UPDATE: 6/1/2012. Two years after I first met with IJL, I just heard yet again from another employee there who "was just going through old files" and wanted to see if I was still single and maybe could use their "service." If you give this company your telephone number, please prepare for years of calls, even if you explain in no uncertain terms that you no longer want to work with them, whether you are single or not.
I'm a little surprised that there aren't any reviews of this scam here on Yelp-Seattle. Yelp in other cities (eg: San Francisco) are rife with complaints about IJL.
The short version: This is a dating service that was disappointed that I actually found a boyfriend. It is a dating service that is not afraid to use the contact information you give them to harass you for for weeks and months for money. They will be indignant and rude if you fail to give them the $1800-$2000 they demand. Check them out online. Lots of people say they are a total scam, one that fails to introduce them to people who are even remotely a "match."
The long version: My experience, mercifully, was limited and entirely unpleasant. Seven months ago, I met with one of their salespeople posing as an interviewer. They made clear on the telephone that they were interviewing me to see if I would fit with their clients. (Online reviews suggest that this line is just part of a script and that no one is ever *not* a good fit for their matchmaking service.) I made clear that I, too, would be seeing if it felt like a good fit for me.
I "interviewed" and was promptly hit up for the $1800 joining fee. I said I would think about it and let them know. That is when the problems began. My interviewer gave me a devastated look and began a process of pressuring me, badgering me, getting angry with me etc---anything to get me to give her money. I told her that I don't usually spend $1800 on the spot and that I would have to think about it. Countless phone calls in the following weeks. The calls have literally lasted to this day. Seven, almost eight, months later. Does that sound like a legitimate service or a racket?
During the phone I got just today, I requested that they not call me anymore. Once again, when denied money, the formerly chirpy IJL worker changed her tone dramatically. "Do you mind telling me why not?" I told her I didn't need the service anymore because I am in a relationship. "Well," she said bitterly, "We did spend over an hour getting to know you." I said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but don't call me again." And I hung up. And yes--they *did* spend over an hour talking to me. Which I resented. I had been told the "interview" would take an hour, max, and it went way over, which made me late for my next appointment. There were no clocks in the room. Also, once I did manage to begin to pry myself out of the interview, I was still made to wait while more and more pressure tactics were applied to get my credit card out of my wallet. Only by practically running away from them was I able to leave.
PS: I found my amazing boyfriend on Match. read more