It's Just Lunch - Angry Women

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Andrea of Greensboro NC (08/10/08)
I went out on the first date (and only one as of today) today. They called me the day after my interview claiming they had someone perfect for me. I even asked the matchmaker, if that's what you want to call her, Danielle, if he was cute. She said, yes. There's no way she really thought that. He was COMPLETELY unattractive, didn't have a Bachelor's degree, and was NOT an engineer as they stated: he fixed copy machines! I mean, come on! Seriously?! Danielle also said he was 33, but his hairline was receding and he looked like he was around 45. It was the worst date of my life! I couldn't wait to leave! This is ridiculous! Their contract shouldn't hold up since they lie!

I paid 195 upfront and they said starting Sept. 1 they will take out 100 a month for 6 months. So far, I've lost 195, but I'm going to make certain that I don't lose anymore and can at least get some of that money back. I have definitely learned my lesson and will warn my friends (I actually had one friend who said she was considering joining. I've told her not to).

Cynthia Gladstone of San Diego, CA August 2, 2008

Cynthia of San Diego CA (08/02/08)
Warning sign: when I called, Rush over now! was her sales pitch. They act nice but they are just selling & if you complain than YOU are the issue not their service. The special sales manager called me and had this special lawyer, 6', etc. etc. - guess what? He had to complain because they were sending MY SPECIAL guy out 5 times a week.... and me, once a month they sent me someone. He was very surprised. They are not honest - just be warned! It's a waste of money - go on vacation instead.

It's costs 200/date - and only one (the one mentioned above) shared the lunch check. They were absolutely humiliating matches and if I didn't want to see one of their matches they pushed you into it - they do damage - it's a terrible experience.

D. Leigh Dougall of Lakewood, CO July 11, 2008

D. of Lakewood CO (07/11/08)
I am another busy professional that was mislead and taken by this business and my complaints will echo ones previously posted by other individuals...wish I had found this website prior to writing that big check! Its Just Lunch Denver made all sorts of promises about those great potential dates. My 'interviewer' (who mysteriously left the company shortly after the first couple of matches) enthusiastically told me at the conclusion of the interview that she knew of two great matches right off the top of her head and couldn't wait to introduce me to them.

Thus began a horrific experience of meeting 5 great matches who - besides providing material for my own stand-up comedy routine - were not even close to what I had specified in my inital interview and subsequent post date trauma feedback. With the last date appearing old enough to be my father (of course this was counter to the description that IJL had provided to me) I threw in the dating towel and asked to speak to the franchise owner.

Despite my reapeated requests, I never received a return phone call - the owner always had some lame excuse not to call me back. After a MONTH of this nonsense a new owner called me and said she could do nothing about my request for a refund since I had signed up with the original franchise owner. She also cited the 'no refund policy' in response to my complaint about IJL's business practices and failure to fulfill their promises and contractual responsibilites. I was scamed...hope that this compaint will somehow protect other unsuspecting professionals from a similar experience.

Maria Temiquel of Alexandria, VA July 10, 2008

Maria of Alexandria VA (07/10/08)
I joined IJL in February 2008. The interview was rather superficial. All matches were shallow. We had nothing in common. It was clear no thought or effort was put into matching people. Some of the men told me they had not paid any money for over a year and were still getting sent out on dates because IJL had so few men. One man said he had 3 dates in one week because IJL needed to match all the women they had. Another man said he was bullied into going out with me, even after telling IJL he was extremely busy and did not have time. My 3 month contract period ended and I figured that was it.

A month later I noticed a 79 dollar charge on my credit card from IJL. I called them and asked why. I was told that the contract I signed had an automatic renewal clause. I told them this was not disclosed to me when I signed up. I spoke with Tracy in accounting and told her that since the charge was just made yesterday, can I please have the refund. She said no, I signed the contract and no refund will be provided. She told me to submit in writing that I wanted to end my contract. I immediately faxed her my termination letter and assumed that would be the last I heard from IJL.

A month later I noticed another 79 charge, this time to a church in Florida. I contacted my bank and they agreed it was an unauthorized charge, I was reimbursed the money and closed that account. I had to go through all the trouble of notifying other vendors and waiting for a new card to arrive. Another month goes by and IJL calls to say that my card is showing up as declined when they tried to charge it again. I reminded Tracy that I terminated my contract. Tracy told me that the termination agreement would not become valid for 45 days, which meant they had to charge me another 79 plus another 39.50 for the prorated month.

I told her that my card had been closed due to a fradulant charge from a church in Florida. She said yes, we know the company we hired to charge our clients transposed the numbers of our accounts with another clients (the church in Florida). I asked why wasn't I notifed. She said, we thought the company that mischarged my account would notify you. I told her it was IJL's responsibilty, because I my contract with IJL. I am researching what responsibility falls on IJL to disclose the misuse of my personal identifiable information. I have told all my friends don't waste your money on IJL!

Fradulant charge on my credit card. I had to close the account, contact other vendors, change those accounts to the new card.

Margaret Murphy of Dallas, TX June 28, 2008

Margaret of Dallas TX (06/28/08)
I joined IJL after 17 years of not dating. I'm a single parent and didn't want a running stream of men coming into my daughter's life. A friend of mine recommended IJL to me because I was interested in getting that part of my life going again. I didn't realize how lonely I was until I walked into the IJL office in Dallas and paid them 1500.00 to pair me up with the type of men that I requested. Immediately after I walked out, I realized that no background or marital status check had been requested of me. I called them and was given a very lame excuse for such checks being ommitted. It's been a train wreck ever since.

None of the men they set me up with were suitable. The dates I've been on were the worst I've ever experienced. The men had no sense of humor, no manners, and some, were incredibly stupid. Intelligence and a sense of humor were my main reguirements. The main problem is that some of the staff if any, were not college-educated let alone experts in matchmaking. Plus they were all in their twenties, without training, and didn't have a clue about the needs of over 40 adults. Using only a piece of paper and feedback just doesn't cut it. The staff, as noted by others, were aggressive and rude when they weren't gushing over you. Disgusting. One of the girls chewed me out over a last minute cancellation. My father had just died and that wasn't a good of enough reason for her. I finally realized the trick to dealing with the staff was to treat them like they were two year olds. It worked.

As of now, I've told them to suspend my membership as I've starting dating my ex-husband. This is a total lie but I knew that this wasn't an excuse that they would likely argue about. They did ask that I contact them if things didn't work out. The only Clients should be treated with respect rather than like cattle. If there isn't an agency regulating a standards for all companies providing matchmaking services there should be one. Things won't change without it. As far as I'm considered, the only good that came out of this experience is that I know I would rather be home enjoying my own company than be out on a bad date set up by a company out to make a buck.

I kick myself every time I fill my car with gas, check my portfolio, and worry about paying my daughter's college tuition in another year. I had surgery over the holidays and those bills are 5 thick. So yes, it has hurt me financially because I didn't receive the services that I signed a contract for. 1500 is a significant amount of money to our family.

Jennifer Connelly of Yonkers, NY June 26, 2008

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