Where do you draw the line and say enough?

[Kuna]

Kiev, I don't really care if they write first only that they write back.

This is the approach a lot of men take...  but when I was searching I did a few things in an attempt to avoid scammers:

1. I was listed on a few sites - BUT I put no info or photos on there.  Any incoming inquiries were easily ignored, especially those saying I had a nice photo and they were drawn towards me because I was their soulmate;   

2. I was very introspective before creating a list of the things I was looking for in a lady, and why.  I wrote the list down and kept referring to it as a method of keeping my head on straight....  this was probably the best decision I made!

3. I didn't write for an extended period... from memory I booked my ticket after a month and I was on the ground within 10 weeks.  If someone's serious about this they will be flying sooner rather than later.

4. I was only interested in meetings girls with some (good) English.  I didn't see the point in allowing language to be a bigger barrier than it was already going to be - and let's be honest, this journey doesn't require more dangers does it.

[Gator]

Women in agencies do not write men first.  It is the agency worker sending you the letters.  If you want women to send you letters first, than join Elena's models. 

Agencies are convent for women.  The agency writes and reads all letters for them and screen the men who want to visit them in person.  Sometimes agencies make up excuses to guys that girls do not want to meet in person.  High quality women get many visitors and they need to screen out the men who come to visit them as they can not met them all. 

That is why visit often and see many is the best approach.  You will know when you found the right one.  When this happens stop seeing other women.  This process is not really hard. Get away from the letter writing and make a plan on how to visit often. 

Agree, with one caveat. 

A unsolicited letter from from a RW with a local agency is likely part of a marketing campaign in which the same letter has been sent to many men.  The objective is to encourage men to respond and get something started at $5-10 per letter.

With the BETTER agencies, the RW could be newly listed with the agency, or she is an attractive woman who has expressed strong interest in meeting men.   Such is exactly what I observed with one agency after speaking to a couple of terps while there. 

With the QUESTIONALE agencies, the RW may not have any interest in meeting anyone other than the best men near her age.  In fact, she may not even exist. 

If a man is working with a local agency, do not take a long time in correspondence.  3 letters maximum to multiple women, and then get on a plane.  A phone call is advisable. 

Also, when you arrive, there will be plenty of other RW who would like to meet you for an hour.

[ECOCKS]

LOL, my method of avoiding or driving away the scammers was to setup the longest profile on EM. It attracted attention and served as a good filter, In it I stated several tmes that I was there to date and search for the right woman to be in a relationship. I repeatedly derided clubbing, glamorous travel and expensive restaurants while I extolled the virtues of discovering the foods of Ukraine and how the people were in villages and normal jobs. Also, I was at pains to be clear concerning my financial status, interests and plans for the next few years. Specifically, that I did not plan on returning to the US for several years.

A couple of gals told me my profile was too long and they simply couldn't believe what I wrote until they went out with me. Didn't bother me a bit, bought them dinner and had a decent time, then said goodbye at the metro door. The ones I did go out with had good questions about my statements of interests which also served to qualify their English skills.

This seemed to work pretty well in weeding out the scammers as I only remember the two who were polite in saying that if I was staying indefinitely in Ukraine that they would not be interested in dating. All the women were functional to excellent in their English skills and proved to be at least interesting dinner dates.