Matchmaker Elite Personal Search, Doesn't Deliver!

In July 2006, I went into the offices of Elite Personal Search and had a 3 hour 'interview' with Devan. At that time, I wasn't sure if the service was right for me. I explained to Devan that I felt it would difficult to find a match for me among the members of Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler. Although I am a professional career woman, Devan assured me that I would 'easy to match', even though I have tattoos and dreadlocks (I work in a creative field, and wanted to meet someone who was a professional, but also 'eclectic') . She explained, 'we have all kinds of people as members. We have artists and musicians, even performers from Cirque De Soleil.'

I was hesitant about joining, when she assured me that if they did not have someone appropriate for me, that Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler will go outside of its membership and 'troll the community' for a good match. She explained that she had met HER husband through Elite, and that once she started working there, she was able to fix up 2 of her girlfriends with men who were NOT members, but that she had met outside of work and thought they would be good matches. She told me that one of them was now married to the man Devan had fixed her up with. I do not feel that I would have been comfortable paying the extraordinary amount of money membership cost if I had not been reassured that they would go outside of the membership to find a match for me.

Devan and I discussed the type of man who would be a good match for me. We set up a long list of parameters, which she assured me DID exist in many of their members. (the main thing we agreed I needed was someone who was 'hip' and up on modern technology, as I am a bit of a computer geek). When she told me that my $5000 fee would get me 8 matches in the next year, I was wary. I told her that I didn't feel like 8 was very many matches. At that point she said, 'But we will be doing all the research for you. By the time you meet a match, they will have all of the qualifications you are looking for. The only thing missing will be chemistry, and you WILL have chemistry with at least one of 8 men who exactly the type of match you are looking for.' She noted that Elite also checks criminal records and paycheck stubs to make sure that members DO in fact make the amount of money they claim (although they never asked for any of that from me). Additionally, Devan assured me that she would work closely with the matchmaker and that the matchmaker would also work very closely with me by calling me frequently to discuss various matches. All of the above made me feel safe and comfortable and confident that Elite could help me find a match.

I was unable to join in July, so I had to put it off until December 2006. I did join in December of 2006. At that time, Elite set up a second interview with Jen Turner. Jen also said that she thought I would be easy to match and that the qualities, and other parameters I was looking for would not be difficult to find. She also assured me that Elite would go outside of their membership to find a match for me.

Since that time, I have had NO matches that 'have all the qualifications I am looking for'. Additionally, I have not met any men from outside of the membership. In fact, most of the matches I have been sent, were not at all the type of men that I would be interested in. Many of the matches have been misrepresented by Elite. For example, I was sent a potential match who 'had his own business building zen gardens', he was actually a gardener for the public park systems! I was sent a potential match who worked as a 'holistic therapist', he turned out to be a massage therapist! I was VERY specific about the type of person I wanted to meet, as well as what type of job they should have (professional, like me!), how far I'd be willing to travel (I live within 10 miles of literally millions of people, yet they sent me matches that lived 50 miles away?!), and the fact that he should work at a standard job where he would normally have nights and weekends free (the massage therapist worked BOTH nights AND weekends!). Neither Jen or Devan or anyone from the Elite office have ever 'worked closely' with me to find a match. In fact, I often don't hear anything for weeks and weeks, unless I email THEM.

I now feel that I was misled. It has been over 9 months since I joined and not ONE good match has been introduced to me. I sent a certified letter to Elite with all of the above information and demanded my fee be returned. I filed a complaint with the BBB (they have over 20 complaints and have earned an 'F' rating), but Elite did not respond to either me or the BBB. I feel that it is appropriate for Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler to return my $5000 fee.

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I love this service. I always have so much fun on the dates and all the girls they set me up with are great and exactly what I’m looking for. What I really like the most is the fact that after every date, my matchmaker always contacts me. We talk about the previous date and how I felt about it. We talk about the actual restaurant, the girl, and even the little details like the food and accessibility to the place. Any issues I might have are worked on so that the next date is better. When the girl and I like each other and want to date again, my matchmaker does it all. The only thing I have to do is show up on the date and have a good time. I’m about to go out on my third date with a certain girl. The first two were amazing and who knows? Maybe there will be another ten.

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Elite Personnel Search is an online scam. Elite is suppose to be a professional matchmaker. I have paid nearly $4000 for absolutely no results and no real attempt on their part. I did a 3 hour interview with Kim Brady. I paid $3000 up front plus $400 for professional pictures that they required of me and then three more months of $325.00. Elite Personnel Search has been a total waste of money. After 6 months and THOUSANDS of dollars, they have not come up with a single match. In this 6 months, they only called twice with possible matches that were so off the mark that it was offensive. Then insult to injury, their accounting department called wanting more money and wonderd why my CC rejected their charge. They have threatened me with creditors and trying to ruin my credit because I refuse to pay for them more money. Their resources of dates are apparently slim and none. It would be one thing if they had shown me candidates to consider, but they couldn't even come up with more than two in 6 months. I later found the same two guys with the same bad photos on Match. They weren't even a 70% match. It looks like I'll have to sue to get my money back and to keep them from ruining my credit. Verenia won't even tell you her full name because she knows that she is scamming and doesn't want to be sued, personally.

Damage Resulting = Over $4000 loss, plus possible damage to my credit. They called only because they wanted more money and threatened to ruin my credit and turn me over to collections if I don't pay them more.

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I love this company. Ever since I joined about three months ago, I have had some pretty amazing dating experiences. This company isn�t some random low class dating service. They don�t talk a big game and not follow through. They are the exact opposite. They have kept every promise they made to me in the past three months. Whenever I was told that I would receive a phone call or e-mail to discuss the upcoming date, they did. Every girl they set me up with fit my requirements very well. The thing that I am most impressed with is the speed at which they work. Within a week of me being a member, I was already set up with someone. At this rate, I�ll be married in no time.

P.S. Keep up the good work guys.

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I hate it how most mach makers out there take their sweet time in finding you the right girl. This company however, works hard and fast for their customers. After signing up with them, my friend was set up with a great girl two weeks later and then married her. I’m sort of in the same situation now. I signed up a month and a half ago and now I’m very seriously dating the most amazing girl. I’m very shocked and impressed at how they find the two most perfect people for each other and put them together for life and how fast they do it.

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I completely disagree with these comments, I have had a great experience with the company. Everyone has been very friendly and helpful. From the tone of these comments, maybe there is a reason your having trouble finding a mate.

I have met several very successful men through Elite. I have turned down several suggestions as well, but for my own reasons. The matchmakers have been very responsive and friendly. I don't know who Devan is or Debra Winkler, but Jen has been great. I also attended the seminar they offer once a month by Dr. Pat Allen and read the literature on what to expect. I've learned to be more willing to date outside my box. Since then I've met some really interesting men and have had a good time. When I was younger my Mother would say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Well you can't kiss them if you don't meet them, and you'll never find the right guy by complaining.

I recommend the agency, yes they are expensive, but I'm worth it. I enjoy asking questions about the men they are recommending to me, and I really like having someone to talk to other than my friends.

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I am a successful, educated, beautiful woman who has difficulty meeting great men because I am a single mother who spends my time mothering. I thought that Elite would be able to help me meet men of equal caliber who met my preferences and religious requirements. My matchmaker Summer was able to set me up on a date with a very nice gentleman for my first date who I got along very well with, but later found did not meet my explicit requirements that were outlined in my matchmaking profile. Elite continued to send proposed matches of men who did not remotely meet my requests, so I questioned them again as to whether they had the men that I was looking for. Their blatant disregard of my parameters caused me to question whether there was any intention whatsoever to match me up with someone who met my criteria. I asked for a refund and they refused, and when I talked to their Director she assured me that they had many men who met my criteria. I have not received any con

tact from them in 5 months, and believe that Elite is just a scam to collect large service fees from individuals with the intent of haphazardly throwing \"matches\" at them hoping something will stick.

I am a single mother who made an investment to help facilitate a dating life that would offer safety through background checks, and efficiency through effective matchmaking. What I received was a monthly payment that I have continued to pay, and the absence of any service whatsoever. I have seen several other clients mentioning working with attorneys but believe that the most effective way to battle a corporate entity with no integrity is via a combined effort class action. I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a joint effort to contact me @ hotchristianmommy AT gmail.com I just believe that if they are unwilling to offer their services, the LEAST they could do is refund money for services unrendered.