Was I scammed

[dragonboy69 0]

When I was researching getting a K1 Visa in Bangkok and went to the Embassy, it was closed, but there was a man standing in front that said he worked for an agency across the street. Long story short, I ended up using this agency that is supposed to assist in getting a visa. It cost me a pretty penny... $1800 to be exact which I put on my credit card..... I thought they were saying $1800 Baht, but they were talking dollars.

In hindsight, I think I could have done everything they are doing, and saved a lot of money. But, it's too late I already paid them, and pretty much what they did so far, was fill out all the paperwork for me, which was 2 different forms, and put it in a package for me to send with a payment to Homeland Secuirty. I thought they would be submitting something in Thailand, but then I realized that the whole process starts here in the USA. I am reading people's timelines, and I see that it takes a good 4-6 months for the whole process, some longer.

I am about to submit the forms on April 13th.... I wish I had known that it was as simple as it was to fill out the forms, as I could have had this paperwork in February when I returned from Thailand to the states. Instead I waited for this agency to put it together for me, but it took a while for my fiancee to get all the appropriate documents, and then when I did get the package I was short on cash so I had to wait until I had $455 to send with the package.

My question is has anyone used one of these agencies? Do you think I was ripped off, knowing that I could do all this myself? I am not sure if having this agency will be useful later on in the process??

[tallcoolone 102]

Oh Yea. You were ripped off, Lucky that didn't take the shirt off your back also.

As a rule when someone comes up to and offers services, It usually not a good thing...........

[dragonboy69 0]

Oh Yea. You were ripped off, Lucky that didn't take the shirt off your back also.

As a rule when someone comes up to and offers services, It usually not a good thing...........

I thought it wouldn't hurt to check it out, then I thought hell for $1800 Baht it would be good. When I found out it was $1800 dollars I was very surprised, but I figured I was protected since it was on my credit card. I am tempted to try to dispute the charge saying I was mislead, but I am thinking whatever I signed protects them somehow for me getting my money back. Do you think I could dispute the charges saying their business is a scam. They did do what they said so far, but I could have done the same thing. I feel really dumb, but at least I put it on a 0% credit card for the next year and I can pay it off in increments.

[tallcoolone 102]

You can dispute it for sure

Look at your paperwork where you signed it, Find any loopholes or mis prints in order to not have to honor the contract or to be able to get your money back.

I would explain to the Credit Card Company you thought they said Bahts and not dollars.

Maybe the Agency will take a lesser amount, saying You feel like you were scammed.

Are they legally allowed to offer this type of service in Thailand? Or do they need to be Licensed or a Lawyer?

[Anh map 2,098]

Dispute the charge.

[dragonboy69 0]

Oh Yea. You were ripped off, Lucky that didn't take the shirt off your back also.

As a rule when someone comes up to and offers services, It usually not a good thing...........

I thought it wouldn't hurt to check it out, then I thought hell for $1800 Baht it would be good. When I found out it was $1800 dollars I was very surprised, but I figured I was protected since it was on my credit card. I am tempted to try to dispute the charge saying I was mislead, but I am thinking whatever I signed protects them somehow for me getting my money back. Do you think I could dispute the charges saying their business is a scam. They did do what they said so far, but I could have done the same thing. I feel really dumb, but at least I put it on a 0% credit card for the next year and I can pay it off in increments.

http://www.tslthailand.com/k-1_fiance_visa.html this is their website.... they are a real business, they were actually very busy when I was there, and they do provide a service, but the problem is that the service they provide can be done for free.

[tallcoolone 102]

Oh Yea. You were ripped off, Lucky that didn't take the shirt off your back also.

As a rule when someone comes up to and offers services, It usually not a good thing...........

I thought it wouldn't hurt to check it out, then I thought hell for $1800 Baht it would be good. When I found out it was $1800 dollars I was very surprised, but I figured I was protected since it was on my credit card. I am tempted to try to dispute the charge saying I was mislead, but I am thinking whatever I signed protects them somehow for me getting my money back. Do you think I could dispute the charges saying their business is a scam. They did do what they said so far, but I could have done the same thing. I feel really dumb, but at least I put it on a 0% credit card for the next year and I can pay it off in increments.

http://www.tslthailand.com/k-1_fiance_visa.html this is their website.... they are a real business, they were actually very busy when I was there, and they do provide a service, but the problem is that the service they provide can be done for free.

Buyer Remorse is not a good reason to get your money back

Try to find a legit way to dispute the charges

Do you have a signed contract?

[NatPatBen 3]

Buyer Remorse is not a good reason to get your money back

Try to find a legit way to dispute the charges

Do you have a signed contract?

That's what I was thinking.

OP, you could see if they will give you a partial refund if you cancel their services for the future, now that you've found VisaJourney & can do it with FREE help.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I wouldn't say you were "ripped" off, the lawyer I talked to was looking for $1700.00 USD to do the paperwork.

If they didn't provide the service you paid for, then you can dispute the charges, but like mentioned above, buyers remorse wont work.

[Dakine 26]

Price was high but you weren't ripped off. Some agencies in other countries can help especially if your lady doesn't speak good English.

Been there, done that.

You can do the AOS on your own when she gets to the US.

Make multiple trips to help show a bona fide relationship and have LOTS of pictures.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

$1,800 to fill out the I-129F form, and perhaps the G-325a too? My goodness. I would have done it for you for 1,800 Baht!

I am not certain what recourse you have as far as disputing the charge, but if all they did was fill out those two forms, it was exploitation.

[bayojona3231 4]

When I was researching getting a K1 Visa in Bangkok and went to the Embassy, it was closed, but there was a man standing in front that said he worked for an agency across the street. Long story short, I ended up using this agency that is supposed to assist in getting a visa. It cost me a pretty penny... $1800 to be exact which I put on my credit card..... I thought they were saying $1800 Baht, but they were talking dollars.

In hindsight, I think I could have done everything they are doing, and saved a lot of money. But, it's too late I already paid them, and pretty much what they did so far, was fill out all the paperwork for me, which was 2 different forms, and put it in a package for me to send with a payment to Homeland Secuirty. I thought they would be submitting something in Thailand, but then I realized that the whole process starts here in the USA. I am reading people's timelines, and I see that it takes a good 4-6 months for the whole process, some longer.

I am about to submit the forms on April 13th.... I wish I had known that it was as simple as it was to fill out the forms, as I could have had this paperwork in February when I returned from Thailand to the states. Instead I waited for this agency to put it together for me, but it took a while for my fiancee to get all the appropriate documents, and then when I did get the package I was short on cash so I had to wait until I had $455 to send with the package.

My question is has anyone used one of these agencies? Do you think I was ripped off, knowing that I could do all this myself? I am not sure if having this agency will be useful later on in the process??

Yes , you were ripped off my brother. It is a very simple process. So far, I have helped 10 friends with K1, K2 and IR1 for free. We are all here to help each other.Good luck on your journey.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

When I was researching getting a K1 Visa in Bangkok and went to the Embassy, it was closed, but there was a man standing in front that said he worked for an agency across the street. Long story short, I ended up using this agency that is supposed to assist in getting a visa. It cost me a pretty penny... $1800 to be exact which I put on my credit card..... I thought they were saying $1800 Baht, but they were talking dollars.

In hindsight, I think I could have done everything they are doing, and saved a lot of money. But, it's too late I already paid them, and pretty much what they did so far, was fill out all the paperwork for me, which was 2 different forms, and put it in a package for me to send with a payment to Homeland Secuirty. I thought they would be submitting something in Thailand, but then I realized that the whole process starts here in the USA. I am reading people's timelines, and I see that it takes a good 4-6 months for the whole process, some longer.

I am about to submit the forms on April 13th.... I wish I had known that it was as simple as it was to fill out the forms, as I could have had this paperwork in February when I returned from Thailand to the states. Instead I waited for this agency to put it together for me, but it took a while for my fiancee to get all the appropriate documents, and then when I did get the package I was short on cash so I had to wait until I had $455 to send with the package.

My question is has anyone used one of these agencies? Do you think I was ripped off, knowing that I could do all this myself? I am not sure if having this agency will be useful later on in the process??

Yes, lots of people use them. They are called immigration attorneys in the USA. Why is it a scam when a Thai "agency" does it and not when an American attorney does? If you got what you agreed to pay for, what's the problem? It isn't a "scam", it is a service for a fee. Not much of a service, to be sure, and for less than many attorneys so, be happy.

If you hired an Americna attorney it would add to the process just the same, it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to file this for you. Yeah, they can lick the stamp, but not without YOU providing all the documents and information to fill in the forms. The typical attorney gets you to fill out a K-1 "questionaire" which is really just all the information they need to fill in the forms. By the time you complete the questionaire, you could fill in the form yourself!

Agreiing to pay someone else a fee for that which you can do yourself is NOT a scam. Now if he took your money and disappeared...THAT's a scam. He is just a Thai attorney.

[scandal 951]

Oh Yea. You were ripped off, Lucky that didn't take the shirt off your back also.

As a rule when someone comes up to and offers services, It usually not a good thing...........

I thought it wouldn't hurt to check it out, then I thought hell for $1800 Baht it would be good. When I found out it was $1800 dollars I was very surprised, but I figured I was protected since it was on my credit card. I am tempted to try to dispute the charge saying I was mislead, but I am thinking whatever I signed protects them somehow for me getting my money back. Do you think I could dispute the charges saying their business is a scam. They did do what they said so far, but I could have done the same thing. I feel really dumb, but at least I put it on a 0% credit card for the next year and I can pay it off in increments.

http://www.tslthailand.com/k-1_fiance_visa.html this is their website.... they are a real business, they were actually very busy when I was there, and they do provide a service, but the problem is that the service they provide can be done for free.

Dude, you weren't scammed. You just didn't do your research very well, and have vastly overpaid for a service that you can do more easily on your own.

According to the very link you just provided they are quoting the fee as 50,000Baht, which is roughly the $1800 you paid. So, if you were surprised by the amount it's pretty hard to blame them. I don't think you'll get a penny back since as you say they have been doing that which they were contracted to do. Chalk it up to experience and move on.

The main assistance they can (potentially) provide is to coach your fiancee through the interview phase, and preparation of the Packet3 response (assuming you will be in the US at the time and unable to help her put it together). However even that can be managed unaided by a competent person. It certainly isn't worth 50,000B. And all the stuff about staying in constant contact with USCIS & NVC is hogwash. They can't do any better for you than you can yourself.

I would recommend that you hang out here on VJ and read the guides, faqs, forums.

The Thai discussion thread Sawasdee3 will be useful to you - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=175951

Also, your fiancee might be interested in the Thai language forum where all the beneficiaries going through the process swap stories (& a little gossip, as I understand it....)

http://usvisa4thai.com/index.php

Good luck! At least you found VJ now, so you're far better off than those who never do....

[dragonboy69 0]

When I was researching getting a K1 Visa in Bangkok and went to the Embassy, it was closed, but there was a man standing in front that said he worked for an agency across the street. Long story short, I ended up using this agency that is supposed to assist in getting a visa. It cost me a pretty penny... $1800 to be exact which I put on my credit card..... I thought they were saying $1800 Baht, but they were talking dollars.

In hindsight, I think I could have done everything they are doing, and saved a lot of money. But, it's too late I already paid them, and pretty much what they did so far, was fill out all the paperwork for me, which was 2 different forms, and put it in a package for me to send with a payment to Homeland Secuirty. I thought they would be submitting something in Thailand, but then I realized that the whole process starts here in the USA. I am reading people's timelines, and I see that it takes a good 4-6 months for the whole process, some longer.

I am about to submit the forms on April 13th.... I wish I had known that it was as simple as it was to fill out the forms, as I could have had this paperwork in February when I returned from Thailand to the states. Instead I waited for this agency to put it together for me, but it took a while for my fiancee to get all the appropriate documents, and then when I did get the package I was short on cash so I had to wait until I had $455 to send with the package.

My question is has anyone used one of these agencies? Do you think I was ripped off, knowing that I could do all this myself? I am not sure if having this agency will be useful later on in the process??

Yes , you were ripped off my brother. It is a very simple process. So far, I have helped 10 friends with K1, K2 and IR1 for free. We are all here to help each other.Good luck on your journey.

About how long can I expect if I submit the forms this week, April 13th and they get there the 15th.... I see variences of 3-6 months even a year to be approved. In your experience how long does it take. Like every Thai woman she wants to come quickly I am telling her it will be at least 6 months, but I am guessing.