[krake19761]

Hello!

We are considering signing with two agencies at once. Our current agency is okay with it. Our concern, of course, is that we will have to shell out a lot of up-front costs to another agency. We are pleased with our current agency, it's just that we'd like some more exposure. Do any of you have experience with this and/or could you PM me the name of agencies with no or very low signing/registration fees? THANKS!

Ann Marie

[michellef1]

We were with an agency and an attny. Our agency encouraged us to "cast a wider net". Our DS ended up coming through our attny.
Michelle

[Kimmisue]

We signed up with 2 agencies. Big waste of money. We ended up being matched through our original agency. I almost feel like the 2nd agency had the feeling that "sure we'll take your money while you wait with that other agency." They used the homestudy from the original agency and really didn't have to do a thing. We didn't have a match with them and only met one potential bmom who didn't match our "criteria" at all. So, if you are with a good agency and you trust them, I'd save your money and wait it out.

Kim

[Linny]

We've always dealt with more than one agency/attorney. Are you looking for a CC baby, or an AA baby? I have my own list of preferences for those wishing to adopt an AA baby, I"ll be glad to send.

As far as costs, we'd only go with agencies/attorneys who asked for app money up front (and minimal costs for this, no more than a few hundred $$.)
Also, no monies to be paid until the baby was completely free for adoption.

I hope this helps in some way...

Sincerely,

Linny

[marathon]

Yes, I signed up with two agencies at once. Neither had expensive up front costs. The only major cost was the $1,500 homestudy-which most any agency would accept. The second agency I signed up with only had a $200 application fee. The agency I first signed with found me a match three weeks after I signed up with the second agency so I didn't have any additional charges with the second agency. It felt great knowing two sets of eyes were presenting our profile to birth parents. I figured the more the better. Our baby is due the second week of Feb. Best of luck!

[aclee]

We are signed up with 4 agencies and 3 referrals. We get e-mailed a lot of potential situations this way...it really increases our exposure.

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by krake19761

Hello!

We are considering signing with two agencies at once. Our current agency is okay with it. Our concern, of course, is that we will have to shell out a lot of up-front costs to another agency. We are pleased with our current agency, it's just that we'd like some more exposure. Do any of you have experience with this and/or could you PM me the name of agencies with no or very low signing/registration fees? THANKS!

Ann Marie

We chose to work with an agency and the foster-adopt system simultaneously. That might be something to consider as well. Foster-adopt has no fees.

[gigigeorge]

We signed with a Facilitator, but were contacted locally by the SW who did our homestudy and works with a local agency about a baby already born that they were having a hard time placing. Our facilitator allowed us to put our contract on hold for up to 9 months. So that is what we did, and in the spring we will reactive with them so even though we paid money up front there is no money lost. Also their fees are per adoption, so if it fails, the match fails etc you also arent out any money, you are just back on the 'list'.

gina.