I'm so glad I read these reviews before getting into business with what appears to be a scam. Thank goodness for yelp reviewers! I did the initial call and meeting (it was in a coffee shop, not an office), and based on that consultation/interview, in addition to reading these reviews, I chose not to move forward. I urge anyone considering using these services to read these reviews before deciding to engage this company.
In the consult, I was told the cost of the service is a minimum $15K ($1K/date, for 15 total dates, or you could do $30K for 30 dates). This is an outrageous amount of money for something that by its nature cannot be guaranteed. When I asked what their success rate is, so I could justify this price, I was told it's "very high". When I pressed her (don't recall the woman's name), she said it must be in the 80-90% range, meaning 80-90% of people they match end up marrying. This was the first red flag - if that was true, then this service would be making national and worldwide headlines, everyone would know about it and would want to sign up for it. 90% likely to meet your soulmate if you pay us $15K? Even God himself can't offer these odds. Additionally, I wouldn't have had to even ask this question, she would've told me upfront and advertised that on her website, because it's a very impressive number. Of course I knew she was lying right then and there.
Nonetheless, I continued to the end with the session, as I would then simply leave and never speak to her again. I came to realize that there was something very wrong with the woman I was talking to, as she asked me at least 5 times, within the span of 10 minutes, if I want to get married. I answered yes over and over, and I knew she wasn't listening to me at all, only trying to talk my ear off so I would fork over the money. Everything that the other reviewers said happened to them is exactly what happened with me: (1) she says she already has a guy picked out for me that's perfect for me (obvious tactic to get me to join immediately), and (2) when I balk at the price, she immediately offers to give me a referral discount. I could tell it wasn't a real discount, just a sales tactic, and when I came to look at these reviews, guess what? Everyone on here was offered a discount! That's why there's so many 5-star reviews on yelp and google, because the people who have signed up are completing a review in exchange for the discount (this is against yelp T&C btw)! When it sounds too good to be true, it really is. She went the whole 9 yards on this scam, even placing a fake call to her 'boss' in front of me, 'oh can we go ahead and get her the referral discount?'
Then, she's immediately asking for payment (even though she's run no background check on me, hasn't verified my employment, etc.). I tell her that my credit card limit doesn't go that high and I'll need to pay by check at a later date, just to see what she says. She's visibly upset, trying to figure out how to get her money faster. This is obviously not the sign of someone who works at a successful matchmaking company with a 90% marriage rate. If they were truly good at what they do, there would be no high-pressure sales tactics, there would be no need for all that. Another obvious sign of a scam. So now, instead of taking payment from me, she tells me to sign the contracts, which will put me on the hook for payment. I told her I'm not doing that. No one, and certainly not professionals and successful businesspeople, sign a contract on the spot. They get it sent to them, so they or their attorney can read through it before signing. Another obvious red flag that this business does not have the clientele it purports to.
I lie and tell her I'll bring a check with me tomorrow to her office, then I get up and leave. Within minutes, I start getting multiple urgent texts from her, "call or text me before you come with the check", "what time are you coming with the check?" So I respond that I'm not interested in moving forward. Immediately she calls and says, is it the money? Yeah no shit it's the money. So she pretends to talk to her fake boss with me on the phone, then tells me she's been permitted to lower the amount to $10K or $5K (still $1K/date). Now will I take the offer? Yet another red flag - if you are willing to make that huge discount offer same-day, why didn't you offer it upfront? That's scam behavior. No reputable company (with a 90% success rate, mind you) acts like that, pricing at $15K one minute, then $5K the next. An inexperienced client would think this is a great deal, and that's what she's counting on. Finally, I tell her that my parents want to meet with her to further discuss. Guess what? I never hear from her again. read more