It's Just Lunch [IJL] review: Unprofessional & unreliable matching services 40

Hi Rachelle, you are totally right.
This company is a pure scam, unprofessional, unreliable and I made the same mistake to trust them last year for a terrible 3 month trial.
When I complained and asked for a refund they blackmail me with an unprofessional unethical email as a strategy of intimidation. Fair enough, I forwarded their arrogant unapologizing email to all my single friends to make sure they don’t make the same mistake.
Give this company few more months before they go bust. Scammers never lady fortunately!
Good luck, since then I registered on a free and great dating appsj, Coffee Meet Bagel, and met my future wife!

It's Just Lunch (IJL) is a scam and I completely regret this experience - I wish i read all the online reviews of their service before signing up as they have a lot of bad reviews.

1. I was “ sold “ when I met with Hetty from IJL to upgrade to the $ 5, 000 package rather than the basic package. Hetty advised it provided a better service, better experience, photos of candidates and more personalised service. I never ever received a phone call from them after i paid my money - other than to put forward profiles of men who were still married or going through a divorce.
2. I agreed to increase to the higher cost based on my face to face meeting with Hetty. It was my first experience on the dating scene so was a little apprehensive and it sounded like this increased price package provided a lot more support for a first time dater.
3. During my interview I made it explicitly clear on a few occasions that I did not want to meet married men - including those who were married but separately for years, those going through a divorce. i said `I only wanted to meet men who are not married, not going through divorce and have finished with their previous marriages etc - those who were truly ready for a relationship. This was one of my key criteria and I explained to Hetty during the interview. She understood and took this down and confirmed absolutely this was understood and in fact said that in this case one of the candidates she had in mind would not then be a match.
4. Despite my saying that I did not want to meet Married men - I have twice been sent profiles of married men out of the three profiles recommended - including the one that Hetty said she would not put forward at my face to face meeting. I was astounded and wrote back that this was the person who was married and was not a fit criteria for me.
5. Even after agreeing to pay a fair amount for the package, IJL only offered to refund me $800. Based on the contract clauses and obtaining advise from a legal friend of mine, $ 1500 deduction for the breaking of the contact leaves S$ 3, 500 and then I went on one date only - so 3500/4 potential dates = 825 x 3 dates I did not go on = S$ 2625. which is fair and legitimate. IJL claim it was my misunderstanding - I don't think so - I think I can tell the difference between someone who is married and someone who is not and someone who is going through a divorce.

IJL - do the right thing a refund my money as per the contract - it's shameful that despite me giving you my criteria you still manage to put forward unsuitable candidates and now want to " blame me " not refund my money and then ask me to sign a form saying i won't " talk badly about the experience with IJL "

I will be reporting this to the consumer association of Singapore, please stay away from this company. They really are not interested in matching people up but rather fleecing you for your money. Even when they are found to be wrong - they cannot admit an error and honour the contract.

Be very, very careful. This is a scam organization. The unethical and unscrupulous boss relies on new staff members (who don't know her methods) to sell to unsuspecting clients. You will not get your money's worth. They do not have a database of suitable candidates for dates. Nothing that is essentially promised by them can be trusted. Multiple cases has been lodged against them in the Singapore Small Claims Tribunal. Do not try your luck, there's a 100% guarantee that you'd be left disappointed.

I had recently moved to Bluffton SC. I called them. The price was very high several thousand dollars. After pressuring me to sign a contract. They told me that there was no nearby office. Each one was at least two hours away. They then sold my personal information to another company that tried to take advantage of me. Meanwhile I fractured my foot and could not drive several hours for their video. I spent several thousand dollars...no chance of refund. This company should be closed it has fraudulent practices.

Hi! I am also 1 of victim of it's just lunch Singapore.. I got a judgement from small court but it already a month past the due date. They still have no intention to pay. How do you get your refund back?

Hi,

Once you win the case...here's the secret. You PRETEND you have started Enforcement Proceedings. Tell Anissa (or whoever you're dealing with) that you have paid your $180 or whatever it costs, and that the Enforcement people will be coming to the owner's house to collect on the debt. (the owner is the person whose name appears on ACRA Biz file). This shows that you are serious and if you are like me, she will show up at your work with her tail between her legs and your check...

And when that happens...you know you WON!

Hi . I have joined IJL last year August. They have send me for two dates so far and both were absolutely miss match of my given requirements. I want to withdraw me membership from them as soon as possible and get my money back. Please guide me with casing writing and best reason i could state for withdrawing my membership with IJL.
THANK YOU

Lunch Actually Singapore does exactly the same as IJL! Do not join Lunch Actually!

Very poor business ethics in IJL Singapore branch.
They sell well based on their branding but either don't arrange matches or match you with singles who are not according to your preferences. If you reject their recommendations, they will put you on suspended mode with no matches
Their sales team will woo & charm you with bright promises of personalized service & great dates. Sad truth unveils itself after you've paid & signed up.
After joining, a different team of support staff will call you with profiles of singles that do not meet with your match preferences.
They will distort bio-data to convince you to meet their proposed matches.
Example (A) I have asked for matches who are Christian singles. Upon meeting, the guy is free-thinker or atheist (clearly not in line with my preference). IJL told him I am Christian but don't mind guys of any religion..IJL staff lied to to convince us to meet...one wasted date deducted from your entitled number of matches.
Example (B) IJL staff distort data about guy's height when calling with match details. I asked to meet guys 1.75 meter or more. They called me with a match which they claimed is 1.76 tall.
But when I meet him, he is below 1.66 meter tall!
Note: IJL never communicates match details on email to avoid written text of what they say, it is all via phone which they often dispute ever claiming about past matches' qualifications or bio-data.
IJL will do their best for your 1st match as they're contractually obligated to refund you part of your joining fee if 1st date is unsatisfactory. After the 1st date, it goes downhill if there are any dates at all
List of unethical practices goes on...

hi, I'm also intending to bring my case with ijl to court. but do u know if I can claim back refund on the basis of them not fulfilling the contract obligation of providing fixed no. of matches within the contract period of 15mths? they have only been providing me matches once every 3 to 6 mths..

wow this is great help! i recently won a court case against them but as expected, they have not sent the cheque when it was due. kept calling and emailing them to remind but only got excuses after excuses.
Can i check if you have to pay for the enforcement? and how long is the entire process?

I JUST TOOK IJL SINGAPORE TO SMALL CLAIMS AND GOT MY MONEY BACK TOO! Do not dispair...you CAN and SHOULD do the same. It's not that hard. You will get at least $1000 - $1500 back. It's worth it and they should be stopped! Here are the steps:

STEP A - STOP ALL COMMUNICATION with IJL people by Phone. Use email instead so there's a written record.

1.) First go to this link and pay $5 to download the ACRA Business Profile for IJL Singapore (copy/paste to your browser):
https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFServlet?app=MYBIZFILE-SHOP-CART&version=&S=926cf361e94397c4969b52f67ddb&D=&AT=OUT&isNew=true&Reload=true&AN=PP01

2.) Next, go to this website: https://app.statecourts.gov.sg/sct/page.aspx?pageid=4515
3.) Follow the instructions to file a claim by FAX. You only need the claim form, a brief description of what happened, and the Acra Biz Profile you just printed out from the previous step.
4.) Fax it in with a copy of your NRIC card or passport (EVEN FOREIGNERS can use this process to get money back from IJL Singapore)
5.) Wait for the letter.
6.) Go to the 3 court visits (the hearing guy tells you the dates). In the 2nd one, you need to bring a printed copy of what happened. KEEP ALL Your emails and make a clear case that they knowingly were dishonest about a database they made promises about but did not have. Try to write down the conversations as accurately as possible and the dates too. Also note what you said in the intake and how the actual dates compared. They have records of all your dates and they will be bringing it on their side, so be honest. Also be as CLEAR and SPECIFIC as possible. Paint a picture of them purposefully and knowingly misleading you, and using pushy sales tactics with false facts (which as we all know...is how they operate).
7.) After the judge rules in your favor, wait for the check.
8.) If they don't send the check, you need to start Enforcement Proceedings. This is just 2 more court visits. It is done at Chinatown Point...details are here: https://app.statecourts.gov.sg/sct/print.aspx?pageid=4524

It might sound like a lot of work but you WILL see your money again and you WILL help put this horrible business to an end. Once people realize they can easily get their money back through Small Claims IJL might think twice about treating their customers like human beings. You are helping many people have a better experience while putting your hard-earned money BACK in your pocket!

Feel free to post here if you need more help. I will check back periodically and happily answer any questions. Good luck!

i am taking them to court. same horrible expetience too! wish me luck!

Its just a scam...
Joined them in 2012 Oct. Spending so much SGD2, 600 I would expect to meet some quality people.
Well, I guess they will just match you with the next victim.
Went on 3 dates and suppose to have another 3 to go but I want my money back!
Of cos they tell me to forget about getting a refund on services not used.
I will go to courts and claim it.
Wish me luck! Thanks you all for speaking up.

Oh no harm tryi.g but jst b prepared..

I wanted to join IJL becoz 2 of my friends got married thru them, but I saw this review..hhmmm... I am confused! but they have success stories.

Please provide as much information as possible...

n i hv lots of complaint frm.e usa ijl tat i gathered for court.i m one of them broght them to court n got bk my.money

tat good forbu then.seem tp be e 5% luckynone

I have had a great experience so far. I signed up to It's Just Lunch a few months ago and have met some great guys, i find it is a great way to meet new people. My friend recommended me to It's Just Lunch as one of her friends has recently got engaged to someone she met through them. I am quite new to Singapore and had used It's Just Lunch when i was living in the States.

btw i also email to my bank trying to stop the payment. but chances are not high. i wrote to my MP, and also PRime Minster office. i dont know if it will work or not but i try all ways. today they finally call me back after my date DIDNT turn up on sunday, they called me back because i called up asking for ROC letter . i got a hard time looking for their ROC letter. but finally i got it. they are just a scam and cheating our hard earn money

hi i just filed a court order Small Claims Tribunal at the Subordinate Courts . basically just have to download the claim form and also you need a copy of ROC letter. if you need ROC pls let me have your email. i can send it to you. as it cost SGd5.50 to print out and is very troublesome. i want to pin them down as i am very angry too. we should we stand united and pin down this stuid company.

i m a victim too. jst sign up.in oct 12. when i cal them nobody bother return my call tiill i wrote in.best part they arange a date for me n he didnt turn.up...n i wrote a.big complaint n nobody bother to.rply..yes i m go.to.case n small claim

Thank you for sharing. Facing same problem with Dating Loft and Lunch Actually.

I was due to meet IJL lst week, but had to cancel due to work commitments. I was all set to join but as I spend a Saturday night at home (dateless...) I thought I would see if there were any reviews on them. I'm shocked at all the negative reviews about them - and will definitely be staying away now. Thanks all, and sorry to hear that you've had problems with them. Good luck on the dating scene - surely there must be another (better/cheaper) way to dating in Singapore?!

Hi, I have the same experience. Their services are unprofessional and horrible. I am going to take a legal action. I don't want to contact with them any more.

Another unhappy client

Hi, I paid more than S$2, 000 and I too, am very disappointed with their empty promises. In fact, I didn't get my 2nd date after 3 mths and I had to call them up to check what's wrong. And again, I didn't get to hear from them until another 1 week later. They will paint a very good profile of the dating partner but when we met up, I was totally thrown off by the reality vs what I had heard from them before I went for the date. Can someone tell me how do I submit the Small Claims Tribunal at the Subordinate Courts in Singapore ? Do I have to go personally or it can be done on-line. Appreciate your help out there...
Unhappy client

It should be called ITS JUST A SCAM. Seriously I have the same complaints as a client. They are COMPLETELY unprofessional. Any luck with the claims court? I am going to do the same.