Dating Services

I have tried them. Well, only one, but I have talked to many others who have used them as well. Their experiences seemed to parallel mine in most ways. The one I joined promised that the detailed information sheet I filled out would be used to match me with The Perfect Prospects. I was promised at least one referral each month, but there might be more. I was guaranteed nothing but a name and a phone number. The rest was up to me. For this, I paid $180.00.

Now I filled out a form which provided them with two references which were then checked. There was no other background check. No financial or criminal or civil detective work was done. Now, I know that for about $50.00 a person can go to a private detective service and have such a background check done. I will find out his credit rating, whether he has ever been sued in court, whether he is married, ever been arrested and convicted of a DUI, whether he has a criminal background. Basically, whether he is who he represents himself to be. I would have gladly paid that extra cost in my fee to have had that done for me by the Dating service. Yet, this basic security measure was never done by the dating service before referring any person within the service.

My experience..... After I had received half my guaranteed referrals, it became very clear that everyone was dating everyone else in the service. If you had signed up, eventually you would be referred to everyone else. No attempt was made at matching anyone's specific needs. Some of my referrals were less than desirable, from reclusive hermit to alcoholics, to bachelors who had never been married, (for obvious reasons). And there were a few nice men who just weren't my type, but mostly it was a waste. I did better on my own. I don't think I would spend that kind of money on that kind of service again. It would be better spent on a new hair do, some new clothes, and perhaps a spa membership.

NOTE * The dating service I joined was only in business two years. I think that says it all!