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Computers Little Better Than Bars

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

February 13, 2006

It's Just Lunch IJL Consumer Complaints • Irate Men • Angry Women --- IJL Consumer Compliments • IJL Fans • The Company Responds --- News • New York Women Sue It's Just Lunch • “It’s Just Lunch” Settles Overcharging Complaints • Illinois May Require More Protection For Online Dating Special Report • It's Just Lunch -- Or Is It? • No Refunds • Typical Complaints • Dating Service Tips • Other Dating Services ---

Like the old country song, consumers using online matchmaking services feel like they're "looking for love in all the wrong places." Complaints to ConsumerAffairs.com in recent weeks show the cyber-world holds no magic cure for a disappointing social life.

In fact, even more disappointment may await you.

For example, Jean of Amherst, New Jersey experienced technical problems that blocked her from using her Match.com account for all but one week of her three-month membership. And that one week that she was able to access her account? Well, the less said about that, the better.

"For the few days I was on there, I was exposed to some of the most obnoxiously rude people I have ever encountered. Men who wanted to know how much I weighed, if I was 'fat', if I was 'sexually experienced', and more. Vulgarity, profanity, perversion, low-quality, disturbing, mentally ill, scary," she told ConsumerAffairs.com.

More Than They Bargained For

Many of the Match.com complaints focus on billing issues. Trish, of Sacramento, California, was enticed by Match.com's free 7-day trial membership. But like many "trial" memberships, Trish found it was not that easy to cancel.

"In order to get this free trial, I had to select one of their offers and submit my credit card information. I checked the one-month for $29.99. Well, it didn't take long before I realized their service sucked, so I cancelled on the 6th day of the free trial membership. They did not cancel me; instead, I was charged $29.99," she said.

Teresa, of Kailua, Hawaii, also experienced billing problems with Match.com.

"I joined match.com last year and canceled after a month use. Over seven months later I see match.com charged my credit card. I went to the site and canceled and wrote them that it was not me but them who renewed my subscription for their services.

Not So eHarmonious

Despite its TV commercials featuring attractive, happy couples, eHarmony.com comes in for its share of knocks from consumers.

From its marketing campaign, eHarmony might be expected to be a cut above Match.com and other online dating services. In fact, it says you can't possibly make a valid selection with "just a picture and a paragraph," and instead offers an extensive psychological profile that it says can help consumers find their true soul mate.

"I joined eHarmony and have had three dates. None a success. I recently signed on for three more months at $100. Now, the site is so clogged I cannot access the bunch of losers they've matched me with," Lisa, of Elkton, Maryland told ConsumerAffairs.com.

"Also, the first match they provided me with lied and entered into a relationship with me knowing full well he was having a baby with another woman. It's a crazy world out there and some of those nut jobs are on eHarmony"

Undatable?

While some consumers complain that Match.com and other sites will match them up with just about anyone, a few say they have the opposite problem with eHarmony.

"I spent 30-40 minutes filling out their "free personality profile." When completed, I was informed that I was not going to be allowed to join their service because my answers did not fit in to any of their categories, and rather than risk not being able to match me, they stated that I was not able to join their service," said Lori, or West Linn, Oregon.

"My first reaction was disbelief. I am a professional, educated, emotionally stable, attractive woman. It left me feeling humiliated and insulted and I began asking a lot of questions about this service. How can anyone be "unmatchable?"

Computers and the Internet have made many aspects of life easier and more efficient. But when it comes to looking for Mr. or Ms. Right, people writing to ConsumerAffairs.com indicate online dating services are no more effective than the old fashioned way � but often a lot more expensive.

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