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CNDreamer
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:47 am Post subject: Anybody use a different company to obtain invitations? |
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I hate to suggest anything other than the service on this website. I know they do a great job and I have already dealt with them on some issues. But unfortunately they can only accept direct credit card payment or a wire transfer. I don't have a credit card nor do I have access to anyone who has one. And I talked to the bank and a wire transfer takes like a week before it even gets to the receiver's bank account.
So I need to pay with paypal and I notice many other invitation providers will accept paypal.
Can anyone direct me as to which one to use?
Here are some I found:
www.cheap-moscow.com
www travelallrussia com
www visaable com
www realrussia co.uk
Im sure there is more. If anyone has used such a service and had no problems, post it here. I'll be paying for a visa invitation in about 12 hours and I hope in this time someone can suggest something to me. |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:18 am Post subject: |
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What would I do? I'd find a travel provider that is able to obtain an invitation voucher + one that will facilitate your visa and will also take certified funds. Run down to the bank, get a cashier's check, overnight it to the firm in question and you'll be good to go.
I know you're in Canada and it takes a bit longer there, but I submitted a visa application to traveldocs.com (us-based) two days after your first post (you posted 11/29). I overnighted my application to travel docs on 12/1, it arrived there on 12/2. They've submitted it to the Russian Consulate in Washington, obtained a visa, and my passport is on the way back to me with delivery scheduled for tomorrow (and I'm tracking it via fedex). My point? A visa facilitator makes a world of difference.
I get that you had to wait to get your passport... but... My suggestion? Quit screwing around and get on the phone with somebody that will be a one stop shop and will take a certified bank check if you plan on traveling on 8 January. You're going to very quickly run into the holidays and with that 15 day thing Canada has going for it? I'm getting nervous for you - time to put this thing into overdrive.
Good luck - don't mean to be too pointy headed here, but chop chop. |
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CNDreamer
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| danbrew wrote: | What would I do? I'd find a travel provider that is able to obtain an invitation voucher + one that will facilitate your visa and will also take certified funds. Run down to the bank, get a cashier's check, overnight it to the firm in question and you'll be good to go.
I know you're in Canada and it takes a bit longer there, but I submitted a visa application to traveldocs.com (us-based) two days after your first post (you posted 11/29). I overnighted my application to travel docs on 12/1, it arrived there on 12/2. They've submitted it to the Russian Consulate in Washington, obtained a visa, and my passport is on the way back to me with delivery scheduled for tomorrow (and I'm tracking it via fedex). My point? A visa facilitator makes a world of difference.
I get that you had to wait to get your passport... but... My suggestion? Quit screwing around and get on the phone with somebody that will be a one stop shop and will take a certified bank check if you plan on traveling on 8 January. You're going to very quickly run into the holidays and with that 15 day thing Canada has going for it? I'm getting nervous for you - time to put this thing into overdrive.
Good luck - don't mean to be too pointy headed here, but chop chop. |
But all I need is an invite. Then I will apply for the visa. I don't want a service to do it for me because all the ones I have found were expensive. It's $75 to get the visa at the embassy. And theres a bit less of a hurry now. I will leave jan 16th.
The hotel I am staying at either A: doesn't know what im talking about or B: Can't provide the documents I require.
There is a bit of a problem with these visa support services that do everything for me. I found one place, they want $375 or something? Another site has inaccurate info and says I can get a visa in 1 day. I don't need a shaft around, I just need an invitation. I'll do everything else myself.
Thanks for the prompt reply. |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, but... "I don't want a service to do it for me because all the ones I have found were expensive" can be famous last words...
Tell 'ya what, I'll apply for the voucher letter for 'ya and use a credit card and you can just paypal me the $30 or $45 USD. If you'd like me to help 'ya out with this, simply send an email to danbrew@hotmail.com and paypal the funds to the same address. In your email, provide detailed notes for the answer to each question at the following link:
http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/VisaSupport/Tourist.html?Submit=Get+It+Online+Now
Example:
1. 15 Jan 2009
2. 12 Feb 2009
3. Canada/Toronto
4. Moscow, Vladivostok...
etc.
I'm simply going to copy and paste whatever you put in your email into the form. While I am a moderator here at WTR, I'm specifically disclaiming that you'll be able to get a visa and any goof that you might make on the form or the process is your goof, not mine. In other words, I'm willing to help out and be a proxy for your credit card situation, but don't want to hear about it if the embassy gives you a hard time because you're missing a form, didn't cross a t, dot an i, etc.
I still think there is great value in going with a professional visa company - you've done it zero times - they've done it hundreds of times.
danbrew
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nikir
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: |
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I am also getting nervous for you, I will give you some advice that you can take or leave.
Forget about your trip for the moment. Your time has run out to make it according to your original dates.
Get organised, reschedule your time off work and plan for a later date.
A credit card is a must when you travel overseas. Get one, or at the very least a debit card with Visa or Mastercard. A credit card is better because you have a reserve if something goes wrong. It can.
After you do all that, set a new date, calmly get an invitation, send off all the documentation and wait the required period. You will have your visa, then you can buy your tickets and be on your way. |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:37 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, absolutely what Nikir said. My offer still stands, but, still, what Nikir said.
You want to hear a crappy story? I was in Moscow getting ready to take the trans-sib in January of 2007. I got sick, missed the train, and needed to come home. I had a ticket from Beijing to Chicago. I called expedia.com and they were pretty cool about it and I had to pay the difference in fare + $100 (or something like that). The net? It cost me about $700 to change the ticket. Damn. I was sick, so I wasn't going to argue - I did it.
Expedia dicked it up. I get to the Aeroflot counter the next morning and all I heard was "Nyet". Damn. I'm sick (food poisoning) and very tired of dealing with this situation. I run all over the airport trying to find somebody to help me and to communicate that I really do have a changed ticket. Long long long story short - Expedia dicked it up. They had made the reservation change but did not confirm the ticket - meaning it really wasn't paid for. After two+ hours of screwing around with this, I said, "fuck it", sell me a new ticket. I bought a one-way full price ticket from SVO to Chicago with zero notice and no credits. It was $4000. Damn. I was so sick and miserable at the time I just didn't care.
I made it home. FedEx knocked on the door two days later and inside the envelope was a one-way ticket from Moscow to Chicago for a flight that had taken place two days earlier and, duh, the ticket was delivered to Chicago. Ummm... I was in Moscow.
I had to laugh. I called expedia and said, "um, you guys really dicked this up." They laughed with me, agreed, and actually paid for the $4000 ticket on Aeroflot. I was shocked that they fessed up and covered the ticket, but they did. It took months to resolve, but they paid in the end. I still paid the $700 change/etc. for the rerouting of my Beijing/Chicago ticket.
The moral of the story? I would have been fucked without a credit card. Shit happens. |
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CNDreamer
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: | I am also getting nervous for you, I will give you some advice that you can take or leave.
Forget about your trip for the moment. Your time has run out to make it according to your original dates.
Get organised, reschedule your time off work and plan for a later date.
A credit card is a must when you travel overseas. Get one, or at the very least a debit card with Visa or Mastercard. A credit card is better because you have a reserve if something goes wrong. It can.
After you do all that, set a new date, calmly get an invitation, send off all the documentation and wait the required period. You will have your visa, then you can buy your tickets and be on your way. |
But I can make it for Jan 16. No problem I think.
I applied for a debit card. It will arrive to me on monday. I dont believe in credit cards. If I have a problem, I have family here that will bail me out. I know I dont think about such things enough. Going to Russia is a big decision and I know lots can go wrong. But im doing it anyways. Like an adventure for me really.
Thanks Dan again for the offer. That was me emailing you but by now you would have figured that out. All the given info should be correct. |
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nikir
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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Originally your planned departure date was stated as January 8th. Even the 16th seems optimistic when you take into account the fact that you have not got yourself an invitation yet, the long processing time for visas in your country and the fact that the holiday season, which will add to processing time, is just about here.
Your enthusiasm is admirable, I wish you luck |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:56 am Post subject: |
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All done, my friend. You should see a confirmation in your inbox shortly. In addition, I'll send you PDF copies of the confirmation code.
Best of luck, enjoy the trip!
danbrew |
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CNDreamer
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:47 am Post subject: |
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Much appreciated, thank you. But problem is that it wont get to Ottawa now until tuesday. But if there is no problems, I think I should have the visa in time.  |
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Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| CNDreamer wrote: | | nikir wrote: | I am also getting nervous for you, I will give you some advice that you can take or leave.
Forget about your trip for the moment. Your time has run out to make it according to your original dates.
Get organised, reschedule your time off work and plan for a later date.
A credit card is a must when you travel overseas. Get one, or at the very least a debit card with Visa or Mastercard. A credit card is better because you have a reserve if something goes wrong. It can.
After you do all that, set a new date, calmly get an invitation, send off all the documentation and wait the required period. You will have your visa, then you can buy your tickets and be on your way. |
But I can make it for Jan 16. No problem I think.
I applied for a debit card. It will arrive to me on monday. I dont believe in credit cards. If I have a problem, I have family here that will bail me out. I know I dont think about such things enough. Going to Russia is a big decision and I know lots can go wrong. But im doing it anyways. Like an adventure for me really.
Thanks Dan again for the offer. That was me emailing you but by now you would have figured that out. All the given info should be correct. |
Been there , done that. Can't believe that I am saying this, but I completely agree with Nikir. ( I think hell just froze over).
Credit Card is huge thing, because what if you missed your flight or something happens. Then you can pay immediately.
You are not visiting Hamilton and the folks just cannot help you.
Also get an unlocked GSM phone- if you have a Rogers phone (must be quad band), see if it is unlocked or you can unlock it. It is usually $25.00. when you hit Russia, buy a SIM card.
Many Russians do not use the home phone and if you are trouble, you want to be able to call someone quickly. |
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