Using agencies

[Frank O]

Just curious about this but I was wondering how the use of agencies breaks down on this forum. In other words what are the percentages of people that use them for tours, use them for placing an ad, & use them to buy addresses to write ladies.
I"ve never gone on a tour. I have bought addresses/memberships & I have run ads.
For ME the best success was running an ad then responding to the ladies. I even got married after screening a little over 60 responses. Unfortunately married the wrong one. On my first trip I realize I didn't really need an agency much when the agency I was using pretty much left me on my own or wanted to charge me for ridiculous stuff & in the end the manager of the agent wanted to seduce me (I woudln't do it as she was married). I was able to meet ladies on the street, in restaurants, in bars, in clubs & in internet cafes. Anyways I found out I can do fine on my own.  
Anyways in my new quest for Latina America I'm FLUENT in Spanish & thanks to Papi have had 11 write me so far so that's cool. Even have tickets for 3 weeks from now but I'm having second thoughts as I really feel it I take additional time to run an ad I can have a REALLY good trip. I was just curious which methods have you guys used & consider the "right one" for you? Currently strongly considering Colombia followed by Panama whereas 3 weeks ago it was Peru.
By the way all my PAST experiences I spoke about were in Ukraine so this is actually my first venture in Latin America not counting Mexico which is a WHOLE other story for me.

[papi]

... in response to Using agencies, posted by Frank O on Jul 23, 2005


1. stay at Nelson's B&B and forget the agency services if you dont want to meet agency girls and just pay for the hotel (Charlie's) only

2. Pay Nelson to run an ad for you in the newspaper

3. Try amigos.com - cost you $10

[Looking4Wife]

... in response to Using agencies, posted by Frank O on Jul 23, 2005

Frank O:

For me, the agency route is the only way to go.  I am not fluent in spanish, but that is NOT the primary reason (although it is a factor).  As I have said before, I would use an agency in the USA, if I were targeting AWs, because I think it is the most efficient way to find a wife.  Plain and simple.

I have a lot of demands on my time.  And even though I have control of my time, to a large extent, I DON'T want to spend my time spinning my wheels meeting women in "chance" encounters on the street in the USA, LA, or elsewhere.

If I was just looking for dates, then no problem.  I could approach beautiful women on the street, at the supermarket, out Salsa dancing, etc.  Get the phone numbers, and sit back and wait for the head games to begin.

For me, its not about finding BEAUTIFUL women, its about efficiently TARGETING the prospects that fit the INITIAL profile I am looking for:

1. Beautiful (to my specifications)
2. Devout, Evangelical Christian
3. Interested in meeting me
4. Interested in getting married
5. No kids
6. Interested in having kids

Of the above factors, the agency can determine factors 2-6 before I have to even get involved.  Meeting women on the street, the only factor I would be for sure of is #1, i.e. I think she's beautiful.  I would then have to invest/waste time (days, weeks) finding out if the other factors are in line to even THINK of starting a relationship with this girl.  

For me, meeting a woman "on the street", is like taking a "shotgun" (general, unfocused) approach.  Using a GOOD agency, for me, is like taking a "rifle" (focused, targeted) approach.

Also, if things aren't working out with one girl, the agency can efficiently find another, which decreases your downtime to move on to the next TARGETED prospect.

FYI... I use International Introductions in Barranquilla, affectionately known on this board as "Jamie's agency".

Works very well for me...

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: Using agencies, posted by Looking4Wife on Jul 23, 2005

Have you encountered much difficult on this? It appears in Latin America most are either Roman Catholic or siply non believers period. In Ukraine it's Orthodox or non believers, and BOTH cultures have a LOT of silly superstitions.
That is actually one of the big points for me & honestly one of the TOUGHEST ones to meet. Just wondering how it has affected you if any.

[papi]

... in response to Using agencies, posted by Frank O on Jul 23, 2005

Frank I too have met women in the street, restaurants, bars, internet cafes, etc. and you can do that when you get there.  But I don’t see what is the big deal meeting women via citas or parties – it just increases your chances of meeting someone you like.  And more importantly, gives you a safe base camp in which to operate.  You don’t know the country, you don’t know the city.  Use the agency at least on the first trip to hold your hand is a good idea.  I know a Tico (guy from CR) that jumped in a taxi at the Bog airport and got robbed at gunpoint.  using a reputable agency will help keep you safe, provide a place to hang your hat and offer an opportunity to meet more chicas.