Is IT’S JUST LUNCH Dating Service a Scam?

110 thoughts on “Is IT’S JUST LUNCH Dating Service a Scam?”

• To WW who mentioned 60 Minutes and the others who mentioned news channels: I am supposed to start their training in the next few weeks and then do Sales for them. How about someone “accompany me” thru out my training and initial weeks on the job? I think that could blow this out of the water and/or determine if it is more so the locations or some other reason because I am am great at phone sales and people but I do business the reputable way. This was a great business idea and it is so sad to see it go to trash. Let’s get it live and on tape! Let me know here!

• I signed up and have very angry since the first date set up. I too asked for a refund and was rudely denied. Every person who works there has a nasty rude attitude. They say your input is important but every communication has a condescending smart alek tone. I am looking to take them to arbitration and perhaps class action lawsuit. DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS SERVICE!

• IJL is a scam
  I’ve had the same experience
  I get transferred and have now been through 5 managers
  They say they can’t give a refund because the contract hasn’t been broken
  Yet who protects us? They took advantage in setting clients up with just anyone
  How is that legal and tolerable

  I’ve not launched a cc dispute
  I’ve attempted to contact the VP I was told to call and then said I couldn’t speak to
  I have heard since the aggrevation of dealing with this company it’s a scam

  How do we all ban together and expose them
  This shouldn’t continue

• I completely agree with all the comments. Shame on me for not doing more research. I guess I finally wore down too from all the phone calls trying to get me to join. I should have known better.

  I would highly advise you NOT to enroll. It’s a total scam. It took forever to find my first match and the sales pitch is that they need women and were about to turn men down. Total false reperesentation. There appear to be far more women enrolled than men. The men seemed to have a plethora of opportunities.

  The matches they sent me with seemed absolutely ridiculous. I am not sure what they were basing it on. When I requested a particular faith…Christain they told me people can respect my faith blah, blah, blah and then grow in it with me. They insisted I be open minded and they would work on making the next match more appropriate. The next match…. An atheist. Not to mention the times I mentioned not want a divorced person- the four, yes, only four dates were all divorced. Every time (only four) I called with feedback I would get some condescending remark as well.

  Save your money. It’s a total bust. I’d be happy to be involved in a larger fight to save others from the same terrible mistake I made.

• Everything indicated by others is true, it is a sham. They throw you with anyone who joins. No one lined up with my request nor did I align with there wish listed. They sell a great story and that is all it is a tall tail. I had revolving representatives for they kept quieting, they never read the comment survey because nothing changed. They even matched me with a man who was a father to a five year old who’s mother died of aids. Make your own assumptions of his health. I would never recommend and the tv show they appear on should show the truth. Unfortunately the single world has become a money making market praying on people desires. This company is just as bad as Match, eharmony and all other websites. Those that use maybe 1% are true but the rest only use it as hook up site. I have had men tell me to my face that is all these site our free service calls.

  Amazing what happened to integrity, moral and ethic…oh yah greed and creeps out number the good people

• We are pretty much debt collectors with a snazzy title of “Dating Specialists” and call you over and over without ever respecting past call logs or information. Even if the potential client asked to be removed from call list, we are discouraged to do so. We also lie to potential clients to get them to sign on, telling them we have a “ton” of clients in their area but we will only have a handful.

  We are not cupid, and though we have some success stories…..the goal is the payment. We do not care if you said you are dating, or asked to not be called, we will pass your file over in a few days to be called again.

• I would agree that’s it IS a total scam!!
  They misrepresented all the matches they had for me — and didn’t really want to listen to the feedback I provided. It was a wasted $1,800 investment. The person that signed me up (Staci) called me every day until I paid, promising me these “great” matches she had lined up, then did not return any of my calls when my first date did not go well. I went through four managers in nine months!!

• I think we should all get together and hire a lawyer to protect others from this scam! It’s Just Lunch??….No, it’s just Fraud!!. I don’t even want to get into my story…Let’s just say I have spent hours and hours and hours trying to get my monies back….If it wasn’t my own money, time and disappointment, this whole thing would be a perfect script for a sitcom!!

• I agree- I would be happy to hire a lawyer – I am in the process of getting my money back as well! I joined in September and have been on EXACTLY ONE DATE from then until today 2/17/14!! They are such liars, they never ever get back to you- they take advantage of people in their most vulnerable times. When I was deciding whether or not to sign up- I had the sales rep – Cynthia calling me back each day; some days she called twice- at all times of the night! She answered my emails right away, etc. They got me exactly one date with someone who does not even live in NY- where I live. Of course, i did not know that until after I took off a day from work, bought an outfit, spent money and time on a train ride from Long Island, money for the lunch,etc– and he was nothing like the type of man I had asked for. They lied about all of it! I even did what i was required to do and went back to the city for my personal “meet up” interview. Another day off from work, train fair, etc. that was the last I have heard from them except for a date they tried to set up in January who cancelled two weeks in a row on me- who knows if he even existed!

• I could not agree more with everyone on here….it is a SCAM! I have been bounced around with different dating directors and neither of them will call or email me back. Once I said I was disputing the charges in order to get a refund, I was told that the regional manager for my area would get in touch with me and still no one has. I have only been with them for 45 days and I think I have spoken to a person 3 times and it was to reschedule my first date (which only lasted 8 minutes!!!) It is a gross waste of money, and as far as I’m concerned, it is a breach of contract! Do not use this service!!!!

• Everything told above is true. IJL is nothing but SCAM.
  I wanted to discontinue and get out of contract, fed up with their lies.
  It’s going to be 1 year since I enrolled and I only met up with 5 – only 1 matched a requirement I put up in beginning – and he told me he has dates set up almost every day!
  They do not have people they claim they do.
  It’s clearly a breach of contract.
  It’s a disgusting company and feel shame for those who work there.
  Interacting with them is the worst experience of my life.
  DO NOT JOIN. WASTE OF MONEY, TIME AND EMOTION.

• I’ll join your class-action law suit!! My first date was a “dud” and based on what I am reading don’t expect anything better >:( I have my “meet and greet” tomorrow….expecting more BS smoke and mirrors. GRRRRRRRR

• I had a strong hunch that IJL was a scam, and I feel ridiculous for having given them money. My experience was in San Diego, and it was a short one. I was matched up with two perfectly attractive, perfectly nice women. In fact we had very pleasant dates. Sounds good right? Wrong. In the course of both of these dates, I discovered that these women were friends of the person who signed me up (a couple of drinks loosens your tongue). And while they were fine dates, it was clearly a scam to look like they have more clients than they do. Despite having pleasant date experiences, neither women make the slightest effort to stay in contact. I’m sure it’s because they didn’t actually pay for the service.

  I was outraged. But just like the rest of you, I was unable to get my money back. If anyone decides to file a class action lawsuit, please count me in.

• They have no sense of where you live and where they arrange dates
  Their sales people are worse than the worst used car sales people and have no idea of what they are selling or who you are
  The need to use maps (any map) to understand the geography
  They need to be able to answer the phone using a human. Tomorrow is never soon enough when things are not working
  Suspend your account, but they will charge your card anyway
  It is a Very bad business. Too expensive for what is delivered.

  Dont even think about it. It is very bad.

• I have been scam by this company as well! I been on 1 date in 6 months. Every time a date is supposedly set up, my date conveniently cancels 3 times in the row!! I am demanding a full refund! Is there a class action law suit.. Can someone please contact me, thanks!!

• I want my money back..THIS DATING SERVICE ISA JOKE! Can someone contact me please..

• I’m so glad I found this site! I’m furious and feel like a complete idiot! Much to my dismay I signed up for It’s Just Lunch after numerous phone calls from Vicki. I call her “My cheerleader”. Spunky Vicki happened to catch on a vulnerable day and I signed up. I’ll tell ya…this girl was good! She could sell snow to an eskimo!.
  This was on 12/9/13. Since I’m $2,800.00 poorer and have been on ONE DATE!! The second date cancelled bc he had to go out of the country on business…..it was never rescheduled. The next date cancelled three times!! I’ve gone through three contact people!!
  What really makes me mad is that ironically I’m a Police Detective in the City of Philadelphia. I should of know better!
  They prey on people’s lonliness and the need for love…..total scumbags!

• I joined IJL at the beginning of the year. I paid $2850. Even though its only been a couple of months, I have been extremely disappointed in the service I’ve been offered. My phone calls and emails go ignored. They’ve made me repeat my preferences over and over again because they don’t seem to be listening when I talk to them. I was set up on one date the first week I signed up, and since then, NOTHING. dead silence. When I called to inquire, I was told my dating coordinator was recently promoted and that was the reason for her not responding. UMM..why is that my problem? If I’m paying almost $3k for someone to give me personalized attention, that’s what I expect. Now, I’m supposed to be waiting for the new dating coordinator to set up a match for me. I feel stuck, because I don’t have a choice but to wait and see what happens. I feel like a complete idiot not doing the proper research. but in my defense, I had seen a friend go through this process last year snd she got excellent results. She met this great guy through IJL and she’s been dating him for 6 months now. Obviously, I jumped the guy when I saw how great it worked out for her. Guess I am out of $3k and all I can do is voice my opinion on this website in hopes that it will help someone else avoid making the same mistake I did.

• I would have to agree with all the comments here. I signed up about 6 months ago and have had three dates so far. The guys, while lovely, were nothing like I had specified and despite outlining the issues in my feedback, nothing changed. I also never got feedback about the dates from my ‘advisor’. The other real issues i had with my dating advisor was her rudeness. I cannot answer my cell phone in working hours and she repeatedly called me during these times despite my insistence that I couldn’t answer. Her response was to tell me that if I didn’t want to make time in my schedule for dating that she would put my account on hold. I just couldn’t believe it. She never answers the phone and all emails I receive are generic. To top it all off, I just got back from a ‘date’ where the other party just didn’t show up. Of course, there was no way that I could contact the service cause they don’t answer their phone or emails. For anyone thinking of joining up in the future- I would think long and hard about it before wasting your time, energy and money. I would happily join any suit against IJL.

• Agreed with all the comments, I am out 2,550.00 paid in full, no one answers the phone and no one replies to emails, I have been through 4 dating specialists in 30 days. I could not be more annoyed. I will join a class action suit against this company in a heartbeat. I have asked for a refund from about 2 weeks in, I even emailed them asking if their service was a scam. Worst customer service EVER. I could have this aggravation and poor matches from a FREE website.

• These people are just atrocious. I’m over a year in and still have not had my 10 dates. Despite repeated attempts to get a manager on the phone, I have not been able to do so.

  Aside from the otherwise horrible customer service and dates, these geniuses set me up to get drinks for one of my ‘dates’ at a BYO. Unreal.

• Well, it seems like I’m joining a choir of voices, all repeating exactly the same experiences. My question now is this: Who’s spearheading the lawsuit?? Do these comments represent a nationwide sentiment? I’m in the DC area, and just signed up for the service a few months ago. I stupidly called at a moment of vulnerability, and was worn down by my matchmaker — who I also have never spoken to again.

  I was promised that, after they had “reviewed my criteria,” that they could do something for me, that they have plenty of viable men that are exactly what I’m looking for: smart, good-looking in the geeky way I like, tall, athletic or slim, ready to have children. I have been placed with men who already have grown kids, who look more like my father than my date, who I’m not remotely attracted to and in no way represent the very specific physical criteria I described. And each time I tell them that I was not remotely attracted to my date, they pretend to be shocked when there is no possible way they think these guys are attractive, either. The first time I voiced my serious concern over the amount I’m paying per month vs. their inability to match the intake information I provided them, my scheduler said “well, we think he’s attractive.” I had to reiterate that whether or not they think my date is attractive is not the issue — they are supposed to be utilizing the intake information I provided them.

  It is quite clear that they are misrepresenting themselves. They state they will match you to your exact requirements, then throw you with just anyone — men I not only men I’m not attracted to (ie sending me on dates with bald men when i said I’m not attracted to bald men), but ones with whom I have absolutely nothing in common.

  I don’t want my money back, but I do want out of my contract, which states that as long as they get me a date a month, they are doing their job. Who pays over $300 per month, not including travel and parking and everything else, for one date a month?? AND IJL reserves the right to determine the cancellation, not the client. I asked them, with all professionalism and calm, to reevaluate, honestly, whether or not they believe they can do something for me, as they had claimed initially, and if not to let me go so that no one’s time — not mine, theirs, or the men they match me to — is wasted. They said they would reconsider my position, and of course they came back to me and said they want to keep trying (ie, taking my money). And since then, it’s been the same thing — inappropriate men and their complete dismay that I’m not head over heels. In fact, they’ve gotten even further off the mark since that discussion!

  Even though I’m not seeking to be reimbursed, just seeking to get out of the contract, I will happily join any lawsuit as well.

• It’s so good to get a reality check from people who are STILL complaining about It’s Just Lunch. Robbers. I fell for this ‘idea’ in 2010. $900 later I have nothing to show for it except a couple of horrific, boring, mediocre dates with little, feminine men. I cannot believe this, but there are actually It’s Just Lunch locations that are BBB accredited. Can it be?? Monsters. I’m still waiting for this company to be brought to their knees on broken glass. Thank you all for breathing life into this ongoing fight for our rights.

• I wish I would’ve done my research beforehand as I do with all other major purchases. I hate to admit I found this website about the IJL SCAM way too late. I, too, have been taken advantage of. No need for me to provide the details as my story is similar to all of the other stories here. For those of you fortunate to stumble across this website BEFORE forking out your hard earned dollars, keep your money in your pocket. IJL will NOT meet your expectations. I’m angry at IJL, but I’m also angry at myself for wasting my money. I could’ve bought new furniture!!!

• If you’re within 60 days of signing up, you MAY be able to file a dispute with your credit card company as long as you’ve tried to obtain a refund from IJL first. Give it a try. Unfortunately, I was beyond the 60 day limit.

• I joined 3/31/14 and largely blame myself for not doing my research and paying attention to the initial red flags. The first guy I spoke to, Jace, rescheduled our interview several times so it delayed me in getting started. We finally went through the interview and I made my payment of $2500. I was contacted within a few days by my director who set me up on a date for the following week. The day of my date (which I was very excited about by the way) I received a call from IJL stating my date had an emergency & had to cancel and my director would call me to reschedule or set me up with someone else. Nearly a week went by and I had not heard from her so I emailed her and was told she moved to a different position and would pass my info on to my new director. Another week went by & I heard nothing so I reached out to Jace to get his help. He apologized and said he would research. Silence for another week which brings us to 30 days since I signed up and I have not gone on one date. I called to cancel and was transferred to my new director who basically refused to cancel my services. She told me she had 3 guys in mind and would check their availability and get back to me quickly. a week later & I have not heard a thing from her again.
  It sounds like the odds of me getting my money back are slim to none so if anyone has had success in getting a refund or has started to take legal action, I would be very interested in learning more & participating.

• Maybe we should all get together…bet we’d find a match!
  I just cancelled my “dues.” VERY frustrated with the service. I wanted to believe in it though because my sister met her husband through the service. She’s the only success story I know about from them though.

• I also Am interested in partaking in the lawsuit against this SCAM company. I was set up on 0 dates within the first month- requested my money back- filed a dispute with my credit card company. Fought with the constant calls AFTER I filed the dispute. They LIED to my credit card company and told them I was set up. Its a shame…. True Shame

• I’m starting to wish I had done more research, too. I joined recently and am having experiences similar to those above. My first date, thankfully, was not a total bust even though there was no chemistry and neither of us have made an effort to get in touch again. The last 2, though, didn’t happen. 2nd had called the restaurant to cancel which I only learned after I got there. The 3rd one, I called the restaurant first because it was going to be a commitment of time for me to go into the city from the suburbs, to find that the restaurant did not have a reservation for us at all and that my “date” had called earlier trying to find out which day it was and given the same info. So, I said, I was not coming and should my date show up, to please extend my apologies. I’m not ready to give up yet, though. My senior consultant did answer my email on the weekend, and we’re to speak tomorrow. I’m still in “wait and see” mode.

• I am very sorry to hear everyone’s experiences here. I just did my “initial” consult and did not sign up. They quoted me $7500 for one year! She said this membership was he best fit. When I told her I would never pay that, she said ok well we have another membership. In fact this one is better for you (her whole thing was placing me in the best membership after talking to me) she says (then why didn’t you suggest it the first time!). For $2,900 I can only get local matches (which is all I wanted anyway), but I don’t get to see any pictures of them. I pretty much would have to pay $7500 to see pictures!!! So, I said it is like a blind date then? She said no, you get some profile information on them just not pictures. She gave me the same garbage of 10 guaranteed dates and I would not need more than that b/c they are personally matching for me and I would be meeting quality men.

  I am running FAR, FAR AWAY after reading all your comments. I guess now she will be calling back and hounding me to join.

  Google this service again. It appears a few days ago a class action suit was filed.

• I too have been scammed by IJL. After being referred by someone I knew, I called to get more info. When they gave me the price, I told them I didn’t want to pay that much. The sales person was very good at convincing me that it would be well worth it and asked me to send her my picture while we were on the phone.

  After seeing my picture and asking me what type of man I was hoping for, she said she had the perfect guy for me. She made him out to be like George Clooney, so I took the bait. When I went on my date, I was shocked to see that not only was he much shorter, heavier and way less attractive than she lead me to believe, but he was DEAF AND LEGALLY BLIND!!

  We also had absolutely nothing in common. After my date, I immediately requested a full refund, and was told that since I didn’t send my notice of cancellation to them within the 3 day period, there was nothing they could do, except try harder next time. I told them that there was no way I would agree to put myself through another date without at least seeing a picture first, but they told me all their dates are blind dates (no pun intended), but if I wanted to upgrade for an additional fee, they could do that.

  I am now in the process of filing a claim with the Attorney General’s office in hopes of putting this company out of business so other people don’t get scammed by them.

• I also wanted to let other victims know that there is a class action suit being handled by an attorney named John Balestriere, who I just contacted to get more info from.

• Total scam! If anyone can provide more info about the class action please do.

• Sarah, I just went to the website. Here’s what I learned.

  http://www.balestrierefariello.com/john-balestriere-featured-in-fox-5-piece-on-its-just-lunch/

  There is a link at the bottom to write to John Balestriere for more information.

  I am hoping to also be included in the Class Action against It’s Just Lunch.

• Thank you. I was in the process of joining IJL in Michigan but decided against after reading all these reviews. As complex as dating can be for the amount of money they are asking I would expect a higher level of success/service.

• It seems impossible how to describe this “service.” Let me try by adding JUST the latest email to IJL who not only has delivered NOTHING, they are holding my money ransom because I have not yet sued them and are counting on it. Here is the latest of *many* emails:

  “I have been home for 6+ weeks and didn’t hear a peep from IJL about a single date, my schedule or what you’re doing to rectify this miserable situation.
  I am sure you and the IJL employees are nice, funny, smart people, and if I knew you on a personal level, I’m sure I’d dig your large personalities and kinship (seriously). I have no doubt you’re all doing the best you can going to work everyday, and I genuinely appreciate this.
  On a professional level, I am going to keep giving the same honest feedback that I have until I get the legal, ethical and financial recourse rightfully due to me:

  1) ____, we are not well suited to work together professionally, for you as my dating coordinator. I’ve expressed this to IJL and I’m sure it’s something you already know as well. (Not all personalities click, and at this point, what could you honestly say to my dates about me if you were being honest? It would be difficult to find something nice.) ***For $2,500 I expect this request to be honored.***

  2) This is a fiduciary relationship. If IJL was my business, I’d long be reported to the BBB for lack of service deliverables, and I’d be preparing for a serious lawsuit. If you were any other industry, you’d be investigated, cited and shut down/fined. IJL seems to think they have its clients/me by the cajones in keeping our money hijacked. ***For $2,500 I expect IJL to be delivering. They are not.***

  3) However, I intend to make sure that this does not continue to happen to me. I’ve respectfully asked AT LEAST 4 times for a *warranted* refund, and met with–literal–silence on my clear justification (circumvented, canned, non response-responses do not and will not deter me). Not only do I despise this business tactic, it would not work in any other industry and it won’t work here. I will not only be reporting IJL to the BBB, I will continue to post absolutely 100% truthful online reviews that exposes IJL for what it is. I will surely save many people from throwing $2,500 out the window. ***For $2,500 I expect respect for my money as well as myself, and integrity. It has not happened.***

  Coincidentally, I will be in Florida fairly soon. If I do not receive a full client refund, I will be contacting IJL’s local news agencies, the BBB, and posting more truth-exposing reviews as a current IJL client. I am literally telling you what I’m going to do.

  These are the actions of recourse I will HAVE to use because IJL’s utter lack of business ethic. I do not know how much more clear I can be, and I actually feel like I am being nice since I am not trying to hide or impart any empty lawsuit threats that I am not yet committed to pursuing.

  Please refund my $2,500 by Sept 30, 2014, and I will no longer be IJL’s client nor act as if I was still (an unhappy, indignant) one on mission to save others from getting scammed out of their money. ***For $2,500, I expect IJL to realize they don’t need my money that badly, which certainly will take more than $2,500 in “damage control” marketing funds to un-do.***

  Sincerely,
  P.S. All information about my experience as written in this email is honest, fair and accurate; so much so that I feel totally confident that I have nothing to hide when posting it verbatim on online reviews and in my investigation/inquiry letters — so none of it should be a surprise when you see it in other sources.”

• I joined IJL Washington almost 7 months ago now and I, too, wish I’d done more research. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a scam, it was definitely a poor investment and did not come anywhere close to living up to my expectations based on the “sales pitch”. They have a very unbalanced ratio of women to men, and had extreme difficulty coming up with the contracted minimum of 1 date/month. Their “matchmaking” was not as good as I’d hoped and they paired me up with a few people with whom I really had nothing in common, and based on distance between me and all of my dates, almost all would have been rather difficult to even consider getting together with a second time to see if even a friendship might develop. I also heard from several of the men that they were charged much less than the women. Oh well, water under the bridge, but I would definitely NOT recommend joining.

• I paid $3600 for matches, not one date has had what I’m looking for, this is most certainly a scam. I asked for my money back and they refused and said I signed a contract, it was not signed just my driver license number. I wish I looked into this service more carefully before I joined and paid so much money for nothing! I think there a not enough men in Victoria available for women and they are sending me on dates with anyone!

• I joined IJL in September 2014 and paid a very hefty fee for my “private search” status, which was the only option provided to me. I’m not allowed to tell you how much I paid but let’s say it started with 4 and had 3 digits after it, no decimals.

  For that kind of money, I was GUARANTEED 6 dates in 6 months, whichever came longer – up to 18 potentials provided. Does not seem like a lot, I know, and I attempted to negotiate a better deal, but they operate on an all or nothing mentality, very little negotiating, at least for women – perhaps they’re different with men. I assumed because of the high price that they would have professional executive men of the caliber I was seeking and I was ASSURED by the person who signed me up that they did.

  She was really good – and I don’t mean that positively. She played on my vulnerabilities, knew just what to say, how to rope me in, hook line and sinker. I trusted her. It is now 4 months later, and I have only been presented 4 men, all of whom were not attractive, were not executive professionals, and who had very few, if any, of the criteria I had expressly told them I was seeking.

  IJL further makes it impossible for you to contact anyone to complain. You only have access to your personal consultant. The person who signed you up never speaks to you again after they’ve gotten your signature on the dotted line. I have had absolutely no ROI and they make it impossible to refund – I am still in that argument. They have written their contract to make it open ended for them if they don’t find you anyone – open ended – forever.

  They give you all the assurances that they’ll find you someone, but it is up to them how long. That is not right! Don’t do it! Stick with online dating! At least then you know what you’re in for.

• I am glad I found this site! I was scammed once before by a dating business, but IJL sounded like a good plan. I called for information. After a 30 minute hoopla about all the dates I would have, and giving them my name, address and phone numbers as well as telling them my dating preferences; she quietly mentioned that the price would be $4,800 for 9 dates. She then continued to extoll the virtues of the company. After all that, I had to ask again to verify the price. When I said I was going to think about it, she said they had a cheaper plan of 4 dates for $2000. I decided to do my due diligence and have found mostly negative comments about this company. From the comments, it sounds like it could even be the same company that scammed me before under a new name (That one cost me $5000). they are calling back tomorrow! I am going to pass! Thanks everyone. I am sorry for your losses. By the way, If this company is Elove under a new name, I will join the lawsuits!

• Thank you all, I am sorry for you all broken hope bye it’s just launch, they almost catch me, wanting 10k,

• Do not sign up for It’s Just Lunch.The premise is good….they just do not deliver. Like the people from the other reviews, I was sold on a false promise of “many, many” dates. My sales person, Catherine had several in mind who would be perfect right off the bat. For $2800 I was guaranteed a minimum of 5 dates over a one year period. Before signing the contract I was told that there were many men in my age group in Boston. I would have more dates then I could handle! There have been 4 dates in a year. Not one of them have lived in the Boston area. None of them fit the criteria that I listed for my dates. Three of the four in were restaurants outside of Boston.They ask for feedback after the date, but I do not believe they even look at it.

  I was called the other day for my fifth date. (I’m getting to the end of my year.) Well, he doesn’t fit my profile requests. I told Boston Director Erica, how disappointed I was in their service. I did not want this gentleman to be my fifth and most probably last date. She told me that whether I went or not it would be counted as my fifth date. I asked to speak with the Supervisor. I received a call from Kevin the next day. There was absolutely no customer service here, or caring about his client. As cold as could be, he told me to re-read the contract. That was my fifth date, period. I explained my disappointment with their service. He couldn’t have cared less. And this man is their manager? Company’s don’t succeed with customer service like this.

• Feb. 2015
  complete scam. I am prepared to sue them if i don’t get my money back. I had one date..He paid nothing, so he had nothing to loose. We met for the dinner. I had a salad..he had a meal and drank so the big sport said he will give the tip. He informed me before the check came that the policy was to split the bill.
  He also lived an hour and half away by train so he was in a rush.
  Please people, save your money. This company is really a total scam. They get you a date, you can’t speak to the person beforehand, and they just get you a body of the opposite sex.
  This company should be closed down.

• I’ve contacted these guys as well and am hoping to join them..
  http://www.balestrierefariello.com/john-balestriere-featured-in-fox-5-piece-on-its-just-lunch/

• Chay:

  That story’s from 2012. Did they ever file suit?

• This is a terrible service, and DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!

  My experience with IJL has been unconscionably poor!!

  Sandra, the Matchmaker, told many things that would occur once I joined–highly personalized and attentive service, blah, blah, blah.

  She told me I would hear the next day about my new date. Of course, this never happened. I had multiple questions, attempted to call multiple times–calling Stephanie the coordinator, and Sandra, and did not hear from them until 4 calendar days later. The date was set up via an exchange of voicemails–no human to human communication occurred.

  The coordinator was stupid enough to set up a date in DC, when both of us lived in Maryland–it never once occurred to her to ask, and set something up that was convenient.

  Ok, so the first date happens. Its fine. He’s a total bore. I had already scheduled my Meet and Greet for a few days later. I have questions post the date, because they misrepresented me to him, and misrepresented him to me. They got both of our information wrong–and I wanted to know what they had told him about me. Of course, I go through the exercise of calling–no humans ever, left multiple voicemails to the coordinator Stephanie, to the Matchmaker Sarah, no response.

  Come to the Meet and Greet. Done by Krista, the President. A worthless session, where she asked meaningless and irrelevant questions, did not seem to understand my answers, never created any rapport with me, and the session appeared to be very rushed.

  Two days after this Meet and Greet, I called Patty, the COO, requesting to cancel my service and get my $$ refunded. I spoke to her directly on the phone, told her that I had been a member for LESS THAN ONE FULL WEEK, and wanted out of the program. She said she would talk to Krista, and call me back the next day.

  Next day, no response. In fact, nothing for one full week. I then received a generic note in the mail from Patty stating that she had put my membership on “hold” indefinitely, and never responded to my request for cancellation.

  I then immediately left messages for Patty and Krista. Krista sent me a letter stating that “the contract says its not-refundable”!!!!

  I HAD BEEN A MEMBER FOR ONLY THREE DAYS!
  I thought the service was atrocious, anything but attentive and personal, and was completely disgusted with the product these people had sold me.

  It seemed reasonable to me that any company with a modicum of service ethic would refund my $$. I have nothing nice to say about them. Why would they want to keep me as a member? They don’t!!!! ALL THEY WANT IS TO STEAL MY MONEY!!

  This organization is a scam and the DC office has terrible people in it.

  DON’T DO THIS!

• It is an amazing scam. The service set me up three times. All of them complete misses from my profile. The final straw was when they set me up with a woman who openly admitted hating animals. I am a Veterinarian. That says it all.

• I cannot believe that I signed a contract with If It’s Lunch yesterday! I signed up at about 11:30am and requested a cancel about 9 hrs. later that day. I called this morning and the lady said that it shouldn’t be a problem to cancel as I hadn’t started receiving any services yet, that if anything I may be charged $100 just for talking with her, and that it would take 3 days to refund my money. I breathed a sign of relief, because after reading all the reviews I was sick to my stomach. She said she would forward my cancellation email to the head office. A couple of hours later she called back telling me that she couldn’t believe it but Georgia didn’t have a cancellation policy and that she has spent 2hrs doing everything she could for me. I became very upset and she ended by saying that she was able to refund $800.00 from the $2000.00. I asked her if “You’re a good company, as you’re saying, then why won’t you refund me the money…I haven’t even used your services…all you did was sign me up yesterday?” She tried to convince me to continue with their service because she wanted to prove that it worked. That all the reviews I’d read were people making things up. I continued asking her to please refund my money, and I understood if they had to deduct $100.00 for her time of signing me up. She said she would go back and see what she could do for me. After everything I am reading on here about getting refunds, I am so unsettled about it happening. How can we contact Oprah, Forbes etc. and have them expose these people?

• Elizabeth:

  If you paid by credit card, contact your credit card company immediately and request a chargeback. They are very helpful and put the burden on the company to justify why you should not get your entire amount back. In addition, depending on what state you are in, your Attorney General may require companies to provide a full refund if services are cancelled within a day or two.

  Let us know how it goes!

• Yes, I contacted my credit card company last night to stop the charge from going through, but they had already processed it and the credit card company said they couldn’t stop the process, but that once it processed they could start a Fraud Claim on it. I am in Georgia, but the person I talked with from It’s Just Lunch was in Florida. Apparently there are If It’s Lunch franchises which doesn’t seem that the main company wants to “appear” to be a part of because when I told her of the negative reviews she said, “Oh those must be from Atlanta and that’s a franchise.” I don’t know if that’s some kind of loop-hole for them. I will still contact the Attorney General of Georgia to see what can be done.
  Fox 5 news apparently did a piece on the complaints on this Company back in Feb. of 2014 and this was in the article: In 2007, the company settled a case with then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The Attorney General said the company was charging more than they were allowed under state law. It’s Just Lunch paid $47,000 in fines.

  The Better Business Bureau gives It’s Just Lunch an “F” rating with 162 complaints filed against the company nationwide.