"COST EFFECTIVE" Agency or Site???

[Killer-B]

Hey all -

After 2+ years of searching... Unfortunately I am starting my search over from "scratch"... and taking into account all I've read here (and on that "other" board) am really struggling to find a cost effective and HONEST agency and/or site to start up communications again...

I really don't mean to sound like a cheap SOB - but after a few years of this - well - it's starting to add up $$$$ -

Of course I think the token system is crap... and have looked at several others - but $8 to read an "inbound" letter that may or may not be "real" doesn't really appeal to me either...

So, the 64 million dollar question is - Can someone recommend a site or agency that is "reasonable" with their fees, as well as REPUTABLE...  To date, I've yet to find a site that gets "thumbs up" from everyone....

Anyone?

[Jooky]

I recommend both sites I used to meet women, though they are usually not highly recommended (in fact I think they are both on Jim's blacklist).

Freepersonals.ru

It doesn't get any cheaper than free. Of course when you first take a look, you're gonna wonder what the hell happened to all the hotties that fill the pages of Anastasiaweb, because there are lots of plain, normal (and real) women on freepersonals. You get what you pay for.

Bride.ru

Has a bad reputation, but worked great for me. For $100 bucks you can write to as many women as you like. Write to all of them if you want. Bride.ru was courteous enough to remind me twice to cancel my subscription once my first month was up. That's never happened to me with any subscription. So they get my recommendation.

I also recommend ICQ. Just drop on in and surprise some Russian women. It's very easy to meet women, however they won't usually be women that have been planning to marry a foreigner, so don't expect to be a one week wonder. This method is best for guys that can easily travel to Russia and spend some time there (which if you can't I don't recommend going to Russia in search of women at all).

[Kevin]

Avoid the token sites and sites that charge you to read the ladies letters if you can. The sites I recommend are at www.honestmarriageagencies.com you will find some free sites and others with unlimited letter services.

Kevin

[Lviv]

well you could always give us a try. We do our best to be cost effective, and most of all we are honest.

Bill

http://www.lvivbrides.com

[Thor]

Hi Killer-B.

Dont use a agency. Use my friend Slava inb Kharkov. He can post newspapers ads or go online and create a profile for you so you can meet a lot of sincere girls. Agency girls are mostly  not serious girls. I meet maybe 50 to 60 girls thru newspapers ads in Kharkov, and I also meet my princess thrue Slavas service. I will also be in Kharkov frpm 15 june to 1 august and I can also help you meet girls in Kharkov oblast if you like. I know where to go ( discos, restaurangs and so on). Please send me a message if you need my help. I would be glad to help you .

[Turboguy]

I will add a recomondation to Jookys suggestion of FreePersonals.ru and I have found a good value with Elenas Models.   I have the platinum membership for $ 199.00 that lets you write all the gals you want.   I used to use www.eecl.org some which was free and is still partailly free and did ok there but have not used it lately.  Another one that is reasonable is svetlanas brides.   I have not been on her site for a long time but you can write the gals for free but if you marry one of her gals you pay a fee of around $ 300.00-500.00   I forget the exact amount but whatever it is is more than fair.   

[catzenmouse]

well you could always give us a try. We do our best to be cost effective, and most of all we are honest.

Bill

http://www.lvivbrides.com

I had already found my lady before Bill started his business but if I  was out looking I would use lvivbrides in a heartbeat. Bill and Hellen  are very good people!

Ken

[Lviv]

Hery, for 199 a month in US money I will let you write all the girls you want too. Heck for that much money I will even go find new ones just for you.

Bill

www.lvivbrides.com

[Turboguy]

Sorry, I should have said that the $ 199.00 is for 6 months.  Actually I belive it is for 3 but then they give you 3 more as a bonus.

[Lviv]

Turbo Guy.  Just a quick little question.  I just looked at Elena's models web site and they say  a 6 month platinum membership is $499.  how did you get such a deal??  Just wondering??

Bill

[Turboguy]

You might be right about that.  I am on a re-up for $ 199.00   Still they are worth the money. 

By the way,  You sound like you run a good service.  If I get out your way, I will look you up.   That almost seems like the only place I haven't been.  I should give it and you a try.

[Lviv]

well if you ever make it to Lviv look us up, even if it is not for a woman.  We would be glad to help you out and show you the city. It is one of the nicest cities in Ukraine so i am told. I have only been to a few. Lviv has a lot of history and was never bombed in a world war so everything remains intact since the 1300's. 

Anyways, have a good day.  Bill

http://www.lvivbrides.com

[Killer-B]

Gents:

Thanks so very much for your thoughts and replies...  As I told someone else that had PM'd me, I'm just getting kinda tired of agencies and sites that aren't 100% on the level...
 
 And whilst I don't wish to take cheap shots at "another board" - or any agency for that matter, I must admit that I found it very "interesting" and also very confusing to see several "ads" on a certain sites front page - yet being shredded as scam agencies or being dishonest inside the board by those that had used them (yet were still promoting them!!??)...:noidea:

So, that said, I was very pleased to get some "real" feedback here - Again, thanks!:D
 
For Jooky: I realize that people are quick to pile on Bride.RU and Free Personals.RU - for I was one of those people that has had little success with them (particularly Bride.RU) - However, you are now the 3rd person to suggest that I revisit these sites - for BillyB has had some minor success there (said tongue in cheek mate - I know it worked VERY well for you!) - So I've just now placed an advert back on Free Personals - and will look closer at Bride.RU and see if I'm ready to go another round with them (though I DO think it's cool that they sent you a 30 day reminder before your CC was charged - For yes, I've been smoked more than once by that "auto-renewal" trick...) Thanks :-)  RE: ICQ - I also just signed up for that - for I'm really not online much (plus factor the time difference etc) but I could see striking up some friendships that way... So we'll see!
 
For Kevin @ KG:  I've kinda followed you and your agency from afar on that "other" board - and you seem to have the fewest amount of "attacks" and/or few problems mentioned... I've visited your marriage link(s) and am kinda pouring over those now... A friend of mine (and also a board member here) raves on and on about Kherson - so - I'm seriously checking it out... I have some "criteria" in my search that kinda steers me away from eastern Ukraine - but maybe we can talk more about that offline? -  Also Kevin - You only take CC via PayPal... My Bank is overseas, and so my PayPal account is maxed (you only can send $1000 then you have to "verify" - but PayPal doesn't verify overseas bank accounts! Grrrrr!:seething:) So anyway, if I were to go with your agency - well - we'd have to find a different way to make a CC payment - Cheers.


 
For Bill in Lviv - First, let me say welcome to the board! - Ironically, about the time I posted my original question, I happened to see the recommendation made for your site on another thread... I realize you're new here - but in just the few posts you've made, at least your attitude has been willing, caring and just flat out "nice".... Something I can't say that I've run across very often with NON-American FSU dating agencies or sites... So, just on that level - I appreciate your comments and contributions thus far (and no, I'm not on his payroll nor do I even know him)...
 
That said, I did sneak a quick peek at your site - and as mentioned up-thread I am kinda tailoring my search towards western Ukraine for reasons too lengthy to get into at the moment... In addition, "Bear" (aka Snuggle-Bear) met and married his Marianna from Uhzgorod - and I have really enjoyed watching them interact and grow their marriage over the years - I know (as Billy has pointed out) you can't broad-stroke stereotype one gal from one region a certain way - vs. a gal from another region (like City vs. Village etc.) - but "in general" I think if you're looking for someone a little more "grounded" (and please correct me if I'm wrong!!) I think looking out towards Lviv and west - is "more my speed"... I could be 100% totally mistaken by all this - but based on 2+ years of searching and personal experience - Think that's kinda what works best for me - So we'll see!? - Either way, I'd like to talk to you more about your agency and women - and see if our expectations can line up - Cheers!
 
Hello Stor (my fellow Norge!) Thanks for the offer mate --- So you're in Kherson for most the summer it seems - That's great! Hey, I appreciate the offer for help - and I've talked to some other board members here that have used "paper adverts" and had good luck with them - so maybe that's worth trying too!? - As someone said, (I won't mentioned your name again BillyB!) LOL - that his fiance would  NEVER step foot into a "marriage agency"... Soooooo - maybe if I can write a solid ad that would generate some good interest (as well as weed out the nut cases!) then it may be worth a try... I'll PM you - or send me your email address so I can contact you while you're in Ukraine - Thanks for the offer!! And continued success with Ren!


Hi Turbo - Thanks as always for the advice.... You and I have kicked this topic around several times already - and think we've pretty much drawn the same conclusions - So, Not really sure what more to add? - To be honest, I always told myself, if I were to really "hunker down" and dive head on back into this "search" that I'd probably use Elena's - just because of the vast number of women - and that they've (allegedly) ALL been "checked out"... The price tag can be a little scary - but also seems this places you at the "front of the line" - and most guys I've talked with that are members (err, Premium members I should say) have had tremendous good luck with them... I've also seen some less than flattering remarks both here, and on that "other board" - but - that pretty much goes for any agency... I think this one is kinda on the back burner for the time being ... We'll see....
I'll also check into eecl.org - haven't had time to look yet nor have I heard of them - so will be interesting to see what they're all about - Thanks!!
 
For Ken (and Lviv again) - Hey Ken, thanks for your advice... To be honest, I am kinda new here, but have read many of your posts - and think from a "values" point of view, that you and I are allot alike - Meaning, just in what I've read in your posts, the qualities and characteristics (read as, "Character") that you searched for in your now wife - as well as the steps and actions you've taken to help her adjust to life here in America, well, they just seem to fall in line with the way I think - and the way I'd go about approaching any given topic or hurdle - That said, I tend to place a little more weight in what you have to say and offer as advice... Yes, I had seen your other post and recommendation for Lviv - and so given all I just said, naturally it caught my eye - and will research and chat with Bill more here soon - Thanks for the advice!

 
 
Well Gang - PHEW! - I've been MIA for few days - so sorry for the long-arse reply - but think that covers everyone!! Gotta get back to the search!! (Just  got 2 mails from FreePersonals whilst writing this!!!)
 
Thanks again EVERYone!
 
Cheers,
 
Killer

[Killer-B]

For some reason it snipped my last 2 paragraphs off ... So just wanted to make sure everyone got thanked....

[Lviv]

Killer-B  Just want to also thank you for the kind words. Hellen must take most of the credit for our business though as she does most of the work and I have now got involved in a couple of other things. I look after the web site and help where i can, but she does most of it.

Now you commented on western ukraine and looking this way.  Lviv is a big city, the biggest here in the west, but we do not have the big city attitude here as much as the east. The east is more populated  with industry so you have that style of attitude where as here we have more agriculture and small industry so we get more that aspect. When I first started searching I got involved with a girl from the east, thought she was the one but turned out after 5 months she was only a good scammer. I cannot say we do not have them here in the west also but we have fewer agencies, ( we are the only one in Lviv) so it is not as common. But as you see on our site we do have bad apples too.

Anyways, Would be great to chat with you anytime and look forward to it. I will chat with any member of any board or group or anyone for that matter. I will offer my opinion and advice and try to help in anyway i can, even if your not writing one of our girls.  We are just here to help so everyone can feel free to contact Hellen or myself anytime.

Well take care. Bill

http://www.lvivbrides.com

[Thor]

Hi Killer-B med Norske aner!! I will be in Kharkov and not Kherson this summer. But I also know Kherson because i spendt 1 week there last year, it is a nice city with a lot of girls..But yes, if you use a newspapers ad you will meet a LOT of girls. So if you are in Ukraine this summer then please send me sms or call me and I wil help you if you like. You know, we Vikings always helps each other...By the way, snakker du Norsk?

[Turboguy]

Darn Stor-oksen, I am glad times have changed.  Centuries and centuries ago the thought the vikings were coming would have scared the you know what out of people.    I hope you just didn't call him a Snake in Norse.  He seems like a nice guy to me.

[Killer-B]

[user=570]stor_oksen[/user] wrote:

snakker du Norsk?

Jeg forstÃ¥r ikke hva du sier   NÃ¥ forstÃ¥r jeg... Nei, men jeg forstÃ¥r litt.

 

Turbo... Centuries of old? What's the worry??? LOL



 

 

[Tag-n-bag]

Agency costs, regardless of the agency, are completely and utterly insignifcant compared to the actual cost of going to meet and date a Russian or Ukrainian woman. Moreover, the costs associated meeting and dating a RW pale in comparison to actually bringing her to the states and marrying her.

I'm in Odessa right now and so far, the agency costs I've incurred would most likely not even be enough to cover the taxes on my airline tickets.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but if you have to pinch pennies at agency sites, your looking for a wife in the wrong place. This is not a cheap proposition no matter how you slice it. If you are not prepared or able to spend at least $10 to $20K just to get your foot in the door, you've been led astray by someone. I estimate that by the time all is said and done, marrying a RW will end up costing me at least $50k, then life kicks in and the expenses mount from there. Sure, you may be able to get by for less, but not a great deal less and in my opinion the costs involved should be a non-issue.

Say for instance you were dating a woman in the states, are you going to bitch about the costs of gasoline or dining out while dating her? Then if you marry her, are you going to continue to bitch and moan about the costs of health insurance, life insurance, a mortgage, tuition, etc?

IMO, it's not fair to put a price on something like this, especially to the girl you intend to marry. The agency sites, although very similar, are not a Sears catalog and the expenses do not stop once you "purchase the product".

[kievstar]

Money is a killer in many marriages and to many men do not realize that the cost of finding and marrying a RW is a small fraction of the yearly amount it will cost going forward.  A good looking RW is not going to be barefoot and pregnant on the cheap.

However some RW easily make more than what you spend. But most will require you to have a lot of free cash flow at first. 

[JR]

EM's a good, cost effective way to go. If you use free sites keep your scam radar on max range.

[Manny]

Agency costs, regardless of the agency, are completely and utterly insignifcant compared to the actual cost of going to meet and date a Russian or Ukrainian woman. Moreover, the costs associated meeting and dating a RW pale in comparison to actually bringing her to the states and marrying her.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but if you have to pinch pennies at agency sites, your looking for a wife in the wrong place. This is not a cheap proposition no matter how you slice it. If you are not prepared or able to spend at least $10 to $20K just to get your foot in the door, you've been led astray by someone. I estimate that by the time all is said and done, marrying a RW will end up costing me at least $50k, then life kicks in and the expenses mount from there. Sure, you may be able to get by for less, but not a great deal less and in my opinion the costs involved should be a non-issue.

Say for instance you were dating a woman in the states, are you going to bitch about the costs of gasoline or dining out while dating her? Then if you marry her, are you going to continue to bitch and moan about the costs of health insurance, life insurance, a mortgage, tuition, etc?

IMO, it's not fair to put a price on something like this, especially to the girl you intend to marry. The agency sites, although very similar, are not a Sears catalog and the expenses do not stop once you "purchase the product".

This echoes my opinions exactly.

Many men seek to penny pinch in this endeavour. Those guys should stay home in my opinion.

[Misha]

I used the mamba network (singles.ru). It helped that I knew Russian, but other men have been successful knowing less. The basic service is free so it does not get cheaper than that and no agency site can compare in the sheer number of women that have profiles on the network. It does require, however, that you put in a lot of time and effort sending out potentially hundreds or thousands of messages and it does require that you have a bit of wherewithal to weed out the potential keepers from those women that are not a good match.

[Tag-n-bag]

Just one more thought.

Now that I have had the chance to actually meet, date and talk with some women here, the notion of limiting your expenses by choosing a "cheaper" agency is completely ridiculous. The women here are not and I repeat NOT looking to date or marry men who are having difficulty affording the insignificant costs associated with an agency. Odessa, Kiev, Kharkov, Moscow whatever, are not cities on the moon. The women here know exactly what is out there and they not only they see it here every day, but it is thrust in their face to such an extent that how could anyone expect them to settle for much less.

I have seen more brand new custom 500 series Mercedes, drop head Bentley coupes, Porsche 911's, Lexus SUV's and other outrageous custom cars here then I saw on my last trip to Beverly Hills.
The shoes and boots women wear here cost in excess of $500 per pair and a skirt at the designer clothing stores here will set you back a grand in a heart beat. There are no bread lines in Russia any more and as a matter of fact, the only line I had to wait in lately was the one where everyone was exchanging $100.00 bills for the local currency.

I've studied the women here as they interact with with each other and there is a definite pecking order. The more beautiful the woman, the higher she is on the scale. When a beautiful RW speaks to a less beautiful RW, the less beautiful RW appears to be in total submission. It's very strange, but I have witnessed it on many occasions. Beauty is power and they know it.

Wake up guys, this ain't Kansas anymore and these chicks certainly ain't Dorothy dreaming of returning to her little farm house in rural America.

I'm not saying that they are all gold diggers, because they are not, at least no more so any American woman of equal beauty would be. They do want security and they are expecting to be treated to the finer things in life to a certain extent. Who wouldn't be? They can dig potatoes here, they do not need to come to America to to that.

If you really want to save some money, my best advice is to select an ordinary looking woman with children. This may sound cruel or inappropriate, but it's true. Champagne tastes on a beer budget won't make it, especially when they are used to drinking Cristal.

[Eduard]

I found my wife on a free, local Russian dating site - mheart.ru  that was later absorbed by Mamba. It was very quick, painless and effective. Took only about 3 or 4 months of talking to a bunch of girls and narrowing things down to a few good/compatible ones and one favorite (who is now my wife). I'm happily married with 2 children.