Yahoo personals, Match.com being sued for fraud.

[KenM]

WHo are those people in the pic posted? Never seen them before. I don't have a problem with soemone starting an online dating site and trying to make money off it. My problem is the fake ads that people post. The site, or newspaper, or whatever medium is hosting the personal ads, has a responsiblity to the customers that what is shown in the ad is what you are getting. You'd be mad if you saw an ad that said "2005 dodge viper:$200.00". With a picture of the viper, then you go down to buy the viper and they have a pinto circca 1970.

 

[DaveStebbins]

It is simply not feasible for a newspaper or website to verify every ad and personal posted. The amount of time and personnel required would drive costs out of sight. There will always be words to the effect of 'buyer beware' and the old adage 'if it seems too good to be true, it probably is' always applies. People lie. People misrepresent themselves and their products. It is unfortunate, but it is a fact of life. In some cases it is illegal, but it is the responsibility of the liar or misrepresenter, not the medium. If the misrepresentation has the host as it's source, lawsuits like the ones referenced will, and should be, the result. Otherwise, the hosting newspaper or website, should not be held accountable.

-Dave

 

[Aeson]

I think nerfherder said they were from a TV show called Little Britain.

 

[Kanegrundar]

And you'd best hope she doesn't see that.....

I was never gullible enough to fall for that crap of "online dating services" to start with....

Wow. I was so gullible to try one and find a great woman I want to spend the rest of my life with! Man, I should have just stayed home with my Xbox and had faith that a woman would come knocking on my door. (Where's the bloody rolled eyes emote when you need it?)

What's being done is unethical, sure. However, if it's some guy that could use a little boost to his ego to keep him in the game, then what real harm has been done?

 

[nerfherder]

WHo are those people in the pic posted? Never seen them before.

As Aeson said, they're from the latest series of the BBC TV show "Little Britain". The caption for the picture goes: "Dudley from the Mike McShane Estate in Bruise wants a nice Thai bride - but gets Ting Tong."

I don't have a problem with soemone starting an online dating site and trying to make money off it. My problem is the fake ads that people post. The site, or newspaper, or whatever medium is hosting the personal ads, has a responsiblity to the customers that what is shown in the ad is what you are getting. You'd be mad if you saw an ad that said "2005 dodge viper:$200.00". With a picture of the viper, then you go down to buy the viper and they have a pinto circca 1970.

If it's the site that is posting bogus ads, then I agree that lawsuits should result. Where people mis-represent themselves in a personal capacity... well, I treat online profiles the same way I treat CVs. In other words, I expect people to paint a slightly rosie picture of themselves, but not outright lie. If they have blatantly lied (and that's never happened to me yet), then I would just walk away. I know people that take off their wedding ring before they go out clubbing on a Saturday night, so it's not just a problem in online dating...

Wow. I was so gullible to try one and find a great woman I want to spend the rest of my life with! Man, I should have just stayed home with my Xbox and had faith that a woman would come knocking on my door. (Where's the bloody rolled eyes emote when you need it?)

I personally know three people that met their future partner via personals - one in the 60's, one in the early 90's and one using online personals in 2000. I know two other people in my room at work using online personals - one male and one female. It's been happening for quite a while now, and is becoming more mainstream. It's a valuable resource if you want to meet people.

What's being done is unethical, sure. However, if it's some guy that could use a little boost to his ego to keep him in the game, then what real harm has been done?

I disagree if it's done by the company - I see it as fraud. It wastes my time and costs me money. I am online in order to meet people in real life, not to chat to a virtual girlfriend. Where an individual has exaggerated their looks, etc, then that's only to be expected and I have no problem with that - to a point...

Cheers,
Liam

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I would think that the thousands of people who have found mates through personals over the last few decades would make you think it's not crap. It might not work for everyone, but that's no reason to dismiss it outright as "crap" and something you "won't fall for."

Exactly. I met my fiancee through online personals, and we've been together going on two years now. They certainly aren't crap.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

It's a trap!

 

[Kanegrundar]

I personally know three people that met their future partner via personals - one in the 60's, one in the early 90's and one using online personals in 2000. I know two other people in my room at work using online personals - one male and one female. It's been happening for quite a while now, and is becoming more mainstream. It's a valuable resource if you want to meet people.

Yep. While I went through some horrible experiences using online personals (though still no more horrible than some experiences I encountered meeting women at a bar), it worked out great for me. With more and more people meeting others online I can't see how it's some sort of scam that only the gullible would fall for.

I disagree if it's done by the company - I see it as fraud. It wastes my time and costs me money. I am online in order to meet people in real life, not to chat to a virtual girlfriend. Where an individual has exaggerated their looks, etc, then that's only to be expected and I have no problem with that - to a point...

Cheers,
Liam

I have to agree. I should learn not to shoot from the hip when posting while tired. If the company is doing it, then it is fraud. In the grand scheme of things, it's not the kind of fraud that is truly damaging, but it's still not right.

Kane

 

[Aeson]

It's a trap!

You always know the right thing to say in the thread.

 

[BOZ]

he only says one thing.