With seemingly
endless demands on personal time, there seems to be less time for
people to devote to such things as finding a significant other. Lack of
time and hope of finding someone wonderful draw thousands of people to
dating services. However, each year the BBB receives many complaints
from consumers who, after spending several hundred dollars, are no
closer to finding true love than they were before. To avoid this
problem, the BBB recommends that you research the companies you are
considering and understand on the outset that no one can guarantee to
find you a perfect partner. Dating services simply provide the
opportunity for people to meet one another.
Important Questions to Ask Prospective Dating Services
- How
thoroughly are candidates screened to ensure your compatibility with
them? Are the qualities you find to be important in a person covered in
the company’s questionnaire? Does the company screen for every factor
you deem important, or only a few?
- How are introductions made? Does the company provide an exchange of
telephone numbers, or does it provide personal introductions through social functions?
- How
many people does the firm have on file with the specific
characteristics important to you? For example, if you want to meet
people that are within five years of your age and non-smokers, you
should ask the organization how many people they have in their database
that match these qualifications.
- If social functions are included in the price, what type of facility are the functions held at?
- Will the company allow you to participate on a trial basis before committing to a contract?
- What
is the cost of optional services, such as social functions,
photography, grooming, dating etiquette or other services? Remember the
dating services cannot require the purchase of these services to be a
member.
- What
is the recourse if you are dissatisfied with the services? Does the
company merely extend the duration of its services to you, or do they
offer refunds?
- How long has the company been in
business? Based on its history, is it likely that the company will be
in business long enough to honor its membership contract with you?
In addition to these suggestions, the BBB advises you not to sign any contract until you have read and understood all of its terms.
How the Laws Protect You
Membership Fees – Under New York State law, no contract for social referral services may require you to pay more than $1,000 per year.
Additional Fees –
The contract cannot require the consumer to spend money on any
additional services such as photography, grooming, dating etiquette or
other services.
Transfer of Information Prohibited and Required Return of Information –
dating services are prohibited from transferring or selling any
information or material of a personal or private nature without your
prior written consent. In addition, when the contract expires, the
business is required to return all such information and material to you
by certified mail.
Cancellation – All contracts for
social referral services must allow the consumer to cancel the service
within three business days. NO cancellation fees may be imposed if the
contract is cancelled within this period.
Suspending the Contract – Consumers must be given the right to put their contract on hold for a period of at least one year, upon their request.
Refunds – If the dating service costs more than $25, the seller
must provide you with a minimum number of referrals per month. If this
is not done for two successive months, you have the right to cancel the
contract and receive a full refund.
Complaints
Before agreeing to pay any dating service, determine what you can
reasonably expect the company to do for you. If the company fails to
meet your expectations, or does not comply with any portion of the
written agreement, it is very important that you file a complaint about
that business.
Consumers can file a complaint about a dating service with the following organizations:
The New York State Attorney General’s office initiates lawsuits,
enforces consumer laws and accepts complaints regarding fraudulent
business practices. The Attorney General may be reached in the
following ways:
Call: 212-416-8345 (New York City), 845-485-3920 (Mid-Hudson),
631-231-2400 (Long Island)
Write: 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
Web Site: www.oag.state.ny.us