Single Dad Says Dating Service Turned to Dating Disservice

HOUSTON - Dating services have produced many happy couples, but you've got to know what you're getting into before you sign a contract.

Derek Stahlhut is divorced with a darling daughter. Last spring, he signed up with Two of Us dating service, a national company that claims to have 20 years of matchmaking expertise.

The Houston office has been here more than 14 years.

He signed a non-refundable contract and paid a one-time fee of $4,800. He admitted he knew perfectly well the contract said no refund.

But several months later, he asked for refund, claiming Two of Us wasn't referring dates that fit his requirements.
He said he requested people who liked children, but one match told him otherwise.

"Why was I sent this when someone doesn't date anyone with kids," he said.

Lucy Moore, a membership counselor with the Houston office of Two of Us, said the woman had indicated on her card that she was, initially, open to children.

"Sometimes the situation is people can kind of change their minds,” Moore said. “I can't control people who change their minds."

Stahlut said Two of Us matched him with a woman who told him this:

"She was already involved with someone on the side,” he said. “Why you setting me up with this?"

"If we had any idea that she was in a relationship with somebody or dating somebody, the referral would have never gone out," Moore said.

Sometimes clients unknowingly change their profile, the company said. No promises are made.

Monica Russo, with the Houston Better Business Bureau, said, "Consumers come into these services thinking there is some sort of a guarantee. I mean, there is little guarantee in the dating world itself, let alone a dating service."

Russo pointed out Two of Us has an "F" rating with the BBB.

"When a company has an "F" rating, it is due to unresolved or unanswered complaints, and we had both in this particular case," she said.

Moore said the company is working to change its rating, but the company will not be able to work out the refund Derek requested.

"There is no cancellation; there is no refund policy,” she said. “There is no right of rescission. It is a legal binding agreement, and he was very aware of that."