Great Expectations - Lori Chandler Ripoff Scam Maitland Florida

On 11-24-2008 after viewing the internet searching for local dating services, I was solicited by Great Expectations via telephone and met with Lori Chandler of Great Expectations in Maitland Florida 12-01-2008. During this visit, I was lead to believe they were full service with members such as senators, lawyers, doctors, etc. Lori knew I was a professional and that I was looking for professionals and she lead me to believe she would match me with such. She even said she had two members in mind for me. After 2 1/2 hours of persuasion, I paid $4,295 to become a member. I was told my membership started 12-01-2008 but, what they didn't tell me until after I paid $4,294 is that I couldn't actually use their services, which would have made me realize I had been duped, until after my pictures and video were on their webiste. They very cleverly make you think you know what you purchased and have you wait until after the 3 days right to cancel to have the pictures and video taken. After the pictures and video were taken 12-13-2008, they sprang a $641.95 charge on me to effectively use their services and another $119.85 to view members online from my home. There was never any mention of additional fees at my 12-01-2008 visit. I had no idea this was strictly a service looking at members' pictures. They don't match you with anyone. You look at members online just as you do at Match.com or any other online dating service. Why would anyone pay $5,056.80 to view people online when you can virtually do it for a fraction of the cost at other websites or dating services? There are no senators, no lawyers, no doctors. 99% of their "clientele" are laborers and unprofessionals. More than half are inactive or have no picture or video which I was also told they must have to become a member. Immediately after realizing I had been duped/scammed, I composed an email 12-18-2008 requesting a full refund of $5,056.80 stating I was mislead and that they do not have the product they lead me to believe they had. The email was transmitted twice with no response. During that period of time, I left three phone messages for Lori three different days all of which went unreturned. I constantly caught the front desk staff lying for her when I called. I would call in the morning and would be told she wasn't in that day and then call that same afternoon and be told she was out to lunch etc. In addition to completely lying about their clientele, they ran my credit without my permission. I even asked Lori point blank "did you run my credit" and she responded "No". We are running your criminal background. I am a VP of a bank. I am not someone who doesn't use good sense. I never ever would have signed their contract if I was told the truth about their services or clientele. Why would I have paid such an exorbitant fee? Lori said she would match me with senators, lawyers and doctors and that couldn't have been more of a bold faced lie. There are literally hundreds of consumer complaints against this company and someone needs to stop them. Please help me and stop them from continuing to rip people completely off. Thank you.

Tonya
DeLand, Florida
U.S.A.