Team 4: Clients Say The Right One Dating Service Is All Wrong

POSTED: 4:10 pm EDT July 25, 2008

UPDATED: 7:33 pm EDT July 25, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- The following is a transcript of a report by Team 4 investigator Jim Parsons that first aired July 25, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

The Right One boasts about comprehensive personality profiling, criminal background checks on clients and a 20-year history of successful matchmaking.

But some former clients tell Team 4 a different story about high-pressure sales tactics, bad matches and thousands of dollars in lost membership fees.

The clients we interviewed say they're embarrassed, so they requested that we conceal their identities.

The signs are difficult to miss. From Green Tree to Greensburg, these phone pole placards call out to singles looking for the right one. But for singles Team 4 interviewed, The Right One turned out to be all wrong.

"I wanted someone who was never married. This person is divorced," said a former client.

"Most were not my type at all," said Christy, another former client. "They couldn't have missed the mark any more than they did."

This former client says she was clear with her counselor at The Right One. She didn't want to date men who like to hunt and fish.

"I like doing things in the city, cultural events, sporting events," Christy said. "So, who I got my first call from was a gentleman who was a very, very nice man, but he wanted to meet me and take me out that night to a game roast with his hunting buddies."

And a third former client complained to Team 4 about being matched with "people that I don't have anything at all in common with."

These customers were more than a little disappointed, especially since each of them spent more than $3,000 in what they all describe as a high-pressure sales pitch.

"I got there at 4:30 and I left after 8:00. I was worn out," said Amy, a former client.

The Right One salesperson wouldn't tell her the price until the end. And what a price -- $3,700. That's two months' salary for her.

"At that point, I was like, how the hell am I going to afford this?" Amy said. "I felt stuck."

She signed the contract and paid half up front. The next day, she changed her mind.

"I called less than 24 hours later to say I wanted to cancel," Amy said.

The Right One refused, citing the first clause in the contract -- no refunds, recisions or cancellations of any kind.

"I feel like an idiot for falling for it, for not taking some time out and saying, 'I've got to think about it.' There just wasn't any time to think about it," Amy said.

The company also rejected another client's request for even a partial refund of her $3,200 when she was dissatisfied with the compatibility of her matches.

"I kind of feel foolish that I believed them, but it sounded so good," Christy said.

After our phone message to The Right One franchise director Rob Vargas went unreturned, we paid a personal visit.

"So, Rob is going to do an interview with me?" Parsons said.

"Well, he's going to call you back," said an employee.

"Is he going to do an interview with me?" Parsons said.

"I don't know. He's going to call and speak to you about it. He didn't discuss that with me," said an employee.

Vargas declined our request for an interview, as did Toros Yetenekian, the Los Angeles businessman who owns The Right One franchise in Green Tree.

An attorney for Yetenekian issued Team 4 a statement that says, in part, "While we are not perfect, we certainly try to remedy any problems that do arise. We are constantly striving to make each member happy with our services."

But, no explanation about why the company won't give refunds.

The founder and president of The Right One told WTAE's sister station in Boston earlier this year why, in most cases, he's opposed to refunding customers' money.

"I expend a lot of work on an individual. I expect to be compensated for it," said CEO Paul Falzone. "They come in and throw their hands up because they're frustrated. Is that my fault?"

Since Pennsylvania has no specific law that regulates dating services, amorous consumers need to be extra cautious.

"Ask for the contract up front," state Attorney General Tom Corbett said. "Call them ahead of time before you go meet with them. Ask for the contract. Take a look at it. Read it in detail even before you have the meeting. And if they're not wiling to give you the contract up front, you're not willing to meet with them."

Both the Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau say they have received consumer complaints about The Right One in Green Tree.
Related: Attorney General's Online Complaint Form

But again, Pennsylvania has no law that regulates dating service companies.

State Sen. Jay Costa is the sponsor of a bill that would give dating service customers three days to cancel a contract. That bill has been stalled in committee since last year.