Great Expectations

Deidra of Canton, GA August 3, 2009

I was coerced into joining after being married for 15 years. I was told this was the only secure dating service and all members were screened. I would meet great professionals in a safe environment. After 1 month there was nothing but nerds and losers. Where were the goodlooking professional men in tthe photos all around the office? I sent a letter saying I no longer wanted to be a member but was told I couldn't cancel and I still had to pay the 5,000 fee. Yes! 5,000! I stopped paying and am now being sued.

Sue of Dousman, WI July 25, 2009

Misled to join a dating service pitched to me as professionals such as "doctors and lawyers" and "I already have 5 men in mind for you".

My results: . It is revealed after I signed the contract that to use the website I must pay an additional 20 per month "GE Online" fee.

. Zero dates.

. The "doctors" and "lawyers" members all have an "inactive" status - ostensibly "already successfully matched". You cannot filter out the inactive profiles while browsing members.

. I was told that if a member declines my invitation to meet, they a) must respond within 30 days and b) must provide a reason why. Of the 8 members I selected, one has not replied for over 30 days, two replied with "Other" or "Without Reason", three gave a legitimate reason, and one accepted.

. The one that accepted is unemployed, is likely disabled, speaks with a heavy eastern European accent, and desperate to meet "a lovely woman".

. Three members have selected me. One that I accepted (which reveals your contact information) has never contacted me. The other two I declined - one because of age (was 20 years my senior and wears a bad hairpiece) and the other as "not my type" (video revealed some very odd physical mannerisms)

. The website does not work on a mobile internet connection (aka Blackberry).

Doreen of East Meadow, NY July 17, 2009

I am writing to express my complete dissatisfaction with Great Expectations and the services it claims to offer. In or about late May early June 2009 I visited the Roslyn office of GE to get information on the services available by GE. I met with Ruth who advised me there were many perks to being a member including, but not limited to, background searches, matches would be based on my specific criteria, and that there were social events that would double the contacts of possible matches.

After I was told the cost of the services, I explained to Ruth that I was not able to extend myself being a single mother and having a daughter entering college this fall. Ruth then told me that she would offer me a three month plan with three months free for 1,495, and that I could pay that sum over the 6 month period. This amount included the photo session and video but I would have to pay the 500 up front in order to cover the costs of the photographer. On or about June 9, 2009 I contacted Ruth and told her I wanted to become a member of GE, and gave her my credit card information in order for the 500 initial payment to be made and scheduled an appointment for June 20, 2009 to have my pictures taken and video made.

After the photos were done, the photographer told me that only 3 pictures are provided to members and there is an additional charge to have 5 pictures posted, but Ruth was giving me all 5 pictures as a courtesy. She also told me not to discuss any details of my Contract or price with anyone. From this statement, it was obvious that the fees are varied based on an individual’s financial ability, not the pricing schedule first presented, and that GE wishes to keep quite that someone was given a “better deal” since high-pitch selling was a strong point looking to get the most from those willing to pay.

Upon leaving the girl at the desk asked me to sign a document which she said was an authorization for the payment of the 500 which was dated June 9, 2009. I signed this on June 20, 2009 NOT on June 9, 2009. I was told at that time that the events were not included in the membership, that they were extra and would require additional payment if you wished to attend any of the functions. I was also advised that I would not become active on the website for at least 3 days.

On or about June 23, 2009 I became activated on their website and on June 26, 2009 I called GE to advise that I did not wish to be a member since I was completely dissatisfied and this was not what I had anticipated. The girl who answered the phone told me that cancellation was not an option. I called back and left a message for Kara, who I was advised was a Director.

I thoroughly believe that deception is a major part of GE, and those who are employed by GE. I could never have been able to cancel something dated June 9, 2009 since I didn’t sign it until June 20, 2009 NOT June 9, 2009 as indicated on the Contract. I was merely told my signature was necessary to authorize the 500 payment. Nothing was explained to me regarding the cancellation policy nor was it pointed out to me on June 20, 2009 when I signed the so called “authorization” of payment which was in fact my Contract. There is nothing extraordinary that I am receiving from GE and I have not contacted any member, nor have I communicated with any member since activation.

I have called Kara at GE on numerous occasions (6/23, 6/29, 7/2, 7/3) and only received one return call from her on July 3, 2009. On July 6, 2009 when I returned Kara’s one call to me she advised that she would pass my request on to accounting, and I should give it one week for her to receive a response. Since that time I have left no less than 7 messages for Kara (7/6, 7/10, 7/13, 7/15, 7/16) and on July 17, 2009 she advised me that there was “no luck” with my refund, there was nothing she could do, GE was holding up their side of the deal by making my profile available to members and it was my option not to contact them. She further advised me that there was no one else I could speak to, that she went to the “top” and no refund would be made. I advised Kara that I had filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and that I would be disputing any further charges made to my account by GE.

It has been the delay on the part of GE as well as the deception of backdating my Contract that has left me with no option of cancellation when in fact, I did not execute the Contract until June 20, 2009 and not activated until June 23, 2009. It is very unfair to take away the right of cancellation before you even get to use the service. How can you make a determination as to how you feel about a service without getting any hands on of it? I do not believe that the service of GE is worth the extraordinary high fees charged. All that I have been given is the complete and utter run around and blind sided into payment of exorbitant fees for a service I would classify as a glorified match.com.

April of Greenfield, CA July 10, 2009

I was told during the "sales pitch" that these clients were strictly professionals, and that the photographer was also a "professional", and that "Oh! I know the PERFECT guy for you April!" etc,etc. I also had so many hrs to get out of my contract, but at the time hadn't realized that I would not have access to the website until way after that period had passed. When I was finally able to view and read profiles, I soon discovered that several of these clients were either "inactive" or far from professional!

When I was taping my video, I was told that we only had one try, and felt that if I didn't like it, then I was out of luck. It was not my best pose or posture, and if she had been professional, she would have noticed and posed me accordingly. I was never told until after pmt. was made and processed and time limit passed, that I would have to pay a large fee for ANY changes or extra pictures...for instance, I was under the impression that if I decided I didn't care for my pic (the one she talked me into) originally chosen, then I could not change it to one of the 4 others taken.

I paid 2,400 for this "service" which has resuted in 0 dates. I attempted to contact 2 clients, and heard nothing back (not their (GE) fault, of course) and had several attempt to contact me, most of whom I had no desire to meet for different reasons not excluding the fact that most were not "professionals". When I was ready to allow one who "hit" on me to contact me, it never happened, leaving me wondering if any of this was for real! I e-mailed the co. and asked them to please delete all of the clients I had no desire to meet, and they refused. I asked them to delete the 2 men from whom I had no response from for a few months, and they never did. I asked them about the person who was trying to contact me and they gave me the runaround. I was also led to beieve that they would have events in my area (monterey, Salinas) and there have been none.

Whitney of Concord, NC July 8, 2009

I posted a complaint about my experience with Great Expectations of Fort Mill, SC on September 10, 2008. At this time I am unable to access any of the complaints previously posted about Great Expectations. At this time, I'd like to update my prior posting about my dispute with GE. My dispute with Great Expectations of Fort Mill, SC has been resolved and GE and I have reached a mutually agreeable settlement that does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing on GE's part.

Leslie of Canfield, OH June 30, 2009

Great expecations is a bait and switch SCAM that will play on your emotions then sign you up for a three year contract. I asked several times were there any males of my ethnicity on the site. I was told there are several men similar to myself to choose from. After signing a 3 year contract I found that the were less than 10 percent were of african american descent. I asked questions about this and was reminded there is no way to get out of the contract when I have been signed up less than 30 days ago.

You must pay to see other members out of your area, you pay to be able to send instant messages. I read reviews about GE saying the same thing but they called again and told me I should at least come in and see what they had to offer. I am less than 30 days into a 3 year contract and am not able to get out of it without it being placed on my credit report as an outstanding debt. Everyone was really nice and everyone seemed to have met their mate with the service. I would like more than anything to get out of the contract and not use the service again. This is why they make you sign for three years. They make a commission on each sign up. I paid 200 for a photography service, it was nothing more than one of the clerks with a digital camera and the same program I use at home. They said my pictures have to updated every two years and they cost over 300. I have been taken in the worst way and have asked for my money back.

I will be out of close to 3000 and I will not be using the service. There is no way to get out of the contact unless you get married. I am being asked to take days off per month so this is a financial strain especially since this is a service I am surely unable to use. I will gladly forfit the down payment and first month. I am only wanting to not be responsible for the next three years of paying because they have not provided the promised products

Garth of Sacramento, CA May 30, 2009

Unfortunately I too fell for their presentation and ended up never using the service at all. Much to my chagrin, they've been charging me...TWO charges in the same day, and they will NOT refund me, nor tell me what this is for. The cost of the service never used (over 1000) and monthly charges. They do NOT work in good faith.

Martha of Boulder, CO May 24, 2009

I filled out an inquiry on the web site singlesover50.org and later in the day received a phone call from Great Expectations. I don't find anything on the web that connects these two but they are connected.

Donna of Fort Pierce, FL May 6, 2009

I responded to an ad in the local paper for singles interested in dating. I made an appointment with Kelly, a very dramatic, high pressure sales person. She represented that her agency was flooded with eligible men, all background checked, in my age classification of 55-65. At some point in the conversation she told me that she had a particular gentleman in mind (who responded negatively when approached). She assured me that they have thousands of eligible men to meet and date in my grouping and began a very high pressure sales tactic. She insulted me into signing an agreement or contract, which the company failed to perform in any manner.

When I contacted her again she did not respond for a lengthy time. After two more calls and an email, she sent an email accusing me of not doing my part. This is completely false, as she selected one individual, her staff Heather and Jaclyn selected another and both responded not interested. Additionally Kelly promised me local residents and no visitors only, which turned out to be completely false. Then I received an invitation to a speed dating possibility at an additional fee, with no idea of who attendee groups (age classifications) would be present.

Finally, it turns out that this is great expectations operating as that and "Precision Dating". I contacted at least six other "potential" dates. Each was either inactive or not interested. Finally, one person who lives in Manasquan, NJ expressed interest but does not even live here in my region. Then Peter expressed interest in me and telephoned my message center. He sounded nice but when I returned the call, he said his name is "Steve". the voice and the telephone number I called were correct but this was most certainly peculiar, to say the least.

At 4,000 a clip, I have done all that I am supposed to have done and not one individual has been produced. GE or Precision Datiing, or whoever these people really are, have totally failed to perform the numerous promises the saleswoman promised. Far from Utopia of dating, this is not a single individual to acually meet or date. NO THANKS!

I both telephoned Heather and emailed Kelly to the effect of the above mentioned matter and Kelly, said I should know better, read the contract, they needed produce and I need to pay. That is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I contacted my credit card company to dispute the charges on the grounds that they have a complete failure to perform. Additionally, they promised a professional photographer which was another untruth. Not one thing Kelly said to me has proven to be true, except that she wants to enforce this one way contract.

John of houston, TX April 25, 2009

I love the great expectations in Houston, i have become a member and have had many great dates with professional and educated women. they are individually owned and not the franchised branch, My brother met his wife at the Houston great expectations and they have opened a practice together and are planning a wedding in the fall.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |