Complain about a product or service

Ultimate Singles.com/Social Spark

Dallas

Allana of Houston TX (4/13/05):
I became a member of Ultimate Singles after getting out of a bad relationship. After I heard the price, during the interview, I told them I'd think about it, but I was "talked into" becoming a member. I was told I would get a discount because of my profession, so I went ahead and signed up. They talked about the great parties and get-togethers they had, all of the great members that I could choose from, and I would also be able to go on one of the trips that they took.

The parties rarely happened and if they did happen, they weren't that great. I think I went to 2 or 3. The trips were an even bigger joke. I received notice for one and I called about it, I think it was to Cancun. When I called they told me all of the available spots had been taken, so I asked how many there were -- 10! There were only 10 spaces available. I almost fell through the floor! So I attempted to go pick out some profiles and continued to be somewhat involved, until I got fed up with it because none of the men I chose ever called or contacted me and the men who chose my profile were not the type of guy I would date. So 2 years after this place has ceased to exist, I'm still paying for it. It is one of the worst decisions I've ever made.

I have paid over $2000 and have been threatened with being taken to collections if I don't continue to pay the fee.

Caroline of Deer Park TX (1/14/05):
I heard about Ultimate Singles on the radio. I was interested in the idea of a Christian introduction service, so I filled out a contact form online. I was contacted by phone and set up a meeting in their offices. When I got there, I met Cameron. He said he would be my personal counselor and would search profiles of men for me and present me with my most compatible matches. We talked a lot about the kind of man I wanted to date, but when I asked him about contract specifics he was vague. I asked what would happen if I began dating a gentleman, would I still be paying monthly? He said my account would be made "inactive."

I made a downpayment of $200 and agreed to come back for another meeting a week later. When I came back I was told I wouldn't be seeing Cameron, but that I would be going through profiles by myself. This was when I started to get suspicious because I was told initially I wouldn't be doing that. Upon leaving I asked about my membership terms where I discovered that I had never seen or signed a contract. The contract was given to me and I took it home. Upon reading the contract I saw that members would be charged every month for the full two years even if they married. That was not what Cameron had led me to believe.

I also saw that Ultimate Singles "may or may not" verify information supplied by members. This shocked me as I had been specifically told all members underwent a criminal background check. I immediately emailed the office and told them to stop all activity on my profile. I called, and called and even went by the offices where I was told time and time again that Cameron was not available and that there was no way to make an appointment with him. When I got no response, I quickly enlisted the help of my lawyer who wrote to Cameron forbidding him to report me to a collection agent because there was no legally binding contract.

I had filled out the financial paperwork, but not the contract. My lawyer had told me that the one was not binding without the other. I put a stop payment on my account and Cameron reported me to a collection agent despite my lawyer's warning. He had somehow gotten me to sign a loan document which he used to sell me to a collection agency. my lawyer assured me that this too was not binding.

After months of anguish and letters, I found out through the BBB that Ultimate Singles had disappeared and the Houston offices were closed. At this point I contacted the collection agency and was told that the claim against me had been dropped by Ultimate Singles. A year later, tonight in fact, I get a call from a Dallas based dating service asking me about an email I sent them. I had not sent them any email, as I had never heard of them. Somehow they had received a copy of the original contact form I had filled out on ultimatesingles.com. I am currently trying to figure out how this is happening.

Aleeta of Houston (11/24/04):
I heard radio advertisements for a Christian dating service in Houston called Ultimate Singles in the summer of 2003. I have no trouble finding men, but I have horrible luck finding good men, so I decided to give it a shot.

I went in for an interview with Kristen. She showed me a book of single, attractive, professional and supposedly Christian men. She really pushed for me to do the two-year deal because it was a special price. It included the $980 initiation fee and the $1000 enrollment fee. She wanted $100 down, and then I'd be billed monthly for the balance. They promised regular get-togethers, annual trips and other activities for all members. They promised to promote my profile to men they thought would be good matches for me based upon my interests. It sounded like a good deal, but now I wish I'd done more research before agreeing.

Within a few months, I began feeling like I'd been duped. The men I was meeting didn't want to date me after they realized I wouldn't sleep with them. What kind of Christian organization was this? I also found out that one gentlemen had never signed up, never paid, but yet Ultimate Singles was advertising him as being a member.

Then Ultimate Singles became Social Spark. With the change in name, they promised monthly get-togethers (that never happened), but the same Christian atmosphere. We were told we could put up an online profile at UltimateMatch.com, but I found people there simply looking for sex partners! I immediately emailed Social Spark and let them know that if the organization was no longer a Christian introduction service, then our contract was breached. I was assured that was not the case, and the online service was the founder Cameron Sharpe's other business venture that he was allowing Social Spark members to use if they wanted.

There was one other group get-together after that email, in early 2004, then nothing. No one was choosing my profile, which had happened regularly before. I tried calling and left messages, but no one returned my calls. I tried emailing, and there was no response. I was more angry than worried. In June 2004, I was able to get away from work to go by the Social Spark office, and there was a notice on the door from building management. The office space was locked down for non-payment of rent and was apparently abandoned. I tried calling again; no answer. I tried emailing again; it bounced back as undeliverable.

I then immediately put a stop payment on the direct withdrawal from my bank account. I was not going to continue paying for a service that I had not received or was going to receive for the remainder of my contract, especially when the company didn't have the common decency to inform me, a paying client, of the closing. I couldn't get any information on the billing group for Social Spark until I got an invoice from them for monthly payments. I wrote them a letter stating that Social Spark had closed and I didn't feel I should pay for services not rendered. I am more than willing to pay the initiation fee and for the months that I did receive some sort of service from Social Spark, but not for the remaining portion of my two-year contract. I got no response from Templar Financial Group, the billing company, until they sent yet another invoice. I called and was told that I was obligated to pay regardless that the company closed, without notice I might add.

Rhonda of Arlington TX (8/26/04):
Ultimate Singles has not lived up to their end of the contract I signed at the end of 2002. I have repeatedly contacted them by e-mail, by phone, and in person to get satisfaction, but have not noticed any attempts to rectify the situation. My last few attempts were not even acknowledged. I should have access to online viewing of other members and be able to chat. To date, almost two years later, access is still not available to me but nobody has been able to figure out why.

I went into the office to make selections since I could not view online. Never heard back from anyone. I attended one function in May 2004, and was severely disappointed. It was very shoddy as far as accommodations, very light on food, etc. Also, the clientele was actually quite sleazy. I was disgusted to be put in the same class of people. I had been under the belief that it was a much classier association.

I have paid $91.36 by draft monthly since January 2003. The drafts will cease after the payment in December 2004. It has been a total waste. I am a single mother of three kids and had believed this to be a good investment. I would NOT have spent nearly $2,200.00 on a whim.

Sherry of Ft. Worth TX (5/31/04):
Within 24 hours of signing the contract, I called to cancel. I was told this could not be voided. I had paid $500.00 down and set a bank draft for $100.00 monthly. Every month thereafter I called to cancel, reminding them I had called within the initial 24 hrs. Finally after 4 months, I stopped the bank draft.

I NEVER once received any correspondence from ANY potential date and or notification of ANY activities. I was told I was getting a great deal of the initial price. After marrying my dance partner, I was told by ULTIMATE SINGLES to bring him along to the functions provided since all was paid but not to tell anyone he was my spouse! HOW CHRISTIAN IS THAT?

Angie of Ft. Worth (4/13/04):
After signing I was not given access to the website. They wanted additional money to access the site. I was told that the site was part of the membership. They not only charge people different amounts, but they try to charge people who have already paid.

Kristin of Dallas (2/24/04):
I had a "consultation" with Neysla at the Dallas office, and she listed the price of the service, $1980, on a piece of paper. She then had me sign a contract after she coerced me into paying $69 a month for 3 years to pay off the amount. I trusted that the amount added up to $1980, I didn't think about using a calculator myself. After I signed the contract she asked me for my SSN as well as a voided check, saying the company will do a background check on me and wants to be sure I have a checking account. I unfortunately provided this information to her.

She then gave me another document that listed my bank information on it, and also included an 18% interest rate! She did not tell me this before signing the contract. Since I had already signed the contract, I thought I had no choice but to sign this document also, so I did. The next day I called them and said I made a horrible mistake and wanted to cancel the contract immediately. I also said I was deceived about the 18% interest rate and was told I had signed a binding, legal contract that could not be cancelled. I have since consulted an attorney, who has written them several letters and they refuse to budge.

This company presents themselves as a Christian organization, but will get as much money out of people as they can.

Jennifer of Plano TX (11/19/03):
I became a member of Ultimate Singles in March 2001. Allen was the represenative that signed me up. I fell right in to his spiel on how great the club was for someone like me who didn't want to meet guys at a bar. It all sounded so wonderful. A place to meet quality Christian men, and group events. I was also promised the quality of these men was checked out, and I would only be set up with men who had the same values as I did.

So I signed up. Allen said I was getting a great deal at $2,980, and had me "pinky-swear" I would not tell anyone about this "great deal" I was getting. The first event I went to I saw a cooler full of beer and wine coolers, I definately was not expecting that at a Christisn Singles event. I didn't have a problem if someone wanted to buy a drink (I myself am a social drinker). However, I did not like the fact that this "Christian" singles club was providing free alcohol.

Then to add another slap in the face, the first wonderful guy they set me up with, tried putting the moves on me the entire date. I had enough and he drove me back to my car. The second event I attended was at Speed Zone. The rides and food were supposed to be provided by Ultimate Singles. I got there about 30 miniutes after the gathering began (due to work) and was told all the free tickets had already been handed out, and most of the free food was gone as well. I had come from work, and was planning for this to be my dinner. I was very upset, along with a group of other people, they didn't say they would have free tickets for only a limited time. They should have had enough for everyone. I mean, isn't that what my money was supposed to be for.

I was disgusted with the service and wanted to cancel my membership. I called and spoke with Nikki, and was told that I had signed a contract and the full amount of $2,980 would have to be paid. I was not asking for a refund of the money I already paid, I just wanted to cancel my membership. If this membership is a contract that they won't let you out of, then they should let you have a free week so you could see what you would be paying for. If I had been offered something like that, I definately would not have signed up for their service in the first place. I guess that is why they don't offer a free trial week.

In 2002 I found myself in a horrible situation with a man, not from Ultimate Singles, who took advantage of me. I was diagnosed with genital herpes, which is an incurable STD. I let Ultimate Singles know this. They still refused to cancel my membership. I told them I couldn't be in this club anymore. I was too afraid of meeting new men now. Also, I didn't think they should allow someone they know has an STD, to continue to participate in Ultimate Singles. Nikki said it would be okay, and they would "hand pick" guys who would understand.

After these painful and humiliating conversations got me nowhere, I gave up trying to cancel my membership. I relized these people only wanted my money. I belived there was nothing I could do to stop them. I was thankful to learn through a blood test in 2003 at my ob/gyn that I had been misdiagnosed, and am STD-free. However, I wonder how many members Ultimate Singles forces to remain in the club, while they know they are postive for various STDs?

Ann of Plano TX (10/23/03):
After an interview with Chris and after him showing me a book of single, attractive, professional men he showed me the membership price of $3,900.00. He told me he would give me a deal for $1,500.00 because he needed "tall, attractive, professional women." He told me Ultimate never gave the men deals and they were always charged the full amount.

I was told I would not be disappointed as they only accepted quality people and they rejected many people. At the time I remember thinking this was not very Christian of them. I was under the impression that if a man is willing to pay $3,900.00 to join a dating service in Dallas then he must be serious about finding a mate and financially secure which is important to me.

I trusted Ultimate Singles mostly due to their claims of Christianity. In the ten days I was active I went on two dates. The first man asked me how much I paid and laughed when I told him. He told me he paid "almost nothing" but "took care of the girls" by taking them to lunch! He told me all the girls he had gone out with had paid a lot more than him. The second date the next day told me he paid $700.00 and felt taken advantage of because he knew guys who had paid less.

He convinced me to negotiate the charge with Ultimate because like my first date he had also dated girls who had paid a lot more than him. I felt used and taken advantage of. I complained immediately, ten days after signing my membership saying I was sold a service under false representation and lied to and deceived and expected a refund. Ultimate refused to refund my money to American Express.

They also said I was to blame for disclosing my fee! I was told not to tell anyone about my 'great deal'. These people call themselves Christian and are taking advantage of vunerable people looking for love.

Ann should sue the company in Small Claims Court.

Sydney of North Richland Hills TX (3/26/03):
On 2/22/03 I met with Neysla from Ultimate Singles. At that time, Neysla showered me with pictures of good-looking men and how she could set me up with them. She also went on to tell a sappy story about how she met her fiance at Ultimate Singles. Toward the end of the interview, she revealed the membership price by taking out a piece of cardboard with a bunch of numbers on it and told me to deduct $1500 off that price (price she pointed to) because of a special promotion. Immediately I told her that I would have to think about it.

However, after coercing me into becoming a member by promising me that I could join and pay on a month-to-month basis and cancel anytime, I reluctantly agreed. She stated that I needed to sign some informal documents so that I could become official. She never stated or implied that I was signing a contract of any kind. At the time, I didn’t think much about signing these informal papers because I trusted this so-called Christian organization.

Neysla never disclosed the finance charge consisting of $392 based on 18% APR. Had I known that I would be assessed a finance charge of $392.44 based on 18% APR, I never would have agreed to become a member. After I arrived home and examined what I signed, I was shocked to discover that I had been defrauded and deceived. According to what I had signed, neither could I participate as a member on a month to month basis nor cancel my membership as I pleased. Moreover, the monthly payment plan that Neysla so graciously offered me, entailed a $392 finance charge.

That evening 2/22 I immediately phoned Neysla at Ultimate Singles and left message. I left another message on 2/24. I never heard back from her until I called her for the third time on 2/24. When I finally got a hold of her, I informed her that I was unhappy with how she lied to me. She admitted that she forgot to disclose the finance charge so she agreed to allow me to charge the entire amount on my personal credit card to avoid their 18% APR. However, that offer is not acceptable since I never would have joined had I known about the finance charge.

I drafted a letter to Ultimate Singles informing them that I have cancelled my membership and requested a refund. However, Ultimate Singles refuses to give me refund. Neysla also informed me that in order to become a member of Ultimate Singles, one must have a checking account, thus I had to give Neysla a copy of a voided check. However, I soon learned from the Attorney General's office that this was just another way for Ultimate Singles to secure payment from me. Moreover, after receiving some documents from the Texas Attorney General's office, I found out that Ultimate Singles forged my signature on a document that I never signed. The document that I am speaking of is one that gives Ultimate Singles the right to withdraw money from my checking account.

So buyer beware! In closing, never give a voided check to an organization that says they just need it as proof that you have a checking account. According to the attorney with whom I had a consultation, there are various Christian dating services/introduction services that are fraudulent in nature. Consumers need to be aware of this. There are too many consumers out there who are not aware of their rights under the various state consumer protection statutes.

Since I was deceived and fraudulently induced into signing some papers that turned out to be a contract, I have a cause of action based on the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act - the consumer protection statute for Texas

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