[Editor note: This post is the most popular one on this blog and has been for a long time. Who knew?]
After signing up yesterday with a silly profile and ugly photo, I’ve received my first flirt from the new Match over-50 dating site, OurTime.
This is where I really feel for singles. Do I pay $20, $53 or $71 to see who flirted with me? In any other context, paying $20 to read an email is insane. Especially when it’s only a wink. Dating sites really have no option but to work this way. Its unfortunate but how else are they going to get free members to convert to subscribers?
If I knew the flirt was from a verified member, I probably would be more likely to pay up, but the fact that they don’t show the person’s photo or username or a bit of text from/about them has me on the defensive.
I’m talking to OurTime tomorrow, should be able to report back with some clarity on where the profiles are being copied over from and other details about the launch.
@ Kelly Netzenheim:
Kelly,
You sound like a nice person. Frustrated, but nice.
I’d like a chance to correct the injustice of those joke dating sites by asking you out but, how would we begin? How would we communicate on an open forum such as this yet still preserve each of our privacy/safety?
See the predicament?
If you can find a magic way singles [such as you and I] can communicate on-line without the non-sense/scamming of dating sites yet, insure our privacy… I’m all ears and willing to give it a try.
Sincerely,
Just Me [Steve]
Hey Steve, I’m not Kelly but want to say you are spot on about ‘the predicament’.
I signed onto this site never having considered the notion that ‘I could check out any time I like but I could never leave’. My email took over 500 hits the first week. I never paid anything but looked at a few of my responders. Some seemed like great guys but I’m in Al. and they spanned the gap between Fl. to Canada.
Now my predicament is that even though I never paid to join I’m still getting beaucoup responses and I can’t disengage.
This was my first attempt at online dating and I gotta say feels like bad juju. Now I just want out. Thank God I didn’t pay for this misery. Can anybody advise on how to escape?
And Steve, wish we could have met through mutual friends you sound like my kind of guy .
As a follow up to many comments read…
Better Business Bureau results for People Media/OurTime.com [< Dallas, Texas]:
"BBB has determined that People Media meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public."
"BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services."
"Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of No Rating. The reason is as follows:
This business is in the process of responding to complaint(s) previously closed as unresolved."
People Media/OurTime.com has had 357 complaints with BBB in last 3 years.
357!
*Now, if the moderators here will just let the [above] information be known/seen… maybe, just maybe the good folks visiting this site will not be ripped off by another scam company.
Let the buyer beware!
Its not right that they charge so much and you have to pay 6 months at a time. Why not let us go month to month and stop when ever we want. I have better places for my money Hope to hear from you
Warning: I had someone try to scam me out of $800 for his purported son who lives in the UK. First he asked for my personal e-mail, which I gave him. Now that he has this info, he has used it to sign me up again with our time. Bottom line: avoid these dating sites. They are unsafe now, and riddled with desperate men who want one thing: Your money. Avoid them like the plague.
Be very careful My friend was on Match and had 5 YES 5 scammers with kids in the UK
NONE of these sites accurately choose prospects by zip code/distance. All of them give me prospects living 2 – 3 hours away. When their companies become more accurate they may see an increase in usage instead of cancellations from frustrated members.
FYI on the monthly sign-up fee for OutTime dating site… The current monthly fee as of March 2013 is $23.99 per month, and I still don’t see any where you can stop when you choose. Personally, I feel that is an exorbitant fee! I was looking into signing up because it looks like a fun and safe site. Of course everyone must use common sense and caution with any dating site. However, the price has turned me away, as I am sure it has many others. Too bad. :(
Ourtime is the biggest ripoff of the 3 sites i’ve been on. They send prospects from across the country and frankly I would not like to date my grandpa with no hair or teeth. ICK ICK ICK!!!!
I foolishly signed up with this online dating site. I thought I was signing up for six months for.$11.99. It was not until I checked my bank account and saw that.$75.93 had been had been deducted. Why even quote a monthly premium, when they only charge for 6 months or more. Then when I responded to my contacts I was told to read their respnse to me I had to upgrade for an additional charge. I am sending a Consumer complaint to The Attorney General in my state as well as contact the BBB. I was onPOF dating site at least they are free, I even met some nice guys. My advise, before you dign up for any.of these sites.check to see if there is a complaint site. The bad ones.will have one.
TOTAL RIPOFF!!
The concept is good, horrible implementation.
A total joke of a site. Poor coding, just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean you’re senile.
I’ve been online dating for a few years.
Match, POF, and OKCupid are way more professional.
RIPOFF!! STAY AWAY!!
All dating sites claim to have millions of members on there. What is not disclosed is that 70 to 80 percent are inactive, fake profiles that match.com allows free 3 day trials and or they are just free subscribers who can’t contact you back. Now decide that by 59 states, then within 50 miles of your geographic area. And then determine what the real odds are. Don’t waist your money.
Corrections. Divide not decide and 59 should be 50. Sorry