Issue Date: April 6, 2008
Dating services: Don't get duped
Pressure tactics, confusing contracts and bogus claims can leave singles in the lurch.
It's great to explore every singles outlet when looking for love, but make sure you're not looking in all the wrong places.
First, a reality check: The Better Business Bureau reports that consumer complaints about dating services increased 73% in 2006 over 2005, and, at press time, 2007 complaints are expected to break records.
Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to find love through dating sites and matchmakers, the BBB says. "Their biggest frustrations with online dating sites are the hard-to-understand membership and cancellation fees; with matchmakers, it's high-pressure sales tactics that offer ridiculous expectations and a very lacking database of available singles to back up those claims," says the BBB's Steve Cox.
With so many new cupid companies in existence and more popping up every day, what's a smart single to do for protection against becoming another dating dupe? Here are some basics:
Look before you leap. Don't pick the first service that sounds good.
Don't fall for the hype. Lots of desperately seeking singles are taken in by great ad claims ("for sincere daters," "for beautiful singles only") or the company's success stories.
Ignore high-pressure sales tactics. Just as with car shopping, never fall for "today-only" price pressure.
Do your homework. Take time to compare service policies and prices. Dating is, after all, a numbers game; the more services you become familiar with, the better you'll understand how they work and what's best for you. Ask about the outfit's background and to speak with real people who have used the service.
Contact the BBB (bbb.org) to see if any complaints have been lodged against the companies.
Look ahead. How long does your relationship with the organization last? How do you opt out if you're not happy? A contract is like a prenup, and you need to know what it's going to cost you if the relationship isn't working and you want out.
Before you commit to a dating website, compare policies and prices.
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