I don’t like the term “older people”, I prefer older people. I mean, when you were young, didn’t you want to be with the older kids? But the world uses this as a way to describe older or older people. I can come and go between the two of us.
This is how my story begins. She had been married for 35 years, now widowed for 5 years. Looking for a relationship was not my reason to try an online dating service. There were other staff who didn’t care what I experienced.
So I chose a recommended site, to test the waters, which was free. I wasn’t going to pay and instantly got 49 “let’s meet up.” I had posted a real picture of how I look now, an honest description and accurate answers. I mean, let’s be honest, we’re not going to say, “The overweight, wrinkled old lady is looking for a stud.” So taking a look at the truth is not terrible. But what I initially found were misspelled profiles, almost to the point of trying to look authentic and horrible selfies (those in the bathroom are the worst) on one side and then on the other, cleverly written profiles that were made up. My favorite is that almost all men are laid back more of an athlete (pictures in boats or skiing or hiking). Yes, all men my age are virile. That is why Viagra sells more than aspirin. I have the need to leaf through the truth but to “speak in profile” with walks on the beach, sunsets and other buzzwords; I was getting nauseous. I changed my profile so many times that at one point I offered to write profiles for a fee. In fact, I made recommendations on the use of images. I mean missing teeth, ragged clothes, and shirtless photos are among my favorites. Yes, those will roll into tons of females.
I contacted a real scammer who was upset, but nothing really happened to me. I mention the FBI and a panic ensued. He could understand scammers, but something equally dire happened. So I looked for articles on online dating, tons of scammers, but nothing I finally found that the “old men” need to know about. Angry for the scammer, but wiser and more informed about what to look for, I returned to the fray discovering what, to me, was so daunting.
When choosing to choose a site that was supposed to be for “seniors”, I searched for free. The profiles looked legitimate and more realistic. I got the free smiles or winks to show interest, but couldn’t go any further unless I joined in for access to communicate. So I picked the cheapest $ 30 and moved on. I sent a few messages but got one line responses and then nothing. So I asked more detailed questions and got unrelated answers. I found this very strange, I mean, is he just talking? Why wouldn’t boys my age respond? So maybe some want younger women, that makes sense, but the answers gnaw at me. Something was wrong.
So I decided to do my own research, based on my instincts. I know from surveys and that 1 person represents 100 in likes, dislikes and opinions; so I became a researcher, not a seeker. I read most of the profiles, careful to choose the same types, as the service analyzes my selections and preferences. I looked at the photos, profiles, likes, etc. They were all from my state and within 100 miles or less, with most around 20 miles. The general age group that appeared to sail was 58 to 68 years old. I looked at each image in my browser between 75 and 100 types.
Then I selected around 35+ to send messages, comment on current local events, their photos, etc. I mentioned to a guy that he had a great photo. Do I have what photo? The image that I am seeing with which we are sending messages. Oh, that photo. Oh, it was in Atlantic City, I really answered, “I was from Jersey.” Be quiet. This happened several times. So I communicated to a 70-year-old guy that I wasn’t sure if his profile was him, hacked, or inactive. I thought that selecting a man older than me would produce an interest, like wanting a younger woman. What I got was language that was not in line with a 70-year-old man. The dialogue turned belligerent when I asked him if he was represented. No real person would get unpleasant for asking a simple question, especially an older man to a woman. I don’t want to detail any other telltale signs as this might help this continue, but I knew early on that I was communicating with a much younger person.
So here is my assessment. Of the 35+ guys I texted, I got one back and forth communication. Let’s analyze this. Of these guys, let’s say 10 wanted a younger woman. Let’s say 8 didn’t like my looks. Maybe 10 weren’t online, but I sent them messages that they should have received notifications, but maybe they didn’t like it either. That still leaves 7. But let’s face it about these guys, whatever it looks like, at least 2 guys just want to get laid. That’s a reality or there had to be some really lonely guys. Either way, no communication?
What was happening was so obvious that I was surprised that it had never been written before. I really think none of these guys were “active” members. I mean the profile of a boy who said he was actually 67 years old, not 61, but the age next to his photo was 63 and 4 hours later the same boy was 58 years old, what a nice trick that is!
I can bet my own little poll, if conducted on a broader basis, it would prove me right. My conclusion is that all these services are aimed at the 18-45 age group. Older adults tend to want to stay for a while and then get off, the age group in this group would be very low and therefore in order to keep getting new subscribers they have to recycle inactive members. I think I communicated with a young person or a robot designed to respond in a certain way. These are unethical business practices. The service claims hundreds or thousands of new members a day, which may be true for younger people, but not for older people.
These services could matter less because if you have an average of 100 people per week who buy 1 month, that $ 3000 dollars for a week. It is a scam in a different sense. Perhaps they are not scamming someone into cleaning their bank accounts, but they are dealing bait and changing business practices that deceive people; without a true representation of who is active. Their disclaimer absolves them of any scams, etc. They offer tips to identify fake profiles but at the same time lying. Your photos are now his property. Why would they need them? If you don’t use them this way.
Now, it can be said that this is not a guarantee, absolutely correct. But the real fraud is hurting older people who are already coming in with more insecurities and fears. As long as you are on the lookout for scammers, no one would think that there are not 100 types to browse, but 10. Come on. I can accept rejection, but let it be by real people, not ghost members or robot talkers. My copyright photo is the same one I used.
I complained and asked for a refund. They gave me half, of which, at the time of writing this article, has not passed. If I don’t get it. I will discuss the charge. Older people would not consider this aspect. They forget it and think they were rejected or are ashamed to even claim they went to a site.
I went through several more age-related sites and they all work the same way. There has to be a better method and I’m going to figure it out.
So old people! Oldies! Boomers! Don’t buy the nonsense. Give it a try, like I did, then if you get similar results, ask for a refund. They take us in the pocket, they return the favor.
