i agree with a lot of what i'm reading,but i got to say..i really agree with robin...i find that on many dating sites i'm on.i seem to get email from men who claim to be working in africa,yet say they're from the USA....but see i'm not one to trust too much of anything without hard proof..so i question them,what kind of music do you like.they usually only know one artist from a certain catagory,and i'm thinking no matter what race you are...if you live or lived in the USA you've heard of so many singers...so i basically tell they to step!...and i don't pay for any site because like some of you guys said..i do notice when i leave the site i get so many emails saying..this person want so meet you,etc..i'm like...too damn bad!

This sounds very cool. I only wish I could understand a word of it! Sometimes I feel like we are operating in a different universe from you guys :-)

A brilliant terminology. As used in the sentence, "Thanks to the internet, online dating companies can convey the impression of actual news by issuing Seinfelds."

I, too, had a very difficult time canceling my True.com subscription, but finally managed to do so back in July 2006. However, I just found out today that True.com had charged me fifty bucks (okay, $49.99) two days ago apparently for re-starting a membership I'd canceled back in July. I called their customer service center and had ... well, let's just say it was a "very difficult customer service experience." The rep I talked to said I'd started a three-day "free trial" on November 23 that I didn't cancel, so they charged me the subscription rate. I repeated -- over an over again -- that I didn't start a new membership and I hadn't authorized them to charge my credit card. After several minutes of back and forth (essentially a schoolyard "No, I didn't! -- Yes, you did!" type of argument), the rep transferred me to a supervisor. The supervisor said that I had re-started my subscription by looking at some profile pictures. I emphasized that I had not authorized any charges on my credit card, and I don't ever remember seeing any sort of webpage indicated that any charges would be made to my credit card. Personally, I'm planning to file a small claims court action here in Portland, Oregon where I live. But, I think someone needs to raise a public stink over this somehow. Seems like deceptive trade practices to me. Thanks for posting all the good information, though. I'm also filing a claim with the Texas Attorney General (thanks for the very helpful link, Frederick), and I may even talk to some friends of mine in the legal community about whether a class action lawsuit is warranted.

I doubt that they would pay to get into those reports.

David, are you trying to say that you would like to see dating sites provide similar features as social networking sites? Or do you believe there is a need for a completely revamped, rethought dating site completely?

342 engagements a day is certainly better than eHarmony's 45... but where did you find that number? And which of Meetic's multiple dating platforms and over 50 partners does it include? With all of Meetic's investments and vertical business plays, I wouldn't be surprised if Meetic's engagement/no engagement ratio is actually worse than eHarmony's. Not to say eHarmony is blowing the fish out of the water. I recently did the math on their marriage success ratio at avanoo.wordpress.com. The findings may likely surprise you! -Dan

I think this should be a great venture not only for China but for the whole dating world cause those targeted young people from China will be communications with the whole world. Great example of auditory exchange! Yes there probably will be versions in different languages or Meetic will add a new Chinese directory in its sites.

This clinet is obviously insane. The CGL (commercial General Liability) coverage does not provide coverage for Professional Liability. What you are in fact looking for in a dating service insuranc epolicy is Professional Liability. The Commercial general Liability policy will automatically exclude any "stocker" of likewise situations.

IMBRA And Tahirih Justice Center's Desperate And Troubling Behavior Online-dating relationships essentially involve three distinct, progressive stages: 1. Stage One is the Introduction Stage, in which people first greet each other ("hello"), exchange letters, e-mails, phone calls, etc. 2. Stage Two is the Courtship Stage, in which people actually meet, get to know each other better and advance their relationship. If the couple met via an International Matchmaking Organization (IMO), the gentleman usually travels to meet the lady in her native country. 3. Finally, Stage Three is the Consular Visa Stage. At this time, the couple is engaged (or married), and the lady applies for a fiance(e)/spousal visa so she can move to the U.S. to join her partner (if her visa is approved). IMBRA imposes two extensive criminal background checks on all U.S. male clients of IMOs: 1) at the Introduction Stage (at the level of initial contact) and 2) at the Consular Visa Stage (during fiance(e)/spousal visa application) The two current lawsuits against IMBRA challenge the mandatory background checks at the Introduction Stage, but not at the Consular Visa Stage. It is very important to emphasize that there has been no documented cases of violence against foreign women (by American men who met them via IMOs) during the Introduction and the Courtship Stages. This suggests that for foreign women, there is virtually no threat of violence at these stages. Therefore, it is completely senseless to require unilateral disclosure of personal and criminal information of all American male clients of IMOs at the Introduction Stage (level of initial contact). Foreign women will be adequately protected by having extensive criminal background check done on their fiance(e)s/spouses at the Consular Visa Stage, before they immigrate into this country. The Tahirih Justice Center (the main proponent of IMBRA) have failed to provide any reasonable explanation as to why mandatory background checks must be done at the Introduction Stage, even though there is no threat of harm to foreign women. What is also very disturbing about IMBRA is that Domestic Matchmaking Organizations (DMOs), such as Match.com, are completely exempted from having to do any background checks on male clients, despite numerous cases of brutal murder, rape and torture of women which have occurred as result of contacts "facilitated" by these agencies..... Furthermore, what I find most sickening is Tahirih's desperate and deliberate attempts to defend these exemptions for DMOs in Courts, even though these exemptions, if upheld, would worsen the problem of violence and exploitation against women..... It's obvious that the Tahirih has turned a blind and self-serving eye to this appalling problem.

IMBRA And Tahirih Justice Center's Destructive And Hysterical Behavior In the last post, "IMBRA And Tahirih Justice Center's Hypocrisy", I have shown (that) there is no justification to force unilateral release of personal and criminal information of all American male clients of International Matchmaking Organizations (IMOs) at the time of initial contact because at that stage, there is no risk of harm to foreign women. I have also stated that unlike IMOs, Domestic Matchmaking Organizations (DMOs), such as Match.com and Friendfinder.com, are given a complete exemption (or a "free pass") on having to do any background checks on their male clients. Proponents of IMBRA justify these "free passes" by claiming that in DMO-facilitated relationships, men and women are charged and treated the same and therefore, the balence of power is not skewed to empower the male client. As result, they claim, there is less risk for abuse in these relationships. This assertion is a complete hogwash - in fact, all evidence indicate that there is a significant threat of harm against women and girls as result of these initial contacts made via DMOs. There have been numerous documented cases of brutal murder, rape, torture and exploitation which have occurred as result. Here are some examples: (1) A 14 year old girl met a 37 year old man in an American Online Chatroom in 2000. The man was convicted of taking her across state lines to have sex with her. http://www.dangersofinternetdating.com/int...tcrimelinks.htm (2) A 13 year old girl, Christina Long, was murdered by a 25 year old man she met in an American Online Chatroom. He has confessed to strangling her. http://www.dangersofinternetdating.com/int...tcrimelinks.htm (3) The body of a young woman who posted her profile in myspace.com was found near Richmond, VA. The suspect is a man whom she met through myspace.com. http://www.bobparsons.com/october2005.html (4) A 13 year old girl was killed by a 47-year old SanDiego man (who later committed suicide) whom she met in an internet chat room. http://www.bobparsons.com/october2005.html (5) An affluent real-estate agent in California is charged with with raping three women, two of whom he met through MillionaireMatch.com, a domestic marriage broker. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ia/15833372.htm (6) A man has been charged with raping 10 women in the Philadelphia area. He met these women via Match.com Hey Tahirih, why isn't Match.com regulated? http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=...&id=4713302 (7) A man is charged with having sex with minor, whom he met via MySpace.com http://www.nbc5.com/news/10205650/detail.html# These are just a few examples of hundreds of vicious murder, rape, torture and exploitation against women and girls which have occurred as result of contacts facilitated by DMO's. Many of these horrifying acts of violence may have been prevented if DMOs were forced to do extensive personal and criminal background checks on their male clients. Now, here is the most heinous part - Tahirih Justice Center, a main proponent of IMBRA, has been fighting in the court of law to preserve these exemptions for DMOs, despite the fact that these "free passes" have enabled many cases of horrendous rape, torture and exploitation against women to occur. We can not let Tahirih prevail regarding these exemptions because if Tahirih gets its way, it will allow murderers, sexual predators, pedophiles and premeditated torturers a free pass to find their next victims. Tahirih's behavior has been deplorable and deeply destructive to efforts to protect women and girls. Therefore, I urge everyone to fight against Tahirih Justice Center's efforts to preserve exemptions for DMOs. .....Now I come to think of it, this is the same Tahirih Justice Center that recently appeared on a case of false and fabricated rape/abuse claim (against David Dickerson, WJLA, Scott Thuman reporting) and hysterically cried "immigrant woman abuse!". And guess what? Now, they are desperately defending IMBRA exemptions (for DMOs) which would allow a "free pass" for murderers, rapists, pedophiles and premeditated torturers to find their next victims. So Tahirih, which side are you on - are you FOR or AGAINST women's protection?

Add Me, Need Hot Sexy Friends

Add Me, I Need Sexy Hot Friends

Christine's comment matches my customer experiences with online dating services. I'd really like to think there was a way to screen and see valid profiles from a service that actually screened women and men so that when you say you are looking for a HWP gal interested in mathematics and whatever you don't get a billion search results that key'd on something stupid like hiking. And I personally appreciat that she said it was cruel. It is. It hurts alot when you register in the hopes of finding a special friend or partner only to meet with rejection and disappointment.

I don't know, I think the Match ads on MySpace are really effective -- they create intrigue. Unfortunately you don't get anything that exciting when you get to Match. I'm kind of interested in whether Match and True marketing on MySpace will improve the dismal male/female ratios on the former.

Not likely they would get their money back. However, I must say that these product placements in movies and TV shows are a perfect "Match" for these types of websites. PerfectMatch.com gained 200,000 new members when Doctor Phil mentioned their name on his program. Now, look who has him as their spokesperson, "Match.com". Movies and shows work very well for websites. No products to ship to the set, viewers instantly know where to go when they see the placement, and the residual effect of the placement continues with show's syndication and DVD sales. More often than not, the exposure is worldwide.

Hi Nicole, Please send me an email address to jim_houran@yahoo.com and I will be happy to share a reprint. Thx, James Houran, Ph.D. OnlineDatingMagazine.com

I give up. Why do you like this shirt?

Check out http://kissordiss.com/ It's a hot or not clone with video! Video rating on youtube sucks, this page does it right: FUN!

I dunno if the price seems so out of whack. I do know that I personally cannot afford $10k--but I've always been told a fair amount to sell your business for is 5x gross--which would put the hippie site at a premium.

Has anyone who filed a fraud report with their credit card company actually gotten their money refunded?? I had the same $49.99 + $1.99 charges with no hope for refund from them. EVIL, I tell you.

True.com is PURE EVIL. And I am not even kidding. I am completely speechless. I cancelled my "free trial", they told me I still had free time through December, I said I didn't want it, but of course they kept sending me emails. I responded to one (asking what his user name meant -- and even though I'd received a steady stream of emails from him for days, the one response I sent was greeted with a "sorry, I'm pursuing other people, but good luck" message... whaaa?) with the understanding that I was still on my "free" trial. Was charged $49.99 plus $1.99 for some sort of "counseling" fee (???). Called to cancel (for the 3rd time) and have the $51 credited, but was told "I cannot, because your account does not stipulate a credit." Supposedly "every email" they send states that replying to it will reactivate my account. Maybe it did, but I sure don't remember seeing that in the fine print. Either way, they are completely evil and NOT customer friendly. STAY AWAY. Do not be suckered in, it is NOT worth it!!!!!!

Whatever you do, stay away from "Together Dating" or "The Right One" dating services. They matched me with an obese woman, then stopped providing working numbers period. Non-working phone numbers, girls not returning phone calls, matchmaking reps who can't remember what they told you one week to the next, etc. STAY AWAY. If it was just a small monthly fee that I was taken for, I would just go somewhere else, but these people charge decent bucks for a service they don't provide.

Hi Dave, I was reading your post on dating.corante.com. I need some help with my dating side. Could you take a look casualsearch.comto see if you can help me. Thanks Tom

Out of whack? Its 3x annual earnings. It is strange to me that some people seem to expect relatively low multiples in the Internet World these days. Why is that? I doubt any brick and mortar would sell for less than 3x!!! 10x was the norm during the .com heyday. The Nasdaq lists many companies trading at 10-100x Annual earnings!