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Call Kurtis: Dating Service Wouldn't Let Me Cancel My $1,250 Contract

RIO VISTA (CBS13) — Looking for a mate, 73-year-old Lynn Grace signed up for a dating service.

"I want someone to travel with to go play golf," she said.

The widow says she was tired of looking on her own, so she turned to dating website California Singles. The company offers personal matchmakers claiming it's the largest personal matchmaking company in California. The website shows beautiful couples and testimonials. Lynn claims a company representative met her in person and verbally promised she'd be set up with upscale, sophisticated men.

"She showed me this book where all these men were waiting to be matched," she recalls.

Lynn says they initially wanted $4,000, but dropped the price to $1,250 for four dates. Soon after signing the contract, Lynn says she regretted it.

"I'm a widow. I'm on limited income. I just can't afford this," she said.

She says she called to cancel just two days later.

"She said don't worry about it, we'll have your match and she said we do not allow people to get out of a contract," she recalls.

She says they set her up on a date, which she called a disaster.

"There was a guy sitting there with a baseball cap and sweats on," she said.

Lynn says he wasn't upscale or sophisticated. "He was the rudest man I'd ever talked to."

Thinking she didn't get what the company promised, Lynn wants a full refund.

"I think that's going to be a tough one," said Consumer Attorney Stuart Talley.

He says it's hard proving the company made false promises about their clientele.

"If the representations are you'll meet nice people or great people, those are the kind of representations that are hard to prove as being false or true," Talley said.

We learned California law says you may notify a dating service of intent to cancel or a stop payment, but you are required to cancel in writing. Lynn admits she didn't cancel in writing, but says she called to cancel.

We reached out to California Singles. They tell us, "Lynn is responsible for everything that has occurred. She negotiated a heck of a deal for herself." They said she had three days to cancel for a full refund, "but chose not to." California Singles offered to honor Lynn's remaining three dates.

"I'm furious," Lynn said.

She says the only offer she'd accept is a refund.

"I'm frustrated. I'm upset. I want my money back."

California Singles' contract says they make no representations or guarantees for the demographic makeup of its clients. They then put us in touch with two happy customers. One told us she met her husband through the company. Another said the $5,000 was worth it because he found his girlfriend.

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