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July 7, 2006
They Prey on Fear
When it comes to the technology utilized by dating sites, one of the worst ideas I’ve seen are the blind-calling services. You’ve probably seen them. You sign up for a dating site and find someone you’d like to chat with. Instead of having to give out your phone number, you can use this service to connect by phone anonymously.
The problem is that it costs to use the service. It’s a serious chunk of change – especially if you use it for extended periods of time or use it frequently. I see it most used by sites that are after a cheap money-grab. These sites are the ones that prey on peoples fears. It makes me sick to my stomach. If you’re that afraid that the person you’re talking to is psycho, perhaps you shouldn’t be chatting with them in the first place! And for those companies that are attempting to monetize these fears, I say find another business to peddle your scares. The love business could perhaps be one of the most important industries on the planet and the last thing we need is low-life scum turning a truly goods thing bad.
Posted by CupidsReviews Doug at July 7, 2006 2:05 PM
Comments
Wow what a post.
At the end of the day if a singles wants to give someone there phone number before they get to know them they can. It's not a law you have to use a service that isn't free to chat to someone without them knowing your number.
If someone needs to use the service frequently then they are trying to chat to too many singles and not getting anywhere. This would then suggest they need to look at the way they are approaching online dating.
Jason
Posted by: Jason at July 9, 2006 4:56 AM
I don't quite agree.
I think that every device is good if there's a demand for it. If people use it to feel safe and if they are ready to pay for their curiosity, then this technology has a right to exist.
Besides, it's only curiosity that makes people to phone their matches even if they do not trust them. On the whole, I can chat to anyone. Why not give a chance to a person online?!
And if I wish to talk but wish to be secure I would use that service. Security is more expensive then money)
Posted by: Julia Dorofeeva at July 10, 2006 6:22 AM
Jason: Yeah, I agree, if people are losing bundles on it, they are using it WAY too much.
Julia: Yeah, security is more expensive than money, but I just see the calling feature as a way for crooked dating sites to run up the accounts of members who are to naive to know they're chatting with a decoy. Yep, I am a pessimist when it comes to how dating companies do bizz, but I've seen a lot of evil.
Posted by: Tyric at July 10, 2006 4:04 PM
What about the voip options? I think it would make a good free ad on ..
Posted by: Online Dating at July 14, 2006 2:52 AM
