OPW INTERVIEW - Dec 21 - International Dating Ventures’ holdings include eLove, the first dating service to fuse both traditional matchmaking and online dating. COO Terry Fitzpatrick details the differences between eLove’s two programs and how the company has been able to grow despite the difficult economic climate. – Jenn Rubin
What is the story behind eLove?
We’ve been in the traditional matchmaking business for the last 25 years. In the last five or ten years 85% of our membership base had tried online dating and it just has not worked for them.
eLove brings together the online dating community and the offline traditional matchmaking service. We have an online dating service and if the users don’t find success, they don’t have to leave eLove to look for a traditional matchmaker. Ideally, we want everybody to stay within the eLove community. This is really so we can efficiently monetize all our online registration and all our leads.
We consider eLove a life stage company. We want eLove to be that one stop service for anybody who is serious about meeting people. If they choose to do the online portion, great. If they need a little bit more help, the traditional matchmaking will also be provided there. We want to be that one-stop solution.
How does eLove differ from other organizations in International Dating Ventures?
A couple of those websites would be TogetherChristian.com and LoveAccess.com, but those are purely online dating platforms. eLove is that unique site where you can choose which path is right for you. Is it going to be traditional matchmaking or is it going to be online dating? So that’s how it differs.
How many members does eLove online dating have?
eLove has over 2 million members online and offline it would probably be in the tens of thousands. In offline, we currently are in 22 States. We have 43 physical locations.
What are some of the unique features on the online dating site?
You’ll find the same services on eLove that you would find on Match.com.
If I went to eLove.com and clicked on the matchmaking section, what would happen?
First, we need to make sure that they live in a zip code that we have a physical location. We also need to make sure they’re of the right age. Traditional matchmaking works best for people in their late 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. We’re not looking for people in their teens or early 20s.
If they qualify, they will receive a phone call. We ask them about their criminal background history, because if you do become a member, you will have to go through a background check. From there, they would set up an appointment and meet with the local matchmaker. At that stage, it takes about an hour to two hours with a matchmaker to put together a profile on what they are looking for in a significant other. From there, dating begins. Most people will go on their first date within seven to 14 days.
How is eLove online dating different from the matchmaking program?
You don’t have the personal attention online. Offline, you’re dealing one on one with a matchmaker who will be able to help you with dating coaching and tips. What is very unique with the offline is after you go on a date, you will call your matchmaker back and discuss the date. We need feedback on what you liked and didn’t like about the person.
Can you tell me a little bit about some of the matchmaking membership rates?
Traditional matchmaking usually starts around $2,000, and you will be able to meet 8 or 10 people. Prices do increase if you need more help with relationships coaching.
What is the eLove online dating memberships?
The basic one is $29.95 a month.
What are some of the biggest challenges in the next 12 months for eLove?
It’s probably keeping up with our growth plan. To do that we need to find talented people to work with us. It’s very difficult to find the right matchmaker.
Have these difficult times hurt your business at all?
The economy has touched all companies, but we’ve been very lucky. In 2009, we opened up more stores then we have ever opened up.
How do you predict eLove will look in the next few years?
Hopefully, if you look at eLove two years from now, we’ll be in 50 States with over 100 physical locations in the United States. We’re halfway there now, so we’re getting there.
This value proposition can't be beat. Reminds me of how Match had a companion "friendship" site years ago. Challenges: majority of people think matchmaking is not worth the expense, they will most likely have to spend a huge amount on marketing and they are going to have do deals with several big online players to make the most of their competitive advantage.
Posted by: David Evans | Dec 21, 2009 at 02:47 PM
A word of caution, I paid thousands to meet the "right" women, educated, well employed like me, of the first 2 neither was available for a relationship ( already dating some one or wanted their old boy friend back) and neither were "well" employed. I want my money back.
Posted by: bob | Feb 15, 2010 at 04:57 AM
My Name is Sarah
I recently signed up with elove on 07/13/2010.I was deliberatly lied to by the sales person Sue.I am very very angry that i was deliberately lied to.
All I want is my own money back because i was totally and deliberately lied to.
to bob all those scammed need to get together and end elove scams
Posted by: Sarah | Feb 23, 2010 at 09:04 PM
Bob if you are not reimbursed for the money elove scammed from you. i am trying to contact others that have been scammed to file a lawsuit. I have a feeling there are hundreds if not thousands. please file a complaint with Mass District attorney. thousands of complaints will make Mass take action
Posted by: Sarah | Feb 23, 2010 at 09:08 PM
I'd rather not post my name, but I'm a mid-40s bachelor that has dated for about four years and used online dating services. Dissatisfied and disgusted, I went to eLove. The concept is great. They seemingly take a lot of time and attention to "get to know you". After they get you all worked up, they drop the money bomb. $3000! WT!!!??? I "negotiated" my fee down to $2000 but was limited to 6 people.
In retrospect (driving home) I realized how I was pressured into signing. (I am ashamed of how I caved.) However, they promise happiness and they seem so sincere. And there really isn't any other way... What price true love, right?
After I gave her my CC info it was a different tune. THEN they let me know that the matches would be from anywhere in a one hour driving radius. "I want someone local," I said. (For $2000, I ought to get someone local, right?) Nope. You get what you get. They can't make special exceptions.
I got one letter explaining what my one paragragh introductory profile would say and then, three and a half weeks later, I got my first match letter. She lived an hour away. We didn't have a lot in common. Her boyfriend of several years had died about a year ago, and "she was ready" to meet someone. What kind of BS is that! Look, I just want my money back. Heck, I'd take a 50% refund at this point and gladly pay a $1000 penalty for just being stooopid. Seeing as that is very unlikey, I am going to stick it out, meet four more women and GET MY MONEY'S WORTH!
All the dating sites are BS. My opinion, I met the most compatible (intellectually) on EHarmony, I met the most ladies on Match (and the best quality), POF is free-but there are many skanks there. Zioosk is a complete joke. As far as eLove goes; there is no "e" to eLove. THey said they referred not to work by email, only by US mail. WTF???!!! that runs completely counter to what the COO says. A pox on all of them.
Posted by: SOURGRAPESOFWRATH | May 26, 2010 at 08:59 PM