It's Just Lunch

IJL provides a unique way to meet new people you would never have crossed paths with. Most of us revolve within the same circles, depending upon common contacts or friends of existing friends. IJL provides a way to break out of this shell and meet new people, with all of the planning done for you.

March 21, 2014
 
Revdex.com of Wisconsin
[redacted]
ID: [redacted]
 
Dear Ms. [redacted],
This letter is in regard to Ms.[redacted]’ membership with It’s Just Lunch (IJL). She purchased a membership with a company called [redacted] DBA [redacted] on 06/23/12. This membership entitled her to eight referrals for a cost of $2,000.00. On 07/01/13 [redacted] went out business; the owners of [redacted] made an agreement with IJL that IJL would provide the opportunity for the existing [redacted] clients to continue to meet people. On 07/23/13 Ms. [redacted]’ signed release form was received and processed in our MN office. (Please see the attached release form.) The release form states:
            “Since all fees under my membership agreement with [redacted] were paid to another company and       not to IJL, it is agreed I would have no claim against IJL or Heartland Introductions, Inc. including, but not limited to a claim for any type of refund or demand for additional services, or a            claim of breach of contract.
                I specifically authorize IJL or its affiliated IJL locations to refer me to any other IJL client for the    sole purpose of social referral, and hereby waive any and all claims, damages, losses, or causes of actions arising out of any such referral and indemnify and agree to hold them harmless from         any and all claims, damages, losses or causes of action whatsoever resulting from any referral          provided to me.  I understand that IJL screens members, but does not conduct criminal             background checks”
Part of the conversation with Ms. [redacted] was about moving forward meeting more single men using the IJL method. My statement “Ms. [redacted] was not 100% sure she was interested in meeting more people through the IJL method.” is accurate. If there was a miscommunication regarding the next steps in this process I apologize. IJL is dedicated to the success of our clients. We are hopeful the next date we coordinate will have successful results.
We are very interested in moving forward on Ms. [redacted]’ membership. Given the circumstances regarding her last date we will give her credit for another date. We will coordinate 4 more introductions for her.
Since we were not clear if Ms. [redacted] wanted to move forward we placed her membership on hold. Provided this matter with the Revdex.com is closed in our favor we will start working on providing more dates for Ms. [redacted].
 
If I can be of further assistance please contact me at ###-###-####.
 
Sincerely,
 
[redacted]
Office Manager
IJL Milwaukee and Minnesota

We regret any dissatisfaction the Consumer may have experienced.  However, we wish to correct the statements that Consumer provided in her comments.The Consumer claims that there are no matches in her area, which is not accurate.   In fact, the Consumer has attended one date...

and received two other matches.  TheConsumer provided positive feedback for the date she attended.With respect to the matches the Consumer received, each date was carefully selected per IJL standards, was well coordinated by the dating director and, met many of the key parameters the Consumer discussed with IJL.  IJL truly hopes our clients will connect, however, personality and attractiveness are subjective to eachindividual.  IJL works to introduce its clients to other IJL clients and participants, who based upon IJL's interactions with each, IJL believes is a good match. All of the matches IJL presented to the Consumer, are very good matches for her.IJL has contacted the Consumer to resolve her concerns and will assign a new dating director to handle her membership.

It’s Just Lunch listens. The matchmakers are intuitive -- the matchmakers and coordinators listen – their matching process takes in to account who you’ve met and they are able to focus in on the best next people to meet, based on client feedback. I have met several very different women, and I like how there is time to find out if there is mutual attraction – and sometimes that mutual attraction takes time – and the hour for either drinks or lunch is right for a start. Mutual attraction is much, much more than just a Tinder swipe. …and matchmaking takes time – much of the exploration is how the matchmakers listen and are able to hone in on the right person --- often they seem to know more about who is best than I’ve been able to express. I’m pleased to know they are helping me get to a point where I know “the One,” can be found, and I can be her “the One,” at the same time. The secret to the success of this method is that that hour gives both sides opportunity know someone and to listen. --- and they listen, for it is clear feedback from both sides of the meetings helps IJL hone in to create that match. I’m confident that I’ll find the right person. Each new date gets better as I know we are close.

We regret any dissatisfaction the Consumer may have experienced.  However, we wish to correct the statements that Consumer provided in her comments.The Consumer claims that there are no matches in her area, which is not accurate.   In fact, the Consumer has attended one date and...

received two other matches.  TheConsumer provided positive feedback for the date she attended.With respect to the matches the Consumer received, each date was carefully selected per IJL standards, was well coordinated by the dating director and, met many of the key parameters the Consumer discussed with IJL.  IJL truly hopes our clients will connect, however, personality and attractiveness are subjective to eachindividual.  IJL works to introduce its clients to other IJL clients and participants, who based upon IJL's interactions with each, IJL believes is a good match. All of the matches IJL presented to the Consumer, are very good matches for her.IJL has contacted the Consumer to resolve her concerns and will assign a new dating director to handle her membership.

Although the service is fairly expensive, IJL delivers on their promise. The staff is knowledgeable, courteous and professional. The first date on which they set me up turned out to be an excellent match. The process was simple and trouble-free, all details were taken care of by IJL. The staff did a thorough, in-person interview with me, addressed all my concerns and identified a match that felt right from the get-go. These folks know their business and do it well.

I called my credit card company a few times and I didn't get a return call until today.  I was told a letter was mailed to me last week. When I checked my mail tonight, it was in there.  I am all set on my end and feel you can move forward with closing this case.  Let me know if you need anything from me in this process.

It’s Just Lunch regrets to learn of any dissatisfaction the
consumer has experienced with her membership.  We are very happy to...

report that the San Diego
It’s Just Lunch office has recently undergone a change in ownership.  As
the new owners of the office we want to assure the consumer that customer service
is very important to us.  At the time of
the transition the consumer’s membership had since expired, however, It’s Just
Lunch has reached out to the consumer to provide an amicable resolution and
hopes to provide a positive dating experience and we are awaiting her response. We look
forward to working with her going forward.

I have had a good time with It's Just Lunch. With meeting new people and getting out of my comfort zone, to going to new restaurants I may have not even known about.

IJL does a great job matching me up with people that potentially could be a match for me.

Michael and Katie are very personable and professional. They responded in a timely manner to my questions and concerns (calls/emails). I believe they tried their best to match me with dates of similar interest and backgrounds. Having tried the online dating scene I would recommend IJL, especially for the busy professional.

I've had very positive experience with It's Just Lunch.
I'll definitely recommend it to my friends who are looking for a relationship.

We are very sorry to hear of Ms. [redacted]’s experience with It’s Just Lunch Seattle.  Our goal is to partner with our members to achieve the best result possible – hopefully a long-term relationship or even marriage.  We have had hundreds of successful relationships result from our matching...

and dating services. Ms. [redacted] believes that she was promised a date every 2-4 weeks when she signed up.  Ms. [redacted]’s contract clearly states that her membership is for 15 months or 14 dates, whichever comes later.  We communicate that the member is not limited to one date per month, and based on our database, at the time, we match when there are individuals that match our client’s specific criteria.  We realize that this can be confusing, and since I have purchased the business (September 2015), we have tried to make sure we do not lead the client to believe there will be more than the contracted number of dates. We wish we had been able to better communicate the situation with Ms. [redacted].  Due to the apparent frustration Ms. [redacted] has experienced, IJL Seattle would like to offer her a $500 Visa gift card, with the understanding there was no intent to mislead or deceive her during the membership.  We want to wish Ms. [redacted] the very best in her future dating.  Shari [redacted]CEO

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I am in continued dialogue with IJL, and IJL consistently fails to respond to my requests. My most recent exchange with IJL is attached.
Regards,
[redacted]

The process was slower than I had hoped with few matches, but I suppose that simply reflects how particular I was in my preferrnces for a mate. They could have thrown me together with anyone, but took the time instead to pair my with reputable men. On the last date I had, I met a decent, educated, chivarlous, man of the world. Hats off to IJL.

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Sincerely, [redacted]

First time I've used a dating service and did homework to check out just about every one in the DC area. I felt a connection with IJL right away. My first conversation felt like I was speaking with not only a professional but that after 20 minutes on the phone she got me -- who I am, what I'm looking for, and why I had decided to look for a service. I felt no pressure. What had started out as an insecure intimidating exploration ended up leaving me feel validated and I had new friends looking out for me. I've only been on one date but the organized way the arrangement was handled was great. Took the stress of logistics out of a blind date but left plenty of room for relaxed fun get together. ??

This is my forth time with IJL over the past 9 years (first IJL date was in Summer 2007 and my most recent one in December 2016), and I have mostly positive opinions about this dating service. First (positive), the staff from the match makers to the date coordinators have always been very friendly, courteous, and professional with me at all times. Second (positive), there has been many improvements with the dating service since my very first session in 2007: an after hours call number to report a last minute date cancellation so one does not get "stood up" (and I've been stood up several times), a friendly reminder notification (text, phone call, and/or email message) of a date at least 1-day prior, date coaching options, in-person interviews, etc. My overall experience with IJL in 2016 has improved greatly since my first experience in 2007. But one of these improved experiences is with my dating attitude itself (and not with IJL) as I have learned you must be mentally ready and happy with one-self before jumping back into the dating game. Third (negative), I still think the match-matching process still needs improvement as I still get "not my type" dates, but then again this can only be improved with open communication between myself and my dating coordinator and/or match maker. One must communicate openly with what his/her dating preferences are, and then make the necessary modifications as time goes by. We are limited to only those that sign up to the dating service. I continue to return to IJL because I'm more frustrated with the c[redacted] online dating sites and apps who seem to have the "fake" and unprofessional daters. IJL seems to have the more serious, professional (they can pay the big $) daters I want to meet...I just need to be more patient and perhaps more "open-minded" to find my true type.

I am writing in response to the complaint made by [redacted].  Mr. [redacted] became an It’s Just Lunch (IJL) client and signed a contract on 10/26/2015 (attached.)  He purchased a 6-month membership, which included 6 months of active dating time.  When Mr. [redacted] became a...

client, he was told about his initial matches immediately.  Unfortunately, we aren’t able to control our client’s schedules, therefore, these matches were not available to schedule at times that fit with Mr. [redacted]’s schedule.  One of his matches was injured and in a cast, so the match was postponed; ultimately, she ended up placing her membership on hold. On 12/1, Mr. [redacted] met his first date and provided feedback that she was not what he was looking for, however, his date provided feedback that it was a good date and that they had been texting each other since the date.  Mr. [redacted] went on his next dates on 4/6, 2/5, 3/1 and 3/3.  All feedback that he provided was listened to, documented and used moving forward.  After several members of the team spoke with Mr. [redacted] regarding his feedback and what he wanted to focus on, I spoke with him personally on 3/4/16 and offered to extend his membership until September of 2016 (an additional 6 months of active time on top of the 6 that his contract provided for), in order to provide the opportunity for him to continue to meet more people.  He accepted this extension of his membership. Since that time, there have been some unfortunate circumstances as it relates to the calendar availability of the matches that we have attempted to coordinate.  Specifically, two of them were not available and one of them was relocating to New York.  These are all circumstances that are out of our control and we immediately moved forward to the next match option each time.  Mr. [redacted]’s last date was on 4/27.  His next date, which was scheduled for 5/27, needed to be rescheduled due to family schedule complications.  We do not provide refunds, which our contract clearly states.  We want each of our Clients to have success during their dating process; while we can’t guarantee chemistry, we do select matches based on what the Client indicates they are looking for during their interview process, which is what we did for Mr. [redacted]. (The class action lawsuit that Mr. [redacted] is referencing has nothing to do with the actions of the Washington, DC, franchise location.  No one on our team ‘asked him not to join it.’)

February 27, 2014
 
0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing">Revdex.com of Wisconsin
[redacted]
ID: [redacted]
 
Dear Ms. [redacted],
 
This letter is in regard to Ms. [redacted]’s membership with It’s Just Lunch (IJL). She purchased a membership on 12/20/13. This membership entitled her to six months of active membership time for a cost of $2,000.00. 
 
Our memberships are intended to introduce single people to other single people using the qualities discussed in each client’s interview as a guideline. We arrange the date for our clients. We start by calling the client and describing the potential date to them. We ask for the dates and times they would be available to meet. After we continue this process with the other party, we find a date that works for both clients and schedule a date. Then we contact the restaurant to make a reservation. At that point we contact both clients to give them the details about when and where they will be meeting. We have been successfully doing this for the past 22 years.
 
Once the date has happened, we contact the client, or the client can contact us, with their specific feedback. The feedback is used to guide the matchmakers in the matching process.
 
On December 30, 2013, she gave feedback regarding her first introduction, Prem. She stated he was, “OK, not her type. He travels two months at a time, she cannot,” also that he was, “socially awkward, OK conversation but strained.”
 
On January 3, 2014, she gave feedback regarding her second introduction, David. She stated, “It was good, very nice, and easy to talk to. He was not her style but interests were similar.”
 
On January 17, 2014, she had a date scheduled with her third introduction, Geoff. She has not given us feedback about this date.
 
On February 10, 2014, she gave feedback regarding her forth introduction, Rick. She stated, “OK, nice guy.”
 
On February 10, 2014, she gave feedback regarding her fifth introduction, Jeff. She stated, “OK, not a match, was quieter and not attracted to him.” She thought he was a good conversationalist and asked for someone more educated and career oriented.
 
On February 13, 2014, she gave feedback regarding her sixth introduction, Brian. She stated, “OK, he’s really nice but not at all her type. Not attracted, too religious, too judgmental.”  During this call, she stated she was upset about the men she was being introduced to.  She was then transferred to her  matchmaker, [redacted]. During their conversation, they decided we would focus our efforts on finding men who were active, fun, fit, had a good sense of humor and were interesting. Using these focus points as a guide, [redacted] told Ms. [redacted] about one of her clients, Vince and encouraged her to meet him. The call ended with Ms. [redacted] stating she wanted to think about moving forward and she would call us back to discuss on February 20, 2014.
 
On February 15, 2014, Ms. [redacted] filed a complaint regarding her membership. She is asking for a refund of her membership fee.
 
Ms. [redacted]’s feedback does not really specify that the men selected are “dismal”. The feedback appears that she just has not yet been attracted to one of her dates. She is early in her membership and still has 4 months to date with us. On February 10th we received her most constructive feedback regarding the direction she would like us to take with her matches. We are more than happy to continue working on finding educated men who are career focused. If she would like to set up a phone consultation with a matchmaker, or her coordinator, to review her preferences we would be more than happy to set that up. We know that from time to time dating can be difficult. We are hopeful the next man we introduce to her will result in a successful date. 
 
Ms. [redacted]’s membership agreement states IJL does not offer refunds. We have provided Ms. [redacted] with matches per the agreement and can continue to do so.  For these reasons, her request for a refund is being denied.
 
We would like to continue working on finding more dates for Ms. [redacted]. At the time, we will be providing Ms. [redacted] with 4 weeks of hold time and will be placing her membership on a complimentary hold while the Revdex.com helps to resolve this matter. 
 
We are looking forward to working with Ms. [redacted] in the future. Unless we hear differently from the Revdex.com, we will start coordinating dates for her on 4/27/14.
 
If I can be of further assistance please contact me at ###-###-####.
 
Sincerely,
 
IJL Milwaukee