Complain about a product or service

Lifemates

Jacquie of Ottawa OH (08/30/08)
I was about to enlist and sign up for lifem ates but thought the cost was pretty expensive. Came home to think about spending about 4000.00$ Started reading some of the posted comments and decided I had been wise.

It is true that the tactics and well let,s call it the sales pitch is down right emotionally draining. Play on your feelings, make you talk about your past experiences and they will save us, Yeah right. From what I read all i lost was some pride, you poor folks lost your money

Farah of Toronto, Canada (08/13/08)
I signed up with Life mates Canada in Ottawa, about 11 months ago and they charged my credit card three times for a total of $2700 CDN, but I have received no services from them. They just once left a message for me about a referral, with no other info to contact him.

After that, I tried to contact Life mates, but they never called me back. I even sent a fax to them but nobody cared to reply.

But, at the same time my credit card was being charged for 3 times until I cancelled my credit card. Then I had a message from them that I can not cancel my membership and surprisingly, they charged my new credit card without no service again!

Mark of Ontario OH (05/19/08)
Sickening membership fees, terrible afterpayment support and 6 references in over one year. Only one even remotely close to compatible, two were atleast interesting to talk to for a couple hours and two never even returned my messages leading me to believe they were false references just to shut me up and stop me hounding the company. Have not spoken to anyone who had dealt with the company in any capacity who were satified with the experiences either. Wish I had looked harder online and read all the negatives before subscribing. Should've realized when they refused to supply any references. Any advice?

Lost $2500 that would've been better spent on the high price of gas or perhaps throw into the wind and atleast enjoy watching the hundreds twirl in the gusts.

Margaret of Toronto OTHER (04/03/08)
On September 7, 2007, I met with a LifeMates representative and was subjected to the emotional manipulations and sales tactics, which I succumbed to during a very vulnerable period. I signed on as a member and paid $3,000 on my credit card. Shortly after I left the office, I became very uncomfortable with my decision and felt strongly that I had made a big mistake. I realized that they held all the cards - all my money with very little incentive to now deliver on their promises. With just one bad date, they would no longer have any legal obligation to provide me with dates or refund my money.

So on September 15 (8 days later) I called and cancelled my membership (spoke with Natasha). By September 26 (2+ weeks later) I signed and returned the required Membership Cancellation and Release which states that I would be refunded half my payment plus tax ($1,534.35) and I was promised to receive it within 6 to 8 weeks. I have since called to inquire about my refund on the following dates: - Feb 22, 2007 (spoke with Danielle & Natasha and was told the money was coming from the States and was taking longer than expected) - June 27, 2007 (spoke with Jessica and was told it would arrive within one month) - December 13, 2007 (spoke with Jennifer who said, I am looking into it, I'll put a rush on that. Shannon will give you a follow up a) - January 2008 I received a voice mail message from Shannon reassuring me she was following up and would get back to me. I've never heard anything since. I am quite convinced that LifeMates lacks any integrity, honesty or trustworthiness. It is a business that's in business only for itself. I would tell every girlfriend I know to STAY AWAY.

I have not received the $1,534.35 that is due me, as per the agreement. In total, I have paid a total of $3,068.70 for absolutely nothing in return. Except a bruised ego and feeling like a fool.

Barbara of Vaughan, Canada (03/28/08)
I have been a member for over 2 years and like many others never heard from them once I signed up. I would call periodically but was always told 'they would look into my file'. In November 2007 I called once again and was advised Lifemates decided to allow me to cancel my membership since they had never provided me with the service promised. I faxed then a signed cancellation that day as requested. In January of 2008 I received a waiver from Lifemates which I signed and returned as well. The waiver was to prohibit me from taking legal action or any other action including bad publicity - however it also said this would apply 'in consideration of' the refund I would receive. To date I have not received a cheque. I have been calling the office I was a member with and have been told the cheques are issued from Las Angeles. I will be calling that office to inquire about my refund but I don't think it will get me very far. If it is possible I think it would be a good idea for a group of people in the same situation as myself to be represented in order to finally obtain the money owed to us.

The membership to Lifemates is very expensive. Before becoming a member you have to complete various questionnaires in order to 'qualify'. My main reason for signing up with Lifemates was the Consumer Choice Award and the screening process ie they do a criminal and credit cheque on everyone. Not to mention the person would definitely be single. You sign up with Lifemates thinking it's better then on line dating and you're protecting yourself because of their involvement, the privacy and screening process. Meanwhile the biggest protection comes from the fact they never open your file after your cheque is cashed.

Rosemary of Montreal, Quebec (02/02/08)
I purchased the services of LifeMates, The Relationship People, Canadian HQ located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada on May 15th, 2007. Assigned Member#: 5005032. Paid in full by Mastercard at the cost of $2,220.70 Less than a week later, I was let go from my place of employment. I immediately contacted LifeMates to cancel my membership, fully understanding and agreeing to their first condition on contract that states In the event that Client elects to cancel or terminate this Agreement prior to any use of services offered by Lifemates, Client shall be liable for one half the Member fee as full consideration for interviewing, testing and evaluation of Client. One half is $1,110.35. I was told that refund would be forthcoming within 90days.

I have sent e-mails, faxes and have spoken to Customer Service and Executive VP Canadian Operations with no refund to date. Their excuse is that HQ in California is to process refund. After numerous messages, which remain unanswered, and no refund forthcoming, I contacted the Better Business Bureau of Canada to intervene on my behalf. Following my own search of this organization, I have found a number of complaints in other regions of Canada related to LifeMates, which also operate under Elite Singles.

At the very least, I would like to be reimbursed the refund owing me, that is $1,110.35. However, their deceptive and totally unprofessional conduct warrants I be reimbursed in full, $2,220.70

Linda of Calgary OTHER (01/07/08)
Similar to EHarmony, LifeMates uses the same tactics it does on EHarmony judging by the complaints on this website. In fact, I believe they are one and the same, as they have the same profiling system, similar tactics, and lies, and promise matches based on their system. In fact, once I received spam from EHarmony and responded to their free communication trial, I started to receive LifeMates newsletters--and tons of possible matches. Thanks to all your complaints I know to cancel it now. They must be bogus, and from profiling some of them, they don't seem to match my requirements.

Watch out for LifeMates, they will take more money, and they target single professionals who have no time to look for or meet someone. They are not concerned about keeping you as a customer. They make more money by more people trying them out, and just charging their credit cards. I paid over $2000, which apparently was a 40% off deal! They told me they already had a match after I had done a free profile at their Calgary office, so that is why I signed up with them. What a lie; after many months later, I received no response from them. Then when I started to complain they never returned my calls and gave me the run-around. Your best bet is to call the credit card company and ask for a credit charge back (return of your money), as they have not provided you any services. The credit card company will speak to them and ask for proof of services.

I was only able to get back half my money so far. Will still keep trying to get the rest of it back. Other complaints on the internet show they have a track record for not returning people's money. What is so annoying is they advertise and use the Consumers Choice Award logo as the selling feature. I am sure they have made a few matches, but probably have also sent in bogus satisfaction letters to Consumers Choice. Really would like to take this further. Does anybody know a lawyer or journalist who would be interested in looking into this further?

Tammy of Barrie OTHER (01/07/08)
I am a single woman who paid the high expense as well. I only got two dates, and that was it! I call them, and they say they are searching for someone for me....I never hear from them. What a waste of money--and heart ache! Dont' waste your time searching for your soul mate with the company Lifemates.

I was out 1000 dollars.

Barbara of Pickering, Ontario (09/30/07)
After a 3 hour interview with a woman named Sharon, on June 16th, 2007 i was persuaded to join LifeMates. After the interview I was given a contact name of Jackie at the phone number 1-877-68MATES (62837). However, I have not received any correspondence with any Representative of the company, nor have i received the service i paid for. I have tried on numerous occasions to contact someone and have not had a single response. I have left messages with day and evening contact information but no one has returned my calls. I am trying to get my money back but cannot get in contact with anyone in the company. I paid the full amount by cheque of $3289.70 (membership fee $3095 + Tax $185.70 = $3280.70) on June 16th, 2007 in Toronto. I want my money back or at least half. It explicitly states in the contract I signed In the even that the Client elects to terminate the Agreement prior to any use of service offered by LifeMates, Client shall be liable for one half of the Membership fee as full consideration for interviewing, testing and evaluation of Client.

This is 2 months of salary for me. I was pressured into the service and I want my money back.

Victoria of Victoria, BC (07/18/07)
I jointed LifeMates in Ontario and then moved to Vancouver. My interview was so positive, but the people they sent me were dreadful and not a match at all. I complained to them first, and received no return phone call then I complained to the BBB because they were really doing nothing for me after I paid my initial $2000. The worst part was their attitude. I was promised 6 matches - they were all wrong for me and they did not care that I was unhappy. I lost $2000 and I still haven't had any satisfaction.

Loss of $2000, feeling stupid, insulted by their lack of interest in my dissatisfaction.

Vicky of Calgary, Alberta (05/04/07)
Signed up for Lifemates for membership for thousands of dollars. They made it look promising. I thought wrong. They are scammers. They set up me with one referral who was not attractive and wanted kids, which is the completely the opposite of what i expected. I paid a service to have them match me with the right person. I specifically said no kids. Then, they promised they have lots of men in the membership just waiting to meet me, especially in my age bracket (24-34). So they just match me up with any joe-blow just to shut me up. My second referral was a joke. He was nothing like i expected, again. The service is absolutely piss-poor considering how much i paid. I just get a run-around and they refuse to return my money. I've even asked for at least half, they won't even do that. Beware for dating services. They play on your emotions, say they have plenty of members that match your expectations, and match you with duds.

Mark of Surrey, Canada (03/06/07)
I went into the Lifemates office in Vancouver, BC in 2004. I was feeling sad that I didn't have a woman in my life and I wanted to be fixed up with some dates. I was told that they had a big collection of woman and that for just 2000 I could get unlimited dates. Then the management told me that it was not necessary and convinced me to go with a lesser package for less money. It would only give me 12 dates. I went on one date. She was not attractive. Then they told me about another lady and I called her and she did not call back. After that, I never got a call from the LifeMates office (based out of Ontario) about another date.

It has been over 2 years and I have not heard from them. I called them to ask them what was up with my membership and they said that they are looking into some woman and they let me know shortly. They never call. I have since ripped up the membership info I got from them. They are a fraud. I am so glad that you offered this info about the IJL service. I was seriously interested in doing it but I was afraid of the previous experience so I wanted to look at the internet to see if there were any complaints and I am glad that I found info. You saved me over 1500 and I really appreciate it. God bless you for helping save people like me from being duped.

It cost me 1500 to essentially have one date that did not work out good. It was a rip off. It plays on the heart of those who are lonely and what someone in their lives and they do not deliver. The contract does not state that I could get a refund, so I did not even try. I did not think I had any recourse.SO I didn't even bother. It was time to move on. I just want to let others know not to deal with LifeMates because they are scam artists.

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