One of the poorest-rated online dating sites, Match.com was sued multiple times in 2012 by customers who felt tricked and cheated, and by one woman assaulted by a date.
by Amber Rambharose, Viewpoints Writer
In January, we rounded up some of the most honest Match.com reviews on Viewpoints to find out if Match.com is worth its membership fees. Since then, Match.com’s score has dropped to 39/100 based on 124 reviews, almost half the score of some top-ranked dating sites like OKCupid. Why does Match.com consistently disappoint users? Most reviewers allege unethical company practices like racial discrimination, sneaky billing tactics and fake profiles.
What’s wrong with Match.com?
While all online dating sites pose potential risks, Match.com’s unhappy customers had more trouble with the company’s methods that with their actual dates.
The Match.com reviews on Viewpoints are overwhelmingly negative (trust me, I’ve read all of them). While a handful of happily matched and married couples wrote Viewpoints reviews, the majority of reviewers had only negative things to say about their online dating experiences. With prices at about $35 a month or about $102 for 6 months, you should know what you’re paying for before diving in.
Fake profiles and privacy fibs
“Here’s the thing about match.com that is very suspicious, every time my renewal date approaches I suddenly get several emails from somewhat hot looking chicks wanting to correspond with me, but before the renewal date closes in I’m having no such luck. So I’ve heard match.com hires a few people to peak men’s interest around renewal time, then afterwards these interest peakers disappear back into the woodwork till the next renewal date rolls around.” – Pilm, Reviewer since 2010
“I had my profile hidden and started receiving emails that someone had emailed me. I thought that was odd, since my profile was hidden. I thought it might have been my mistake, so I made sure to hide it again. About a month went by, and again, [I] got an email that someone had contacted me. Yet again, [Match.com] had unhidden my profile, without my consent. Match.com is well know for it’s disreputable business practices.” – richard23, Reviewer since 2010
Hidden fees and billing nightmares
Determined to receive a refund, one reviewer took Match.com to court. He was one of few dissatisfied customers who succeeded in getting his money back.
“Match.com fails to advertise the fact that unless you send emails to 5 different people every month during the six month subscription period, their “6 months free” guarantee does not apply. Also, they automatically renew your membership without any notice and will not refund your money. Great.” - JaneF, Reviewer since 2008
“I signed up for a 30 day membership and they attempted to charge my credit card for a six month membership. When I requested a refund (less my 30 day membership) they refused and were rude throughout the process. I had to take them to small claims court for a measly $99 refund. The only good news was that I prevailed in court. Watch out for their BAIT & SWITCH TACTICS.” – SteveGold, Reviewer since 2011
There is minimal member screening
“Match.com is notorious for creating profiles of people who don’t exist….to get you to subscribe. There is a lot of manipulation behind the scenes. There’s absolutely no screening so it attracts a large pool of married men and online predators.” – WorkingGirl2010, Reviewer since 2010
“If I could have picked 0 stars for Match.com I would. I am both disgusted and frightened about some of the people they freely allow on their site. They say that their members go through a background screening but I doubt that is the case. I met someone on their site who basically lied about everything. I would persuade all women who are going to utilize online dating to do background checks on perspective people because Match isn’t doing it.” – nickels216, Reviewer since 2010
Some races need not apply
“Match.com has continously sent me matches that do not want to date my race, which is very ignorant and offensive. Also, when I conduct a search for people seeking someone like me, most of the men do not want to date black women. I am not upset at the personal choices of the members,but the fact that match.com does a poor job at filtering matches.” – mka1472, Reviewer since 2010
What about those success story commercials?
Many of us have seen the “great first date” TV ads that feature real Match.com users. The happy couple in the above photo from one such ad are just two of the millions of users who have paid for Match.com’s services.
All together, the negative reviews point towards poor customer service and a shoddy website system. It is still possible to meet Mr. (or Ms.) Right on Match.com, you just have to be attractive (by today’s standards), wealthy, and white, say many reviewers. Viewpoints contributors have weighed in twice and the results are the same: Save your pennies and take your love life elsewhere.
Amber Rambharose is a writing intern at Viewpoints. She just graduated from Hollins University with a B.A. in English Literature and will be continuing her studies this fall at the University of Cincinnati.
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Filed under: Consumer Reviews Tagged: match.com reviews, online dating site reviews