I wasted 18 months and approximately $25K in IFS' Russia program before switching to another agency. IFS was slow to answer emails, IMO untruthful in many responses I did receive and ultimately unsuccessful in producing the service I contracted with them to provide. Unfortunately for me, I allowed myself to be decieved to the point of having paid most of my fees, which are NON-REFUNDABLE with IFS, apparently regardless of fault so I am currently involved in an ongoing BBB dispute with them to resolve the issue. Frankly, I don't expect it to be resolved in my favor, based on what I know of the Houston BBB's track record.
IFS is not themselves accredited in Russia and works with an "umbrella" agency (actually at least two different agencies that I know about), which arrangement is constantly under a lot of dispute about whether it is even legal, or if it is now, will it continue to be legal as the Russians continue to tighten up the IA process.
IMO, the behavior of IFS after the AMREX bankruptcy is reprehensible. Following that fiasco, it appears their ability to conduct their business in Russia is severely impacted, the waiting list is long and the process incredibly slow. I've done a lot of research about IFS and have not heard from any Russia program families who were happy with IFS at the end of their adoption. Some people did eventually adopt, but the stories are filled with extensive delays, unexpected fees and other assorted troubles.
I eventually signed with another agency and COMPLETED an adoption in less time than I'd already wasted with IFS and didn't even have a referral at that point!
Stay away from IFS unless you have a lot of time to waste and money to throw away.
We are trying to find a good agency to adopt in Russia. Would you mind telling me what agency you worked with for a successful outcome? Thank you for any feedback you can give me,
Kacy
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Reviews
Russia Program
I wasted 18 months and approximately $25K in IFS' Russia program before switching to another agency. IFS was slow to answer emails, IMO untruthful in many responses I did receive and ultimately unsuccessful in producing the service I contracted with them to provide. Unfortunately for me, I allowed myself to be decieved to the point of having paid most of my fees, which are NON-REFUNDABLE with IFS, apparently regardless of fault so I am currently involved in an ongoing BBB dispute with them to resolve the issue. Frankly, I don't expect it to be resolved in my favor, based on what I know of the Houston BBB's track record.
IFS is not themselves accredited in Russia and works with an "umbrella" agency (actually at least two different agencies that I know about), which arrangement is constantly under a lot of dispute about whether it is even legal, or if it is now, will it continue to be legal as the Russians continue to tighten up the IA process.
IMO, the behavior of IFS after the AMREX bankruptcy is reprehensible. Following that fiasco, it appears their ability to conduct their business in Russia is severely impacted, the waiting list is long and the process incredibly slow. I've done a lot of research about IFS and have not heard from any Russia program families who were happy with IFS at the end of their adoption. Some people did eventually adopt, but the stories are filled with extensive delays, unexpected fees and other assorted troubles.
I eventually signed with another agency and COMPLETED an adoption in less time than I'd already wasted with IFS and didn't even have a referral at that point!
Stay away from IFS unless you have a lot of time to waste and money to throw away.
Which agency did you use after IFS fiasco?
We are trying to find a good agency to adopt in Russia. Would you mind telling me what agency you worked with for a successful outcome? Thank you for any feedback you can give me,
Kacy
successful agency
The agency I ultimately used to complete my adoption was Alliance for Children. Alliance is WONDERFUL and I can't recommend them highly enough.