Media contact: Janet C. Hart, CFEE (704) 927-8617
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
– February 4, 2009 – Valentine’s Day is a special time for people in love. But if you are one of the millions of people
who are still looking for the love of your life, the Better Business Bureau has
advice to keep you from being taken.
Complaints
against matchmaking and online dating services are on the rise as consumers
spend hundreds of millions of dollars on dating services every year. The dating
services industry is primarily divided into two categories: personalized
matchmaking services and online dating websites, and the types of complaints
against each differ as well. Unfortunately, as the popularity of the industry
increases, so does the number of complaints received by the BBB.
Matchmaking Complaints
Matchmaking and local dating services can cost thousands of dollars and promise
to introduce you to other area singles that meet your specified criteria. The
most common complaints include:
- Disputes over the caliber and
demographics of singles promised (35 percent). Complainants report that they
were matched with singles that did not meet their expectations.
- Poor or rude customer service (17.0
percent). Consumers report dissatisfaction with the level of customer service
they received given the amount that the service costs.
- High pressure sales tactics (13.7
percent). Complainants report being intimidated or duped into signing up for
matchmaking services.
- Dissatisfaction with the number of
arranged dates (15.1 percent). Matchmaking services promote that they have
a database of thousands of singles in the area and promise a minimum number of
dates. Complainants allege that matchmaking services failed to deliver on the
quota of promised dates.
The BBB suggests that you check out
matchmaking services before you commit. Locally,
Great Expectations is a dating service based in Fort Mill, S.C. (BBB rating D –)
and is not accredited by the BBB.
Online Dating Complaints
Unlike matchmakers and local dating services, most online dating websites
provide a forum for users to post information about themselves and offer the
opportunity to peruse the site for other singles.
Online dating
services normally require a specific length of membership and charge a monthly
fee. The contract is typically renewed automatically when it expires. As a
result, about two-thirds (63.7 percent) of the complaints against online dating
sites are about accounts being automatically renewed following the end of a
contract or trial period. Either the customer did not realize they needed to
cancel the account, or they did cancel, but billing continued anyway.
Other common
complaints for online dating services include the inability to immediately
cancel after signing up (6.8 percent) and general dissatisfaction with the
company and its process (6.8 percent).
Some of the most popular online dating
sites and their BBB ratings include:
- eHarmony.com – (BBB
rating A-) and is accredited by the BBB.
- match.com – (BBB
rating C) and is not accredited by the BBB.
- millionairematch.com
– (BBB rating C) and is not accredited by the BBB.
The BBB offers the following advice on matchmaking and online dating services:
- Don’t fall in love too quickly.
Beware of exaggerated advertising claims that promise more than they deliver.
- Do
a background check. Check out the company with the BBB (www.bbb.org) to make sure it has a history
of satisfying customers and resolving complaints.
- Don’t be pressured into commitment.
Before you sign a contract, read it carefully and make sure you understand what
the terms and conditions are.
- Know how to break up. Do
not assume that you will not be billed when the contract term ends. Many online
dating sites automatically renew memberships unless the consumer specifically cancels
the service.
Consumers can get a free BBB Reliability Report on area businesses
online at www.bbb.org or by calling the BBB (toll-free in N.C. and S.C.) at
1-877-317-7236.
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