Online dating sites are undeniably popular, but they aren't always the scrupulous matchmaking endeavors they appear to be. What you have to remember is that online dating sites are usually a business in the strictest sense, which means the owners are more concerned about getting your money than finding true love. In fact, the longer it takes you to find your soul mate, the more monthly fees they can drag out of you. Following are some of the common complaints and how to avoid them.
1- Minimum Exposure
Many of the largest online dating sites claim that their members have access to thousands (or even millions!) of potential dates when they sign up and pay their monthly or yearly subscription. One of the most common complaints, however, is that the exposure is actually much more limited once you sign up.
Things like geographical location, age, physical features and education level can really narrow the field with online dating sites. Before you fork over that credit card, avoid minimum exposure by running a free search before you sign up. You won't be able to contact anyone, but you'll get an idea for who's available.
2- Poor Matches
The search criteria you use to find your soul mate might not turn up the princes or princesses you've been looking for. Another common complaint of online dating sites is the accuracy of search results when you start browsing profiles. Again, you can avoid this problem by running free searches before you sign up, but cancel your subscription if your search for a "blonde nonsmoker" turns up brunette chimneys.
3- Guarantee? Shmarantee
One of the most common complaints about online dating sites is the supposed guarantee offered before you sign up for a paid subscription. The site will guarantee that you will find a compatible mate within a given period of time, and if you don't, your money will be refunded pronto. The problem is that you didn't read the fine print, where it says that contact with another member constitutes "finding a compatible mate". Even if you find out that he or she is a loser, you don't get your money back because you "made a connection".
If you want to avoid this common complaint, don't sign up for online dating sites where you think you'll need a guarantee to ensure your success. Instead, research the site beforehand to
decide if it has what you're looking for, and if not, move on to something else. Relying on that flimsy guarantee won't get you anywhere.
4- Billing Nightmare
When you sign up for a subscription at an online dating site, prepare to have your credit card charged-sometimes repeatedly. One of the most common complaints is that customers have a hard time stopping their subscriptions once they begin, and some have even been charged multiple times for the same billing period. If you decide that you've had enough of the online dating scene, make sure they know that you want to cancel, and watch your credit card bill closely for future charges.
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