Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  02/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 5/16/2022, I signed a matchmaking agreement with Options Dating Service for one year. Enrolled as a Bronze member for $6995, I would be entitled to five introductions. I spoke to three matches in total. On my initial call, I expressed that I am not an animal person and prefer masculine of center. The Service proceeded to match me with two people on the opposite coast, who have 4 bed sharing pets each. All were feminine of center. One of the three is closeted. Throughout this process, I expressed to be connected with someone more equally yoked, ie upscale and well heeled. On 1/19/2023, the Assistant Director of Member Services berated me in writing, "you have repeatedly requested to be matched with someone of a higher income bracket, which is highly extraordinary. Most of our members, naturally assume that if someone is willing to invest $7000 or more in a matchmaking service, that they are financially stable. As a managing partner of a law firm" Notably, there are less expensive memberships as seen in other complaints. Essentially, I was called a liar. As it was written that I was "certainly aware" that one of the matches had 4 pets. I actually take copious notes when presented with matches to avoid awkward silences. In my notes, it clearly reads "1 dog", which may have been OK. A copy of my professional license and more ** was suddenly demanded, after eight months with the service and expressing dissatisfaction. Nowhere in the one page agreement is this a requirement. The second paragraph of the agreement stated the ** check would be 2 to 4 weeks before providing matches. What were they doing for 2-4 weeks? If there was a problem, it should've been addressed 8 months ago not after dissatisfaction was expressed. (My passport is true. I use my first initial, and I'm called by my middle name. I actually signed the agreement this way). I would like to cancel my membership at this time and receive a refund for the service.

  Business response

  03/22/2023

  First and most importantly, the client enrolled for five guaranteed introductions with a one-year hold feature and NOT for a one-year membership. The company has already provided the member with three introductions.

  
  When the client enrolled, she said she was open to pets, open on distance, open to women who fall between two to seven on the femininity scale which would include ***** to soft ***** and exclude femmes, and open to women who are not out.Options provided introductions accordingly. As per the first clause of the contract, upon receipt of the first introduction, you will not be entitled to any refund and you will be liable for the entire membership fee if you later cancel or terminate this agreement.
  
  Due to privacy and security concerns the company cannot publicly discuss client identity issues. Notwithstanding the resolution of other matters, the company is willing to provide the client with her remaining introductions.
  
  

  Customer response

  04/03/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  From: ***************************** <******************>
  Date: Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 2:34 PM
  Subject: Complaint #******** (C *************************)
  To: <************************************>
  
  
  I am rejecting the response of the Gay Options for the following reasons:
  
  I. Initial disingenuous response to the Complaint
  On 2/16/2023, Gay Options' response to my complaint stated that no matchmaking service was provided. This is despite my efforts to resolve this in good faith, amicably and directly. According to the BBB, "The business has contacted us to indicating that they have no record of doing business with you". Quickly, the agreement signed with Gay Options was provided, allowing the complaint to proceed.
  
  II. Loss of confidence in this company to operate professionally on my behalf and in good faith
  On 8/30/2022, an email received from a member services representative stated their true opinion of one of the three introductions: "We believe this match was doomed before it started." For $6,995.00, it makes no sense to match me with and count toward the number of introductions agreed upon. For the sake of brevity, no additional examples of why I no longer have confidence in this company will be provided here.
  
  III. Gay Options reply to the Complaint
  On 3/22/2023, they wrote, "She said she was open to pets, open to distance, open to women  who fall between 2 to 7 on the femininity scale which would include ***** to soft ***** and exclude femmes and open to women who are not out." On my intake conversation, I clearly said no pets, ideally. The woman with whom I spoke suggested I keep an open mind. I then said maybe one would be okay. Two of the introductions had 4 bed sharing pets, which would be an incompatibility which should have been noted. Although I won't address their full statement, I will address the most ludicrous of them all, being an openness to women who are not out. I have a desire for marriage and paid nearly 7K to a matchmaking service. Why in the world would I opt for someone in the closet in 2023?
  
  IV. No one personally reached out to address my concerns when provided client feedback for a simple conversation via phone or in person
  In response to my email on 1/17/2023, expressing my displeasure and requesting a refund. The Assistant Director of Member Services decided to share arbitrarily that he/she is the "managing partner of a law firm". It appears that "passionate and dedicated matchmakers" on the company's current webpage would bring in mention of a law firm than truly resolving the matter.
  
  The same individual wrote "Once you provide a copy of your [professional] license... will revisit your request for a refund".  The company's response through the BBB platform is rejected. There is no longer trust or confidence in this company's ability to provide the services provided. I am very much open to providing a copy of my professional licensure, which has zero to do with the issues here via my Counsel if the service agrees to refund me as opposed to a willingness to "... revisit ... request for a refund".
  

  
  

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  * *************************
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  Business response

  04/11/2023

  The company’s previous decision stands.

  Customer response

  04/11/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: 19424767
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Not once has Gay Options reached out to resolve this matter in good faith. I do NOT recommend this company. The first red flag was when their employee told me they would not give me a potential introduction's info until I signed a physical credit card receipt even after successfully running my credit card. I took very good notes about what told to me about matches. Instead they'd rather characterize a client paying 6,995.00 as difficult rather than a frank discussion. These people clearly care about your money not doing good business. Gay Options, this community is small. I have subsequently heard about another similarly positioned local professional. Gay Options failed to deliver for her, as well. Just know it is not slander, if it is true.
  

  Gay Options  even offered to "revisit" giving me back my funds if I provide a "professional" license. I said I would through Counsel as this is not a requirement in the agreement. No real attempt has been made by them to satisfy this situation. Not once has anyone tried to speak about the process and their failure to procure suitable matches. Please save your money. What company representative says they are a manager at a law firm, when called out on their failure. A threat, maybe? Please learn from me. Do not believe anything said about my review by them. Avoid at all costs! 

   

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  * **** ********
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩