Matchmaker International review: matchmaker scam artists! 38

What a nasty post... I can understand why someone walked out on your date.

Thanks for saving me the trouble. I have seen several complaints about them online and I was considering getting with them.

That sucks that, that happened to you! I know a friend of mine in a different state that used MatchMaker and actually found someone... they are run like a franchise... too bad you can't move and get something for your money!

The manager of the Fort Wayne Matchmaker International Dating Service was very unprofessional when I attempted to discuss my dating situation with her. She was incredibly rude and yelled at me at length on the telephone. I will be unable to deal with this person in the future.

To bad you did not stick it out with a more positive attitude. I am a member in the Chattanooga Tennessee office and I am on hold with a great guy who I know will be my future husband. All you have to do is just keep a positive attitude and keep in contact with your matchers and all will work out.

I'm a former member of Matchmaker International in Johnson City, TN which is also owned by Mr. Hollifield. I have found Mike to be a man of his word. If it wasn't for this service I would not have my son or my wonderful wife of five years. In my personal opinion I think that you might have jumped the gun. I too had a bad start with Matchmaker International the first four dates were nothing like I expected. I called and was absolutely livid because of the start. Mr. Hollifield told me to have faith, keep a positive attitude. The next date I went out on was more than I ever could have expected! From there i went on two more dates but kept seeing "number 5" and now we are married with a precious 2 year old. I hate the service didn't work for you, but there is no price I could put on what I have now. As far as the bible being a "prop up" if thats your opinion so be it. I actually was in Oak Ridge on a business trip to ORNL, and decided i wanted to see what kind of Christian he truly is. I went to his church, New Beverly Baptist, and he was doing the annoucements, his wife was in the choir, and his son is an usher. I had a great time in fellowship with them and just praising the name of Jesus Christ. So I think before you attack someone's character and religious values maybe you should investigate them a little further before making prejudgements and assumptions.

IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY MATCHMAKER INTERNATIONAL TRYING TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOU TO COME TO THEIR OFFICE FOR AN INTERVIEW...HANG UP! THIS COMPANY IS A FULL BLOWN SCAM. THEY BAIT PEOPLE IN WHO HAVE USED AN ONLINE DATING SITE, OR WENT TO ONE OF THE AREA WEBSITES (THERE ARE SIGNS POSTED IN THE GROUND) DEPENDING ON THE AREA YOU LIVE IN. ONCE THEY GET YOU IN THE DOOR THEY WILL TRY TO CHARGE YOU $2500 TO $10,000 FOR A MEMBERSHIP. YOU WILL NOT BE MATCHED WITH QUALITY PEOPLE AS THEY CLAIM, BUT RATHER THE SAME PEOPLE YOU COULD MATCH YOURSELF WITH. THESE PEOPLE ARE RUNNING THIS SCAM IN SEVERAL STATES AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS. THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE BBB, WHOM THEY HAVE IN THEIR POCKET, ONCE A BBB COMPLAINT IS ESTABLISHED IT IS QUICKLY SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCAM OR YOU WILL BE OUT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR NOTHING.
I AM NOT NOW NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN A CLIENT, I WAS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR! THEY RUN YOUR CREDIT TO SEE HOW MUCH IF ANY YOU HAVE ON CREDIT CARDS THEN THEY ASK YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT, THEY WANT IT ALL AND THIS IS HOW THEY SIZE YOU UP SO THEY KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CAN GET FROM YOU. THEN AFTER YOU BECOME A MEMBER, BEFORE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SEEYOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED, THEY CALL YOU TO "UP-GRADE" YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR EVEN MORE MONEY. I HAVE ENCLOSED THE UP-GRADE SCRIPT.

UPGRADE SCRIPT

HI (NAME), IM SO GLAD I GOT A HOLD OF YOU!
I JUST HAD A MAN OF WOMEN CALL AND TELL ME
THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED THROUGH US AND HE
OR SHE WANTS TO SELL THEIR EXECUTIVE PROGRAM
FOR ONLY _________! THIS IS A 5,000 DOLLAR MEMBERSHIP WHICH INCLUDES ____________. YOU WOULD REALLY BENEFIT FROM IT. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO WOULD WANT IT BUT JANE OR JENNIFER TOLD ME TO CALL YOU FIRST BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU WILL WANT IT! WE CAN RUN IT ON THE CREDIT CARD YOU PAID WITH IF YOU LIKE!

TIPS FOR UPGRADING:
ALWAYS SOUND SUPER EXCITED ON THE PHONE
NEVER LET SOMEONE “THINK ABOUT” IT- TELL THEM YOU HAVE OTHERS WHO WANT IT
MAKE THEM FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO IT BECAUSE JANE OR JENNIFER THOUGHT OF THEM FIRST
GET A CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD BY PHONE- IF THEY ONLY HAVE A CHECK OR CASH- TELL THEM YOU HAVE A FEW LADIES OR GENTLEMEN IN MIND THAT YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM AND GET THEM IN THAT DAY OR OFFER TO MEET THEM SOMEWHERE-IF THEY SAY THEY WILL BE IN THE NEXT DAY-THEY WON’T!
ALWAYS FEEL OUT AN UPGRADE FORM
THEY MUST SIGN CC SLIP BY FRIDAY OR NO COMMISSION- YOU CAN MEET THEM, FAX IT TO THEM, WHATEVER IT TAKES!
ALWAYS START PRICE HIGH, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO DOWN- IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN’T TALK THEM INTO THE ORIGINAL PRICE, ASK THEM TO COUNTER OFFER, TELL THEM ALL THE LADY OR GENTLEMAN CAN DO IS SAY NO- THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WILL PAY IF YOU ASK!
THE LAST VOICE THE CLIENT HEARS BEFORE YOU GET PAID GETS THE COMMISSION- THERE IS NO “ IVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT ONE”
NO HOLDING ON TO FILES YOUR TRYING TO UPGRADE, EITHER GET IT RIGHT THEN OR IT IS A LOSS
UPGRADES ARE PART OF YOUR JOB

THE PRESIDENT OF THIS COMPANY IS LOIUS PARAVATE. THE BBB WILL GET YOU NOWHERE AS HE PAYS THEM OFF WHEN THE COMPLAINTS COME IN.

IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MMI HERE IS THE PRESIDENT'S NAME AND NUMBER.

LOU PARAVATE [protected]

Replying first to Anonymous above who hasn't even got the guts to leave even a part of his name. First, you obviously aren't much of a man to insult women the way you do. Secondly, you probably know NOTHING of the law so who the h*** are you to be lecturing about slander and libel (unless you've had suits brought against you in the past for doing what you accuse others of doing). You don't even know this woman and you call her a fat a** b****. Provided you even have someone in your life, I'd do the Lorena Bobitt on you and cut it off so you couldn't pollute the rest of the world with your idiocy. I and nearly everyone else I know who've used these dating services have had the same or similar experiences. So, you have no right to preach your vile hatred. Your manner is completely immoral, inappropriate, and offensive - to say the least. Why don't YOU help people in Africa instead of presuming to tell everyone else that they're wrong? As for your comment about the date and the conversation about horses, the lady IS right about what she said about breeding; the so-called "expert" couldn't even seem to have a civil conversation about it. What else were they to talk about anyhow? I've never seen a rodeo rider (and there's nothing wrong with them on the whole) but they are seldom educated much above Jr. High level and that's not an appropriate match for someone with multiple degrees. I think even you could possibly grasp that concept, can't you?

Mysti I agree with the other person on here that you probably got fired...It sounds like you are very upset about it as well. Don't you have a life? I actually got married through Matchmaker International in Mobile and although I met a few people that I didn't meet again I have to say I met alot of wonderful people.
Maybe as Program Director you ran your office like that but I know for a fact that the people in the office I joined actually worked hard for me and even tho it's a little steep I would pay 10 times that amount for the person I met through them and married and without them I would have never met them. People pay alot more for silly toys and vehicles that they lose money on. Heck some pay more just to look good and for who if they don't want to find someone special. I think it is a disgrace that you would get on here and badmouth a company that is helping people find their soulmates, ok so maybe a few have a bad experience but in any business that is true. P.S what company doesn't have some sort of a script if they are in sales I get calls all the time from telemarketers and I know they are reading a script.. Big Deal! GET A LIFE! Oh and about the BBB down here they only have 4 in a 12 month period which is really low so if it was a SCAM don't you think it would be more? Slandering Matchmaker and the BBB I hope they sue you.

KATHRYN I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED HERE!

Matchmaker Int'l totally sucks! I see by other posts, a lot of people think so too! First, I was guilted or more like bullied by the owner's son into doing it.
(A GROWN WOMAN GUILTED OR BULLIED INTO IT WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST SAY NO AND NOT JOIN IF YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE BEING BULLIED. )

Instead of the $2500 I was supposed to pay he gave me a deal of $1500
(HE GAVE YOU A DEAL AND YOUR STILL COMPLAINING SOUNDS SELFISH TO ME...)

he said and was going to take it out in monthly payments of $182. I said um hello that would be $2000. He quickly got mad and refigured it to $124 and politely told me not to tell the "gentleman" I didn't have to pay full price.
(SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE ASKING FOR A MEMBERSHIP AT A LOWER PRICE NOT BEING BULLIED IN FACT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE THE ONE BEING A BULLY.)

Anyway Shane said "you'll never get a man who needs $20 for gas money for this service." Well the first referral I got, the man said he didn't like to spend money on movies because they are $8.50 you know. I said "and how many thousands of dollars did you pay for this service?"
(DID THE GUY ASK YOU FOR $20 IN GAS MONEY? JUST BECAUSE HE THINKS THE MOVIE PRICING IS HIGH DOESN'T MEAN HE IS A BAD MAN COME ON NOW!)

Anyway, the second referral was even worse. I asked for a professional man and all I got was a rodeo rider.
(A RODEO RIDER IS STILL A PROFESSION SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE YOU ARE A GOLD DIGGER!)

He claimed to be 5'8" but he's more like 5'4" and I towered over him at 5'7." Yes it was a riveting redneck conversation of horses bucking and dying. I forgot to mention in my last post that this man got up and left during our date.
(HIS PERSONAL CHOICE TO DO SO AND NOT MATCHMAKERS FAULT)

I called Matchmaker and said my God I have 2 master's degrees,
(SO THAT MAKES YOU BETTER THAN HIM, WHY IS THAT?)

why would I be interested in a 2 digit midget rodeo rider?
(THAT'S JUST CRUEL)

I could pick up a man off the street better than these guys and it would be free! Needless to say they would not stop debiting my payments and I am stuck with this crap for a year.
Matchmaker is mean and evil
(HMMM SOUNDS LIKEYOU HAVE THIS BACKWARDS)

and the guy who runs it claims hes' such a good Christian and a Deacon. They even have a bible as a prop up in front. His sons work for him and they all are married but are the most feminine men ever.
They make Boy George look like a bruiser.
(HMMM CRUEL AGAIN)

A word to the wise, these people are scam artists from the word go! They pray on lonely people and send the most crappiest matches ever, they don't care, they think they are fulfilling their obligation by giving you quantity. NOT QUALITY.
(YOU CLASS YOUSELF AS WISE AFTER ALL THE CRUELTY YOU PUT ON HERE)

GOOD LUCK TO YOU LADY AND MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO MATCHMAKER AND GET THE CHRISTIAN DEACON TO PRAY FOR YOU!

ACTUALLY I WAS NOT FIRED I QUIT BECAUSE IT IS A SCAM AND I RATHER ENJOY BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR, AND LOU PARAVATE IS A SICK SICK ### WHO GETS OFF ON PREYING ON HIS EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES 30 YEARS HIS JUNIOR.

EVERYONE ON HERE WHO IS POSTING HOW GREAT THEY ARE... FUNNY, YOU ALL WORK FOR LOU. HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK PEOPLE REALLY ARE? CERTAINLY NOT AS STUPID AS YOU I HOPE! 1 IN MAYBE 500 COUPLES GETS MARRIED THROUGH THIS OPERATION, SO DROP THE B.S..

SUE ME MR. "UNTOUCHABLE" PARAVATE. YOU'VE DONE EVERYTHING ELSE. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, STEALING MY CAR, FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT TO HAVE ME PUT IN JAIL, THREATENING TO CUT MY THROAT. PLEASE PLEASE SUE ME. I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TAKE YOU ON IN A COURT OF LAW. NO ARBITRATION CLAUSE HERE BUDDY!

GUESS YOU DON'T LIKE IT WHEN SOMEONE ACTUALLY HAS BALLS ENOUGH TO CALL YOU OUT HUH? SORRY I'M NOT ONE OF YOUR 6 EX-WIVES(THAT USED TO BE YOUR EMPLOYEES) THAT YOU CAN BUY OFF, NICE TRY THOUGH.

Kathryn,

My name is Lou Paravate and I have run the Chattanooga MatchMaker International office for over 20 years. Our local office has been responsible for countless marriages and successful relationships. Our clientele even includes members who have married through our service, lost their spouse to illness and have returned to our membership and married again! We are not affiliated with the Knoxville office, nor are we are aware of any negatives regarding their office. Perhaps you have just not had a successful experience there.

However, if you would provide documentation demonstrating that you are or were a client of the Knoxville office, I would be more than happy to provide a FREE membership to you out of our Chattanooga office in order to demonstrate that MatchMaker International is a quality service that produces results.

However, in as much as there is some distance between the two areas, you would need to be willing to meet gentlemen from the Chattanooga area, which would require travel on the part of you and/or the gentlemen. That being said, if you possess a positive attitude and are patient, I am confident that our service will work for you. If you are interested in accepting my offer, please contact me directly at our corporate mailing address:

MatchMaker International of Chattanooga, Inc.
PO Box 10426
Pensacola, FL 32524

Sincerely,

Louis A. Paravate, President
MatchMaker International of Chattanooga, Inc.

Why Katie... I do believe that 20/20 & Dateline would be very interested in this piece! Now the President is offering FREE memberships on this board...I'd say there is some heat indeed. Shall I submit it or would you like the pleasure dear?

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Report
Information provided by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.
FELONIES

1/24/07 Paravate, Louis Anthony, 57, W/M, 7500 block of White Sands Boulevard, Navarre, obstruction of justice, aggravated battery

I am another former employee of Matchmaker (in Chattanooga). It was the worst experience of my life. Everything Mysti says is 100% correct. The 'upgrade script" that she provided is accurate. I was asked to call existing customers using the upgrade script and coerce them into giving us more money (often a couple thousand dollars more) and telling them that they would receive upgraded benefits. While, in truth, they received nothing extra. It's all a scam. It broke my heart because a lot of the customers are older men and women who genuinely want to find someone to spend the rest of their days with. Unfortunately, they'll never find anyone with Matchmaker. I quit Matchmaker after a particularly disturbing incident. A gentleman came in who wanted to date Asian women. The manager (I think it was Jane) took his money (probably several thousand dollars) and told him that we have plenty of asian women to set him up with. There was actually only one asian girl in the entire service and she was almost expired. I was asked to walk next door to the nail salon and take polaroids of the asian women working there, so that we could show the pictures to the gentleman to convince him that we had asian women to date. I was then asked to go to my school (I attend university) and find any asian girls and tell them they could have a free membership to Matchmaker. I was disgusted and never came back. I was also sexually harassed in the office by a coworker. Stay away from Matchmaker!

I run the KC office. First off this office is not a Corperate office (I know this cause I work in a corp office for one of board members). When you pay for a service it is easy to blame them for failure. If you felt the membership services person was not living up to your expectation you should contact the office. We have people that join and feel that they are not recieving what they consider proper care but we work directly with you. My guess is you did not communicate with the office what you really wanted and needed. So when you fill your mouth with crap it turns out not tasting well. Next time instead of watching your money go down the drain speak up. I know these people they are good people that want to help other while making a buck. And if your ever in KC look us up our system allows you to pre approve matches that way you can avoid any miscommunications!

I dealt with Matchmaker in Indiana. My Mother dealt with matchmaker in Indiana.

We both met our husbands through them, and my mom got married to her match 3 months before I met my husband.

We have been married for 13 years for her, and 10 years for me.

The first few matches WERE duds...but I did end up meeting the man that I am spending my life with, and have built a family with.

They aren't scam artists, it does work...

Some things he said are not true. Women spend HALF the moeny men do, becuase there are more men in the program than women...so they charge women less so they will sign up.

I worked for Matchmaker International in Grand Rapids, MI in [protected], and I'm afraid this organization is one big giant scam. It's all about refusing to tell people who call in how much the service costs, making them come in for an "interview" in person to determine if they're type of person we'd "accept into the membership". In fact, this is [censored], as long as they have multiple thousands of dollars, we'd accept anyone! The real reason we made people come in was to strip away all their emotional defenses, get them feeling sad about being single and all their lost loves, then when they were at their most vulnerable - BAM we'd swoop in with the sales pitch, promising the world, and delivering on nothing. We used to literally GIVE away free memberships to the girls, because there was such an imbalanced load of tons of lonely guys and hardly any women. Day after day I'd deal with complaints from people calling in, demanding to speak to the manager, threatening to call the BBB or the Attorney Generals office (which quite a few people did actually) and still we had to put on a happy face and keep on selling these overpriced memberships to people who were so desperately in need of a mate that they'd pay $2, 500, or sometimes even $4, 995 for just a few "introductions". Yes, it was commission based, so the salespeople get a cut of whatever people spend for memberships. I could go on and on. Frankly, I'm surprised the whole company is still in business.

MatchMaker International in Michigan is a total scam! They use high pressure sales tactics to make you sign a contract for $1, 500 to $10, 000. They take advantage of the elderly, disabled and mentally ill. Do not let them leave the room with your credit card... They say they need it for the background check & then call to find out your credit limit so they can try to max it out! If you've been ripped off by MatchMaker International in Michigan, contact the Attorney Generals office. The BBB can't do anything to protect consumers, but the Attorney General can.

I agree that matchmakers is a scam...I bought their act for $1500.00 and have not had but 3 meetings since Auguet last year, This is may. My referral paper they send each month was sent back to me a month later by the post office...evidently their are not checking their mail...I called their phone # and got some kind of service company...i called back and got the same thing again. I am going through the BBB, and am also going to report to our local TV station. They need a good law suit...

My job interview with Kelly in Destin was a SCAM - she insulted my girlfriend and even after I told her I was dating, she tried to sell me services. After she refused to consider me for the job, I asked for my application with my social security number back. She returned it to me after making a copy, then refused to give me the copy. What kind of organization are they running?

This is crazy. I met my husband through matchmaker and now have my first baby on the way. I'm so happy I can't even describe. You really have to be willing to have fun and be open minded about your matches. These people aren't god, they are just giving you matches that you are compatible with. My husband was slightly different than what I thought I wanted and now he is the love of my LIFE.

I recommend all my single friends go to matchmaker. It is beyond worth it.

Sounds like mysti was boning her boss and things got bad between them... hmm

"Boning"? You MUST be from the south! LOL

"Not Happenin" is of course employed by none other than Matchmaker International! This is a complete scam. I went in the Chattanooga, TN office and listened to their pitch after REFUSING to tell me the cost over the phone. $5250.00? They have lost their minds! Who in the hell would pay that kind of money to these fools?

I'll be totally honest and tell you all that I work for MatchMaker International in MI. I can't speak for any of the other offices or locations as we're all owned by different people, but I've got to say WE'RE not a scam. All of the employee's in this office genuinely want to help people find love. Obviously when people work for commission everyone thinks that money is the only important thing, but our employee's are all paid an hourly wage also, so that's not ALL there is. And I know that in our office we do try to take our time and make great "matches". Not all the members are open minded or very cooperative, which can make our jobs more difficult, but most understand that we're trying to help and give us the feedback and the patience that we need to be successful. I'm sure there are people out there capable of the kind of things you're accusing this man of, but people should keep in mind that it doesn't apply to all of us.

@tryingtohelp2010. That is a scripted response that ALL MMI employees are INSTRUCTED to give to the un-satisfied clients. Epic FAIL! I worked for MMI and I repeated that same response to several hundred clients.

Let me tell you a little something about this company and believe me I have spoke to the owners son directly and I tell you christian people sure can put on a act. For one thing take people's money, funny how there is a differant price plan for the same offers why based on how much money you tell them you make. I guess there building there church off stealing from people and yes you may go to there church but that does not prove a thing. Example I have been recently invited to a talk show that I will not mention due to the fact i was married 5 years to a woman and she was under a false name and her mother was a methodist minister helping her out and stealining money. I took care of that and called the bishop she no longer preaches and come to find out was married 5 times, wow how the christian community really done a background check on her, just because you go to church dont mean your good. my mother and father both sunday school teachers and deacon of church they don't steal. I will tell you about this place and others. I went to spend my money with a company called heart to heart never got a date left with my money shut the doors no one did nothing about it. 600.00 down the tubes. Second went to matchmaker seemed nice filled out the papers. I weigh 125 lbs was set up with a a huge huge woman and not the color of hair or anything i asked for. Second i drove over 50 miles to beutiful woman had a great time asked about the service find out she did not pay not one dime because come to find out they were so hard up for woman because they had so many men, 20 minutes after i left boyfriend called and threaten me. wow what a ordeal and I do nothing and just left the money, now do you ever think they called me and said roman we will make it right or what do you want us to do no because why i paid in full. Now for the people that don't pay in full and get this treatment they send agencies after them and come to find out there now sending a agency after my new girlfriend that i had no idea that jonined several years ago and trying to collect when she got the same service, she is 5'9 hates tatoos, they set her up with a midget with tatoos wow. They should be paying her and me and others for not suing them. To beat it all we need to sue them and the collection agency that helps them and threatens people they did me today and i don't owe nothing and that was over 10 years ago. please leave info on this site with contact info and we will be calling you to get everyone involved to go after these people in knoxville which owns also johnson city.

Everyone involved please contact me. MMI of Knoxville is currently trying to rip me off big time and I'm having none of it. Please email ihatemmi@yahoo.com and let's get started. I have some ideas

Mike Hollifield is a fraud and a cheat. He has had six complaints filed against him with the BBB. Matchmaker Itnl is a group of liars and thiefs. Stay away, at least in Knoxville.

SCAM. RUN AWAY!

I warned you people as an insider over 2 years ago!

Matchmaker is the WORST dating service I have ever used... and stupidly, I didn't do enough research before I joined. I live in upstate NY, over 50, and with a limit of 50 miles for my 'date'. I've been matched with people in Canada, Michigan, California, Mumbai (yeah, THAT one), and a variety of other assorted locations. Some of my dates are 20-ish... some are looking for people 15 years younger than I. Half the emails I've received contain questionable grammar (they sound very much like the 'spam' stuff, leading me to believe they're fake) and multiple complaints to "ADMIN" get me nowhere. I deeply regret ever have signed up with these scammers, and if they take one single penny out of my account after my membership expires, I will hunt them down, via their state's AG. DON'T waste your $$$.

I met both the owner and his son today. Although the service is appealing and tempting to try, I wouldn't recommend this particular business. Scott the son was polite and professional, but after I left I was called by the owner, and in a very unprofessional way he told me I sure was "cute" and that he lacked women in my age group and please come back and try it out. He poured on the syrup very thick, almost sounding like a retired porn star. I couldn't get a word in edgewise over the phone. When I was finally able to interject I said "Thank you very much, you've obviously had a lot of success stories, but I need more time. I'm not quite ready yet." When I said that he completely changed his tone and abruptly ended the conversation. I was even going to go in the next day and try it! This conversation changed my mind. How sad, because I am very ready to meet someone special and I don't care who knows it. Whoever's reading this I'm on match.com, username Julz09 -Julie

Match Maker International 5103 Kingston Pike Suite 104, owner Mike Hollifield, is totally a SCAM. He took $795.00 from me, and never provided a date. or service. He is arrogant, mean, and heartless. This man need to be stopped.

It looks like Matchmaker International falls into one of two categories. People either love them or hate them. I had a bad experience with them way back in 1996. I was only 22 years old at the time and was alone, and I had never even so much as been out on a date before. Incidentally, I am about to turn 40, and I have still never even been on a date before, but I digress. Anyway, back at that time in the spring of 1996, I had a very physical, 100% outdoor job. I was on my way home from work one day and stopped in to the local Matchmaker International branch to see what it was all about. They used very high pressure sales tactics and before I knew it, I was signed up.

They whipped out a camera and snapped a very fast photo of me for my profile. I had just gotten off work and was dirty, in need of a shave, and my hair was a mess. No matter. They said that the photo was a requirement. I later went back when I was all cleaned up and made them (after much arguing) take another profile picture. I also had another reason for going back that day other than getting a new, better picture taken. I had to replace a bad check I had written with cash.

The day I was talked in to signing up, I had to pay $350. I didn't have $350 at that point, so I wrote a worthless check with the explanation that it would bounce higher than a rubber ball if they attempted to process it anytime soon. They said that they understood and would hold the check for 48 hours, at which point they would call me and see if I had the funds. And if I didn't, they would shred the check and that would effectively end my would be membership with them. I will give them their due on that one. They didn't want to get me in trouble with the law for writing a bad check, so they held it. But they had to have something in their hand that day, or else they could not proceed forward with the membership.

Two days later, I return with the $350 in cash and of course, to get the new photo of me taken. They take the cash, hand me back the check, and a receipt, and tell me "we will be in touch". I never heard back from them. I called several times and inquired about any possible matches. The answer was always the same, "Oh, we should have a match soon." On what would turn out to be my very last contact with them, someone actually gave me a different answer. She said, "Well, there may not be any available matches for you at the moment." I replied with, "Well, you would think that $350 would get me at least one match, but I guess not."

Ultimately, I just had to eat the $350. I just counted myself lucky that I didn't spend more. One person on here who posted a review stating that she used to work for Matchmaker, and she was actually sent out on a date with a guy for whom no matches were ever found. To be honest, I would have even settled for that. A "date" with one of the employees would have been better than what I got which was absolutely nothing.

They are in the business of tapping into the weaknesses of people desperate for affection and love. They know they can put any price on the prospect of finding love for the empty-hearted. Used them years ago and the matches had nothing in common with the information I provided and they did not match what I was looking for. I understood after the first few matches that I had wasted $1K+ and I chalked it up to a very expensive mistake. You cannot rely on someone else to find something so valuable as love. This will all be handled in God's time and no sooner. Yet Matchmaker is happy to tap into your resources on your journey. Stay away from this company at all costs!