I'd like to make users and potential users aware of what they're getting into when they join eHarmony. First, I suggest you search for "eHarmony" on ConsumerAffairs.com and also Better Business Bureau Online and read the stories posted there.

I was a member of eHarmony for 3 months in 2004, 3 months in 2005, and I'm on my fifth month for 2006. There have been many changes in those two years. I decided to read their "Terms of Service" and also the "Help" section of their web site. Here is what I found (sections are pasted in directly from their site; this is public information anybody can access):

When you register for eHarmony, you are signing a contract that is effective from the *day* that you take that personality profile. You must agree to their "Terms of Service" in order to use the web site. This immediately enters you into a legal contract with the company. The only way you can terminate the contract is as follows:

"any time prior to midnight of Company's third business day following the date of this contract, excluding Sundays and holidays" by calling Customer Care or delivering a signed and dated cancellation notice or telegram to their business office. In other words, if you don't elect to cancel within three days of first using their web site, you are obligated to the terms of their contract, including any future updates or changes.

Now, any contract should offer something of value to the buyer, right? Do you understand what eHarmony is giving you in return for your monthly fee? Well, read the contract:

"j. You understand that the Company makes no guarantees, either express or implied, regarding your ultimate compatibility with individuals you meet through the Service." Contrast this with the language on their Help Section which states "Using these dimensions, eHarmony determines the users with whom you have the highest levels of compatibility. Once we've isolated the candidates with whom you are highly compatible, their profiles are sent to your My Matches page." Deceptive?

If you are not able to access the service due to technical problems, too bad: "b. The Company does not warrant that your use of the Service will be secure, uninterrupted, always available, error-free or will meet your requirements, or that any defects in the Service will be corrected."

According to the contract, the only time a refund will be issued is in the event of death or disability. However, if a physician will say that your disability won't last longer than six months, they will extend your subscription by six months rather than give you a refund. And in the event of death, it is your estate's obligation to contact eHarmony, otherwise the estate is liable for monthly payments.

Say you hear or watch an eHarmony commercial and based on that, believe you are signing up for a service that uses scientific principles to help find your soulmate. What does eHarmony really promise to give you in exchange for your monthly fee? This is what you get, according to their subscription page:

If you pay for a year, you get 12 names. If you don't get 12 names, they'll extend your subscription in 3-month increments for free. 6 months, 6 matches, same extension. 3 months, 3 names, same extension. 1 month, no names guaranteed, but if you close your account within 7 days by calling customer service (excluding Sundays and holidays) you can get a refund (provided you are not a returning user). So, if I understand this correctly, you pay $59.95 for one month of service and are not guaranteed to receive one single name. Nada, zip, zero, they don't promise to give you anything other than use of the web site. Please note that according to the Help Section, these names do not have to include photos, do not have to be paying subscribers or current members (may not be able to send communications), or even have their profile completed.

There is no other situation on earth where I would agree to sign a contract to pay somebody $59.95 and not be guaranteed something of value, other than hope, in return.

Please research and confirm all of this by visiting eHarmony's site, Terms of Service, and Help Section. I'm not trying to interpret a contract or give any type of legal advice, so please judge for yourself. As far as I can tell, eHarmony's commercials relay a different message than their actual Terms of Service contract and I think this is why so many are unhappy with this service.