I guess I got off lucky because I never signed a contract&thanks to the high pressure saleswoman, Michelle, who STOOD ME UP! Of all people you don't expect to stand you up, it's a "professional" dating service!
Michelle has been trying to get an appointment scheduled with me for over a week. My earliest available time I could find to meet her was the following week. She insisted that we must meet within 24 to 48 hours of first contact by phone. Well, I'm busy and not available that fast, especially considering the hours she and I work (incompatible) and the long drive I have to get there. What kind of company policy demands people meet 24—48 hours? Dating is not an emergency, folks!
Finally, at 6:50 pm one night, Michelle called and said she had a cancelation, so I could come in at 7:15 pm that night to take that appointment slot. I said I could not make it. I had just returned from a facial and massage and had not eaten dinner. She insisted I drop everything and see her. She said, "It's your lucky day!" (How am I so lucky that I have to drop everything, show up with my face all red from the aesthetician popping all my pores open, and my hair full of clay masque residue, arriving at a dating service where I am promised to meet my future husband? Where's the luck? Where?)
I told her I couldn't make it by 7:15 because it takes at least a half an hour to get there, and it was already 7:00. She insisted that I was being ridiculous, that it won't take that long from where I live. I told her I drive that route to work everyday, not her, and it takes me 30 minutes. She said to get there as soon as I could. She gave me her phone number and said to call her if something comes up and I can't make it. I left immediately and never called to cancel.
I got there at 7:40. I was 10 minutes late due to snow and traffic. The receptionist informed me that Michelle was in the bathroom. I thought that was too much information and unprofessional. I waited. At about 8:00, someone informed me that Michelle had left for the night because my appointment was at 7:15, and shame on me, it's not her fault she left, etc. I was livid.
First of all, Michelle must have left WITHOUT telling the receptionist&i.E., she snuck out the back door. OR they're pals and it was a ploy to make me sit there until 8:00 waiting (which I doubt). Why did Michelle leave? Because she was very argumentative with me and mad at me and going to piss me off because I would not jump when she said jump?
I told the woman that it was not a 7:15 appointment&that was someone else's; Michelle had insisted I come in immediately at whatever time I could get there. I reiterated that I had told Michelle that I was not available until next Tuesday, but she strongarmed me into coming in and said she'd wait for me. I pointed out that truly this was not my idea: "Look at me. I have no makeup on, my hair is a wreck, I did not want to come in, and she insisted I have to come in 24 to 48 hours, and tonight's the only time she can see me." I was very upset.
There were 4 or 5 others in the office milling about. None of them volunteered to do my intake. I was stood up completely. And they want to be a dating service? What kind of an impression was that?
On the intake form I filled out while Michelle was "in the bathroom, " they asked for all my credit information, including social security number and bank accounts. (My gosh, if a man needs that info before dating me, he's not going to get a date with me at all. What is he after?) I asked why they need to know my financials. (I am relatively well-off.) They said to ensure that members are all self-sufficient (read: not looking for a sugardaddy/mommy). Well, let's just leave that to the two people dating to figure out, and not make everyone's financials public information on the dating scene, please! I did not give them a bit of information.
I am glad to read about the ripoffs on this website. But the Southfield, Michigan, office is so darned rude with pulling people out of their daily scheduled routine and then standing them up that maybe that's why they haven't had a complaint on them here yet&they're so bad that they can't even secure the money and contract in the first place. Wow. Lucky me.
Oh, and one more weird thing. Michelle gave me the sales pitch about how the men they have are, "educated, professional, homeowners, and Christian, too, so they're a better bunch of people than you're going to meet at other dating services." Christian is better??? I debated whether I should inform her that I was Jewish, and would not need her kind of better... But I held my tongue. Never again. Next time, I just hang up.
Amy
Rochester, Michigan
U.S.A.
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