Great Expectations

Serega of Tampa, FL February 1, 2010

Hi. Main reason I'm writing this is to make aware of a new name that former members of Great Expectations are using: "Precision Dating". Just visit their site and read about their members. Some of the members still work for Great Expectations. Maybe a totally different company, but they use same techniques as listed by all the concerned costumers, and I see there's a lot of them here and on other sites. After their smooth sales pitch, where I felt I was buying myself, since I believe I deserve a good partner, that was not just someone off the street, as I am an intellegent, fun and athletic person/professional. After signing a contract for a great sum of money, I felt uneasy, and have gone online trying to find anything about precision dating...there's really nothing, but this company sounds exactly like what people describe here...with only 3 days to cancel.

Now I think after all of those law suets, they are more carefull now and do abbly by state laws. So I went in to cancle the next day. It wasn't that easy, aside the 3 day thing, they wanted to find out the "REAL" reason I want out, and were "CONCERNED" about me. Which after reading all this didnt effect me at all. I scheduled another appointment for the purpuse of getting a written reciet of somekind that I will be getting a refund. I also sent certified letter the next day after the contract was signed. When I came they were still at the sale mode, trying to work out a "one of a kind, lifetime deal" which I was stupid not to take. After I stood my ground and had them write a note that I will be getting a full refund. In a matter of seconds their attitude turned from, you are a catch: handsome, honest, smart proffessional to you are a dishonest looser, and they didn't want to deal with my kind in the first place. Kind of uncalled for staff...That actually was kind of funny for me, because I expected it, after reading all of these reviews! Now hopefully I will be getting all my money back, the full refund, since I haven't used any of their services and I would not have to go through despute with my Credit Card.

I really hope this review helps, I'm doing this because it was hard to find any information on Precision dating and since this site helped me a lot, I want to help another poor soul that they prey on. This company is a preditor, like another consumer here said "they want to get your money and run" thats exactly how their Contract sounds. It is not to protect you, it is to protect them. "NO REFUND" GOOD LUCK

Malissa of Carmel, IN January 23, 2010

I signed up with this service believing I would have pre-screened men to view and make selections from. I was pressured from the beginning, like so many other women who have listed complaints here. They show you great photos of men who are "supposedly available" - then once you are in you find out they are not. There are an incredible amount of men who are "inactive" and cannot be chosen.

I gave it a try any way for about 3 months - it turns out to be nothing like was represented. I also had realized that returning to the dating scene was too soon after my daughter's death and called the office to ask about getting released from the contract. I even offered to only be released from that point forward. Not asking for a refund.

Was offered 900 buyout. What a slap in my face. These people are scammers and take advantage of anyone who walks in the door. They are very good at what they do. Don't - I repeat don't go for it. It's not what they say it is. Far from it.

Due to the death of my daughter, I have found that men aren't very open to dating someone who has lost a child. The rejection was difficult to handle. And the caliber of men that was presented at the interview are just not real. I believe they are possibly using inactive or old members that look good and sound good to convince you to sign up. Made me realize I had made a mistake.

Asked to be released from remainder of contract. Was told that was not possible. Even after telling my story was given a 900 buyout deal. Which is not a deal. So now I'm stuck with 62 payments for 3 years. The emotional distress from this experience has made me realize that they really don't care about their members - just their money.

DIANA of Hillsboro, OR January 23, 2010

I have tried several online dating services, but Great Expectations has been the worst. They use a high pressure sales method; they promise a caliber of members and activities that are not true; and they do not return phone calls or emails. Stupidly I signed up for 3 years because I was to get such a "great deal." It's been an expensive lesson. DO NOT JOIN THIS DATING SERVICE.

Hatem of Garden Grove, CA January 16, 2010

I moved in May 2007 from Seattle WA to the Bay Area, CA . I was just broke up with my gf because of my moving for my job. so I was desperate to find another relationship very quick and I found those scammers and filthy people and organization. 1- They are manipulative and liars, a lot of pretty girls (non of them got married or had a bf through the same organization) big red flag but I didn't even noticed at that time .. and also a lot of handsome guys that will meet females ...

2- I ended up with a low class internet service after I had to pay around 1,800 plus monthly fee plus 500 for pictures. 3- I have not even got one phone call or a date. 4- The good news is that I disputed all my money with American Express card after I based my dispute on the fact that: THERE'S NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR SOLID BASIS ON HOW MUCH SOMEONE SHOULD PAY, WHICH IS A PROOF THAT YOU CAN OR SOMEONE CAN GET THE SAME SERVICE FOR DIFFERENT PRICE OR PAY, AND WHICH IS TRUE AND FACT" so I asked the American Express and Great Expecations in my DISPUTE this Question:

Show me in the contract or in any of your written document how much I should pay and that what I already paid is completely different that what I've been ORIGNALLY ASKED TO PAY ... means that some others they might paid LESS or MORE. The goood news I got all my money back even the 500 for the pictures .

Those cheap, filthy, manipulative workers in Great Expecation, TWO OF US, and all other names should be ashamed of their selfs and the money they got out of poor, respectable, professioanl males and females that they only have good intentions to find a partner in their life. how come those guys think or feel any kind of satisfaction when they go to sleep every night while they rip off people every day. not only that but their salaries of doing that is more than any of us they can afford to buy very expensive cars that you will find when you go park your car in the parking lot before they ask you for your driving license and major credit card.

I wish I (or someone) can start a dating service that is cheap and only with a good intention to match professional who gave up scams everywhere nowaday. I returned back almost every I spent that was like 2.5 yrs ago around 2,300. only lost 2-3 monthly fees

Ginnie of Ridgetop, TN December 28, 2009

As I read the other horror stories, my story is the same. Deciet, verbal and emotional abuse and theft. They would not allow me to leave either until I signed every document they had. I reported to the attorney general's office as they have had many, many complaints. Guess what, the professional thiefs know what documents they need you to sign so even the Attorney General can't make them return your money.

This company should be shut down, put in jail and made to pay for all the emotional horror they have caused people. The BBB said they had an "F" rating, yet people continually get sucked in and ripped off and there is nothing anyone can do. Again the criminal gets off and the victim has to pay.

They took every dime I had. I was having a nervous breakdown at the time and very vunerable to verbal abuse. Destiny treated me with such abuse and I even asked her why she was interagating and abusing me and she said that is what they are suppose to do. I couldn't even call the office to cancel because I feared of more verbal abuse.

I called my attorney and he wrote a letter and of course Great Expecatations gave it no regard. I called my credit card company, no recourse, the attorney general no recourse. I am skrewed and big corporate america has the little man's money again by coercive behavior.

Melissa of Springfield, OH December 21, 2009

I signed up with Great Expectations on October 1, 2009. I had seen a dating service on the internet that said meet Columbus SINGLES. I put in my information and was contacted the next day about setting up an appointment to come in and be interviewed. I asked about the cost and was told that would be answered at my interview. I decided to go ahead and follow through with the interview.

My interview was two and a half hours long. I was exhausted, had broken into tears (although I hid that) and was told that the "deal" they were giving me was a now or never deal. I wasn't allowed to go home and think about it. At the time I felt the person, "Ashley", who was doing the interview was very compassionate. As I see it now, it was a very high pressure sale, with the words, "isn't it worth spending this money to find the right man. You really can't put a price on that now, can you?"

I was shown pictures of single men who were of a higher caliber than what I was used to seeing on dating sites. Not at all like what is actually on the site. I decided to give in to the high pressure sale and I signed the contract. "Ashley" watched me sign and told me what I was initialing. Unbeknownst to me, what I was initialing and what I was told were two different things.

I was told I wouldn't be allowed on the site until I had my photo session and I set that up at the "photographer's" earliest convenience, which was October 8, 2009. Another thing that was not told to me and was in such fine print that I didn't find it until a month after I was in the "service", was that I had only three days to cancel in writing my contract with Great Expectations.

I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, which has never been resolved. I also filed a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General, which nothing was done except hearing what they had to say. It has turned into a she said-she said nightmare. I do know that "Ashley" watched me sign all the areas and initial all the areas KNOWING full well that I had not read the fine print.

They made the ridiculous offer to upgrade me at no charge after I filed with the Better Business Bureau. Their offer (according to their charges) is close to a 7000.00 offer. What I am asking is for my 1795.00 to be refunded. By the time I was allowed on the site, my three days was up. I was stuck. Although they advertise "Meet Columbus SINGLES", they allow still married men to join.

When I saw how many separated men were on the site, I felt I had been duped into something I feel is very unethical. I did some searching (something I should have done prior to even meeting with Great Expectations) and see that I am NOT the only one who feels it is a bait and switch deal. Nor am I the only one who finds their practices unethical and immoral.

I have felt a great deal of emotional pain and stress from the emails going back and forth with the Better Business Bureau being the mediator. I was pressured into signing something that I knew at the time was not right, but allowed "Ashley" to coerce me into believing that "finding the right man was priceless".

The emotional stress has greatly increased because the people who have written the Better Business Bureau have said my feelings are irrelevant. I would like to know what happened to customer service and accountability. Great Expectations advertises themselves as a dating service, yet they are nothing more than a high priced personals site. There is no service at all involved with what they do.

Emily of Boulder, CO December 18, 2009

Great Expectations is a "take your money and run" organization. Here are the reasons I feel I should receive a full refund: 1. Misrepresentation of the members available to date in the service 2. Coercive and extreme sales tactics, including a three-hour one-on-one meeting, pressure to not leave the room or the "deal will be off" and no time to go home and think about it 3. Hidden fees: including money for additional selections tools (which are sold as the only way to select members), expensive photo sessions and more 4. Zero contact or help with membership or services. This was not offered until I wanted a refund.

When I simply called saying I realized this was not for me (after I was selected by more than 30 people I was not interested in and the people I selected don't check the service anymore) they said no refunds, no trail period and too bad. A total of 2,701 spent on something that is so closely-related to a scam.

Linda of Cleveland, OH December 5, 2009

I signed up for the service at the end of August...1) didn't know about the expensive cost of the photo shoot 2) all the people that I viewed over the last couple of months (even the new ones) did not ever change 3) anytime I tried to view a particular area such as Boca Raton, it would still give me people from the Cleveland area and 4)I have contacted my attorney and will contact the attoney general for Ohio to file a complaint.....

Jenifer of Cincinnati, OH December 1, 2009

I was hired as Director a branch and resigned only 2 months later after finding myself not being able to sleep at night for being responsible for the unethical and immoral practices of this organization. They baxically charge whatever isw available on one's CC. If there is 1k available, then that so happens to be today's 'special'. If a big fat CC comes in with 5k or 6k available, guress what? Yes, that is what all members pay becasuse it costs what it costs for a reason. It is not meant to be cheap they say. WOW!

Scott of Schererville, IN November 29, 2009

I joined back around Sept 2002. The set-up was very alluring. The women behind the desk were all very attractive, of course. The saleslady who baited me into purchasing the service was also attractive-very smart marketing. She delivered her sales pitch to me, feeding me bull about how attractive I was, and that I wouldn't have a problem getting a date. I was then pressured to pay around 2,000.00 right then and there-they gave me no time to even consider making a decision.I reluctantly used my debit card. This was on a Thursday, I believe. I actually called them on Sunday from work to get a refund, which they absolutely refused. They gave me some bull about Sunday not being a business day.

The photographer wanted to persuade me to buy 200.00 worth of photos-I only got the basic package which I believe was included in the service. If you wanted to go online to search for dates, it was an extra 30.00 a month, I believe. The program I joined was for 18 months. I would drive all the way from Northwest Indiana to Chicago, look through the portfolios of different members, and was allowed to choose five at a time. If the women were interested, Great Expectations would give me the phone number of the lady interested. That's it-for a little over 2,000 dollars! I received one phone number during the whole service. I never received one date.

This company is a total scam. I recently found out through my fiance that there was a class-action law suit filed against this awful company by several members. I realize that in my case, the statute of limitations is probably exceeded. I would like a full refund-this company is very unscrupulous and deceptive in its business practices. They prey on people's vulnerability, insecurities, and loneliness. In my opinion, that's about as low as you can go. If I'm not eligle for a refund, I would at least like the satisfaction of seeing this wretched company go out of business.

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