I agree with the others that suggest refiling, rather than appealing, unless USCIS did something wrong in the way their adjudicated your case. If it was a matter of not receiving enough evidence, then I would certainly refile.
And I agree with the comments from other people about not wanting to scare people, but I do think a realistic reporting of experiences can be helpful. It is particularly important to realize that every case is unique and what may work for one person may not work for someone else. This goes well beyond which embassies are "difficult" and which are not. It includes many different variables for each family.
I can only report my personal experiences (as others have done) and hope that perhaps it will help someone. I sent in about 200 pages of evidence with my 130 when it was originally submitted. I received a notice for a standard interview at my local office along with an RFE. The dates are a bit tricky, but I think we were required to have the standard interview because my husband was eventually deported from the country not long after we married. I brought about 150 more pages to the interview addressing the list of requirements in the RFE (which was a form letter, not specific to our case). The paper I used is measured at 5 pounds for a ream of 500 pages. Using that as a benchmark, I submitted probably 3.5 pounds of paperwork. My interview went well and we got a text message approval a few hours after my interview. The officer who interviewed me stated that there was more documentation that she would have needed, but she commented that the consulates sometimes want to see a wealth of evidence depending upon the exact circumstances for the family involved at the time of the visa interview.
rhycca gardner reacted to LilyR in I 130 denied Appeal or re apply