Lifemates
Reviews and Complaints

What a scam! Thousands of dollars to sign up for 10 referrals that never happened. I was given four, maybe five referrals, then nothing. I have called repeatedly. No one ever answers. All calls go directly to voicemail. I've left voicemails and no one ever returns the call. You would think they would at least try to pretend to offer good customer service.

I signed up with Lifemates, like everyone else said, I couldn't find out what the cost was until the last moment. I was supposedly an "easily matched person" - educated, financially secure, good job, pretty and social.

They assured me there were many matches out there for me, it would be 4-6 weeks between matches and had a guarantee. For my "Life Standard" middle of the road package I paid $3500. I was told I would get 10 referrals. And the success rate for this package of 10 63% that I would end up in a relationship. So, I thought within a year I would have met the 10 men (if it got to that), and life was great.

I met one guy that was not a match at all, he was almost the right age, and lived near me, and that was it. I wasn't even picky about most things. The next alleged match came 9 weeks later. It was a completely fake match. The guy that supposedly said he's like to meet me never called, when I called him, he said he nothing to do with lifemates. So, not only was it a fraudulent match, it was humiliating.

And...that was it! Six months later and I have only had one match! One match every six months for 10 matches equals FIVE YEARS! And they think my expectation is unreasonable, that I haven't given it a chance, that I'm too negative and have to think positive. Like there is something wrong with me for thinking that is not realistic. And they say "because you used our services there is no refund." I would love to see their records, see how many people they send one "referral" to and then nothing, just to get to keep the money.

They sent me to the financial person, who was condescending, kept saying things like: "what I hear you saying is you want another referral", when I couldn't have been more clear, "I want my money back!" Not even all of it, just $2400. She ends with the statement she is not a decision maker, I beg her to talk to a decision maker, she won't even give me a name.

Very, very upset. And yes, negative too.

I am in a similar situation like so many others who have complained about Lifemates. I had paid a huge amount and have got nothing worth while in return so far. I had to call them several times to remind them and upon which they would come up with referrals that I didn't agree upon. So I asked for a refund as it was clear to me they had no candidates that fitted my criteria. They refused of course. So I went to Business Bureau and LIfemates never bothered to respond to them. They directed me to Ministry of Consumers which I did and they responded with total misrepresentation of my account and what had transpired so far. So I am planning on going to the Small Claims court as suggested by other victims on the complaint board. I hope this will work. I was told my Ministry of Consumers that if more people complain and if they noticed a pattern, the company will be held accountable. So please report to the Ministry if you are in a similar situation like mine.

Unfair practices, pushy sales tactics
I went to a meeting at LifeMates and felt very pressured into signing their contract on the spot. When I got home I knew I couldn’t proceed. I had a gut feeling. I emailed them right away and asked for someone to call me first thing in the morning asap. I also emailed the sales rep telling her I could not proceed and to kindly refund my money.
To no avail.
Infact, I even went as far as to quote their founder and CEO Todd Holley that you will refund all funds within 24hrs.

"If it is quickly, within 24 hours, we refund all their funds, " says LifeMates' Todd Holley.

I said, Please confirm this morning that the initial charge from 7/17/2103 is refunded and my other payments will not be processed. I had to email and tried calling a few times. This is what I received back

“ I left messages as I needed to talk to you about this.
The info you read was written by a former partner of Lifemates 14 years ago and has not been with our company since.
I wish you could hear testimony of those who have fallen in love and married as a result of us bringing them together.
I felt it was what you wanted too.
I needed you to read the first line of the contract. Where you initialed the circle. It clearly states that if you decided to cancel that you be responsible for half of the membership costs.
Please think about this and the money wasted verses the money spent towards your future happiness.
I could make the payments less on a monthly basis if it helps. It is just sad to have to pay half the cost and not use our service.”

I even went as far as calling their Director Sean Waterman, he was not accommodating at all and he too said I signed the contract and the only thing is they would give me back half of what I paid/owed for the total contract. I have not received any services through them and now they want half my money.

I indicated that I was somewhat bullied into signing, I mentioned that I was not verbally given any indication of their non-refundable clause either before or during signing. I was not walked through the contract, simply told to sign here and initial all the circles. I should have read a little more clearly but was so pressured at the time and had already been there for so long.

I sent Sean Waterman a letter and have not heard back at all.
I have put a complaint into the Better Business Bureau (which they already have a “F” rating) and started with the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Protection and now proceed through the Ministry of Attorney General Small Claims Court.

Stay very clear of this company and it’s business practices. They are not above board on any of their services, claims, contract or anything what so ever.
If anyone can offer their experience in successfully getting their monies back or suing, please contact me asap

If you are contemplating joining Lifemates Canada, you need to be aware of the hard sell tactics they apply to get your signature on the contract. The following is my story…….

I went to Lifemates’ office in Mississauga in May 2012 after seeing numerous ads on TV and online depicting them as the be all to end all in the dating world. I asked about the price. Their answer was that I first have to qualify ( believe me, if you have money in your bank account or a credit balance on your credit card(s), you WILL qualify. After a grueling 3 hrs, they present you with a contract and quickly go through it in 15 mins. If you ask questions, they’ll deflect them by bogus promises which they don’t intend to keep. The contract is slanted totally in favor of the company with numerous escape clauses. They will promise you “unlimited” referrals but on an “Availability” basis which is their magic word for providing you with mismatches or no service at all. You are not allowed to see photos of potential matches, yet are required to pay $299 for professional photography for no apparent purpose other than a money grab. You are matched via a vague phone description of the person. If you turn the referral down, it may be weeks or months before you’ll hear from them again. If you call and bug them, they’ll just say that there is no one available at the time. If you so much as accept one referral whether he/she is what you’re asking for, you can kiss your money goodbye. I had two dates in 5 months. Consider the following if you still want to check them out:

1. Leave your wallet in the car.

2. Your first question to the agent is ” Can I see photos of prospective referrals “. They will undoubtedly dodge the question by saying that you first need to qualify.

3. Keep asking until they answer. They’ll tell you that you need to play by their rules. You tell them that you’re the customer who’s paying and you want to know what you’re buying.

4. Never fill out their questionnaire until you get an answer to #2. The answer is a resounding NO. You are expected to buy sight unseen. If they don’t give you a straight answer, head for the door.

5. Start walking and don’t look back. Their main objective is to get you to sign on the spot because they know that once you walk, you’ll never return.

6. Google all the complaints associated with this outfit and file a complaint with the Ontario Consumer Protection Bureau. They will be investigated and the company can be fined $250K for Unfair Business Practice.

LifeMates Canada makes a lot of claims about their service offerings as well as customer support - most particularly dealing with customers who have complaints. Unfortunately I am one of those consumers with a significant issue with LifeMates yet no one will respond to emails, phone calls (with messages) or even couriered letters. LifeMates does not live up to their promises nor are they seemingly concerned with customer concerns and complaints. Be very careful when considering using their services.

I don't recommend LifeMates. The quality of matches they gave me were absolutely NOTwhat I expected. They promised me there were alot of candidates suited for me, that was not the case at all. There were huge gaps in time where I didn't get any calls. I called/emailed them, but I got the runaround or couldn't get through. And if they did return my calls/emails, it took forever but never resolved the problem. They have excuses for everything. The high cost I paid was NOT worth the service I received.
I see there are reviews out there that are somewhat biased, outdated or not dated at all (when Google-searched as "Lifemates reviews"). It's important for people to see BOTH sides before they make a decision to signup with LifeMates.
Please check out Consumer Affairs website:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/dating_services/lifemates.html