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A federal judge modified the Classes in a It’s Just Lunch class action settlement, refining eligible Class Members to those who reside in certain states.
The It’s Just Lunch matchmaking class action lawsuit alleged that the company deceptively advertised its services and left consumers with bad dating stories instead of love connections.
The matchmaking company (IJL) offered to pay for $60 million in vouchers for dates and change the wording on its website to settle the It’s Just Lunch class action lawsuit.
After agreeing to the It’s Just Lunch class action settlement, the company asked the court to drop two proposed Classes – the national and New York Classes. IJL argued that there was no way to reliably calculate the damages for the proposed Classes.
While U.S. District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein noted that the matchmaking company’s arguments were “compelling,” he declined to drop the Classes entirely.
Judge Stein opted to narrow the nationwide Class instead.
According to the order in the It’s Just Lunch matchmaking class action lawsuit settlement, the root of the problem is the open-ended nature of the proposed Class. The order notes that a 16-year class period makes damages to Class Members difficult to calculate because of the different policies and procedures followed over the years at IJL at various locations.
“In this case, closing the class period at the original certification date avoids the thorny questions of geographical and temporal variation among class members raised by defendants in their motion to decertify, because the Court has already decided – on the basis of ‘the evidence to date’ as of May 14, 2014- that defendants’ conduct from 2001 to 2014, across all franchise locations, was sufficiently cohesive to support class certification,” points out the order.
Another problem, noted the order in the It’s Just Lunch class action lawsuit settlement, are the variable state laws that apply to Class Members. Some state laws, according to the order, do not allow for recovery of damages based on out-of-pocket losses due to fraud.
Judge Stein determined that instead of dropping the nationwide Class, Class Members could be limited to those states with laws that do allow for damages based on out-of-pocket expenses.
According to the It’s Just Lunch matchmaking class action lawsuit settlement order, “the certification of the National Class is amended to consist of all individuals who signed a membership contract with IJL in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, or Wyoming, and purchased IJL’ s services on or after October 15, 2001, up through and including May 14, 2014.”
The matchmaking company also argued to decertify the New York Class in the It’s Just Lunch matchmaking class action lawsuit settlement. However, Judge Stein declined to decertify the Class, finding IJL’s arguments “without merit.”
The plaintiffs are represented by John Balestriere of Balestriere Fariello.
The It’s Just Lunch Matchmaking Class Action Lawsuit Settlement is Rodriguez, et al. v. It’s Just Lunch International, et al., Case No. 1:07-cv-099227, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
UPDATE: November 2019, a revised It’s Just Lunch matchmaking class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.
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25 thoughts onJudge Modifies It’s Just Lunch Matchmaking Class Action Settlement
This is ALL TRUE. The date I had 1 month ago confessed to me 2 weeks ago and told me that IJL recruited him to go on dates and he never even saw my profile or a picture prior to meeting me. He was just told a few details about me and the time and place to me. I found out that he was sent on several dates with women who actually pay their money in hopes of finding real love. One date he said was with a woman 30 years his senior which was a complete surprise to him and to her. They are 100% a scam and fraudulent in their actions. Once I flagged all the deception to them, they ignored all calls since and emails. I have such anger and disgust toward them for this scam and lie. They are hurting people and it needs to stop. They have hurt me terribly.
And they won’t. I tried as well.
IJL said they had a wonderful match for me. So I signed up for $2000.00. Date two guys who were not even close to my location or profile. Later discovered instead they were “discontinued” members who went on the 6 dates they received in their membership. Had never seen my profile ! When I asked “how does it work if a member sees me and I him and one if us says yes and the other no “… what happens then??? They never you’d me. They are crooks , a scam and I fought to get @$ back and they ignored me! If you’re unsure if my accuracy in my statement all my conversations were recorded….so they said….
I feel misled and deceived by it’s just lunch. I was told they had 3 possible interests based on my profile that would suit me. I had 3 dates, yes. Stood-up by one, and the other two extreme workaholics that did not seem to match me at all. However, I had a traumatic event that made it impossible to continue with their services. They allowed me to place my membership on a “hold”, but other than that my membership would expire in 90 days. I was not ready in 90 days to continue with the membership. I had 2 dates, 1 time being stood-up. I feel I deserved more compassion and a partial refund.
IJL is unable to service my dating criteria including the explicitly stated desire to meet with a matchmaking professional in person as I had previously done when I was a member in 2003. Only after paying was it revealed no local office existed. Tried to get a refund in allowed period of time but could not get a call back. After the refund period passed I finally agreed to try their service after many false assurances. The only date presented was not shown my profile and only showed up at request of IJL. He stayed for 50 minutes and was not as represented in his profile. I am seeking recourse.
Van,
I was given profiles, but none of the people I went out with ever saw my profile. I asked IJL to see a copy of what they will show to prospects and I never got one. One of my date’s profile stated he was from NY. When I showed him the profile I had, he was like he had never been to NY and he was actually from Africa and he was wondering where they got the photo of him from because he did give it to them. Another prospect (which I have not had a date with) is from Nigeria. Very suspect
I think Its Just Lunch is unethical at best. How do I join a class action law suit?
I don’t know but DEFINITELY would like to peruse this further. I can’t believe this day and age these people are still operating. This company is so unethical, secretive and they flat out lie to clients to get hem to join then state in the contract anything spoken/agreed upon verbally is null and void. Shady and unethical practices are still going on. I’ve read all of your complaints (lying, matches not even close to criteria, trying to meet match maker face to face, questions unanswered, men saying they were offered cheap memberships to go out with the women clients) and I could have written each one myself as I’ve had the EXACT same experiences!! I am definitely interested in a class action law suit against this company for their dishonest and questionable business practices. I’ve tried to get Austin KXAN to investigate but have received no response. That’s a good avenue to pursue so their name gets out there and other vulnerable women don’t get scammed in the mean time.
Terrible date with what mymatch maker thought was “perfect” extroverts and introverts don’t typically work. Basically 101. It was a very bad night. Also important to note my first match maker was no longer employed after the first no show and the person assigned to me didn’t even try to call and get to know me so she went off of the previous employees notes I assume. I had one no show for personal reasons the company proactively offered me a gift card from Amex for my inconvenience of being stood up for the first time and that was in November 2018 I have asked multiple times (on the phone and kept all of my emails) on a status and it’s march (FIVE MONTHS) still nothing i am beyond furious. Very unhappy with my investment
My second date on IJL got drunk and told me that IJL hired him to take women out on dates for them. He laughed saying he had the best job in the world! I wish I had known about the class action suit. Angry in Florida
Please contact me Susan.
I am having a problem with them now… they will not give me my money back, their candidates were not what was promised.
You’re able to see your matched before you go on the date, and see a descriptive profile on them and a PICTURE.. Sounds like you didn’t read and just said yes…
FYI my IJL did NOT offer a photo or any description for me to read. They only gave me a very quick description over the phone!
Katie, I am having a problem as well would you contact me. Candace
So disappointed and not a thing I can do about it. Just threw away a lot of hard earned money.