Unfriendly and Incompetent:
3 or 4 years ago I was invited to Moscow to visit a friend who worked there. Time was short, I had only 3 weeks to prepare for the trip. Somebody I know told me about Vostock Reisen, so I went there. I went into the office, where 2 young women were sitting, and sat at the free desk on the right hand side belonging to a dark-haired young woman.
Right from the start it was clear she had had a bad day or something was wrong, as seldom have a had a colder or unfriendlier reception from someone in a business situation. I ignored her rude behaviour, and explained I had to go to Moscow in 3 weeks. She almost looked pleased to tell me that there was not enough time to get the visa, the time was too short, I came too late. At this point I got very worried, as I really believed the whole trip was in danger. I asked what I could do, and she said I could try my luck at the Russian Embassy myself, but it sounded like I had no chance.
I left the Vostock office saying goodbye to this unsmiling and unfriendly woman, who had just ruined my day, and the next day I went to the Russian Embassy myself. There I found that ALL the dark-haired woman had told me was completely WRONG. 2 or 3 weeks is more than enough time to get the visa there. You can get it in one or two days, it's just a question of how much money you want to pay. I did it all myself, filled in the forms, collected them the next week with my passport, and in the end had a great trip.
But I cannot forget the unfriendliness and incompetence of this woman. If I handled my customers in that way in my business, I would have problems, so I don't see why I should accept disrespect from Vostock employees. If Vostock was my company, I would have fired this woman the next day. She should not have contact with the public. Other reviewers say the women there now are friendly, so I guess she has been fired by now, which is good news for all future visitors to Vostock. read more
