Save your money! I wished I would have checked with the BBB before engaging this service. And ladies beware, they charge women more and provide a shorter contract term. For more information check out the link. http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/dating-service/it-s-just-lunch-in-washington-dc-8000700 read more

I would say there are pros and cons about IJL but overall I think it's a good experience. It seemed like something good to do because I had little extra time and was a little tired of the bar scene. I figured this was at least a step up. They seem to pair you up with guys that may be a good match for you but it is a very inexact science. It only takes one good match though to make it all worth it in the end! Go into it with an open mind and if there is someone you meet you know you aren't interested in just look at it like an opportunity to get to know someone new. Most men are pretty interesting and you never know if this person may become a friend in the future (a few have). The one thing that I have heard is that they don't actually check on the marriage status of a person - they take their word for it - so that is one thing that is slightly concerning (a friend's husband was doing IJL and she ended up finding out). Apparently, it isn't an easy thing to verify this for everyone but it is a seldom/rare occurrence anyway. Generally, as long as you understand most people will not be your soulmate, it only takes that one match to work! I think it took 7 months until I found someone I truly clicked with! P.S. The staff is very professional and friendly. They have internal daily meetings to do matchmaking. They will not tell you what the other people said about your date but they always want feedback on each and every date. Also, they don't provide pictures for the dates so you only have a quick blurb of what the other person you are meeting is like! read more

Not having been on the dating scene since, well, for all practical purposes, ever, I found the whole IJL experience to be fascinating and a valuable learning experience. I believe I was quite the challenge for Sandra and her colleagues at IJL since I was such a neophyte at the dating process and I had some geographical challenges, as well. But the dating process turned out to be tremendously rewarding, as I prepared myself to meet the woman with whom I would ultimately fall in love. Virtually every date I went on was enjoyable; every woman that I was sent to meet was bright and attractive. Our conversations were engaging and informative and I think that both the women I met and I had a good time, even though most of the time they were just one-time dates. As I was pursuing this process of meeting women I ultimately got the sense that there was a very good chance that I was going to meet my new partner in life and I firmly believe that I did just that. Claudia and I met for the first time on February 3 at a very nice restaurant in Springfield, Virginia. It was a very cold, blustery day and it was the day before the Super Bowl, which kind of made it special that way but it was much more special in other ways. (In the for-what-it-is-worth category, I am no longer a long suffering Eagles fan). I arrived a bit early but when Claudia arrived, we both felt an immediate attraction. We accelerated from both of us being a little reserved, as is typical on first dates, to glorious laughter in almost no time at all. We learned a lot about each other on that first date. When Claudia asked me if I was still in town on the following Monday and if I would be interested in meeting her for lunch, I very happily agreed and we ended up talking about everything that we could squeeze into 2 hours at Claudia's home. I was disappointed that I had to go home. I am sure Claudia was too. The following Sunday, February 11, I picked Claudia up in the morning and we went to Old Town Alexandria. We spent the whole day together, most of the time at the Torpedo Factory. The most impressive artist at the Torpedo factory was an engineer named Matt Harwood. (Claudia went back a few days later and bought a print of the Brooklyn Bridge for my birthday.) I brought Claudia home that night and met her two daughters, who I found to be wonderful young ladies. On February 13, I decided that I was going to tell Claudia the following weekend, which was the earliest I could see her again, that I had no interest in dating anymore and only wanted to pursue a long term relationship with her. That night, Claudia and I talked on the phone for a long while. Claudia preempted my planned announcement and told me that she did not want to date anymore and wanted only to spend time with me. It was settled: we are on our way to share a future together and we have been exceedingly happy ever since. IJL does an excellent job of matching people so that the two people will have a good time and learn some interesting things from each other, at least. One should not expect to find their future partner in life on the first date IJL sets up. In fact, it might take quite a few dates but the coaches are available to assist the client make the right decisions when that right person is found. But Sandra was more than a coach to me. She was available to discuss a wide range of personal issues I was having during the whole process of ultimately meeting Claudia. Sandra has the brand of wisdom that was able to get to the core of my concerns quickly and effectively. But Sandra was more than a counselor to me. She has become my friend and confidant and complete confidence is something you may not get from just a friend. Dating for the first time after many years, or as I stated at the beginning, for me, ever, can be stressful. I found out how important it was to have someone like Sandra in my corner; not only to guide me through the process but to boost my confidence that I will find my partner in life. I firmly believe that if one goes into the IJL program with an open mind and open heart, he or she will ultimately find someone with whom they fall in love. It might take a while but even the process of reaching the ultimate prize is interesting, and invariably fun. read more

A Must Read, the harsh Truth. In the D.C location, 45 out of 75 reviews gave 1 star. That's more than 60%. Yikes. Read the review details and see how it plummets after April 2019.This sight caters to the business professionals who think it's better to pay some overpriced service who's only professionalism is their Sales tactics. Sandra is the best at being the worst. If you fall for this than you as big of a fool as I was. They interview you to get all your specifics and wants and sell you on the facts of background checks and many years in the business. Then to only set you up with what seems to be the right age group you are interested in and some common interests. The profile they wrote for me was nothing what I mentioned. Where they even listening? Or thinking of the nest sales pitch. The master plan is to keep you unmatched so that you stay with them longer and keep paying. I date a month for $2500 is money spent better on anything else. They prey on you, making you feel smart for choosing them and you want so bad to meet someone other than in a bar that you trust them and say "what do I have to lose" take a chance.. yeah not for $2500 and $100/ mo on top of that. You do not need a background check and a pretty face to pretend to have your best interest at heart. Again people- it's all about a Sale and how long they can keep you on the hook. Here is a smarter idea. Go on Bumble-$8/ mo and you get to pick and see picks of potential prospects. Unsure of scammers, asks for their Instagram. There are ways to weed out scammers. Gosh for $2500 and $100/mo you could hire a private investigator. I found success not this site and felt better about myself than feeling a fool with IJL. Thanks IJL for taking my money and probably buying another Louis Vuitton bag with your profits and laughing the entire time. Sandra- well played. Read this and inquire to them about the review and they'll tell you I'm probably a disgruntled employee. That's what Sandra told me. Anyways, you'll end up doing what you want , but go with your gut instinct and do the math with the high % of failed succes here. read more

I had a a great experience with IJL. The guys I met were successful and attractive. I made some great friends and also dated a few of the guys I met. I have been dating one of the men I met through IJL for 6 months now and I couldn't be happier.The complaints listed here are about the people they may have met and weren't compatible with however the service itself is great. I would and have recommended this to all my single friends that are too busy to date and want quality people. As far as the comment below...any intelligent professional would know to read an agreement through before signing. If you did that than there would not have been any surprises. Also, have you thought that maybe what you were looking for didn't exist? Maybe you have an unrealistic image in your mind of what you are and what you want. It's not IJL's fault. read more

Don't waste your money! IJL is more of a scam than a dating service. I thought it seemed sketchy when they didn't list any prices on their website, and when they made me go through all the matching/profile questions before they even mentioned the payment options. The cheapest option was a 6 month membership for $1,500 (a young professionals "discounted" price). It was WAY more than I expected or wanted to pay, but I felt guilty having spent 15 minutes on the phone answering questions only to say, "Never mind." I should've followed my instinct! Instead, I let myself be pressured into trying it out for six months, and it's been an endless hassle ever since. The actual dating experience was no better than I could've done on match.com or some other dating site. For $1,500, I expected a high-quality service that was responsive to their clients. WRONG. Very few of the guys my dating consultant found were good matches - only one that I even wanted a second date with (but not a third...), out of probably ten or so guys. Usually, there was no chemistry or attraction on my end, and frequently none on the guy's, either. Despite my best efforts to give detailed feedback, both my physical and personality preferences were ignored - and I wasn't even allowed to veto any of their selections! Once, I tried to decline a date because the description of the guy sounded like we had nothing in common, but Patti (my consultant) continued to pester me until I finally consented to meet the guy. I was also stood up by my date on three separate occasions, and all I got from Patti were assurances that the guys were "not normally like this at all." The IJL staff were remarkably unresponsive to my complaints about the quality of guys I was being set up with. When I expressed my dissatisfaction with my matches and told Patti that I did not want to continue to be set up, she assured me that we could discuss my concerns before arranging another date. Then, without ever having a conversation, she called me back to set up another date as though nothing had happened! Eventually, I just stopped returning their calls and was informed via voice mail that my membership had been placed on inactive status. What was not made clear to me was that the clock was still ticking on my six month membership even while I wasn't using it. My six months expired and I was rolled over into automatic monthly payments. Fortunately, I'd had to replace my credit card during that time, so they couldn't charge me. Since the card they had on file had been canceled, they had to call me to update my account information. I never thought I'd be grateful for being the victim of credit card fraud, but it may have been for the best, otherwise IJL would have continued to charge me without notifying me. When I spoke to Patti again, I once again expressed my displeasure with IJL and told her I wanted to cancel my account. She informed me that I would be charged a pro-rated amount because I was 5 days into the 7th month of my membership (she estimated it would be $15 or so), and that I should cancel immediately in order to avoid further charges. I canceled via email that same day, since they require cancellation in writing. I also asked her to send me a bill in writing, rather than give her my new credit card information over the phone. I never received anything in writing, and received a call from Jenna in their billing dept a few weeks later, telling me that I now owed $99 - and would be charged an additional $33 on October 1. Rather than the pro-rated 5 days quoted by Patti, I was being charged for an extra month and a half, because IJL's cancellation policy required 45 days notice. Jenna claimed that I was informed of this 45 day cancellation policy when I signed up - perhaps it was mentioned, but it is directly contradictory to what Patti told me the charge would be. Jenna also basically called me a liar when I told her I'd been displeased with the service. Apparently, none of that was in my file, despite the SEVERAL times I tried to communicate that to Patti. When I told her that I thought their dating service and their business practice were outrageous, she agreed to talk to her supervisor and get back to me. That was about two weeks ago, and I haven't heard from her since. read more

I joined IJL after my divorce because most of the people I know are married, my workplace is small and I don't care for the bar scene. I had tried online services, but became frustrated with the process. The people who work at IJL are very nice, responsive and do a good job finding dates for you. I've gone on a good number of dates and just about everyone I meet through IJL is professional, educated and nice. There have been a few that just haven't clicked, but overall I am happy to be going out and having the opportunity to meet someone. It's not a perfect system. Don't go in with the expectation that your perfect match will show up the first time. You will get to meet a lot of quality people and have a good time. Go in with a good attitude and see what happens. read more

I am a widow who married very young, I have essentially no experience in the dating field. I am not a "Bar" type of person and since moving, I didn't know people in the area. Due to my values I consider myself a traditional woman when it comes to the dating business. While traveling overseas, I read about IJL in a magazine and decided to this might be a good opportunity. It has been a very pleasant experience for me. I have been enjoying my time meeting professional and educated people. All of my dates have been extremely nice. I like the IJL system because of their confidentially regulations. They keep the identity of the persons they match you with private until you meet for the first time. If both parties like each other, then the relationship can be pursued on its own. Also, the IJL coordinator and the manager are very kind people, they answer your questions, listen to your feedback and solve any challenge you may have. In addition, they match me with diverse individuals that I found fascinating. Out of the many people you meet, you may make several friends and may eventually find a suitable match for marriage. OEL read more

I joined IJL after being single for two years and not wanting to risk internet dating.. I agree with Simone C that you have to be honest about what you want, otherwise you waste a lot of time (and someone else's). They have some ideas about 'what men want' and 'what you would like' but only you know your preferences. Spend some time thinking it through. If the match isn't good, give feedback and amend your criteria - e.g. I had no idea that ex-military was such a big group of singles in DC, but that wasn't attractive to me. I went on 6 dates over summer, when it was quiet at work and I could take long lunch breaks. I liked one of them a lot and we are just about to celebrate our 6-month dating anniversary. IJL is safer and more convenient than internet dating. The price is quite steep, but if you're not meeting partners without their help, it's worth a try. read more

I signed up with IJL because I was recently divorced and new to the DC Metro area. My experience has been favorable, certainly worth the expense and effort. In 4 months' time I have been introduced to 25 women; of these, I enjoyed additional dates with seven, while 3 more initial meetings are pending. Of the 15 with whom I did not exchange contact information, only one failed to show up. A few were reasonable matches but in my judgement not ready for the long-term relationship in which I'm interested. The rest met my criteria more or less but there was insufficient "chemistry" to warrant a 2nd date. I have made 2 course corrections and the subsequent introductions were aligned. My IJL coordinator and matchmaker have taken pains to get to know me; the introductions are progressively improving, partly as a result of the feedback from the ladies. If, like mine, your criteria include character traits, one has to accept that such as these are hard for the IJL folks to discern and therefore this work remains to be done in the actual encounter. Most dates have been organized for the evening for "drinks" (I don't) but, excepting 2 occasions when there clearly was no chemistry, I usually asked to extend the date for the duration of a meal so we could get to know each other a little. For me "going Dutch" is a little uncomfortable so I usually pay even though the lades are prepared to share the costs. Now and then we agree that she will pay for the second date. Conversely, it was a little difficult tacitly saying "no thanks", particularly when the lady seemed interested, but after decades in a marriage this was not the only thing I had to learn about dating again. Having settled into my condo community and new church, having met people at parties, etc, I now have such a network that IJL is not "necessary" any longer. However, I may well continue after my initial subscription expires (that is, unless last night's date becomes girlfriend, in which case IJL would classify me "inactive" - NOT!). I have gained a great deal more than introductions and more than learning the dating scene in DC. The feedback from the ladies has helped me understand how I come across - not as a marketing exercise, but after a couple decades of marriage, dating seems complicated and a blind date for "drinks" is a new experience. One lady said she felt like she was being interviewed for the position of Mrs F. After that I relaxed a bit on the compatibility inventory. Oh, and guys 1) a big boy watch is your equivalent to her pearls, 2) turning off your phone says you care, and 3) would it kill you to polish your shoes? read more

Patience is a virtue! I had signed up for IJL about ten years ago, but my circumstances changed quickly with a new relationship outside of IJL so I never really took advantage of the service. About two and a half years ago, I got a call out of the blue from Sandra in the DC office. At the time, I was single and the timing was right so I decided to take a chance, resubscribe, and see what would come of it. Overall, it was a positive experience. Even if it wasn't a long-term match, almost all of my dates were bright, interesting, fun, and attractive. I had a couple of dates that weren't a 'match,' but I made clear why it didn't work. There were even several 2nd and 3rd dates with a couple of women. About three months into signing up, I needed to take a time out to focus on some important family and work issues, and they were willing to accommodate me by putting my membership on hold for a period of time. I returned about two months later, and a positive, life changing opportunity appeared. I met someone really fantastic. We grew close fairly quickly and moved in together about seven months later. Now we are engaged and planning a wedding together. There are many different ways for people to meet these days, but I wanted something that was a better return on my investment than the on-line roulette of dating services. I am glad that I took a chance and have met the love of my life. If the circumstances are right for you, give it a shot. Good luck! read more

I have tried the bars, and the Internet dating thing. It's just lunch is so much better. Patti at its just lunch Handles everything for me. I am a business owner and My time is very limited. It's just lunch is great for me. I really recommend them. Good luck to all. JP read more

My experience with IJL has been positive and rewarding. As with most endeavors in life, success depends on how much effort and hard work you're willing to apply. I've been a member of IJL for more than 2 years and been on approximately 100 first dates, so I have a broad range of experiences to develop an opinion. IJL in Washington DC is reliable, consistent, and screens their clients. I have yet to meet a shady character. IJL's strengths are finding interesting and potentially compatible partners to meet, then arranging a one-time date at a local bar or restaurant. IJL respects clients' privacy, so if you're interested in another date, its important to exchange business cards or contact information after your date. IJL is also service-oriented. They constantly ask for and use feedback from each date to improve the compatibility of future dates, and the more honest and direct you are about feedback, the more likely IJL can improve your dating experience. I've participated in many dating services, both in person and online, and IJL is about as good as it gets. They are a little more expensive to join than some of their competitors, but if you stay with it beyond the term of your contract, their monthly continuation costs are very competitive and help to offset the initial costs. Given the services they provide, including screening, I find the costs to be worth it given the busy schedules that most of their clients have. I would highly recommend IJL. read more

Recently divorced joined earlier this year because out of dating scene for many years and IJL seemed like a reasonable approach to meeting single women. My dating coordinator is delightful -- very professional, courteous, helpful, attentive, and responsive. IJL gives just what it advertises -- go out on fun dates with nice women. IJL does all the heavy lifting so I just show up at appointed time and place. Most of the women I've dated through IJL are truly very nice, professional, personable women but after maybe a dozen or so different dates I still haven't met someone with whom I really click. Perhaps IJL could do a better job matching up interests; they seem to take liberty in describing interests. For example, I was surprised to hear one of my dates ask me about my interest in water skiing. I've been on water skis maybe twice in my life and not once in the past 40 years. Similarly, one of the dates I had was described as "loves to play golf". Well her love for golf was taking lessons as a little girl over 40 years ago but has not had a club in her hands since. My initial interviewer when I signed up was dismissive of my wanting to be matched with someone of similar interests. She thought common interests didn't matter so much if we had "chemistry". How can you have "chemistry" if you have no interests in common? So I thought this was a little off-putting. All in all, I plan to continue. It's a great way to meet people, go to restaurants I otherwise wouldn't, and just have a fun night out. I realize my demographic group (i.e. over 50) might have a smaller pool of candidates so it's harder to find a good match. read more

I'm giving four stars for IJL as a service. If I could give a separate rating for my personal matchmaker, Patty, I'd give her a perfect 5/5. I can recommend IJL because they do exactly what they say they're going to do. They'll set you up with tons of folks of good quality who fit the criteria you provide. They take care of all the reservations and scheduling, all you have to do is show up. If you want to go out on lots of dates and have a shot at finding that special someone, this is a good way to go. The one thing to keep in mind is that you're being setup on what are essential blind dates. Aside from a few basic details you'll know nothing about the person you're going out with. Thankfully the ladies are interesting and sociable for the most part, so even if you don't have any chemistry you can still have a good conversation. It's more expensive than online dating, but I can easily recommend It's Just Lunch. read more

For what it's worth, I cannot thank the staff and my match-maker at Just Lunch enough. I've been having a great time, going out on more dates than ever. Every time I'm in D.C. they have another date for me. I would say that not every date is perfect but all have been my type and a rather high caliber really. I joined because I am not only looking for companionship when I'm in D.C. but I hope to one day find someone to settle down with in the area, as I have a government role that required frequent travel to and from the Capital. Having a "dating secretary" has really helped, it's a great concept really. My suggestion would be to be brutally honest with the staff, don't beat around the bush, so to speak, or you will waste your time. As we all know time is something we don't have a lot of these days! read more

For anyone who's blasted this service on Yelp, I defy you to go on a couple dozen dates through e-harmony (one date: that'll take a couple of weeks - it's a part time job!) or match....I never showed up to an IJL date and met a woman who was a dozen years older than she represented. What you get at IJL is a social secretary who juggles your schedule and vets candidates so you can run your business and your life. In all, a better mousetrap for my money. read more

I was with IJL for over 18 months. During that time, I took multiple breaks for personal reasons. I must say that IJL set me up with many dates with very beautiful, successful women. It took a while for me to find someone I wanted to date exclusively but the wait was worth it. If I had stuck closely or insisted on adhering to my preferences, I NEVER would have met my girl friend. She was outside of my age preferences by a few years on the high side. Sandra and Patty were great and very patient in sending me on many dates. Listening to them, taking their advice made the difference! Like anything, IJL takes time, effort and an open mind. I tried popular online dating sites but found that there is not enough time in the day to research, email or respond. IJL does all that for you and gets you to that first date. Besides, everyone in IJL has made the same investment as you ... read more

I removed my initial poor review in an effort to allow this business to show me a better side. Unfortunately, I wish I had left it posted, so that other unsuspecting singles would not sign up. But, basically, keep your money, find a "meet-up" group. I felt that the attention to detail was lacking, they are only obliged to send you on one date a month (although initially I had several a month but they were not good matches). And as far as listening or paying personal attention, I quit the service back in March, then received two birthday cards (one in April and one in May) - nice personal touch, however, my actual birthday is in early March - and to make matters worse, I am still being charged for services (it is now mid -May, I informed IJL that I did not want to continue the service on March 17, and my last date was on March 10!!) If they can't even send a birthday card in the correct month or cancel service when requested, why would anyone think that the service is personalized enough to match you with a decent date?!? Don't do it, save your hard earned money and precious time. (As an update to the above, I have received a response that the "charges" were a system glitch" and will be refunded immediately, including an additional month for my trouble). I'm hoping so....will confirm when I see it. read more

I joined It's Just Lunch almost 7 months ago and continue to be blown away with the amazing support and service that has been provided. My matchmaker Sandra continues to have my best interest at heart. She listens, is attentive, highly professional, and focused on finding me that special someone. I could not be more pleased! I highly recommend IJL for anyone who is tried of the dating scene and for anyone who wants to go out on quality dates. read more

I have loved working so closely with Sandra, my Matchmaker. She takes the time to listen to my questions and concerns, and really takes my input into consideration when choosing my matches. I have loved my experience working with It's Just Lunch because it really feels like Sandra understands exactly the type of person I am looking for. I can't thank her enough for helping me get back out there and meet some great people! read more

I signed up with It's Just Lunch and have had the worst customer service from them that I have ever received in my life. I paid $1,500 for a 6 months membership. The Director had an interview with me on the phone and told me that they have plenty of men of my age, education and professional level. They sent me on the first date and the guy was quiet the opposite of what I spent about 1/2 hour describing them my perfect match would be in terms of age, common interests etc.. Second date was worst. I called them to complain and they promised to do better for the next date, which they actually did. The following date the guy never showed up and the latest one the man was so much drinking that I thought he would pass out. I have cancelled my membership and wish I had used those $1,500 for a nice vacation or lovely bag :-( So my advise to you is PLEASE DO NOT HIRE this company. read more

If you like dating socially awkward weirdos, this is the service for you!! As for me, thank you, IJL, for the $900, and 10 terrible evenings I will never get back. I followed the instructions of the first reviewer, and was clear with my feedback on each date - it didn't make any difference. Each date was just as, if not more awful than the last. I laughed after reading FNU's comments about their being "selective" on members - socially awkward must be one of their requirements for the men they take on as clients. They didn't seem to listen to any of the guidance I provided on the kind of person I was looking for - I'm not sure I understand why they waste your time with an hour long survey of what you are looking for when they are just going to set you up with one of the seemingly 10 men in their database. Save your money - join every online dating service if your really need help meeting people. I think that would still be cheaper, and at least you can then weed out the awkward ones via phone or chat before wasting an evening. read more

This was the biggest waste of my time and $. I joined the service because I expected that the cost was indicative of the quality of the service and prospective matches. My dates were some of the worst I've experienced in my life. Most of the men I met would have trouble getting a date through any other means. They were not only unattracitve physically, but many were socially awkward at best. The staff at IJL consists mostly of young and inexperienced women and not the expert matchmakers they claim to be. I would warn anyone who is looking to meet someone against using this service. read more

Please, please, please, do not waste your money. This service is a Rip-Off... I was told by a staff member, that upon signing up, they could send me on as many as 3-4 DATES A WEEK. This offer proved to be a scheme to get you to sign a pricy 3 month contract, as I went about 3-4 DATES A MONTH (let's not talk about the dates) and would go a week or two without hearing from the date manager. Please ask around before you sign, I am sure there are more who believe they where "taken to the cleaners" too. DON'T BE THE NEXT ONE. I will be contacting the BBB about this company. read more

I joined It's Just Lunch because I like to eat. And then when they throw in meeting a woman at the same time, I thought "I'm all in." I've had a pretty positive experience with it. Sure there have been women I've met that I've not been interested in, but not because they were so completely different than what I was seeking, like 6ft tall, bald and adorned with a ceremonial bone through their nose. Sometimes it's not a perfect fit, and unless you get someone like that, you should just let the office know you're looking forward to the next date without being bitter. It boils down to supply/demand. One advantage of this to online dating is that you know you're definitely going to meet someone. The consultants/matchmakers/directors (I refer to as love brokers) in the DC office have really been great. They're very nice and proactive in helping their clients. If you're going to join, realize that it's just another avenue in the big dating game. It may or may not work out, but if you keep an open mind and an optimistic attitude, then even if it doesn't work out you'll have a good time. And lots of lunches. read more

when I was first contacted by IJL after I sent them an email asking about their company, a person from Florida called me and she sounded very enthusiastic and mentioned so many names for matches, and after I became a member, I went out for around 10 dates, 9 of them were far from the description and qualities I gave during the initial interview. so apparently they have no idea what they are doing and basically they don't care. I repeatedly gave them the feed back but that did not help. I finally requested cancelling my membership because it was just waste of time, and requested an explanation for why my matches were not appropriate, and I heard nothing back. I do not recommend this business to anybody, it is waste of time and money. its not IJL... it is IJW (its just waste) read more

It is not just lunch!!! While this service states that they will take your views/goals/opinions/ and hopes into account, nothing could be further from the truth. I met one gentleman who walked out of the restaurant after he found out I was Jewish (leaving me with the tab for his soda) because he was Muslim. And then, the IJL gal tried to blame this on me! 'Maybe I was not open enough?'. It is a lot of money and time to waste on such slipshod work. DC professionals don't meet naturally easily anymore and it would be wonderful if there was a group that provided top notch service for this unmet need, but this is simply not it. read more

Run Run Run for the HILLS, Waste of Time, Money, ! I joined IJL in April 2011. I did not go on the first date until a month later. Of course my down payment of $269 was cashed immediatley. There is a 7 day cancellation clause in the contract and the contract stipulates that all funds are NON-REFUNDABLE. It's Just Lunch is requiring me to pay 1,000 for a service that I deem to be tacky, unprofessional, with inexperienced and money hungry matchmakers! Don't DO it! My first and only date was racist. He said he clearly told the matchmaker that he was not into darker women. He also insulted our waiter with a racial slur and is not someone who qualifies as being classy or professional! The second date never bothered to show up on the date! What a waste of time and money! After this I had enough and I called the matchmaker and the manager to inform them that I was not interested in remaining a member of ITS JUST LUNCH, I was told that money was nonrefundable and that I would have to pay 1,000 for a service that I was no longer apart of. They are unprofessional and send me on a date with a person that was racist. They lack intergrity for failing to provide a refund. 1,200 for three month trial. DONT DO IT!! There is a reason for all of the negative advice on this page. Run! read more

Every negative comment posted about this service is 100% true. If there was a zero star option, that's what I would choose to rate this company. The staff is horribly incompetent, their matching services are off the mark and their pool of "eligible" candidates is almost laughable. The purpose of their service is to rip you off from day one, all the while pretending to "match" you with poorly chosen candidates at inconvenient locations. What ever you do, DO NOT spend a dime on this company. Their fees are outrageous for what you get, which is nothing. read more

So here is my final update. Yes, I am a client, but to not insult the several "dates" I had while a member, I choose to post under an alias. This service is clearly just out to pocket your $1800 for three or $2400 for six months. They could care less who they set you up with and any feedback you give them to "matchmake" will only be used insofar as the limited dates in their (small) database they have for your match. When someone cancels, they literally just stick anyone available in that slot regardless of match. This is pure and simple blind dating but without anyone knowing you - so it's really just taking a male and female of any description and making a reservation for them to meet up. At least online you have some notion of what the person does, is interested in, looks like - not the case here. They truly make no effort to "match" you to someone you would be compatible with. Instead it is just a ploy to get your few thousand dollars and then just use their limited database to, quite frankly, waste your and other people's time. For busy, smart professionals, please take heed. I rarely write reviews, but I feel it is my duty to warn others of the poor business practices. As I mentioned before, I just feel duped, but that is a lesson learned. I am very busy and was under the impression there was some real effort to help busy individuals meet appropriate matches. I certainly was not expecting miracles, but this was so off-base from the profiles I had described - either physically, educationally, or interest wise, it was too obvious there was no real system to the matching whatsoever. Finally, I think they welcome busy individuals as each "date" took weeks to schedule (partly my fault due to my schedule), but there was no haste - other than the first date once their credit card charge clears - to set you up. I am quite sure I didn't have 2 dates per month, so for me it was about $400/date. Oh well, live and learn, but please, I post this sincerely so please, please save your hard earned dollars and be forewarned... I'll find a blind date to match you up with for free:) read more

After meeting with the sales consultant in Dc, I was excited it would lead to a match..Asked how many dates I could go on and the girl said " as many as you want" with a smile...that was exciting. I paid $2500 up front, it is required to pay up front. Then the process began. Everyhting that I DID NOT ask for was given to me. I went on 12 dates in a year...not what I was told and the men were people I would never go out with in the first place. I called back every time to talk about my date, which is part of the process and told them the dates were not what I was looking for. Then in order to get a date I had to call and ask "when is my next date" then they would set me up again with a dud...Hopefully people read the reviews proir to paying any money to this service. If your NOT looking for great men and you want to pay a lot of $$ then this is the place for you. I just went out with a guy from an online site and he gave me the same story in regards to his experience with this company. They talk a great talk in order to get your money...dont be fooled especially you men...you will not get the quality of people that they claim you will get...I gave 1 star because it doess not allow for no stars read more

Do not waste your time. I have never been on worse dates in my life. They obviously did not listen to me during the interview process and I have never had less fun. Even worse, their accounting department kept charging me months after I cancelled my service. Go elsewhere! read more

I get a harassing calls and VMs from this business at least once a week. They leave a vague VM that sounds urgent to try to get you to call back. Only a matter of time before they get hit with a consumer lawsuit if not already. I have them saved in my phone as "ItsJustLunchIdiots" read more

I was new to the area and I wanted to meet someone; I tried online dating, but after meeting some suspect individuals, I decided to make a financial sacrifice and invest on a professional. I called It's Just Lunch and man, they were on it! They called me, e-mailed me, wined and dined me (figuratively) until I signed up. Then the dates started. At first, I thought that the initial mis-matches were just trial runs for them to get to know me, but after a while, I just started to feel like they were using me to meet date quotas. I was going out with men that I was not attracted to AT ALL, that were nothing of what I was looking for, and that made me reach for the wine bottle. I finally met IJL in person, showed them pictures of the guys I was interested in dating, and I further explained the personality that would best fit what I was looking for. I was hopeful that things were going to change for the better but that is what happens when you are a hopeless romantic. I now find myself praying that the next date is at least not painful, and I consistently beat myself up for wasting my money on this service. So if you did not catch my drift on my rant, DON'T DO IT! This service is expensive, and with anything that has a high price tag, you expect the best. You are not getting a Louis Vuitton lifetime guarantee on this investment. I didn't expect to find the man I was going to marry but I at least expected to get my money's worth on the quality of dates I was sent on. read more

So, the short of it- it's hard to meet people in DC! Everything is so segmented and with so many borders. I would swear that someone got the idea for the gated community here! In any event, if you are a man or a woman (in my case, a man), early 40's, maybe divorced and work hard hours, travel for work, have a pet (who needs walks and bathroom breaks), and don't want to try and pick up people at bars (oh, and most of your friends are married), then meeting someone with whom you have common interests, values, busy careers, etc. can be a real challenge. Oh, and I don't date co-workers so I am really stuck. I joined IJL because I didn't have trouble meeting people, but I struggled meeting the kind of people I was looking for. You can join Match for a few bucks. But, you get what you pay for. This is an investment in yourself and your life- in your potential partner. I work with Patti in the DC office. I have found her to be great. We talk most times before and after the dates I have been on- and I can tell she is refining her choices based upon my feedback. I emphasize that- you are truly in control of how many/what type of people you want to see- it's still left in your hands- but you are working with someone to help you. Patti, to me, is like one of my women friends that I would say- "so, what do you think of her? Think we might hit it off?" I trust her, and have gone out with her recommendations when I might not have asked the woman out on my own. My successes? Well, at first, kinda of mixed. I had some women that were interested. I was not. They weren't interested. I was. No big deal. It truly is just lunch or drinks (and I don't drink). There is always just another date waiting ahead. You can't go in with the attitude of- let me find that wife/husband right off the bat, and then check the box. It takes a bit of time. But, ever counted the hours on a lonely Friday night? This is way more fun. I actually found, working with Patti, I got so much better at dating. She has a better sense for what I like, and I have a better sense of the type of women I am interested in and will ask about. But, she also stretches. I'm not some guy dating women 10 years younger, etc. I promised myself I would meet virtually any woman at least once if Patti recommended them. Some have turned into some great relationships- and I am hoping a recent one definitely will. Now, am I still looking? Yep. But, I met a woman not long ago that I talk with regularly, and she's absolutely fantastic. I really dig her. Would I have met her without IJL- probably not. Guys- I will say this- as two bits of advice. First, there are some awesome women at IJL. I mean- very accomplished, attractive, funny, and just fun. So, put yourself out there. Second, invest in some good clothes that fit you well (think quality over quantity). be a gentleman. Show some manners. Compliment her shoes. I swear- you will be amazed- many of the women I met at IJL- their time is valuable, and a bit of kindness to show them you appreciate it goes a long way. So, Patti and IJL- keep up the good work. And folks- just take the plunge. You aren't defective for getting a service like this. It's smart. read more

Thought I'd write a follow up review. I'm now engaged to my IJL match and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong folks, there's a reason the book "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" was written...BUT I now know what being in love feels like and Sandra was the absolute reason I am here now. She's FABULOUS! And I still speak to her - she's also taken very good care of my girlfriends who have consequently joined the service! Ahhhh...she's just wonderful and I am so happy I spent the money on IJL. :-) read more

I'm really saddened by the amount of investment made on a very rushed occasion with many misunderstandings happening: from the first interview with a sales representative on the phone and through the contract servicing procedures. In fact, I started by sending a letter to the Best Business Bureau (BBB) right after I had agreed to proceed with the service but before officially signing-up. For here on out, there was a lot of misunderstanding. Therefore if you'd like, I can submit a verified review to contrast from the 119 reviews mentioned earlier from the company stating others like the company. The company I used was based in DC. I would hope your company would be reasonable in receiving these reviews as constructive and not as a means to put down your company. I felt my dates were mismatched 95% of the time, with individuals outside of the criteria I had stated in the interview. I think perhaps its about managing expectations of the clients. If you state early on, your men are men, with many different pros and cons, and explain what type of men, I would have been happier. I feel as though I was sent the same matches they send many others. Based on my conversations with the gentleman on the dates, they seem to have similar lack of luck. In fact a specific anecdotes includes being matched with men I had specifically stated I did not want to be matched on our introductory interview. I was about to cancel my membership then and there but trusted it would get better after I honestly explained to the team why I was unhappy. I apologize for the disagreeable review but that is what yelp is for, to express oneself in the most official way to others who may want to invest in this service. An example of one feature I didn't love: I was given a first 5 dates and then it seemed my account was put on hold as they have an informal policy of matching every 3-4 weeks, however this informal policy is never mentioned upon selling it to you. I was hoping I would get out every week or so for at least one date, as I would when I am active on match.com or other online dating sites that cost 36 dollars a month. I tried calling and talking about it, but they simply state they are really understanding my type. The contract process was odd as well. I would say do not write your name anywhere as it is considered a binding contract, even when one may just think its filling out a form. On the positive, I did love the representative who was cheerful, professional, and tried to accommodate me, but this is not on her, its about offering a service I didn't not find matched their advertisements. I loved their ads, their book. read more

Terrible organization. Expensive. Difficult to work with. Sure they appear nice on the phone, but if you've got something specific you're looking for like someone who is a Christian or another religion, you're out of luck. Really expensive. Difficult to get your money back. Confusing long contract that you sign. Pretty sure it's funded by the restaurants that they send you to which are fairly expensive. Plus, I'm pretty sure that they are a scam. read more

They did a great job matching me with some fun women. Have a few new friends, great food, new places to discover and met one special lady. Thanks! read more