Complain about a product or service

It's Just Lunch - Irate Men

Tony of Tracy CA (08/09/08)
I want a refund because I have removed. I informed them of my move and expressed my wish for a refund. A refund due to relocation is allowed in my contract. They gave me a run aorund but never return my call. They are the worst kind. I joined the and went on 1 date. The date was terrible. I rather be cleaning my neighbor's house. They had no real interest in matching me but simply to unload the number of date. You need to think twice about join its Just Lunch or other services like them.

loss of unused fund: $1207

Robert of Everett WA (07/17/08)
Set up 3 dates with girls that did not come close to matching my criteria.I said speciifically that I wanted a slender or athletic gal. One gal didn't hardly speak english (chinese), totally unattractive, overweight etc. Put me into a very uncomfortable position and had to make sacrifices to make time to meet and then totally repulsed by the match. Another gal looked like she was 8 months pregnant. At this time do not disclose my name to Its Just Lunch

$1,500 non-refundable

John of Warrensburg MO (04/09/08)
I have been a client of It's Just Lunch for four years. Recently I have been happy with the work of one of its employees, Lisa, who now arranges the lunch dates. The information she gives is thorough, her attention to detail commendable. In every way, whether it be her promptness in answering messages or her efficiency in making arrangements, I am impressed by her professionalism.

Charles of Roswell GA (03/26/08)
After my last posting on here 8/21/07, I was sent on 1 more date and guess what. IT WAS WITH SOMEONE THAT HAD SENT ME OUT WITH 6 MONTHS EARLIER! They closed a lot of their offices and are playing musical chairs with their addresses. Trying to find an actual address is just about impossible. I have consulted an attorney and we drafted a stern letter but it kept getting returned from the addresses in the incorporation papers. Finally I got someone in advertising and she gave me several headquarters locations. I have yet to see my $$ returned.

Fred of M.d.r. CA (03/06/08)
Basically they give alot of empty promises and they don't pay attention to what kind of match u are looking for and just send u on dates with anyone without consideration or they don't do their homework considering the $1900 they charge.I went on alot of dates and they were all off and nothing close to what I was looking for;even the ladies weren't happy with any of their matches

I put my membership on hold since they couldn't find me anyone(after several months I think)and then again after a month,and then again-so maybe something good happens there.But then that I wanted to restart again they tell me that I waited too long and that I went on some dates already!?So no refund and no renewing!!And I must pay to restart!!But I wouldn't pay a dime now that they wasted my time and money.Thankyou

Jay of Beaverton OR (11/17/07)
I just want to provide my experience and let people decide for themselves, though I believe I do have a few valid points.

I'm a 31 year-old single guy that tried IJL-Portland for 1 year starting about May 2006. I'm the type of person that tries about anything once. I paid $1400 and I probably had roughly about 12-14 dates. I felt that each 'match' was very sub-par. Do not get me wrong, they matched me up with very successful (professionally at least) women- lawyers, doctors, financial analysts, engineers, and teachers. I did have good conversations in restaurants I had never visited, which can be nice.

What they were getting wrong was what I was looking for in a partner- an active person that makes exercise and physical fitness a part of her everyday life because it is a big part of my life. They continued to match me up with women that in no way they exercised regularly. I tried very hard to be polite and communicate this problem to IJL after each date. However, I felt like they pretty much ignored what I said because it kept happening and it was starting to p*** me off.

It was not until about the end of my membership where I snapped and I put to them bluntly, I don't date women that look like they weigh as much as me, and I weigh 160lbs. I don't know how else to get this through to you guys! before it finally came through to them that I may be interested in a fit gal. Thus I tried IJL, membership over, I know some neat restaurants in Portland, end of story, right? Nope.

This week I received a call from IJL. I have not heard from them in months. They wanted to know if I was still single. They start up a good conversation. They informed me they are under new management, the management is more local (supposively the old manager was located in Lake Tahoe) and that the new match-makers are 'good' (though I heard these exact same comments from IJL under the old management so I'm skeptical). They tried getting my hormones going with new matches they thought would be great for me.

I finally stopped them and said, how much is the renewal? $1400. Nope, not interested. I tried it, I'm moving on, I have lots of hefty expenses coming up.

They did not take no for an answer. They played with my emotions, get me to think about the fact I'm 31 and in a few years I am going to be in trouble with the dating scene and there will be no hope for me. So I said let me think about it for a day. I thought about it for day. I called back the next day. I gave them 3 reasons why I do not want to renew (expensive, going back to college, don't know where I'm going to be in 6 months) and I'm about ready to say 'good-bye'.

They continue to nag me. They even told me they told my 'future match' about me, even though I had not renewed my membership and I originally told them I would not renew. They played with my emotions again, started putting a guilt trip on me about the fact the new 'match' is excited about meeting me,

I buckled enough to allow them to charge my credit card, but big key here is I DID NOT SIGN ANYTHING. I asked them to email me the contract so I could read it (I did also gave them my tenitive availabilty dates for my new 'match'). There's two contracts I received- the IJL contract, and authorization contract to charge my credit card.

I read the IJL contract. I totally did not like what I read. Assuming I moved and I wanted to transfer my IJL account to the IJL in that town, I was going to be charged $200 (going back to school that is an expense I don't need). Second, I only had 1 year cumlative hold period. I was going to use this up real quick between potential school and some life issues I need to deal with. These two things were not going to work for me.

I emailed them back and said I read the contract, I did not like what I see, they won't work for me, I'm not going to effectively use my renewal, uncharge my credit card, this is my final decision. Next day they called. Still trying to talk me out of it. They even said they would waive the $200 fee (if I would have agreed to this I would have asked for it in writing).

Now I'm done being nice and professional.... I started out saying what part of 'no' do you not understand? They did finally yield, finally, but mentioned they had already told their match they were working on times to meet.

Daryl of Gilbert AZ (11/17/07)
$1500 and a complete waste of my time.

Martin of Irvine CA (11/09/07)
I was promised over 14 quality dates over a 12 month span, yet only received 5 dates during this time. Addressed this with their staff on several occasions throughout my membership and I was told many excuses including the fact that they didn't have sufficient staff to service their members.

In addition, I was matched with someone on 4 occasions whose ethnicity and / or physical traits did not meet my requirements. Their staff was unapologetic of their oversights and attempted to count these dates as part of my agreement.

IJL was irresponsive to my refund requests, left my complaint with the Better Business Bureau unresolved, and only provided me a refund after I threatened a lawsuit.

I am writing this review to warn all potential customers of their poor service record so you don't sign up and encourage all disgruntled current clients to fight for a refund. Although they state they dont provide refunds, I was credited and the Better Business Bureau has documented several incidents where refunds have been issued.

Robert of Elk Grove CA (09/19/07)
I signed up with Its Just Lunch in July, 2007. I met with a person called 'Elizabeth' who was Russian descent. She promised me the world. She told me they had models and that I wouldn't have a problem dating at all through their service. I finally agreed to pay $1600 for their service. I went on a total of 3 dates (2 that I really agreed on-one that I was highly pressured to do). All of the dates were really, really bad.

I suffered not only the $1,600 in damages but also I was neglected in all of my return phone calls after I told them I was very, very , very unhappy with their service. i tried calling the corporate office and nobody would return my calls. Alley J would not return any of my calls who is the owner of Its Just Lunch in Silicon Valley. I am very, very disappointed in the whole affair.

I lived in Silicon Valley recently when this all occured. They didn't even provide me with a contract so I can't get them to provide me with any refund or call me back. They promised me the moon and the dates were terrible to say the least

Charles of Roswell GA (08/21/07)
I joined IJL in Jan07 and paid $1500.00. I was told specifically that they had litterally dozens of women that fitted my expectations (and believe me I was particular in the discription). So far I have been matched up with 7 dates that were absolutely NOTHING like my request and 2 no-shows. There has been excessive turn-over with the group and there is NO customer service.

Al of Irvine CA (08/20/07)
When I first interview with them, the sales rep told me they had tons of attractive women dying to meet someone like me of course I knew this was a good sales pitch, but I thought oh well let's give it a try. I didn't like their service from the first date, I asked ITL that I wanted out and to refund my money, they said that they couldn't refund my money, that I had two weeks to cancel, but the first date took place 3 weeks after I signed up, so there was no way I could have known how bad of a service they had.

Doug of Chicago IL (08/17/07)
I've met 9 women through It's Just Lunch, and 2 of them met the criteria of what I was looking for. 2 out of 9 is not a good success rate for a business that charges $1,500 and claims to differentiate itself on the personal touch. I've expressed my dissatisfaction several times, and received a call from the coordinator who originally interviewed me (her name was Lindsay) apologizing and asking to give them one more chance, and that she would personally select my next match.

I met my next match, and she turned out to be Jewish. At the end of our date, my match told me that she enjoyed meeting me but it was obvious that I was not Jewish and she had requested that It's Just Lunch only match her with Jewish men because she was not interested in inter-faith relationships. Ironically, my initial interview stated that I was only interested in meeting protestant women because of my active involvement in my church. That's a basic concept that a personal touch dating service should be able to get right.

Daryl of Germantown WI (08/12/07)
I wish I would have found this site earlier. It would have saved me some money, to the tune of $1,200. I have been duped as well, with their advertising stating the professional people that they have as clients. Very few of my matches were professional!

I joined because I thought this would be a way to meet women. Instead of the bar scene. But I was taken, along with the rest. They have no idea on how to match people. I had quite a few matches, but nothing that I was interested in, and these women had nothing in common with the profile I had interview for.

It was very disturbing because in order for me to meet these matches with my job responsibilities, I had to leave work one to two hours before the meeting to clean up to meet these women. Yes, I work construction and it was difficult to work my schedule to be on time. So I was very unhappy, when these women either smoked, owned cats or lived beyond the metro area. These three items were specifically addressed at my meeting with the Director. Yet, no credence was given to these three items.

There reasons for matches were indescribable. They have even set me up with married women, no not legally separated, still married. Don't know why these married women were in the program, don't want to know. And yet my feedback was completely ignored. They continued to set me up with married women, or they smoked, or they owned cats of which I am allergic to. I will try to get a refund. I have read that some have been successful, and some haven't tried. I am asking for a partial refund of my year membership. This amount is $900.

Daryl of Germantown WI (08/12/07)
I wish I would have found this site earlier. It would have saved me some money, to the tune of $1,200. I have been duped as well, with their advertising stating the professional people that they have as clients. Very few of my matches were professional! I joined because I thought this would be a way to meet women. Instead of the bar scene.  They have no idea on how to match people.

I had quite a few matches, but nothing that I was interested in, and these women had nothing in common with the profile I had interview for. It was very disturbing because in order for me to meet these matches with my job responsibilities, I had to leave work one to two hours before the meeting to clean up to meet these women. Yes, I work construction and it was difficult to work my schedule to be on time. So I was very unhappy, when these women either smoked, owned cats or lived beyond the metro area. These three items were specifically addressed at my meeting with the Director. Yet, no credence was given to these three items.

They have even set me up with married women, no not legally separated, still married. Don't know why these married women were in the program, don't want to know. And yet my feedback was completely ignored. They continued to set me up with married women, or they smoked, or they owned cats of which I am allergic to. I will try to get a refund.

Alan of Raleigh NC (05/22/07)
I wish there was a way to complain about the things being said on this website. Most of the complaints are not true. Take the last complaint about the Huntsville Location.... I'm the owner of this location and it has not been closed. Please tell Patrick that the office was relocated to 475 Providence Main Street and the new phone number is 256-722-5300. I'm not exactly sure where he received his information, but the office is not closed and we would love to send him out on dates, the only problem is, I don't think this person who is complaining actually exists....

Is there any way to voice a complaint about this website and the lies it sends to consumers???

Patrick of Huntsville AL (05/08/07)

They only sent me on four dates and it was not a pretty picture. I paid 1400 dollars for this service. I've contacted them a few time sense, but they never got back with me for a new date. Now I find out they closed down and they have taken my money also.

Tom of Dallas TX (01/09/07)
The directors don't care about you they just care about getting your check. I had one director call me 7 times in one day and guess what day it was? The last day of the month. She rushed me through the interview and then couldn't believe it when I said I wanted to think about it overnight. I joined and have been on several dates. The coordinators are the only ones that will talk to you and they force you to go out on dates even if the women do not fit what I am looking for. Good concept but bad way of doing business.

Philip of Little Elm TX (07/17/06)
I have just ended my 1 year membership with IJL in Dallas. I considered renewing, but after recent events and viewing some of the problems outlined on this website I realized the problems I encountered are not isolated to my situation. Many statements I found in other complaints ring true with my experience. Briefly, I am a 37 year old single father (family oriented) with a career earning approximately $150K per year (financially stable). I own my house, drive a nice car and have money in the bank. I am a Christian man with a clean record. While I will never be on the cover of a magazine, I am considered attractive and have been told so on many occasions.

During my membership I was sent out on 18 1st dates. By my estimation 12-15 of these dates fit the criteria of what I am looking for in a partner on the surface. I paid for everything on the dates as I am old fashioned and believe it is inappropriate for a man to have a woman pay on a date. In each case of the 12-15 good matches I waited the obligatory 2-3 days before the follow up phone call. Up until the last 4 dates of my membership, I never received a call back.

My policy is to make the first call, wait 2-3 days for a response and call again. If no response after the 2nd call, I throw the number away. My last 4 dates all responded and we went out on second dates. On the first 2 I then got no response after the second date. The last 2 occurred right as my membership was set to expire. With one, I went out on a second date on Sunday, the other I called Sunday night to set up something for Thursday. On Tuesday I gave my check to IJL for renewal to commence at the first of the month. The check would be held until renewal. On Wednesday, I recived a call from the woman who I was planning to go out with on Thursday. She cancelled citing illness and said she would call on the weekend.

The one I had gone on a second date with on Sunday, I called on Thursday and left a message and again on Saturday and left a message. Today is Monday, I have not heard from either of these women and today I went and picked up my check and informed IJL I would not be renewing. I have no hard evidence, however I do not believe this is a coincidence. I have heard rumors and seen it stated on this website that IJL does pay women to go on dates with their male members. I believe that to be the case in my situation. You can be the judge, but this former member says buyer beware.

I believe I foolishly wasted $1500 on a service that was a scam from the beginning. The money is not that big of a deal, but the disappointment and self doubt created by the situation has been hurtful.

Robert of Overland Park KS (04/18/06)
The company, a professional dating service, failed to honor the terms of its contract. In addition, the company refused to honor the request of a licensed clinical psychologist to abrogate the contract due to the unsuitability of the service based on my psychological condition when I entered the contract and currently. The company failed miserably in meeting criteria specified by me when selecting criteria for a date. After 2 embarrassing in-person dates and a third "match" described over the phone (which turned out to be yet another mismatch) I asked for a partial refund..they refused, citing corporate policy. I could supply plenty of statistics but based on the number of complaints I have seen reported by the KC office of Its Just Lunch, I detect what appears to be a pattern of unfair dealings with customers and misrepresntation of capabilites.

Unjust enrichment ($1500) from a contract whose services were inappropriate and which were not rendered in accordance with promises made. I have incurred a $1500 loss.

John of Arlington VA (02/08/06)
Like many of the other complaints, I was promised far more than IJL could deliver, and when I complained, or attemtped to get a refund, I was told that the situation would improve, and that they did not issue refunds. Also, they were very slow to set up dates, and they pressured me to accept dates that I did not want, despite being told this would not be the case. But, the true nadir came when a coordinator, Lauren, used obscenities with me, which I won't repeat here, when I politely disagreed with her.

Despite the fact that her supervisor overheard her, and was shocked by what she heard, I don't believe Lauren was ever fired. So, basically, not only do they take your money and not deliver as promised, but they have a license to use obscene language that would not be tolerated in any normal business or social situation.

Rob of Baltimore MD (08/05/05)
I signed up 12 months ago and received nine dates with women. I’m a professional, good looking, social and thought well here’s a nice way to meet people. My other options were online, join various clubs and try and find out who’s looking (which is like fishing in the deep sea sometimes). Now I’m sure you are wondering why is a 32 yr old male who has a good job (98k), home, clean record and can’t find a date?

Well my wife of 6 years developed a mental health issue, committed adultery and finally was committed to a mental health institute. That’s one strike on my part -- I’m divorced with no kids. Anyway I paid for 15 dates I think for $1,500. So far all nine of them didn’t even want to find out about me or anything (hence no second dates). Its almost as if they were getting paid just to go out and be there on the date? At first I thought it was me, holy crap I thought I must be pathetic. However, with a little charm, wit and calm attitude I find out it wasn’t me using various other places to meet women. These girls were just there to help out IJL. The last couple even told me so.

They said that the number of women in my age range, and looks is so low that they do this for extra cash. Just to keep the males quiet and possibly bring in new clients. Its so obvious now that this is a scam I’ve already contacted my lawyer and filed with the state. I have the extra money to pursue a lawsuit and am not afraid to spend more then what I paid. I have the documentation, recorded conversations (with their consent) in hand and will present my evidence soon. I don’t think the human race should steal, humiliate or deceive people with this type of tactics. These are people’s emotions, not something to toy with.

Bob of Raleigh NC (11/18/04)
When I signed up, at the cost of $1395.00, I was told that the Raleigh office had tons of ladies for me to date. Well, that was a lie! My first date looked and acted like a MAN! This shemale had hair on her chin, not to mention very over-weight and bright yellow teeth. I was told that the checks are split....not true. I had to buy shemale dinner, because she did not bring her purse. Okay. I'm thinking, get me out of here...and I want my money back! NOW! I was kind, afterall, I felt that it was not her fault.

We preceded to have dinner, this person smoked, and I am alergic to smoke, and in the interview, I had requested non-smokers. This was/is very important to me. Okay, so the night drags on....she goes to the bar while I'm in the men's room and orders a very expensive bottle of wine!

[Second date] Looked like a female! Thank goodness! However, I want a family. Within the first 5 minutes of our date she tells me that she is infertile! WHAT! Again, this is not her fault, however I felt so badly for her. She seemed very honest and sincere when she told me that she told the person at IJL. She also was told that this would not be a problem sending her out on dates with men that wanted a family! I believed her. She and I begin to exchange notes and we both have very similar stories to share about our night-mare with the Raleigh office.

The next day I call the office to report my news and I am told that I will now go on hold because they do NOT have any ladies that want to have children. WHAT! I find that very difficult to believe.

Eric of Miami, FL (8/21/05)
My story is exactly the same as the other complaints that I have read by other customers. After going into painstaking detail about what I was looking for I asked the director, "Are you SURE you have clients that meet these requirements?" She assured me she did. I realize now this was just a way to get my money.

My first two dates were nothing like what I had told IJL I was looking for. I called to voice my concern and was treated rather rudely and told to "relax and have fun". Two more dates that were worse than the first and I called again to complain and request a refund. This time I talked with the franchise owner who rudely told me "No refunds, you signed a contract" and "Relax".

I decided to give it one more try. This time I sat in a restaurant for 1 hour and 15 minutes and my date never showed up. I called the next day to cancel my account and request a refund. The next week I received a letter that stated: "As per your request, we have placed your account on hold."

This is NOT what I requested. After reading the testimonials of others it is clear to me this a pattern. I believe this company preys on the hopes of the lonely to get their money and then ignores their wishes.

Damages: $1300 and untold hours of my time trying to get a response to my complaints.

Todd of San Diego, CA (8/9/05)
The only thing I did wrong in this business transaction was to take the word of the It's Just Lunch employee and not check the organization's track record before proceeding with the contract. After doing minimal research I discovered there are 100's of similar type complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and consumer watchdog organizations nationwide by other disgruntled It's Just Lunch clients.

In a period of less than 2 months, not only did the San Diego It's Just Lunch office fail to provide me with any matches or introductions remotely close to what I requested (and what they committed to provide) but the Director, Franchise Owner, and Home Office Franchise Support Manager failed to return nine of my phone calls. I was told that I would need to be "more flexible with my match requirements" if they were to help me.

The Franchise Owner and Home Office Franchise Support Manager both committed to refund my money in full and then soon after reneged on their commitment. I believe IJL blatantly and knowingly misrepresented their client database and their ability to fulfill the verbal and contractual obligation made to me.

Bob of Raleigh NC (11/18/04):
When I signed up, at the cost of $1395.00, I was told that the Raleigh office had tons of ladies for me to date. Well, my first date looked and acted like a MAN! This "shemale" had hair on her chin, not to mention very overweight and bright yellow teeth. I was told that the checks are split -- not true. I had to buy "shemale" dinner, because she did not bring her purse. I was kind. Afterall, I felt that it was not her fault. We proceeded to have dinner, this person smoked, and I am allergic to smoke, and in the interview, I had requested non-smokers. This is very important to me.

The second date looked like a female but I want a family and within the first 5 minutes of our "date" she tells me that she is infertile! She seemed very honest and sincere when she told me that she told the person at IJL. She also was told that this would not be a problem as they would only be sending her out on dates with men that wanted a family! I believed her. She and I begin to exchange notes and we both have very similar stories to share about our nightmare with the Raleigh office.

The next day I call the office to report my "news" and I am told that I will now go on hold because they do not have any ladies that want to have children.

Thomas of Waterford MI (11/2/04):
Back in September I looked into It's Just Lunch(IJL). I scheduled a Interview with the IJL interviewer Denise. She and the organisation appeared just fine upfront. I must have spent a half hour actually talking to the interviewer. She asked me the usual questions about what I was looking for in a woman/relationship. Little did I know that I was entering an experience from hell with no return.

As a single male wanting to meet quality women I found myself in the hands of some girls who were concerned about matching me with ladies who matchd age and race requirements only -- if it was a match send him out on it. My first date was with a lady without a job. She was not some one who I would have approached under normal day-to-day activities. IJL requires you to phone them and respond to the date that they set you up on. My responce back to IJL the next day was that she was all right but no sparks and by the way she currently has no job. I don't think that the no job thing was just a recent situation either.

IJL's responce was that they do not request or require their customers to notify them if any of the information they devulge during the interviewing process changes. I can understand certain things but employment status is nice to have current.

My second date was OK but still another person who I would probably have only smiled at and said hi to but nothing more. I started to have this feeling like I was just being matched up with women who only met my age and race requirements. My third and last (with IJL) date that they tried to set me up on was with a lady that lived an hour and 48 minutes away from me. I told them that I was not interested in someone who live that far away and why would they think of me for this person. Denise responded that this lady was think about moving closer to the area.

I looked at my 3 of 16 arranged dates by these people at IJL and I found myself saying I can do a better job then this in a bowling alley on a Saturday night.

I called and talked over my displeasure with Denise. Response: No Refunds. You signed up for 16 dates and we want to fullfill our (IJL's) obligation to you. I was willing to pay for the setting up of the two dates and the interviewing process (which they believe is worth $200 alone). No good. So I went what they call "on hold" for a while. It's where they don't call you or try to set you up on any dates. I never came "off hold" with them.

I called them today to see if they would reconsider. No. No Refunds. I told them to throw out my file and that I did not want to deal with them further. They told me that I could always pass along the remainder of my unused dates to a friend. I don't have an enemy that I would do that to.

Allen of Denver CO (6/29/04):
After having tried the �It�s Just Lunch� matchmaking service in Denver for the past year, I have to say that I�m very disappointed. At the introductory interview, I was told by the director that IJL would set me up on a minimum of 12 dates with �quality� people. After the first several IJL match dates, it became obvious that a lot of IJL's clientele are extremely busy professionals who put in 60-70 hours a week. I made very clear to IJL that I am not interested in dating workaholics, as they don�t appear to have much time for dating or anything else outside of work.

IJL is supposed to take the feedback that you provide after each date and fine tune the process so that the next date is a closer match. In reality, the people that IJL consistently matched me up with were not my type and had little in common with my interests and goals. IJL even sent me out on a dinner date with someone from Telluride, who lives over 300 miles away from where I live in Denver. IJL should have told me upfront that they were matching me up with someone who lived 300 miles away. Imagine my surprise when I found out that my dinner date lived 300 miles away�in addition to us having very little in common.

Although I asked repeatedly for a pro-rated refund, I was told that IJL doesn�t give refunds. One of the directors said that she would give me a one-month extension on my 1-year contract. However, she did not write this down in my folder so there was no record of the conversation. This director is no longer with IJL. When my one-year membership was up, I asked about the one-month extension. This new director didn�t know what I was talking about, as there was no written record of the conversation. She said she would honor the one-month extension anyway. However, IJL never sent me out on any additional dates under the one-month extension.

Damage Resulting: I'm out $1500 for the one-year membership.

Jeff of Cincinnati (6/21/04):
Well, let me begin by saying that IJL, at least in Cincinnati, is a complete waste of time. Alley is a very persuasive salesperson who claims to have "thousands and thousands" good potential matches who just can't wait to date you. She claims that because of her estensive experience, she will match you with the right person in "no time". She will spend a lot of time trying to sell you this service. She attempts to use sex appeal to sell to men.

Against my better judgment, I tried the service. Actually, a couple of the matches weren't bad and they all seemed to be decent people, some of which I dated more than once. However, Alley did not improve upon the matches she initially sent me. The interview is only approximately a 15 minute process. You fill out a one page, multiple choice questionairre and check items that you like or don't like. It's not like Alley takes time to get to know you so she can match you. She will, however, expend a great deal of time and effort trying to pry $1,300 out your pocket.

After you join, you never speak with Alley again. All of your correspondance is with Whitney. Whitney receives whatever feedback you might offer about your dates. She certainly doesn't solicit any. This would add time to her day because she would have to communicate your thoughts to Alley. Like I said, once you're a member they DO NOT want to spend time speaking with you. They want to do the bare minimum. Whitney is easily frustrated and becomes rude when your schedule is not to her liking. The customer service is just horrible.

This was just a big waste of my time (most importantly as far as I'm concerned) and money. Join a running, biking, hiking or whatever club before you resort to these (people). Even try online at match.com or a similar site first. At least you get to see the picture of your blind date online and exchange few emails or phone calls. Believe me, Alley sees you only once for a brief time and she doesn't remember what you look like, so if you want a good looking date, Alley will have no clue. All she does is take a passport picture of you at the interview.

Also, Alley told all of my dates I had blonde hair. Hmmm... not even close. I've seen darker shades of brown, but my hair is brown. Also, she told my dates I was 5' 7" despite the fact that I repeatedly asked Whitney to revise my profile to my correct height of 5' 11". Not a big deal, but for $1,300 and being the supreme experts they claim to be, they should get this stuff right.

David of Decatur GA (3/14/04):
I am an academic who has held teaching positions in Houston and DC. I joined IJL in Houston and reactivated the membership in DC, having been assured in Houston that reciprocity would be honored. In DC Ms. Reid encouraged me to come in for a new "intake interview" which would make it easier to match me more accurately. For this service she charged an extra $200.

The matches I received in DC were unsuitable in several ways, and crucial information about the women's lifestyle were witheld from me. Also I have similar complaints to others on the DC IJL about appointments set up in parts of the DC area that were very far from where I lived or worked. Since I was new to DC area, I had no idea about distance and difficulty of travel. There was also delay after delay in setting up meetings.

I put my membership on hold until I returned to Atlanta, my permanent home, and I am finding that in Atlanta IJL has the same problem of being very slow to set up meetings (one in a month of membership here). Houston IJL was able to set up about 10 dates for me over four months. Many of the women I met there, however, were considerably older than me or held incompatible values (e.g. extremely conservative whereas I am very liberal--something I made clear to the Houston office).

Furthermore, I am 56 and a triathlete in exceptionably good shape. I requested matches that were in as good shape as I am, whatever their age, and although the Houston IJL director assured me that she could meet my needs, she actually could not.

My feeling is that the client base is too narrow to fulfill the promises they make. None of the offices reveal how many subscribers they have--I have asked and been told the numbers are "proprietary information." The delays and long waits are probably due to the unwillingness to use computers or email to do the matching and set up the appointments. Often there are several rounds of phone calls which the staff has to handle (since they must assure anonymity) before a convenient time and place can be established.

I think these older, non-internet services are suffering from the competition of match.com and other online matching services. Why pay $1000-$1500 for a service that offers far less choice than one for under $100 per year? So the client base of the expensive "handmade" matching services is probably shrinking and that is a source of much of their difficulty and the cause of much of the client frustration.

Unfortunately for IJL and even more expensive services such as Great Expectations, the downward sprial seems inescapable. The sharp tactics ... may be desperate efforts to halt the erosion of a business with a shrinking market which has become technologically obsolete. As for Atlanta IJL, I'm reserving judgment, but my initial impression is that they have the same underlying problem as elsewhere in the franchise.

I spent $1500 and feel the claims IJL franchise directors made were deceptive. At the very least they played on my naivete. If they were required to reveal the size of their client base, broken down by age and other categories, the consumer/ client would be able to make a more objective assessment of his/her chances. But I imagine the figures would be so disconcerting that few would pay the fee. In Houston, the director admitted to a 60-40 ratio of women to men, but I have the feeling the disproportion is great than that. Even with the ratio in my favor, the results were disappointing so I can imagine the frustration of women clients.

Herb of Sarasota FL (6/1/04):
This is a dating service that supposedly does in-person interviews of your prospective matches. In my case, it turns out that no one currently working in the office had ever met my date. (She told me so!) If they ever had, it would be obvious that this lady was on heavy meds with some serious life issues -- not even remotely the sort of woman that I specified!

After 3 days elapsed since my "interview", 1 date -- and 13 more "promised" dates, I politely ask for pro-rata refund of the $1400 (check, no credit card, thank you) that I had just shelled out. "It's our policy not to give refunds", says Stephanie (a high-pressure salesperson under beaucoup de makeup). Amazing, from unbelievable promises of more than 800 GREAT singles to choose from to "what did you expect?"

Kevin of Overland Park KS (12/15/03):
I paid for the half year at a price of about 891 dollars for I think was 6 dates or six months. When I signed up I was told that there were a "lot" of people that were my age, I'm 24. Most of the dates I went on were older than me but not by a lot. Ages ranged from 26 - 29. Two of the dates were 29. I exchanged numbers with 5 women but only got one second date.

I sort of got the impression that these women were paid to go out on dates, I just can't believe that after "we" had a good time that I wouldn't get a second date. I wish It's Just Lunch could give me feedback from the dates so that we could improve ourselves, and find out if we did or said something wrong. I joined in the summer and I was told that "there are a lot of people looking this time of year". My membership just ended about a week ago and they tried to get me to rejoin for a year and were going to give me 200 off on the one year which normal is 1500.

She told me that this time of the year women are looking for a relationship - ha, heard that before.

David of Merriam KS (10/23/03):
I paid $1000.00 for a one year membership to "It's Just Lunch" in Kansas City. I tried some local video introductory services in the past, but found them expensive and lame.

I'm a single male, age 45, and I'm young for my age. I was very specific regarding my criteria in a match. I wanted a woman between the ages of 28-36, no children, and with an outgoing personality. The director, Lisa, told me my criteria weren't unrealistic or inflated. She then listed me as age 42, and that I'd only accept matches with never married women (?).

I went out on 7 dates. Only one woman was even close to what I specified, and she was a single mom. Besides the membership I had to pay for lunches or drinks at trendy restaurants. I contacted the coordinator, Kelly, after each date to give her feedback, but it fell on deaf ears. I also found it strange and suspicious that I spoke to a new staff member almost every time I called.

The last match they attempted to set me up on was a woman age 45. When I refused the coordinator became very hostile and told me I had to meet this woman. I'm an adult and nobody tells me who to date. I had 5 matches remaining and no desire to use them again. I contacted the director, Betty, and told her I was very unhappy with the service. She argued, but then rolled over and agreed to give me a paltry $200.00 refund. About 2 months later I received my refund in the mail.

David of Merriam KS (10/23/03):
I paid $1000.00 for a one year membership to "It's Just Lunch" in Kansas City. I tried some local video introductory services in the past, but found them expensive and lame. I'm a single male, age 45, and I'm young for my age. I was very specific regarding my criteria in a match. I wanted a woman between the ages of 28-36, no children, and with an out going personality. The director, Lisa, told me my criteria wasn't unrealistic or inflated. She then listed me as age 42, and that I'd only accept matches with never-married women (?).

I went out on 7 dates. Only one woman was even close to what I specified, and she was a single mom. Besides the membership I had to pay for lunches or drinks at trendy restaurants. I contacted the coordinator, Kelly, after each date to give her feedback, but it fell on deaf ears. I also found it strange and suspicious that I spoke to a new staff member almost every time I called.

The last match they attempted to set me up on was a woman age 45. When I refused the coordinator became very hostile and told me I had to meet this woman. I'm an adult and nobody tells me who to date. I had 5 matches remaining and no desire to use them again. I contacted the director, Betty, and told her I was very unhappy with the service. She argued, but then rolled over and agreed to give me a paltry $200.00 refund. About 2 months later I received my refund in the mail.

Mark of Rockwall TX (5/14/03):
I paid $1300 for the service and in a year they did not set me up with anyone that was even close to the profile that we originally agreed upon. There were a couple of women that were close to the type of women that I would potentially go out with, but since I am the male all of the dates cost me a lot of money and none of the women called me for a second date.

My overall experience was that the service provides only embarrassment and humiliation. It was a very demeaning experience and I definitely do not recommend anyone to try this service. They refuse to refund any of my money for any reason, no matter my satisfaction. I would be happy to just get my money back, but the director says any refund no matter how much is impossible.

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