It's Just Lunch

I was told that it was a matchmaker service, and there would be follow-up and that they had two great matches for me. After I paid them, I had a stressful and unsuccessful time in trying to connect with a coach.

I asked to cancel my $2800.00 membership and was told that is not possible. So I let them set me up with a date who was uneducated, seemed only interested in sex, and was 20 minutes late. I tried to contact my coach, and he did not return my call for two weeks and told me that I was being assigned to a new coach.

I again tried to dispute my charges with the credit card company and was contacted a week later by a new coach. I did not respond since I was disputing the charges, which I ultimately lost the dispute. It's Just Lunch said that I had used their service.

I feel that l have been scammed out of $2800.00 and have received nothing but a bad date, and I have no confidence that anyone at It's Just Lunch even knows me, let alone what would be a good match for me. They are difficult to reach, and take days or weeks to respond to messages by phone or email.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Recently, I began seeing It's Just Lunch (IJL) advertising on Fox news. Since I am on vacation and have some time, I decided to share my extremely unsatisfactory experience by writing this review expressing my contempt for this deceptive company; hoping to spare potential future victims.

Around five years ago, I wish someone would have shared IJL's business model with me so that now I wouldn't be out $2,000, which I may as well have flushed down the toilet. My blood boils every time I am exposed to their deceptive ads; which I know first hand are lies intended to lure you in and rip you off. IJL's prey are busy professional singles with money to spend and willing to take a chance on a company with crafty, well-targeted seemingly sincere advertising commercials.

My experience was: I went back and forth for months seeing their commercials and thought what a novel idea! I'm a busy executive, don't go to bars, no one I'm interested in at church, online dating is the same people and it hasn't led to anything, so why not try IJL? After all, it sounded like the perfect way to find someone! Initially, I called several times asking questions before one day the agent informed me of a special deal for $2000, saving $750, and guaranteeing I would go on at least four dates over the following year. I decided to go ahead and give it a try. The agent couldn't wait to get my credit card number.

Once I was a paid member, things moved pretty fast and I felt good about my decision. Within a week, a dating counselor set up a time to meet with me face to face and a dating director contacted me by phone as well. That was basically the end of any service from this company. I began to get even more concerned when the only contact from IJL was to inform me I had a new "dating director." To the best of my recollection, I was informed of seven different ones over the period of less than one year.

I was sent no matches until almost a year, and only after I began to complain about the process. The matches I was sent were nothing like I had requested or consistent with my profile on file, which only added to my buyer's remorse. There was only one date IJL ever informed me they were setting up and later they cancelled before it could take place for the reason the man was untruthful regarding his profile. That was it. IJL never did more than that, never sent more matches and never informed me again of anyone they wanted me to meet.

I do understand not everyone can be easily matched. However, I was a well-educated insurance executive in my late 50's, 5'5" size 6; with long dark hair and a former lingerie model. Surely, IJL could have found at least one gentleman fitting the description requested in my profile?

At the end of one year, I realized IJL either wouldn't or couldn't fulfill their contractual obligation. Therefore, I decided to exercise my refund option as detailed in my contract; which basically said I was entitled to a $1500 refund ($500 less than originally paid due to administrative fees). A formal refund request letter to IJL was submitted by certified delivery detailing my experience resulting in my dissatisfaction with their service. I received a letter from IJL stating they would not give me a refund, but in so many words, basically, they would be happy to do the job they promised they would do in the first place. But never did.

This company makes it very difficult, if not impossible to talk to anyone in authority if you have a problem or want a refund. However, if you want to sign up and give them your hard earned money, you'll have no problem finding someone to take your credit card number. No one is accountable; once they have your money, if you are fortunate enough to find someone to speak with, soon they are gone from the company, and you start all over again. It quickly becomes obvious IJL banks on their victims being too busy and possibly too embarrassed they entrusted a so-called matchmaker, that most will not pursue legal remedies and just accept their losses.

This company took my money, and offered NOTHING in return. Don't be fooled by a refund protection clause in your contact. You won't get one! $2,000 is still a lot of money to me. I want my money back and I'll tell everyone who will listen what this company is really about until I receive the refund I am entitled to!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I wish I had read the Yelp reviews before I made the mistake of signing up and throwing away a lot of money.

The salespeople are awesome and sell you a load of crap. They said they had a large inventory of people and worked to find your perfect match.

My dates were TERRIBLE. None of the men were even paying members. They set me up with a warm body. One guy even showed up to dinner at a nice restaurant in jean shorts and a fishing hat!

The “matchmakers” are just people who humor you. They listen to you complain, say they will do better and then ignore you for months. I don’t know how they sleep at night playing this scam on lonely people.

Trust me, do NOT sign up!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I was sold an entirely different service than what I actually received. The salesperson "selling" the service to me promised MUCH more than they could deliver. But once they have your money, there is no recourse. No refunds. No help. No service. After promising me that I would be matched with people who lived in my "area," my first match was someone who lived 80 miles from me. Of course, you are not told where your match lives until you meet them in person. So if you accept a match (at $500 each), it's just hit or miss as to where they live. After I paid my money, I was informed that the JLK definition of "area" is about 100-mile radius from my location.

When I met my first match, she informed me that she herself was not a paying member of IJL (another omitted detail when you sign up is that you may be matched with anyone in the database, not just other members). She actually told me that she was not interested in dating but was just "doing my recruiter a favor" by meeting with me.

There is not enough time or space in this review to go through all the details of how awful this service is. Of course, they will taut their few success stories, but they are few and far between. Apparently, the pool of candidates is not very deep either. After only three matches, they start re-sending me previous matches that I had already declined. After declining them a second time, the marketing department started applying the pressure to be "open to new experiences." Which is code for just accept what we have because we have nothing else to offer you. I (pre)paid for 4 total matches at $2000 total. After asking me specifically what I was looking for in a match, only one of the four actually met all of the criteria I had listed.

Total waste of money.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

What a joke! This was a huge financial decision to trust them in finding dates for myself. I am a veterinarian that travels a lot and needed help finding local people when I was home. I opened my "market" up to my entire state. I paid the initial $2900 and $295/month for hopes of having one date a month (their reported average). My first match was not attractive at all. I went over again what I wanted with my matchmaker Mel (who sounds like she is reading a script every time I speak with her) and even sent her pictures of my exes. Match number 2 was very attractive, we set up a date...he canceled on me twice! I said I would no longer make dates with him. A month and half goes by and I hear nothing. I call and ask to speak to a manager, they take a message. My matchmaker calls back with a match. Once again he is not attractive. I put in another call for a manager, she calls me at 7 pm on the day before a holiday. I return her call a week later because I now have her direct line. My matchmaker calls and says she has another match. He is also not attractive. I call the manager again and leave a message...waiting. At this point, I'm going to start disputing charges on my credit card. It has been 4 months with ZERO dates. This company is a joke!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Complete ripoff. They took $2,700.00 off of my money and set me up on blind dates. Two of the four of the dates were so bad that I initially wanted to run away after the first sight of my blind date. The staff is comprised of BS artists who overpromise and under-deliver. Don't waste your time and money! Go anywhere else. It's that bad!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I had a 6-month contract with It's Just Lunch which began in January. I was presented with a couple of matches and was stood up at the restaurant twice. Six months later, and no dates, I asked for them to honor their contract and give me a pro-rated refund. Nope, they don't do that, I was told over the phone, despite their contract. Do not waste your money, go spend your money on a nice vacation instead!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I joined It's Just Lunch on 9/30/18 and during a phone call when I was promised:

1. You WILL go on dates.

2. You will ONLY be matched with men serious about finding a partner.

3. It's Just Lunch will do ALL the work so you can relax.

10/12/18: My matchmaker Natalie sends my first match. I give date options for three weeks.

10/31/18: Natalie never responds. I ask if I should send more dates. She says yes. I send date options for four weeks. Natalie never initiates contact after that.

11/8/18: Another matchmaker, Jasmine, sends a new match. I ask what happened to the first one but she doesn't acknowledge my question. I send four weeks of date options.

11/15/18: I find out my first date will be 11/30/18.

11/30/18: My match cancels. I'd arranged and paid for a babysitter for the night. No apologies from Jasmine. She pressures me to reschedule for the weekend. I tell her I don't want to date someone who cancels at the last minute. I'd been with It's Just Lunch for two months, had wasted enough time/money, and had zero dates. I tell Jasmine/Natalie I want to cancel and get a refund. Natalie responds that she is working on my next match. She doesn't acknowledge my dissatisfaction or request for a cancellation/refund. Nobody from It's Just Lunch speaks to me for over two months.

1/27/19: I call It's Just Lunch to complain and ask for a cancellation/refund again. I'm told that only Natalie can help. I'm sent to Natalie's voicemail but she doesn’t answer or return my calls. I send another email.

1/28/19: Natalie calls and says she's not the one to talk to about cancellations/refunds. She says a supervisor will call in 48 hours. Still no apologies.

1/31/18: A supervisor calls 24 hours late. He apologizes but refuses my request. He says they can't do refunds. The contract I signed disproves this. I ask him to cancel my membership. He refuses. He is in a hurry to get off the phone, and tells me that my next match will be coming soon.

This company is a scam. They prey on optimists. Please help me and other potential victims from being prey to their scheme.

Thank you.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have received many calls/emails from IJL with special offers. I’ve even spoken with a few ladies over a period of time. I had a phone interview with Sjerstin Meyer, March 21,19. She asked me to pay her upfront $860 which I thought was a little crazy because I hadn’t gone on a date, or she nor I had determined if I was a good fit. And I thought I had to sign a contract first to get started. This is very suspicious to me. I’m not sure if I would recommend this place to a friend. It’s very costly so invest your time into researching this company’s reputation before investing your money or time!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I was contacted several times and promised a lot of things before finally agreeing to pay the high enrollment fee. I gave them very specific details of what I was looking for before I agreed to sign up. I was told repeatedly they had many matches that fit my expectations and it would be no problem. I had my first two dates and neither was anything like they had described to me. In fact, on the first date I mentioned details they had given me about her, and when I brought them up in conversation, she had no idea what I was talking about. I did go on several more dates, most of which were also not successful. I felt I continued to give the same feedback over and over. One of the important criteria I gave them was that I still wanted to have kids so I wanted to meet someone younger.

After running through the first series of dates I was told that they just did not have anyone for me that was interested in meeting someone of my age. That would have been helpful to know before I forked over the huge enrollment fee. So then they said we can match you with people more your age who don't want kids. Since I knew they would not refund me, I reluctantly agreed. I have been on a few dates since without any real success. And most I have nothing in common or any attraction. I have now not had any matches in over 6 months. The last 4 have all canceled, yet they still billed my monthly fee.

If you are expecting them to really be able to find you matches that are detailed to your liking, you will be disappointed. If you just want to meet people and don't care who then maybe you would find value in this service. I myself have found it a big mistake.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

DO NOT use this "service!" This company will lie to get you in the service but then faces no repercussions for any misrepresentation or lack of service. They’ve faced many lawsuits for not fulfilling the contract and not actually being personalized. The matchmakers are robotic and rude, there is nothing personalized. When I requested a new one they had the women call and confront me. The next matchmaker was no better, same tone and script. Once they have your money, they do not care about you or the service and will go out of their way to not communicate. I’ve read so many complaints and I feel like an idiot for signing up...don’t be an idiot.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend