pinkroses Posted March 11, 2004 Posted March 11, 2004 I went to a local dating service this week, one of those kind that advertise on the billboards and bus stop benches, and are well known. I was a member several years back right after my divorce, and only paid $20 a month, which was (and still is) all I could afford on my salary. When they called to set up an appt. the first thing I said was I'd have to decline because I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. (I figured after 8 years, the cost would have gone up). But the girl on the phone assured me even college kids working part time jobs could afford it, and they had several different programs now. So, I should have known better but I decided to go ahead and go back in and see. The counselor woman took me through really personal questions and a very long-winded speech for two solid hours, and she also assured me that it was an affordable program, and she'd get to the cost later. Then at the last minute she pulled out the figures, and their cheapest program, for meeting only six people, was $1700!! Am I the only one who finds this outrageous? Someone working a part time job going to school could afford this? Certainly not a single mother making less than $20 a year, with rent and a car payment like myself. Once I found out the cost I had to back out, and the beech got real frustrated with me and decided to play on my insecurities by basically saying without their help I may have little chance of meeting anyone. I'm wondering if the combination of free or (truly) affordable online dating services, and the suffering economy both are making businesses like this desperate for clients. Anyway, I just had to vent. I felt so bad when I left that office. She made me feel like it was my fault that she went through all that talking for nothing, and that I wouldn't take their "great" offer. I know people sometimes pay that kind of money, but I figured it was people making large salaries. She even said, "Did you think it would be free? What did you expect? Sorry, we can't help you." I felt like I wasted her time, and mine, and like a poor pathetic person who may not ever meet anyone. Those people have a way of hitting you in the most vulnerable spots.
jenny Posted March 11, 2004 Posted March 11, 2004 what a stupid useless woman. how idiotically rude. i hardly ever get upset about salespeople, but that is totally out of line. i hope you complain about her - if it does not do anything it will go on her record somewhere. the thing is, many internet dating services are free for women, so i have no idea what this company is thinking by charging such outrageous prices - it's absurb. they are certainly not using all that money to hire competent staff people, that's for sure. i'm sorry this happened to you. have you thought about using any of the popular internet ones? i was on the msn one for awhile, and it was very low key, very safe. i was not serious enough to go and meet anybody form it, but i got about 11 matches a day until i de-registered.
moimeme Posted March 11, 2004 Posted March 11, 2004 This is not a unique situation. This is what you call the 'hard sell'. Whether it's for timeshares or match services, the approach is the same. Some governments have rules on how 'hard' a sell can be. They have practiced a long time to figure out how to make any poor mortal feel like an idiot. If you ever go to any of these things again, go in determined that no matter what they say, you'll pay no attention. At least for condos and timeshares, they usually have some sort of consolation gift for you.
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