realize you will face rejection - these women are smart and attractive and most that I met aren't willing to settle (they already divorced that kind of man and aren't anxious to make that mistake twice).

And Eduard, yes "holding hands and a kiss on the cheek" is all I've ever done w/ the ladies I've met - I mean I've never seen one more than 2-3 times, there was no "relationship" that developed.  And while its customary to give a woman  a quick peck on the lips in the US even after a marginal first meeting (not date), that is NOT a good idea in the Ukraine (I learned that very quickly)! 

This board is a bit schizophrenic also don't you think?  If you go and meet only one or two women you are a fool for not having backup plans, if you go meet several women you are automatically a sex tourist or for some reason think you should travel 6,000 miles to have a bunch of 1-2 hour dates.  Bizarre.

Maybe someone will start a new thread that actually gives SPECIFIC advice to someone Starting Out.  I see lots of comments, but very little quality step-by-step advice because starting with an email introduction to a profile on a website isn't going to work very often, it usually turns out to be a HUGE wast of time, but I guess if you have the time, then maybe you could get lucky I suppose.  Anyway, I've offered my opinion now, maybe someone else will take the time to offer theirs.  The lurkers out there might appreciate it...
"Spectris Show" still has a nice ring to it!
 
 

[spectris]

And Gator yes, she not only speaks English - she speaks Texan!

[calmissile]

Spectris, Gator,
I enjoyed your posts on this topic.  I for one am not keen on the idea of spending a large amount of money traveling to Ukraine to meet women while window shopping.  Mostly because you do not have time to develop a relationship in such a short period of time.  In addition, it seems to me that you need time to go through the selection process to decide which one of the many women you want to pursue.

Nevertheless, your input is valuable and appreciated.  My preference is to develop the relationship on line with Skype over a period of time and then to make the trip so see if the chemistry is real.  Your right!  Different strokes for different folks.

Your method of using small local agencies does bring up an interesting question.  That is to use a hybrid method, whereby you send your profile to a small agency and use their expertise and services to do the screening for you in advance.  In other words, to assist you in finding women that they know personally that would likely result in a mutual compatibility.  Seems to me it would save a lot of time with the endless emails and fees with incompatible women.  It would be worth a reasonable fee to get the contact info so that you could develop a relationship on line before making the trip(s).

Are there lists of the small agencies scattered across Ukraine?  Has anyone had experience with with contacting them in advance and getting email addresses of pre-screened women that have viewed your profiles, etc.?

[Gator]

Your method of using small local agencies does bring up an interesting question.  That is to use a hybrid method, whereby you send your profile to a small agency and use their expertise and services to do the screening for you in advance.  In other words, to assist you in finding women that they know personally that would likely result in a mutual compatibility.  Seems to me it would save a lot of time with the endless emails and fees with incompatible women.  It would be worth a reasonable fee to get the contact info so that you could develop a relationship on line before making the trip(s).

Don't even think about it.   The business model for most small agencies seems to focus on pay-by-letter.  And you want the agency to skip this step and give you the names and emails of women who are compatible with you based on your profile.  It will never happen unless you pay a large fee for them to search their catalogs.
 
The letter writing at these small agencies is done by terps.  You email a letter to a woman in the agency catalog.  A terp calls the woman and reads your letter to her.  The terp takes a few notes based on her reaction and instruction, and the terp then composes a response and emails it to you.  The woman does not see your letter and she does not see your profile.   What I just described is how the "reputable" agencies do it.  The dishonest agencies will not even call the woman, and the woman may not even exist.

Regarding your method of building a relationship via Skype before the first meeting - it is a great method.  I have done that as well.  If that is your personality, do it. 
 

[Gator]

Problem with "Pay- per-date" agency women is that you have no way of knowing whether she is going out with you because she likes you or because she is getting a cut of the fee you pay plus free dinner and the night on the town. In my experience many (if not most) of those women go out on dates set up by the MOB agencies for money and free stuff.

The women I dated were not that way.  Perhaps the real stars (those featured on the home webpage) are that way, or the women associated with dishonest agencies.   There is a disincentive at play with the reputable agencies.   I have a feeling that if a woman has a history of refusing dates, the agency may threaten to not call her again. 
 
 

To really gage your success dating RW or UW you need  to go outside of the agency circuit. I presume your dating experience in Ukraine didn't go beyond holding hands and a kiss on the cheek...

 
 
I have had the RW kiss on the cheek.  Some are similar to the polite kiss from your boss's wife.  Yet some can be sensual, especially with eye play. 

What if a woman smiles and talks freely?  She has more than one glass of red wine and starts to laugh at almost everything?    And touches your leg more than once?    And walks with you back to your apartment just to see if you are as good as you claim in making a back massage?   And stays for the night?  And cooks breakfast for you in the morning?  Then rushes off to work a little tired yet looking fabulous?   But does not kiss you on your cheek? 

 
People are people.  Anything can happen when boy meets girl.  Sometimes it is so good that it is magic.  And that is what we hope will happen, yes?  And sometimes one goes to bed alone, weary from having a forgetable date, saying "tomorrow will be a better day."