Elite Personal Search

Lynn of Palo Alto, CA February 17, 2009

I would like to share this court experience about suing Elite Personal Search. I signed contract with Active Single LLC / DBA Elite Personal Search about two years ago. They claimed they were local in San Jose, the sales rep. named Louis promised me they would have local office and local people (esp. him) would work with closely me to find my life time partner. He spent 2 hours explaining how wonderful their services are.

Well, hoping someone could do what they are paid for, I paid them 7900 for a 18-month service, which Elite claimed to be the lowest rate they had. Elites San Jose office was closed one month after the interview and Louis never contacted me after taking my money. During the past 2 years, they never set up any date for me yes, 0 date for two years. I complained but their management never cared to respond.

I decided to take it to Santa Clara small claim court to look for justice. Elite flew somebody to the bay area from LA to attend the court. Before we stood in front of judge, a mediator talked to both of us, Elite agreed to offer 1500 plus another two-year extension of the contract. The mediator used to be a contract attorney, he said the contract would make me look really bad, because there is a non-refundable? term, so I may leave the court without getting anything. I wanted to know what the court would do, so decided not to take that offer. The mediator was right, the court ruled that Elite did not owe me any money.

I want to say to all who have not signed Elite Personal Searchs contract, peoples complaints on this website are true. More importantly, if you sign this contract with Elite, you are throwing your money away and without getting any protection, not even from court!!! Why? Because Elite spent their money on the attorney fee to draft a contract which will NOT be reversible UNDER ANY CONDITION. Although I lost the case, I am glad I did it. if more people go to court and have our voices heard, it will cause Courts attention.

E.e. of Carlsbad, CA January 6, 2009

I am a successful, educated, beautiful woman who has difficulty meeting great men because I am a single mother who spends my time mothering. I thought that Elite would be able to help me meet men of equal caliber who met my preferences and religious requirements. My matchmaker Summer was able to set me up on a date with a very nice gentleman for my first date who I got along very well with, but later found did not meet my explicit requirements that were outlined in my matchmaking profile.

Elite continued to send proposed matches of men who did not remotely meet my requests, so I questioned them again as to whether they had the men that I was looking for. Their blatant disregard of my parameters caused me to question whether there was any intention whatsoever to match me up with someone who met my criteria. I asked for a refund and they refused, and when I talked to their Director she assured me that they had many men who met my criteria. I have not received any contact from them in 5 months, and believe that Elite is just a scam to collect large service fees from individuals with the intent of haphazardly throwing matches at them hoping something will stick.

I am a single mother who made an investment to help facilitate a dating life that would offer safety through background checks, and efficiency through effective matchmaking. What I received was a monthly payment that I have continued to pay, and the absence of any service whatsoever. I have seen several other clients mentioning working with attorneys but believe that the most effective way to battle a corporate entity with no integrity is via a combined effort class action. I just believe that if they are unwilling to offer their services, the LEAST they could do is refund money for services unrendered.

Maryam of Sherman Oaks, CA October 26, 2008

Elite personal search has intentionally misrepresented that they have a large database consisting of thousdands of highly educated, successful men. It's been close to a year since I signed up, I have not heard from them, I have to contact them, they introduced me to about 4 or 5 men who can't formulate a sentence, are not college graduates and are not descriptive of what I told elite I was looking for. Aside from that, I paid them a thousand dollars and they don't even contact me. They don't email, call.. nothing. I had to email them, call them to see if they were looking for me and when I gave up and stopped calling them I never heard from them again. They are a fraud. They are a sham.

I am a very attractive women, I am also an attorney. I have no problem dating but I was looking for a pool of successful, educated men so someone can sift through and filter dates for me. I gave a thousdand dollars to elite and practically never heard from them again. I am a civil litigation attorney and would file a lawsuit in small claims court but I find this to be somewhat of a personal matter, the fact that I joined a dating service is personal.

1,000

Terri of Shrewsbury, MA September 26, 2008

Dating after divorce is hard enough without companies taking advantage of consumers. I employed the services of Elite Personal Search in February 2008.

Suzie interviewed me for 2 hours and decided I was a good candidate for her service. Suzie represented to me that Elite Personal Search has at least 200 eligible men in the system at any given time all of whom are white-collar professionals. She further represented that the men I would be matched to are thoroughly checked out and I will meet exactly who they say I will meet. I signed on with Elite Personal Search for a twelve month contract in the amount of 6,000 for the privilege of being introduced to 6 men.

As part of the contract, I was required to have my photograph taken by a professional photographer employed by Elite for an additional 350. During the six months that followed I did not receive one viable introduction! I was sent the photographs and bios of six different men. I agreed to meet with them, but somehow, they were unwilling or unable to meet me. First there was Ernie. Ernie didn’t want to go out with me because he “didn’t like my picture�. Then there was Mark. Mark initially said he would meet me, but then took himself out of the system citing personal reasons. Next came Paul. According to my matchmaker, Paul wanted to meet me, but he was a little busy looking at colleges with his children. Paul must still be looking really hard because it has been 5 months and he hasn’t called. John was next on the list and he was an entrepreneur from Boston. He wanted to see me, but was on vacation in Florida. Two weeks later, I was told John wanted to date the woman hey introduced him to a few days before me. Then Robert, who said no because I have children. Then there was Steve who said yes, apparently took my phone number, and then “changed his mind�.

MMMM. Makes me wonder...Did Elite really have any “inventory� for me or is it all smoke and mirrors?

I finally requested Elite refund my money and we end the contractual relationship citing the fact that I had been ready, willing, able and cooperative with the process, however, they were unable or unwilling to produce on their end. I was simply told “they would review it�. Elite then stopped returning my calls. They stopped e-mailing. Everytime I called they were “out to lunch�, “in a meeting�, or just unavailable for me. I tried to negotiate with Shannon who was very insulting and uncooperative. Shannon returned a call to me one day announcing herself to the receptionist at my office as "Shannon from Elite Personal Search a dating agency Terri employed". WOW, what a violation of confidentiality.

I engaged the services of an attorney who wrote them a 93A letter demanding my money back. 30-days passed with no response. I am now entitled to triple damages. I contacted Kristina - in charge of "customer service" to negotiate. In light of the fact that I can file a complaint in Mass for 18K plus attorneys fees and costs; I offered to settle for what I had paid and Kristina still refuses to return my money and insists they have performed under the contract. Kristina will not let me speak with the owner of the company, the company's attorney or her supervisor. She even went so far as to say that I am well spoken and professional and perhaps I make a good living and don't really NEED to have the 6K back.

Diana of Los Angeles, CA July 23, 2008

I have seen some complaints about them, and felt that I needed to add my 2 cents worth. When I started, they fixed me up with 3 men, all good guys I guess, but not right for me. I talked to my matchmaker (Jenn) and she listened to me, and we went in a different direction. THe fourth man I met I dated for a few months, but ultimately I realized I wasn't right for him. The fifth man is someone I have now dated for 8 months and we've been talking about our future alot lately. I think he's amazing, and he's exactly the kind of man I was hoping to be introdued to.

When I read complaints from other people I read between the lines and they don't seem like they are happy people to begin with. Isn't it important to be a good person, and happy with yourself to attract a good person who is also happy with themselves?

Jose of Glendale, CA July 22, 2008

I was actually a little disappointed with the service when I first began the matchmaking process at Elite Personal Search. I believe that so many people that sign up for Elite Personal Search don't give it a chance. I was one of those people until Elite found the love of my life! The matchmakers at Elite never gave up on me, even when I was complaining. I have to admit it was hard at first, but when I accepted that it was not going to happen overnight, Elite came through for me. Just start going out with who Elite tells you to go out with...what's the worst thing that can happen to you? I found the love of my life because I did not give up!

Cindy of La Mesa, CA June 12, 2008

I joined Elite in March of 2006. By August I had been given 3 matches. I was made a lot of promises about all the great men I would meet and must say, they were absolutly right. I am getting married this July to Ronald, whom I met through Elite. He is the man I have been looking for all my life and at 43, thought I could never meet. This is my first marriage although he is divorced. We are both professionals with good incomes and I have never been happier. I am so grateful to Elite for being there. Yes, my membership was about 8900, but worth every penny. I never would have met Ronald if not for Elite. We were in different parts of the county and our paths never crossed. I am so grateful. Thank you, Thank you!

There was no damage resulted from my interaction. My heart if full and have to say, that although I did spend a lot of money, it was worth every penny. The results of that money spent are a shared life with the man of my dreams, a much larger house that we have purchased together, a lot of laughter, a lot of fun and a future that has never been brighter!!!

Nikolay of Parker, CO May 4, 2008

Here is what I wrote to Federal Trade Commission in February of 2008:

I would like to file a complaint about a company called Elite Personal Search. I know that FTC does not address personal complaints. I also know that if amount of complaints from different individuals meets certain level, FTC does investigate a company. Elite Personal Search provides matchmaking services. The company claims it provides exceptional service. Because of that I signed a contract with them. I agreed to pay them 2,950.00, they agreed to provide ?the administrative and professional matchmaking services?.

There was nothing professional in their service. In fact the service was exceptionally poor. Therefore the company breached the contract. The contract was signed on August 15th of 2007 for the term of 18 months.A ladys qualities I requested were not something extraordinary. However in my requests I mentioned that I would like to meet a woman who runs a small business. That was very important to me. In the paperwork that I sent to the company I underlined the small business request. In my phone conversations with the company representatives, in the e-mail I sent to Elite I stresses again and again that I would like to meet a woman who runs a small business. My request was never addressed.

During initial interviews with the Elite representatives I was asked if I would be willing to meet a woman from a different state. My answer was Yes. Please note, Elite claims it has dozens of thousands of clients and they arrange over 60000 successful introductions every year?. According to their web site, Elite operates in several states including several metropolitan areas like LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, Boston, and Denver. In their database must be hundreds if not thousands of single women who run small businesses.

In January they e-mailed me a survey and a letter signed by the president of the company Cheryl DiPane. Her letter stated that in order to provide clients with exceptional service? her company needed clients input and feedback. In the survey I stated that I was not pleased at all? with the service. I also stated that I would not recommend the company to friends/family. The company did not respond. They do not bother to find out what is wrong with their service despite the fact that I am still their client. Ones again the company demonstrated that their service was exceptionally poor.

I expect from the company to get full refund. That would demonstrate that the money is not the only thing the company cares about. That would also demonstrate that they care about their clients and the companys reputation.

Julie of Phoenix, AZ April 3, 2008

I too had the same experiences with Elite. They obviously did not choose matches that met the criteria I asked for and they obviously did not use any of the information the collected in my interview and my personal matchmaker did not take the time to make a personal match.

Summary: I had Nothing in common with any of the matches... the fact that we both like movies and hiking does not constitute common interests or a match. There are probably a million guys in Arizona that like movies and hiking. One guy took me to a BIKER BAR, one guy never made it past a phone conversation when I found out that he had 3 young children (something I said I did NOT want)in addition to the fact that he was fired as a judge in AZ ... because you ask? ... he believed that drugs should be legalized and it caused conflict when he heard drug arrest cases.

OH and I can't forget the guy they told me was DIVORCED not only verbally but in a phone conversation... upon talking to him on the phone I find out he is still MARRIED and has been going through a nasty divorce for over 2yrs... note I told them I did not want to go out with anyone divorced less than a year... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? They would actually set a client up with a guy that is MARRIED and going through a drama filled nasty divorce? REALLY? Oh I forgot that the reason the divorce was being dragged out was because HE was dragging it out for money... not her getting HIS money but because HE wanted HER money.

I had my attorney promptly send a letter demanding a refund... which has yet to be responded to. BUT out of the blue today (4/3/08) I get an email from them wanting to know if I am ready for a match - I have not heard from them since 11/14/07 mind you.

Vanessa of Irvine, CA February 25, 2008

I have been wanting to complaint about Elite Personal Search service but didn't know how until I bumped into this website. I am not the only victim of this personal matchmaking scam. On 8/24/97, I met with Fredly Antosh at the Costa Mesa, CA office. After an hour of interview with her, she showed me all the profiles from the men that looking for my type of woman(now I know those were untrue). She convinced me that for the man my type, she has plenty in the data base. She said the man would be screen for background throughly and they would fit the caliber of men I am looking for. At first, she wanted 8500.00. I was hesitant to join so she reduced to 5,000.00. I then rescinded the contract when I got home but she called to convince again that I can find a good partner with their service. She then reduced the fee to 2500.00. Since August of 2007, Elite Personal Search has not introduced to me any man of my criteria. I asked for specific age catagory and they always got it wrong.

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