Margareth of Latin Encounters

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Re: Ruby Rios..., posted by thundernco on Dec 30, 2004

Naw, that was another Ruby. You're talking about "sticking it to you" Ruby.
Thanks Happy Holidays to you too. Freaking Cold up here. Can't wait to get back down South. LOL!

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Margareth of Latin Encounters, posted by Pete E on Dec 29, 2004

Hey Pete,

 For newer guys like me, that does not have the background or relationships with the people you and others have been discussing; give me your opinion of where you see the agency situation going?  I am talking about the entire scene, not just whoever this new owner of Latin Encounters is?  Personally, I have used Latin-Internet, in Cali. For the most part, they are helpful, but they do not want to "stick their neck out" either.  They seem to be a little afraid of "going the extra mile", concerning giving me help with the ladies.   Also, I have inquired concerning some of the other agencies in Cali.  But, I have not spent any money with them yet.  I also am planning on going to Medellin and check out the ladies at Colombian Sweethearts; but I have not been there yet.  I am hoping to travel in March. Plus, my personal opinion is that I definitely do not get into doing the tours like Bruce does with TLC. However, since you live in Cali, and can observe all of this on a daily basis; you and the other guys down there can help us to see what things are like today.  Obviously, based on these most recent posts, things are a lot different than they were a few years ago.  Since I cannot live there, and I do not as yet speak spanish, I and other men like me need the "reputable" agencies.  Naturally, I do not want to get ripped off, nor do I want to waste my time.  So, your prospective, and the experience of men like you can help the rest of us.

                      OkieMan

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Margareth of Latin Encounter..., posted by OkieMan on Dec 29, 2004

Were is it going?I guess my general opinion is agencies like LAI in Bogota and Colombian Sweethearts in Medellin will do OK because they are pretty much the main game in town.And new interest in Medellin could also help Colombian sweethearts.
I think the Cali agencies are in for a tough haul because of the amount of competition.Not only are there seemingly less guys coming here but alot of them are veterans who are not going to pay big fees to agencies.They might pay $300 for a year or $200 for a couple of weeks.The guys bitting off $500 a week are new guys,and there does not seem to be enough of them coming.
There are 5 main agencies in town.
-One just got sold,we will see what happens there.I don't see it really making money but maybe,the guy did get the best inventory of girls in town.
-2 others are scraping by,the owners  seem to be making ends meet but I doubt making much money.One will move back north soon.
-Another agency with alot of money dumped in to it can't be making any money I think.How long will the owner feed it?My guess less than  6 months.
-Another agency,OK I will name it,Latin Internet is sort of a mystery but I presume hard times are hitting them also.
So my general prediction.5 big agencies in Cali now.3 in a year.Of course there are always small players making a little money here and there,scraping by.
I have seen at least 2 women who thought they were going to start a new agency  get nowhere with it.
For guys  staying  with me or just asking I run down the options and they choose.Its usually between 2 agencies who they will pick.
I know thats general but I didn't really want to start naming names here.

Pete

[harleyman]

... in response to Future of agencies?, posted by Pete E on Dec 29, 2004

I find it hard to believe that there has been a slowdown of gringos going to Cali. There was so much talk of Cali being a "gringo mill" and being "fished out" this last year on the forum. As difficult as it is for the agency owners it is better for the few guys with the guts to go down as it creates less competition amongst the guys.
I think that the ratio of experienced veterans vs.the newbies is also up with all of the repeat gringos in Cali doing their own thing which does nothing for the agencies.
As the agencies come and go the girls will always follow them and there will always be two or three agencies for the new guys to get their feet wet and the lazy old guys like me to hang out at.
Pete seems to have been around just as long as most of the surviving agencies...how about "Pete's Introductions and B&B" for a change?
Pete, I will be down around Jan 15, how is the room situation at your place?

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Future of agencies?, posted by harleyman on Dec 29, 2004

Well Cali might be called a gringo mill in that more gringos come here looking for women than any place I know of.But too many?And fished out?Far from it.There are thousands of girls getting very little attention.
As far as numbers being down I am getting that from agencies and guys like Bruce who owns TLC.
Intoductions and B and B ? Well I guess I am sort of a
B and B.Introductions,if any and advice free.I will tell you more than I have said here about costs,options and
what some have experienced.
Mail me.Jan 15 looks good right now.

Pete
peiguren@aol.com

[Traveller]

... in response to Future of agencies?, posted by Pete E on Dec 29, 2004

I think guys like Ramon and Walter and other "Personalized" based services is the way to go.
Ramon's service is just kind of word of mouth. Sometimes it's hit and miss with what kind of women he will introduce you to. But, he works cheap and he's a pretty good guide and guy. When he's on, he's on. Meaning, when he has some good looking women to introduce you to, he really out does himself. But.......sometimes he has some true hood rats.
Walter; I've never used his service and I think people know what I think of him personally, but he's another guy who will hook you up with some nice looking ladies. But....he's on the downward trend too with offering a $400 membership. If he gets rid of that, he should be ok by pay per meeting or something.  
A lot of Colombians do not understand the concept of supply and demand. You may have the supply, but if there is a decreasing demand, you need to lower your price or do something to attract those who might not be initally interested in your product.
The way of the bed and breakfast might be on the way out and the era of the "Personalized" service and staying in a hotel is the way to go. Guys like Ramon and Walter who have their not so small little black books might be the guys who make out in this slow down. Bed and breakfasts have too much overhead. The smaller guys basically have no overhead so they are able to stay in business easier. Yeah, it's hit and miss with them. At least Walter has a website so you can do some pre-shopping before you head down to Cali. But even with Ramon, you can meet a lot of women for the fraction of the price you would pay at a B&B. They have the same problem as the B&Bs too. Some of the women are pay4play and some aren't. You can meet a quality girl through these guys though. You can quote me on that. You just might have to go through a few more than usual. But, isn't that part of the fun?
Plus, Ramon and I'm sure Walter will translate for you and be a guide for you too. With Ramon your fee for service is negotiable. I think he charges far to little, but I've talked him about it and he still charges what he wants to and it isn't much. This is defintely the way to go if you are on a tight budget and you want to meet as many women as possible. Sure, you are going to have to pay for her or thier taxi and you will have to pick up the tab on the drinks and kick down some money to Ramon, but that's a pretty cheap evening considering. Hell, I still hang out with Ramon.
Back to subject, this might be the enduring part that might be around after a few more agencies bite the dust. I'm not saying this is a better alternative to the B&B just a different option.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Future of agencies?, posted by Traveller on Dec 29, 2004

Keith,
Yeah guys like Ramon are going to survive because he has no overhead.And he gets free food and drink as part of his job.I like Ramon he is fun guy.I never did any posts mentioning his name for fear of guys coming on and expounding on some of his activities.Basically he will find you girls,any kind you want.Some girls are afraid to be associated with him for fear of being identified with his other type of girls.But he introduced me to a dentist as well as one of my current girl friends,who is about a good a person as you could find.
Walter is a step beyond in that he has a web site and he told me he bought a house he was fixing up to use as an agency and bed and breakfast.He denies having anything to do with the "pro side" of the business.
Yeah,these guys are a resourse.One guy I know well used Walter alot recently.I think he spent most of 3 or 4 weeks with Walter.If you don't speak spanish and want to meet girls you don't find at agencies Walter can set you up.

Pete

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Re: Future of agencies?, posted by Pete E on Dec 29, 2004

You know, it's funny that you mention that some girls are afraid to get involved with Ramon because some of his girls are "questionable." Once I was going out with a woman Ramon introduced me to. She worked for a politican in Cali. She was the campaign manager or something. Now she works for the City manager's office, I think.
Anyway, myself, Esmerelda, Ramon and a couple of his hood rats went to Galileo. Went with another group of people too, if I remember correctly. Esmerelda told me she really didn't want to be associated with the hood rats and would from then on distance herself from Ramon. I explained this to Ramon and it seemed to me he just didn't really get it. You can't mix the fine china with the styrofoam plates.
But, like I said before, Ramon has hooked me up with a few winners and some just fun dates.

[CartagenaPapito]

... in response to Re: Future of agencies?, posted by Traveller on Dec 29, 2004

Traveller, good post. Do you have the contact info for Ramon and the website for  Walter.
Thanks

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Re: Future of agencies?, posted by CartagenaPapito on Dec 29, 2004

Ramon's Email.
ballesteros2005@nospam.com

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Future of agencies?, posted by CartagenaPapito on Dec 29, 2004

Ramon's cell phone is 315-597-6624.You can say I reffered you if you want.You might get a little noise in the backgroud,he will be in a bar or out front of one in the evening.

Pete

[OkieMan]

... in response to Ramon, posted by Pete E on Dec 29, 2004

Pete,
 I am wondering if Ramon's cell phone is a Colombian number, or is it one of those types where he has a US number forwarded to him?   I am saying that because Steve Valdez with Colombian Sweethearts has his US phone number forwarded to Medellin; but he is an american.  I do not have a Colombian calling card, or whatever, so I certainly don't want to pay some outrageous rate for a phone call. I just need to know how all of this works.  Of course, with Ramon's type of arrangement, I would probably just want to wait until I actually arrived.  Give me your opinion.
             
                            OkieMan

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Ramon, posted by OkieMan on Dec 29, 2004

A miniscule fraction of the available women in Colombia use an agency. Why limit yourself? Primarily because of language difficulties. If I were doing this, I would go down there and hook up with a guy like Ramon or a gringo like Pablo in Medellin. With them helping you, you could meet chicks who would never register with an agency. It's unbelieveably easy to meet women in Colombia but not knowing Spanish is the real handicap most guys face. That and a certain justifiable anxiety about the security situation. With a trusted helper, those problems are eliminated and a whole new world awaits you.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Ramon, posted by utopiacowboy on Dec 29, 2004

Yeah, I agree with you.  I have copied Ramon and Walter's info down so that I can avail myself of their services.  Utopiacowboy, I hope that you and yours are doing well.

                            OkieMan

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Ramon, posted by OkieMan on Dec 29, 2004

Keep studying Spanish, dude! When you're down there, speak as much Spanish as you can, no matter how ridiculous you think you sound. The chicas love it. I can't tell you how many times I had gorgeous women giggling while I was talking to them and when I asked them what was so funny, they would smile and say "You! You're so cute!". If I wasn't already married..... Now that my wife is learning English, she knocks me out when she speaks English! That accent! IT IS SO CUTE!!!!!