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A recent class action lawsuit says It’s Just Lunch is misrepresenting its services to prospective customers in violation of a 2017 settlement.
Plaintiffs Roseanne Vrugtman and Tammy Gillingwater say It’s Just Lunch has failed to comply with settlement terms by misleading consumers into believing there are multiple “matches” available to them based on their answers. Instead, the process is allegedly based on random matches.
It’s Just Lunch is a dating website that promises to provide consumers with a “signature matchmaking process” with “6 easy steps.” These steps include a “dating specialist” interviewing members, finding “the right match,” arranging a date, collecting feedback after the date and following up.
Despite these promises, the plaintiffs say members do not “have fun at every step,” as It’s Just Lunch encourages, because the company “completely disregards the ‘6 easy steps’ process.”
“IJL, it turns out, is in the business of randomly matching its members, if they are members at all, and does not offer authentic dates, despite its supposed commitment to providing personalized services,” the It’s Just Lunch class action lawsuit contends.
Gillingwater says she paid around $4,700 for a six-month membership with It’s Just Lunch, only to be disappointed with the services. Instead of being matched promptly within 48 hours, Gillingwater allegedly had to follow up herself on “multiple occasions” before her first date was arranged.
When she finally went on her first date, Gillingwater says she was shocked when her date described himself as a friend of the company’s sales director who was asked to go on dates due to a lack of male members. Gillingwater’s second date reportedly went similarly, with her date reportedly being a nonmember who was asked to go on dates with female members.
Vrugtman allegedly had a similar experience after paying $2,595 for a 12-month period of service. Instead of her first date being in her local Charlottesville, Va., area, the date was reportedly two hours away. To add insult to injury, she claims her date had nothing in common with her.
When she brought her concerns to the matchmaker, Vrugtman was allegedly told she was acting “rough around the edges.”
Despite these upsetting events, Vrugtman reportedly tried to work with the matchmaker to find another date who was actually in her area. Ultimately, the second date was cancelled.
Both plaintiffs contend they were misled into paying for services from It’s Just Lunch through false representations that the company could match them with other members. According to the plaintiffs, this could not be further from the truth.
“Consistently, [It’s Just Lunch] fails to regularly communicate and interact with its member clients,” the It’s Just Lunch class action lawsuit alleges.
“Moreover, the company also fails to provide ‘personalized hand-selected matches’ when It selects matches at random, if it does provide matches at all.”
Gillingwater and Vrugtman say they would not have paid the thousands of dollars they did for the dating service if they had known It’s Just Lunch would not follow through on its promises. Even if they still agreed to try the service knowing the truth, the plaintiffs maintain, they would pay significantly less for the services.
According to the plaintiffs, the company’s actions are misleading and therefore violate both California law and the terms of a 2017 settlement with It’s Just Lunch.
That original settlement resolved claims from 170,000 Class Members. In the 2017 deal, It’s Just Lunch agreed to provide cash payments and service vouchers to Class Members who filed a claim. The company also agreed to change the way it markets its services to consumers.
Plaintiffs in the recent It’s Just Lunch class action lawsuit seek to represent a Class of people who signed up with the dating service after Sept. 12, 2019. Gillingwater and Vrugtman say there could be thousands of consumers included in this proposed Class.
On behalf of themselves and the proposed Class Members, the plaintiffs seek monetary relief in the form of punitive damages, actual damages, compensatory damages, restitution, disgorgement, interest, court costs and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiffs also seek injunctive relief requiring It’s Just Lunch to stop its deceptive behaviors.
Have you used It’s Just Lunch? Tell us your story in the comment section below.
Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented John G. Balestriere and Matthew W. Schmidt of Balestriere Fariello.
The It’s Just Lunch Class Action Lawsuit is Rosanne Vrugtman, et al. v. It’s Just Lunch International LLC, Case No. 5:20-cv-02352, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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93 thoughts onIt’s Just Lunch Class Action Lawsuit Says Co. Broke Settlement Terms
1 /10/24
I have just called the Headquarters for my money back of $3000.00. When I joined a week ago did not have a good feeling started searching the internet for reviews none were good. I did get a voice mail left messages with Rachel Wilson to return my call and asked for a refund. Have not gone on a date but read most are compatible to you Also the reviews are horrible not worth the $3000.00 that was paid.
Please reach put to me. I’d love tonshare my story. I canceled ny credit card. I’m writing them a very lengthy letter this weekend about my experience and where they have failed. I’m asking for a full refund. This is not the way to run a business.
My experience has been the same. I live in Washington State and joined this service around August, 2022. The initial contact person was very friendly, attentive, and made me feel as if I would receive excellent personal matchmaking service. My first contact was email communication from an “Executive Matchmaker” in FLORIDA! I was shocked because the salesperson led me to believe that I would be working with local people. The so-called “matches” they presented were unappealing! When I called to speak to my matchmaker, she was unavailable. I sent emails describing the type of man I was looking for, and received no response. My heart sank and I felt sick to my stomach as I realized I had been taken for a fool! I was receiving impersonal service and being patronized instead of receiving the service described. It seemed as if I was this person’s second job and the “excellent” service sold to me was simply nonexistent. I put my service on hold after missing a date set that did NOT come with personalized service of a phone call to confirm the meeting time and place. This service represents it’s self as providing “Personal Matchmaking Assistance” for BUSY clients, so why didn’t this $3500.00 “Executive Matchmaker” make sure that I made it to the meeting? What was I paying for?
I returned to the service this fall, 2023 to see if any improvements had been made. This was my attempt at getting value for the substantial amount of money I paid. I finally went on my first date 10/8/2023. The venue was loud and served poor quality food. I will continue with the service to the end of my contract, but I am very doubtful that I will receive the services promised. I believe this company is a Predatory Scam and would like to join this suit. Based on the information on this website, it’s clear that this business is a Fraud.