Great Date Now reviews and complaints
Great Date is a Joke!!!!!!!
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being so specific about the man I would like to be introduced to and time and time again being set up with the complete opposite. I told Stephanie Ross until I was blue in the face the kind of man I was looking for, such as, nobody that's been previously married, but, to no avail she would set me up with men that were divorced anyway or that completely did NOT fit what I told her I was looking for. How do you call yourself a "professional matchmaker?" A deaf and dumb person could do a better job of setting people up. So could a monkey. So could a ###. But not her. Does she not listen to what you tell her or does she not care or is it a complete scam? She would yell at me and put me down saying if I didn't keep an open mind and go out with the men she selected, I would be "alone the rest of my life." I mean think about it, if she was good at anything else would she be doing this for a living? She, along with her company are a complete scam. STAY AWAY!
Company Business Name: Great Date Now
Country of complaint: United States
Address: 300 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Phone: (201)-735-0005
Great Date Now is a TOTAL SCAM
I have been a member of the service for several months now and extremely angry with my matches. I've only been on 2 dates and I cannot believe who my Matchmaker set me up with. I truly believe this is a total scam. I went in the NYC office and met with the sales woman by the name of Catherine Ginter. I signed up with her and paid over $10, 000 to meet the upscale executives that she had promised. During my meeting she spoke to me as if I needed help in every aspect of my life. She spoke down to me and made me feel like crap on my dress attire as if I am NOT Worthy, not to mention her preaching Tony Robbins and how he could change my life! If I wanted to know those things, I would have asked! How dare she, she should look at herself in the mirror as poor representation for ANY company. She has fabricated and made up stories to make herself feel better, calls herself the only Executive Matchmaker for Great Date Now but on the website she is NOT even certified. What do you see in her as a company? You need to know what you employ and would never deal with such an unprofessional. She has also spoken poorly, leaving out names, of other colleagues she works with and claims herself to be part owner! I would advise ALL not to trust and just stay away from the Executive Matchmaker Cathrine Ginter, for she will rip you off like I was.
Company Business Name: Great Date Now
Country of complaint: United States
Address: 60 East 42nd Street suite 1761, NYC, New York
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I have also experienced the same kind of situation. In addition to all of that i have been complaining alot about the fact that my calls were never returned, I was assigned to one matchmaker but they changed all the time and they never knew anything about my file...i was so upset because i am a nanny and that kind of money is very hard to make. So far, they owe me 8 days in totals over 10 but i got so frustrated that i decided to take a brake from them since the contract was an unlimited one.
Do you guys realize that the matches who are repulsive and inconsiderate as you would imply are also members? There is the issue! These people paid the same money as the people who think they are so glamorous and awesome and they want matches, too! People are so unrealistic about this whole thing. I am sure the Matchmakers build it up to be the best experience it can be, but what person who is trying to make a sale is not going to do that? Let's be realistic. They are trying to sell you a package- do you think they are going to say " You are ugly and fat and socially awkward so I can only set you up with people with these same qualities"? Who would join? You guys must be professionals and intelligent business people for the most part and it's pretty odd that you would not realize this is sales as much as it is anything else. They are selling you a service! They have the best intentions but the people you want to be matched with probably don't want to be matched with you. Otherwise matchmaking would be the easiest gig on earth.
It's a pitty. The company was a great company until the economy tanked and so did the the firm. It's very unfortunate. I loved my experience with them back in the day when I worked with Beth O'Malley and Catherine Ginter. She and Catherine as well as Donna Rossi were some of the greatest matchmakers and women I have ever met! Beth worked as a psychologist and really helped many of her clients see their blind spots. Obviously the sort of people seeking out a matchmaking service need some help otherwise they would be dating on their own! And Catherine, who also works as an image consultant, tweeked and improved the image of countless men and women who quite frankly needed a serious image update in order to re-enter the competitive dating world. Catherine tweeked my friend and me as well, and I still use several of the techniques she gave me that dramatically improved my image and confidence. I am better for having worked with each of them. Donna was just a pleasure to speak to everytime I had a question about my matches. Some of the greatest matchmakers the Company had left after the owner changed the business concept and platform. Many matchmakers chose to leave the company because they did not agree with the company's business practices. Did the company ever bother to inform the clients of their departure - no. I wish everyone well wherever they are.
I am also completely dissatisfied with the dates they have offered me. None of them have anything in common with me and are far from attractive. I accepted the first date 2 yrs ago and he showed up an hour late and was extremely repulsive. Since then they have offered email photo of prospective date. I have refused all they have offered. They said I should be more willing to compromise with my likes. They refuse to offer me a refund. Please post if there is any way out of this contract.
CBS broke this story on the News last night and I read further online that Great Date Now filed for Chapter 7 on Dec 16th. The story below appeared on CBS's website. Apparently GDN's and Meet Over Drink can not charge more than $1, 000! We were all ripped off-period, end of story. It doesn't matter if you found true love or not. And I know all of us did not get what we paid for, I did not and I'm very open minded when it comes to dating. The question is how do we get some of our $ back!
At the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection, they've been tracking compaints about the dating service for over a year.
People were very, very disappointed and really hurt, " Westchester DCP Director Gary Brown said.
The matchmaking company is one of the largest in the tri-state, with seven offices in New York City and its suburbs.
Scores of customers have filed former complaints, while many others have vented frustration in online forums, claiming "Great Date Now" and affiliated company "Meet Over Drinks" took money for matchmaking services but failed to deliver.
"The gist of the complaints was, 'I was promised a certain number of references per month, I didn't get them, and the few that I got were really unsuitable, '" Brown said.
New York AG Cuomo is suing the firms, seeking nearly $1 million for unhappy clients.
Cuomo accuses owner Gary Ferone of deceptive business practices, including charging clients $5, 000 or more – well above what state law allows.
"You can't be charged more than $1, 000 in the contract, so if the company wants more than that amount of money from you, that's a red flag, " Brown said.
Ferone works out of an office in Purchase, but no one was there when CBS 2 stopped by seeking comment.
The "Great Date Now" Web site has been taken down, but "Meet Over Drinks" is still actively seeking clients.
Ferone's company has also plastered tri-state roadways with thousands of signs, trying to drum up business for his matchmaking firms.
He's still trying to play matchmaker, even after filing for bankruptcy the same day the attorney general filed suit.
Ferone did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
New York has a "Bill of Rights" for dating service customers.
I agree with everyone else's bad experiences. Dawn dissapeared after she reeled me in, after telling me she has never had anyone make it to the 10th date, because they always meet their soul mate before that. Does anyone know how I might get my money back? perhaps Small Claims Court? Thank you.
Well ... My name is Theresa and am currently a client of "Meet Over Drinks" Long Island. I have read all complaints and thought it would be nice to share a great experience. It's the holidays and I told my Matchmaker I wanted to fall in love and be matched with someone real special by the holiday season and going into 2010. I think it's only fair, and have referred new clients to her, that there be a commendation for what people do right and when they make others happy. My Matchmaker did, in fact, care about my happiness and well being. She was attentive, cordial, and stern when she needed to be. She would give advice whether I liked what she had to say or not. To make a long story short, I am happily with my significant other and happier then I've been in years. I think the problem is people do not give it the time and patience they deserve to let the journey take it's course and work for them. They would rather display bad publicity than working with their Matchmaker so they can do their job. Again, whether anyone is interested or not, this experience has changed my life for the BETTER and I have met the love of my life. I owe it all to YOU Dawn! Don't fight the process, embrace it and it will work for you.
I have just written to the Dept of Consumer Affairs in NYC, and I suggest all those to do the same as well as write to our Attorney General. This company scammed me for $3500. If you have been scammed by Catherine Ginter and GDN, please respond. We need to all team up together to get back at this company. I heard their MAIN office is in Panama? Is this true? With help from my attorney I tried to contact them, but they didn't respond back. I found out Catherine Ginter was GONE, a MONTH after I wrote a letter to them asking for my money back. They were acting as if nothing was wrong. Of course something was wrong. Emails and phone calls from my attorney went to them, and again they did not respond back. Do NOT sign up with this company or Meet for Drinks! Write to the DCA and your ATTORNEY GENERAL!
Look at this ad they are placing for a "Sales person/Matchmaker" - it is clear that you don't have to have ANY experience to be a matchmaker for them - just good at sales:
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/sls/1373835074.html
Meet Over Drinks Matchmaking, with 10 locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Connecticut, is seeking a STRONG SALES PERSON/MATCHMAKER for their PHILADELPHIA office location.
Rapid growth in our service requires top closers with an energetic outgoing personality. If you have what it takes to be the area's best matchmaker, we should talk. If you have experience in health clubs, diet centers or media sales, you may be the perfect fit. Other great fits include professionals with a psychology background, promotions experience or experienced recruiters.
If you have the desire to create dynamic relationships while growing a truly rewarding income in a service oriented business, then this opportunity is for you. We have ten great locations and continue to grow with new locations opening every year.
If you feel you are a great fit for this position, please respond by email to this ad or fax your resume to [protected], subject header: PA Matchmaker.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will visit us at www.MeetOverDrinks.com to find out more about our great services.
among74 is friends with the nooniemouse and likes to troll the boards.
Not a complaint at all!!
Wow! I have no idea who would post the above complaint about Dawn and Nancy because I have had nothing but the utmost success with this Matching Service and Dawn has hit it out of the ball park. I just went out with a perfect gentleman last evening and was pleasantly surprised that he is EXACTLY what I am looking for. Dawn had discussed it with me, created my excitement, and Nancy was pleasant and confirmed all details. Two of my other friends belong to this service with Dawn as their Matchmaker and enjoying every minute of it! I guess there are those with nothing better to do then to try and demoralize others because they are not satisfied with themselves. I believe this company and my Matchmaker has changed my life for the better!
Country of complaint: United States
The company was disolved, found guilty of overcharging it's clients and lost in a court of law. The only reason that no one received their money back is that Ferrone (a known scam artist) claimed bankruptcy.
Obviously you are working for them. And if you aren't, by now you know -it's all finished.
I disagree I have been in a great relationship for 11 months now. Suzie was the third person that they introduced me to. I met two women from Westchester one from NYC and one from Connecticut. I have no complaints about the service, or the people i was fixed up with. I just think that if you are a real person looking for a realistic match it's a good service,
If you can't meet someone on your own or you are looking for someone who doesn't exist, stay single. The problem in this world is that two many men are only looking for the runway super model and women are only looking for the millionaire. Just be realistic and just maybe you will fall in love. If you want to know about the service you can e-mail me fgordon6901@yahoo.com
Scam
Save your $2500 and select another dating/introduction service. The matchmaker from the Morristown office, Kim Catambalta was a scam artist. She misrepresented the service provided describing it as "personalized" meanwhile once you join you're pawned off onto an assistant matchmaker who is really a glorified receptionist. There was never any follow through and once you pay there doesn't seem to be any motivation on their part to make good on what they describe. The asst match maker left suddenly and then the matchmaker herself disappeared. I found this out only by calling the office and speaking to the new person who lasted all of 3 weeks. All of the advertising this service has done is a bunch of hooey. Again save your money. The Englewood Cliffs office has a BBB claim filed against it that has yet to be answered. Seems like they have problems honoring their contracts.
Company Business Name: Great Date Now
Country of complaint: United States
Website: greatdatenow.com
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Gary Ferone lost his case in court but claimed "bankruptcy". So, none of us have received a nickel back. If you know anything, please write to the current Attorney General and tell him your suspicions. Write me at privateboudoir@yahoo.com
if you hear of anything...Thanks for the post!
I see that _someone_ has returned to putting up "anonymous" signs for a singles business on Westchester roads - e.g., Westchester Avenue between White Plains and Rye Brook, and the Post Road between Rye and Port Chester. These signs read "Single? PortChesterSingles.com". I wonder if Mr. Ferone is in on this business again?
Has anyone else seen a re-currence of these signs? If so please inform us of the URLs and where you find the signs.
I hope it is clear to anyone and everyoen that if you are dealing with a company that put s anonymous signs on the side of the road, leading yo to an anonymous website (there is no contact information, and the business is not even named), that chances are, you're going to get ripped off -legitimate businesses follow laws and tell you who you are dealing with.
I agree that there is a need for dating services for busy professionals. As a current client of VALENTI INTERNATIONAL who charges you a six-figure fee for exquisite introductions, I can tell you to do your homework before writing a check. Valenti is a FRAUD! they only introduce you to 2 to 3 matches per year in their 3 year contract which is the statue of limitation for suing a company. They do not offer personalized and live coaching like they state. All feedback has to be submitted online no exceptions. And every time you call in to speak to one of the psychologists, they question why? Oh and their concierge service is nothing but a blind date service where they set the place/time/day and you better pray your out of town date doesn't have a delay at the airport or any other unforseen circumstance because you will be stuck with all the travel costs and another date for traveling again. Do you homework and research their competitors who perhaps can offer you more dates and better service
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it horribly ironic that on a thread complaining about overpaying a matchmaker, that the flash advertisement at the top of the page is for Valenti International... a matchmaking service that charges upwards of 25K for a membership? LOL Scary stuff.
It should be noted that only New York State has the policy of $1000 maximums for dating contracts. In other states, a service can charge whatever they see fit. Just the same way that a customer can choose to pay the fee or not pay it.
I suppose that every consumer will have a different opinion about this topic, but I assume just as many people have opinions after they buy a car that doesn't live up to expectations, purchase a beach vacation where it rains every day or pay for a college education and still can't land a job in their field of study. Some choose to believe that it just wasn't meant to be, and some decide to cry foul and point the blame finger. Either way, we are the ones who chose to invest. Investments, by definition, have an element of risk. Some reap rewards, others lose their shirts.
Regardless, it seems that Gary Ferone knew the NY law and chose to ignore it. THAT is why these disgruntled clients have a voice. In this case, a law was broken.
Now its up to the courts to determine how much Mr. Ferone will be fined this time. However, from the article references posted here, it seems that Mr. Ferone is no stranger to court appearances, fines and orders of restitution. Unfortunately, as with those duped in Ferone's SEC swindle, its likely these overcharged matchmaking clients will never see a dime. Chalk another one up for creative bookkeeping.
It would seem to all those lovely ladies out there that are using a dating service that the reason you are getting matched up with losers and not "Top Executive" is because you do not posses any qualities that a top executive wants. Yea they have a great database with great clients but if YOU suck and no one wants to date a person who has your qualities you're are going to be matched up with the loser that you are. Get over it. And the matchmakers telling you that you need to approve you physical appearance - COMMON People - you are at a dating service - obviously you can't do it by yourself - TAKE THE ADVICE! Stop trying to screw someone who was trying to help your pathetic lives.
Look at this ad they are placing for a "Sales person/Matchmaker" - it is clear that you don't have to have ANY experience to be a matchmaker for them - just good at sales:
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/sls/1373835074.html
Meet Over Drinks Matchmaking, with 10 locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Connecticut, is seeking a STRONG SALES PERSON/MATCHMAKER for their PHILADELPHIA office location.
Rapid growth in our service requires top closers with an energetic outgoing personality. If you have what it takes to be the area's best matchmaker, we should talk. If you have experience in health clubs, diet centers or media sales, you may be the perfect fit. Other great fits include professionals with a psychology background, promotions experience or experienced recruiters.
If you have the desire to create dynamic relationships while growing a truly rewarding income in a service oriented business, then this opportunity is for you. We have ten great locations and continue to grow with new locations opening every year.
If you feel you are a great fit for this position, please respond by email to this ad or fax your resume to [protected], subject header: PA Matchmaker.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope you will visit us at www.MeetOverDrinks.com to find out more about our great services.
We need to put together a class action and put these guys out of business.
I also have contacted a lawyer. If you want to contact me, email me at martiniuplover@yahoo.com
This company is a SCAM. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and will talk to a lawyer as well. I am furious that they are ripping off vulnerable people.
### great date now and gary ferone. there all fake as hell and are turning there name to " meet over drinks ". ya'll should google " GARY FERONE- inside trading".. see what kind of debt he's REALLY in, before spending your 10, 000 for a " perfect match "
Great Date Now has done nothing but be a help to me. I signed up with them in June of 2008. After meeting 3 men who were nice but just not for me, they introduced me to my fiance. While we have been together for a little under a year, I continue to keep in contact with my matchmaker and assistant matchmaker to refer single friends and have a fantastic working business relationship with them. I am a NJ based client and can offer NOTHING but positive reviews. As for those who have posted their uunhappiness and negative experiences. Did you ever stop to think that maybe you have unrealistic expectations and are the problem? In ANY business there will always be unhappy people. There are people out there that are just so jaded and negative that if prince charming walked up and smacked them in the face, they wouldn't even realize it.
Grow up !