JoAnn Ward And Steven Ward - It's About Time Dishonest, degrading, unprofessional, scam Philadelphia Pennsylvania
I am simply adding my own report to the two I have already read here (as well as other consumer sites) regarding "It's About Time" Master Matchmaking service run by a mother and son team, JoAnn and Steven Ward.
My experience is just as the other two women have described. These individuals treat you very nicely, have you sign their contract, take your money and then turn to their "Jekyll" side.
Right from the start they were very defensive and argumentative with me, getting angry when I wasn't interested in meeting the "perfect" person they picked for me. In fact, the first person they wanted me to meet had been given all of my information (and pictures), but they only provided me with a brief description over the phone (and no pictures). When I asked why he received my picture, but I did not get his, they told me they don't really operate that way (sending pictures) all the time.
Mind you, when I met with JoAnn for an initial meeting, I was told the process was this: we call you and tell you about someone, we send you their profile information and pictures, and then you can decide if you are interested. JoAnn even had a book of pictures with her when we met for an initial meeting.
I was not interested in meeting the individual and it turned immediately into JoAnn (primarily) but also Steven, lecturing me, practically "scolding" as if I were a child! It was very insulting and degrading. I was the PAYING client for goodness sakes ($3,000 by the way).
At this point I asked for the partial refund the CONTRACT stated I was entitled to if I terminated it within the allotted timeframe (without having one "match" - match being defined as someone I actually met in person). They ignored it and refused it.
Let me also point out that I initially contacted JoAnn within the "3 day window" for refund after signing contract telling her I wasn't sure I did the right thing, that signing up right away (over the initial meeting) was probably hasty and I wanted to think about it more. JoAnn quickly manipulated that and did everything to avoid talking about giving me my money back.
I was so disgusted with their unprofessional and down-right mean-spirited behavior that I just set it aside. A week or so later, they contacted me again after one of their "prospective" male clients had seen my profile and was excited to sign up, if he could meet me. Of course they called me with the "we got off on the wrong foot, we really do want to help you" approach [more smoke and mirrors...they didn't care about helping me, they needed me to reel in some more $$ for them with this new client].
Wanting to be fair-minded myself (and make sure I had not prematurely misjudged them), I agreed to it (after all they still had my $$ and were not giving it back). That turned into the next insulting and degrading treatment by JoAnn and Steven, followed by another at which point I told them to leave me alone and immediately remove me as a client.
Given the consistent mistreatment and unprofessional behavior, I felt the least they could do was give me my money back and I requested it. They ignored me completely. I then submitted a BBB claim (for which they initially ignored for months until their rating (from too many unresolved claims began suffering further).
They sent a very nasty, insulting response, further degrading me personally to BBB. I also engaged a consumer group who contacted them several times on my behalf, with the same response (ignore it initially) and then sent another scathing, nasty and insulting response. They were dead set on keeping my money (despite the fact they did not live up to their contract nor offered the services and the process they purported to offer through their site and their initial meeting with me).
This is the only experience I have ever had where I had to go to such lengths (regarding a complaint or dissatisfaction with service), but with these individuals, it became less about a refund of money, and more about principle. They run a business and offer services to paying consumers. Consumers who pay for services should receive those services (and should not be subjected to such terrible mistreatment). If services are not rendered (and/or there are circumstances such as mistreatment), business owners need to respond and act appropriately.
JoAnn and Steven are not willing to be accountable for their own actions and behaviors, nor are they even open to compromise or negotiation. They also show no remorse for the way they treat people, it is all about money for them. BUYER BEWARE!
This is my experience with this business. I have no doubt they would tell you (as they have about other clients), that I was just difficult to work with. That is a generic and cop out answer they use as it makes them feel justified to continue insulting and degrading someone, and keep their money.
Do not make the mistake I did here, search these individuals and the business as well as other research and conduct your own due diligence in determining whether or not you feel they are trustworthy. I stand by my statements.
If I knew an attorney who would approach them for me and get my $3k back (maybe more), I'd give it all to a charity. It isn't about the refund anymore, it is about getting people like this out of business or at least paying a price and being accountable for their actions. Maybe they will learn a lesson and it will prevent them from doing it to others in the future.
Kathleen
Northern, Virginia
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Susan
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Response to mastermatchmaker Joann and Steven Ward
#6Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 27, 2007
This is the fifth individual I have experienced hearing about this "Jekyll and Hyde" behavior of self-acclaimed Mastermatchmakers Joann and Steven Ward. So far 4 out of 5 have sued and have won their money back in small claims court (you do not need a lawyer, but they will ). The fifth person is the above Kathleen from Northern Virginia. I say, go for it, Kathleen. They do not deserve your money. If you do not win, you will lose nothing more. They will need to pay for a lawyer, however. I believe that dishonest business will eventually be found out by enough people and be shut down.
in curiousity, I went ahead and contacted Mastermatchmakers Joann and Steven Ward by email and then eventually got a response by telephone. Joann sounded desperate to meet me herself, then sent her son to meet me. He seemed very full of himself, but I dismissed it to his lack of experience and lack of much needed humility. When I did not agree to the service or pricing, Steven became a bit "hot under the collar" shall we say. He remarked that his mother Joann would call me to follow up. He left me with this "advice", though it sounded much more like a warning. He told me I was getting older and didn't have much time to waste. It was obvious I needed his help according to him. This was a turnoff.
Joann called me that evening and was at first overly friendly and warm, as if we'd known each other for years. She called me "honey". But when I explained to her I was still not interested, she turned displayed her "Jekyll" side. She cursed at me and was degrading. I cannot write what she said simply because this will not be posted.
To the woman who is considering this service: Beware. Beware. Beware.
Susan Smith
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Need Advice
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 03, 2007
So far I have read critiques from three different people regarding this service. If anyone has anymore comments, please post them... this is a very difficult business (matchmaking), and no service could ever guarantee that you would meet the man of your dreams .... no one could guarantee that .... even the man of your dreams, regardless of how you met him could end up being a nightmare ....
The only reason I would employ such a service is to increase my chances of meeting someone who is desirable to me .... it's another venue, and if they supply more men who fit any objective criteria I would be open minded to going out with them and making a decision on my own ... they are not GOD! And, of COURSE they are in it for the Money!! They are running a business ... not a charity!!
You cannot buy happiness ... or self esteem, or anything else that is a real personal asset ... in my opinion, this type of service shoudl be resonsible for increasing your chances by supplying the product .. while you continue to do the same on your own, and through the cousrse of your own life.... So, my question is this: Does the service actual come through by supplying an appropriate number of "potentials" for you to sift through (which are reasonable close to your criterion)? Or, do you sign up and is it "radio silence" -- like they have fallen off the planet and there is no one for you to meet? Or, do they send in a high quality of ... and forgive me for sounding harsh ... losers, just to fill a quota? Those, to me, are the important questions ... weather or not someone is "foul mouthed" or suggests maybe some plastic surgery is not important to me ... I understand that this is a commerical endeavor ... and that NO ONE IN THE FREE WORLD COULD GUARANTEE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" .... so, personal/personality clashes aside (they are inconsequential to me) ... do they actually have the merchandise? Thanks.
Susan Smith
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Need Advice
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 03, 2007
So far I have read critiques from three different people regarding this service. If anyone has anymore comments, please post them... this is a very difficult business (matchmaking), and no service could ever guarantee that you would meet the man of your dreams .... no one could guarantee that .... even the man of your dreams, regardless of how you met him could end up being a nightmare ....
The only reason I would employ such a service is to increase my chances of meeting someone who is desirable to me .... it's another venue, and if they supply more men who fit any objective criteria I would be open minded to going out with them and making a decision on my own ... they are not GOD! And, of COURSE they are in it for the Money!! They are running a business ... not a charity!!
You cannot buy happiness ... or self esteem, or anything else that is a real personal asset ... in my opinion, this type of service shoudl be resonsible for increasing your chances by supplying the product .. while you continue to do the same on your own, and through the cousrse of your own life.... So, my question is this: Does the service actual come through by supplying an appropriate number of "potentials" for you to sift through (which are reasonable close to your criterion)? Or, do you sign up and is it "radio silence" -- like they have fallen off the planet and there is no one for you to meet? Or, do they send in a high quality of ... and forgive me for sounding harsh ... losers, just to fill a quota? Those, to me, are the important questions ... weather or not someone is "foul mouthed" or suggests maybe some plastic surgery is not important to me ... I understand that this is a commerical endeavor ... and that NO ONE IN THE FREE WORLD COULD GUARANTEE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" .... so, personal/personality clashes aside (they are inconsequential to me) ... do they actually have the merchandise? Thanks.
Susan Smith
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Need Advice
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 03, 2007
So far I have read critiques from three different people regarding this service. If anyone has anymore comments, please post them... this is a very difficult business (matchmaking), and no service could ever guarantee that you would meet the man of your dreams .... no one could guarantee that .... even the man of your dreams, regardless of how you met him could end up being a nightmare ....
The only reason I would employ such a service is to increase my chances of meeting someone who is desirable to me .... it's another venue, and if they supply more men who fit any objective criteria I would be open minded to going out with them and making a decision on my own ... they are not GOD! And, of COURSE they are in it for the Money!! They are running a business ... not a charity!!
You cannot buy happiness ... or self esteem, or anything else that is a real personal asset ... in my opinion, this type of service shoudl be resonsible for increasing your chances by supplying the product .. while you continue to do the same on your own, and through the cousrse of your own life.... So, my question is this: Does the service actual come through by supplying an appropriate number of "potentials" for you to sift through (which are reasonable close to your criterion)? Or, do you sign up and is it "radio silence" -- like they have fallen off the planet and there is no one for you to meet? Or, do they send in a high quality of ... and forgive me for sounding harsh ... losers, just to fill a quota? Those, to me, are the important questions ... weather or not someone is "foul mouthed" or suggests maybe some plastic surgery is not important to me ... I understand that this is a commerical endeavor ... and that NO ONE IN THE FREE WORLD COULD GUARANTEE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" .... so, personal/personality clashes aside (they are inconsequential to me) ... do they actually have the merchandise? Thanks.
Susan Smith
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Need Advice
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 03, 2007
So far I have read critiques from three different people regarding this service. If anyone has anymore comments, please post them... this is a very difficult business (matchmaking), and no service could ever guarantee that you would meet the man of your dreams .... no one could guarantee that .... even the man of your dreams, regardless of how you met him could end up being a nightmare ....
The only reason I would employ such a service is to increase my chances of meeting someone who is desirable to me .... it's another venue, and if they supply more men who fit any objective criteria I would be open minded to going out with them and making a decision on my own ... they are not GOD! And, of COURSE they are in it for the Money!! They are running a business ... not a charity!!
You cannot buy happiness ... or self esteem, or anything else that is a real personal asset ... in my opinion, this type of service shoudl be resonsible for increasing your chances by supplying the product .. while you continue to do the same on your own, and through the cousrse of your own life.... So, my question is this: Does the service actual come through by supplying an appropriate number of "potentials" for you to sift through (which are reasonable close to your criterion)? Or, do you sign up and is it "radio silence" -- like they have fallen off the planet and there is no one for you to meet? Or, do they send in a high quality of ... and forgive me for sounding harsh ... losers, just to fill a quota? Those, to me, are the important questions ... weather or not someone is "foul mouthed" or suggests maybe some plastic surgery is not important to me ... I understand that this is a commerical endeavor ... and that NO ONE IN THE FREE WORLD COULD GUARANTEE YOU OR ANYONE ELSE "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" .... so, personal/personality clashes aside (they are inconsequential to me) ... do they actually have the merchandise? Thanks.