The Single Gourmet review: misrepresented 16

My father called and asked for an application but after reading some comments online decided he didn't want to deal with this group. Two people from the organization called to follow-up. The first one asked why he didn't return the application and my dad said he wanted to know which restaurants they go to in advance and he heard they weren't a good organization and the guy hung up on him. 2 days later someone else called and asked why he didn't return the application and my dad said he changed his mind. The guy asked my father why and my father said he didn't want to tell him. The guy called him an [censor] and hung up on him. Single Gourmet of S. Florida is not worthy of any respectable person. I believe they are a total scam organization.

I had the exact same experience with Barry. He listed Miami events, then when I got the calendar of events - it was all up in Broward. I called and told him I was only interested in Miami as Broward is too far to travel. He said he didn't mail out the Miami events to me because they were all booked up for that calendar month. He convinced me to sign up for an event in Broward. I went to a place called the U.S. Steakhouse. It is supposed to be a 4 star restaurant. Sorry - but I fail to see that. Service was ok, food was mediocre, ran out of deserts. The place hadn't been redecorated since maybe the 70's or 80's looked like to me. I also asked what age range for these events. He assured me all age ranges from 20's to 90's. I'm in my 40's. At this particular event, the age range was some 40's one 30 something and the rest were 60 and up. I have about 5 friends that wanted to join age ranges from 20's to 40's - going to advise them not to. I called to cancel the 2nd event I was scheduled for and told him what I thought about the event I attended previously. He was very defensive. I got the impression he was doing me a favor and I was being too demanding and egocentric - he actual called me egocentric - I guess because I expected it to be as promised, not what it was. At any rate because they have a 1 week cancellation policy for events I will most likely be out of that too - whatever - don't want to waste anymore money on this. I asked him specifically at the event when the Miami events would be listed, he said he was working on some deals with the restaurants there and will be hopefully having some soon. He's lied about Miami events, doubtful if there will ever be any. I told him I had friends that wanted to join but most likely will not because of my experience.

I was considering joining and checked the company out in the Better Business Bereau, this is what it said - Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F on a scale from A+ to F. I'm glad I didn't join.
We need a reliable company that has events in Miami!

I ONLY WISH THAT I HAD DONE MY HOMEWORK BEFORE JOINING AND SENDING THEM THE $99. SAME ISSUE HERE, LOCATION OF EVENTS NOT AS DISCUSSED AND NO EVENTS LESS THAN $55, EVEN THOUGH THEY STATE $30-$60, MANY ARE IN THE $60's. BUT WORST YET IS HOW THEY SPEAK TO YOU WHEN YOU CALL TO DISSCUSS IT. THEY GET REALLY AGRESSIVE AND DON"T LET YOU SAY A WORD. TOM TOLD ME TO GO "F" MYSELF. CAN YOU IMAGINE SUCH A THING? I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE ELSE WHO GETS INVOLVED WITH THEM.

I live in Miami too, and joined for Miami events. I have been a member for 2 years and there have been Miami events scheduled, but then canceled within 1 to 2 days of the event. I didn't want to travel to Ft Lauderdale and beyond, but over the time I have been a member, have gone to events in Hollywood, Ft Lauderdale, Boca and Pompano. I've enjoyed meeting new people each time and have enjoyed the fellowship. While the dining experience hasn't been 5 star, it's been adequate for the $59 charge which includes appetizer, dinner, dessert and a glass of wine with dinner. Now when I go, there are are some people that I know, and I enjoy the happy hour. The seating is pre-arranged, so you are having dinner with people of your own age. The men have to wear jackets, its nice to be in the company of nicely dressed people for dinner. There are usually more women than men...and quite frankly I've found the women to be more interesting than the guys - so I have renewed my membership - AGAIN. Try it - you might like it and you might gain a new friend

You apparently have not poked the bull!

Prior to paying for membership, I called asking for a sampling of restaurants the group had gone to in the past. I was told (like others) that information isn't divulged until membership as sometimes people "crash" the events, calling ahead to restaurants used in the past to see if the group is dining there. I realize in retrospect, that's a ridiculous answer. There are so many possible restaurants in South Florida - how could anyone just spend hours calling around to find out if Single Gourmet will be there? I am sure they don't "tell" because some of the restaurants aren't "gourmet" if you use the real definition of the word. They are all supposed to be "4 star" restaurants, but when my newsletter came, I saw some places on it that I had been to on my own which were mediocre to VERY mediocre. I looked up reviews - who decides the restaurant is 4 star? There were mixed reviews (some very bad) for most of the restaurants listed in the newsletter. I was also told (when I asked) that we would be ordering off the regular menu. When I went to an event, there were printed menus on our table with LIMITED choices off the regular menu. We received only ONE glass of wine with our meal (house wine), TEENY portions of food, and that wasn't amazing. The appetizer was cold (some of it wasn't supposed to be). And I paid $59.00 for it plus the $10.00 glass of wine (house wine!) I had at the bar during "social hour" which I didn't realize wasn't included! I completely disagree with Maudrey who feels $59.00 is reasonable for what you get. Plus, it seems logical that the restaurants likely give a discount to Single Gourmet so the limited food choices and ONE glass of wine was quite upsetting. I'd like to have the entire menu to order from, not limited choices and tiny portions for what I do get to choose! In addition, the event I attended was mostly made up of a crowd much older than myself.
This might turn out to be a good "social club" thing - but I think they misrepresent the "gourmet" aspect, and also feel that the charges are too high for what you get.

Hi GoodCook, Please review the comments. Maudrey did not state that $59 is reasonable.. And you will find that the restaurants are just about the same ones on every Newsletter, with little variation in location either. You have in fact been duped like the rest of us. This "social club" is totally misrepresented.

So glad I read this. I was wondering why whenever I typed in "reviews for single gourmet" that it kept sending me to their site. I do not want to deal with aggressively bad customer service and pay for it too. Anyone know of any other decent social clubs for Broward/Palm Beach?

I totally disagree with most of the comments listed above. In fact, after seeing who wrote the first comment about this first class singles club I realized that it was a competing singles organization. Pam Epstein has her own singles club in the Miami area. She is also on the board of the Miami Ski club. Her comments are totally fabricated and I am quite sure that a good majority of the comments listed above were posted here at the urging of Pam Epstein. I have been a member of Single Gourmet for many years. I have made many new friends and have also met the man of my dreams thru Single Gourmet. The dinner events are far from over-priced. (4 - 5 course meals, lots of selections and large portions, wine and tax and tip included). Many times there is dancing and live entertainment and all dinners are held at upscale, well known restaurants in the entire South Florida area including Miami. And you do not have to be a gourmet to see why this club has a following that most singles clubs wish they had. They are definitely a First Class Singles Club.

TO THE PERSON WHO WROTE A COMMENT ABOUT PAM EPSTEIN:
Pam Epstein is NOT a liar. And you said this is about the Miami Ski Club? This club has its activities in the south part of Dade County. Singles Gourmet has its dinners in Broward County and Boca Raton. This distance between the functions is significant so there is NO COMPETITION between the two. And neither Pam nor anyone else mentioned a word about the Miami Ski Club. YOU were the only person who did. And why would you do this? Are you Barry Adelson, the owner of Singles Gourmet? Anonymously making frivolous complaints about Pam, and posting your comment as if you’re some independent third person? So hey Barry, look at her comment….. she said she only wants her $99 back. SO WHY DON’T YOU GIVE HER THE MONEY AND STOP ACTING LIKE EVERYONE IS TOO STUPID TO FIGURE OUT THAT IT WAS YOU WHO POSTED THAT COMMENT.

Need to start by saying I have no idea who Pam Epstein is.

I joined Single Gourmet a year ago. I was told before I joined that events would be $40 to $100, in addition to the yearly membership of $100. When I received the first months list of events I soon discovered that none of the events were under $60 and most were significantly more. When I called to ask for a refund since they did not represent what they had to offer correctly they very rudely refused. It wasn't worth fighting. Tonight I just received a phone call from Tom at Single Gourmet asking me if I knew that my membership was about to expire. When I told him I wasn't interested his exact words were, "There's a reason why some people are still single." So they misrepresent their service, I refuse to rejoin, and then they insult me. I wouldn't recommend them to ANYONE.

Hi everyone,

In light of reading all the negative online reviews (And people complaining to me personally) on this company in South Florida, I would like to invite all the people who feel ripped off and anyone else that would like to meet people and dine out in South Florida to an ABSOLUTELY FREE Dining Out group. Everyone gets separate checks, can order whatever they want and discover GREAT places to eat in South Florida. We either get a discount on our meal or a free appetizer or dessert for the group at each event. The group is on Meetup.com and is titled "Dining Out in South Florida".

I love eating out, am single, but it is no fun doing it alone, so I started this group last year and members that join have to tell their favorite "hidden gems" to eat at in South Florida, which has helped me and others to discover some great places to dine at in South Florida and to meet new friends.

I hope to meet some of you!

Darren

Thank you all of you. I was planning to join the Single Gourmet, but I feel some kind of uncertain things going on. Why they need you to join the membership first before telling you anything about the events. I definitely will look for Meetup.com instead.
I like the idea that everybody go and pay their own bill and have fun without membership.

Thanks to all for sharing...

Darren - is this you from the Lock & Key parties? If so- this guy is legit!
Cheers,

AM

Looks like site is down. So, how did he legally keep your money? Yes, it was all legit how it worked.. What he did was take advantage of a legal loophole in Florida - which covers "future services contracts" -- in which you have 3 days to request your money back. From what I understand Future services / buyers remorse laws were created to prevent scams for things such as Time share condos or large purchases (maybe cars?). BUT a "club membership" is also considered a "future service", because that's what you are doing - buying the privilege to attend a future event.

So how he did it was that he didn't take credit card (because those can be disputed) or online payments, just checks and cash. So, the law states you have 3 days from when the contract is signed to change your mind and get your money back. If you weren't at an event as a guest to sign up, he h ad you mail in your check with the signed "contract".

By the time you attend your first event it's past the 3 days and BAM you are screwed for $99 (Plus whatever the event cost was -- unless you like the food, which was questionable at times, as I attended a few events myself).