Review: Events & Adventures Boston Inc

Anonymous Bob wrote:

I joined in Seattle, only went to 2 functions, which were lame, and murphy's law would have it I met someone just 2 months later(not through the club though) and we ended up getting married a few months later... The Events and Adventures staff could care less, and are sticking me with the FULL 1800.00 ! What a bunch of heartless, spineless bloodsucking vermin! Save the money, and just go out on your own to meet people, I am sure you'll have better luck, and a lot more money in your pocket.

I Signed a year contract in the Seattle club and on my account online it says I signed up for an "ongoing" membership. It has passed the year mark about 5 months ago. I just got a notice saying I owe a thousand dollars for dues. fucking BS. I am contacting HQ and going to fight.

I went a week ago Saturday to the Newton, MA office. I found Nancy to be your typical "hard-sell" salesperson. When someone ask you how much money you have in your savings account, which is none of their business, it's time to run out of the door.

I didn't sign up because frankly I can't afford the steep fees right now. But after thinking about it as I was walking home, even if I had the $2700 for a 12 month membership, plus $25 monthly dues and the cost of each event you attend I don't think it cost that much to "maybe" find romance. I'll find my way even if I fumble, but I'll save myself over $3000 which I could put to better use like putting it in my savings account!

I agree with those it think E&A is a scam. It's a very sophisticated scam and unless you really have money to gamble my recommendation is to think carefully about joining.

Here's a tip for those who can get to the Boston, MA Museum of Fine Art -- The first Friday of every month there is a (low cost) gathering after work where I'm sure you can meet some upscale people who enjoy fine art.

Good luck in finding your mate...

I'm thinking about joining the Long Island branch. If anyone knows if this group is worth joining, please let me know. you may email me at lgtranscription@aol.com. Thanks.

counselor695 wrote:

I have been a member for about 4 months and I have very mixed feelings about this group. The people who come to the events are nice enough although they are not the professionals that they were promised to be. Many are just out of college, which is OK, but I am an older professional and was hoping there would be more in my age group and educational group. I also felt that in some events the host that showed up could have done something to introduce people rather than just sit there with her boyfriend. Somehow I thought that E&A was profesional enough for me to call and let them know that I think their hosts could be doing more. Well, if you ever want to know what a company is really about, call with a consturctive criticsm. I had no intention of leaving the group but after that call I would never do business with them again. Teh response was "what you do expect them to do?" In a real sour note. When I tried to explain constructively what a felt a host should do, the woman said "well no one else feels that way" I proceeded to tell her that I run a business too and when a customer calls with a criticsm, I make it a point to hear it without becomming defensive and that way I can become better at what I do. But these people have no intention of becoming better at what they do. She was so defensive and rude and pretended not to know what I was saying ( I am a communicator and a public speaker so I am not so bad) until I got angry and asked her to stop playing stupid and try to hear what I am saying. then she focused on "are you callihng me stupid?" This is the quality of the people running the Long Island Center and when I hung up the phone, I asked AMEX to pull all the charges and they have done that and put the account into dispute. So there you are, be careful who you do business with.

I met my friends and my boyfriend through the club. You sound bitter, no wonder you're single!

I just had an interview last night. I wanted to know how it worked and the cost, but I was not planning on spending money or joining now--this was preparation for November or December when my personal financial recover is more solid. At around $2000 per year, I would do it because I think having someone else arrange for an event or adventure would be easier for me to get my fix of connection with other humans AND would encourage me to do more social things. As it is, I do a lot. BUT, I was turned off by the high pressure sales tactics ... rather sophomoric, I would say: "The discount of $300 on the annual cost is available to you only now at the conclusion of the interview" BS. When I hear that kind of sales pressure I run the other way. I am surpized they didn't call in a "closer" at the end. I may still join but I want to talk to some members first; especially after seeing some of the posts here. Sounds like a great organization if what they say is true.

Thankful wrote:

Thanks for posting all the comments. I was thinking of joining but now after reading this, I am not going. They seemed pushy even over the phone. So I can just imagine what goes on there during the interviews. I suspected that it was a big scam, but now I am sure!! I still dont understand how they are still in business. They just started up in Vancouver (where I live). I hope that people read all the comments before signing up.

I beg to differ with the negatives responses. I am a member and have been for the last 6 months. I am having the time of my life. I sat home everynight and did nothing e&a changed my life. I met the greatest guy in the world!! If i never joined i would not have met my guy whom we are now getting ready to move in together,It was the best money i ever spent. There are thousands of members all over and for the few who choose to spend there time online being negative ask yourself why you are still single is because you choose not to get out and enjoy life and meet good quality people, instead you complain now THAT IS WHY YOU ARE STILL SINGLE WITH NO LIFE SO YOU SIT ONLINE AND COMPLAIN enjoy life and stop complaining maybe you to can find LOVE

It's like a time-share business, seen it done it.. I've been trying to get out for 8 months and didn't see any money back until today! When I signed up I checked 4 times if it's really true that I can cancel the membership with NO PROBLEM if i happen to move out of the city, which i thought might happen some time in the future, well it happened that i was informed that i'll move 5 days after signing up with E&A and I called them immediately.. I was told I just have to show a couple of travel documents like my flight tix but when i had it, it wasn't enough, now i had to show rental contracts and utility bills in the new location, not even the contract for renting out my own home was enough.. After moving to Honduras and collecting and scanning and sending all kinds of receipts for rent, electricity and phone, I was told it's ok and I'll get my refund within 2 months (!!!!).. Never came. I started to go after it now a couple of months ago and what do i hear, they're charging me $750 for 5 days of being a member !!! NICE !!!!

I was thinking of joining - I just called to cancel my "interview". Thank God, I don't need any more aggrivation in my life right now. What struck me and had me doing research was the call I received, the sales lady actually said "oh this would be a great fit for you, since you are in great shape and are athletic"...how does she know? I didn't tell her anything about me. Did she FB Stalk me prior to her call? Thanks everyone for your postings! You saved me from aggrivation and stress.

I just made an appt in the dc area. Like most the membership fee is an issue for me. I might have to cancel because I don't want to be pressured into anything at this time. I should have read all the comments before making the appt. Should I run while I still have the time????? The concept sounds great but if people are not attending events they sign up for what's the use???? hmmmmmmmmm!!!! Any other words of advice????

Well I thought about giving them a shot since I heard the commercial on the Radio and it sounded like a good way to augment my current social activities. But I got the same speech when I asked about fees when I asked which sounded strange. All she would say was if I was deciding to pay my electric bill or this I should pay the electric bill. but who has an electric bill or I had thought I heard someone mention to me a way back that it was $700 a year. But at a utility bill of $1500-$2000. Not to mention the $30/month(so that is another $300/year on top of the joining. And dont forget event fees on top of that. Thinking back I am kinda laughing when she mentioned "well if we do a concert event they are not going to let us go for free. But we can get it discounted since it is a group." well yeah any group can usually get a discount, but you dont have to pay huge upfront and monthly costs. Need less to say I wont be calling then back to schedule an appointment, let alone joining.

What I wil say is check out meetup.com . There are many groups on there that you can meet people and do events for free with. Most groups have little to no joining fee and you usually only have to pay for yourself(dinner, movie/show ticket, entrance fee...) and there are many groups with free events to just meet and what ever(hike, bike, hangout...).

And if you are into sports and/or parties in the boston area check out SocialBostonSports.com . They organize lots of sports leagues, trips, and parties. There is no yearly fee(unlike BSSC.com ) and the rates are pretty good.

I had thought of checking out Events and Adventure to add to that but why bother at that cost. Its funny how much more expensive they are than the "dating sites" they mention in their ad. But in the same commercial they say they are not a dating service but a group of singles where you can meet someone of the oppsite sex. I think they need to make up their mind.

Ok rant almost done....

Lastly to the person who said this site randomly selects peoples posts to list...well I dont see how that is possible since you have to respond to a specific post. It sounds like something someone who works for E&A would say to try to defend themself.

COMPLETE MISREPRESENTATION AND RIP OFF!!
I am so upset to see all these bad reviews after I am now in a payment plan with these people. I actually have a friend who paid $2700 up front! because they told him there was no other way to do it. When he called to try to get out of it they said sorry we are not letting you out! If you want to meet every dork in the city you should join.
Boston, MA

I called the number because I had heard an ad on tv-the woman on the phone used that catch phrase "quality singles" at least three times. What put me off was that when I asked about the fee she said I had to come in to Long Island for an interview despite living in Connecticut. It reminded me of Great Expectations. It doesn't surprise me the fees are so exhorbitant. I will keep looking for Mr. Right without shelling out $1500 and if I happen to come into money, perhaps I will join.

I recently interviewed in the Nashville office and I have to agree with pretty much every one's comments about the sales pitch. Once you see the price you have to really thing about it and because you don't want to write a check to them that second they do tend to get rude and touchy. My interviewer actually said to me "and then you wonder why you haven't had a serious relationship in years" I couldn't believe it. I hadn't by choice not because I refuse to cough up $2000 a year to meet people and still have to pay for the events....I just thought it was way too much.

So very glad I read this comment from a fellow Alexandrian! I just returned from my visit and although I think the concept is good, I just couldn't justify the expense of someone being my social director and not having more events scheduled for my location. Most are 45 minutes or so away from where I live. I want to socialize more in my district... not driving almost an hour to get there! I think this post has made my decision for me! Thanks for saving me a lot of money!

Relieved single wrote:

THIS IS A HUGE SCAM- Stay away. I went to an interview in the DC area. You call the company, go in for your interview, the membership for the club for which they can not provide demographics for ranges from 1500-3000. They pitch as a country club type of membership with a 30 admin fee each month. Then they ask for all kinds of intrusive financial info and a copy of your license. I told the lady I wanted to think about it and she told me that I told them that I would commit if I saw nothing wrong except the cost. She was totally like a used car or timeshare salesperson and then got very angry with me for not signing up. I got up and told her I did not think this was a good fit for me and she told me I had issues and why I did not sign up was the problem with why I had not met someone and had just wasted time in a relationship. I should have googled this before I went in, but unfortunately did not. Be very cautious on this one.

Well, I thought this sounded like a good idea. Glad I read the posts and how much it costs and what a scam it is. All of the positive reviews that I've seen are obviously plants (it's easy to spot a genuine review vs. one the company has fabricated). Though I am tempted to go to the interview just to see how long I can make it last and how mad I can make them. I did it once a few years ago to a vacation club group. I spent like 5 hours of having fun with them and talking to like 5 managers and watching them contradict themselves (of course i pointed it out) and try SO SO SO hard to get me to buy :) Even made one of them almost cry :)

Amy wrote:

As a member of Events and Adventures for almost two years, I can honestly say that it is the best thing I have done for myself since my divorce ten years ago. Events and Adventures provides a great opportunity to meet both male and female singles and provides a great chance to network. The group allows you to do things you enjoy without having to go by yourself. I have kayaked, flew a helicopter, sang at karaoke, attended baseball games, played laser tag and miniature golf, mingled at Happy Hours, participated in Zumba classes, learned how to shoot archery, attended Broadway musicals, just to name a few. Another reason I recommend E&A is that there is no stress. All you do is show up; It really is the easiest way to meet other singles. Events and Adventures is better than anything else I have tried as a single person. I believe the reason E&A is so successful is because of the quality of people. The women in E&A actually are very friendly. I have attended Meet Up events and not one woman has ever come up to me and introduced themselves. At E&A the women genuinely want to cultivate friendships with both sexes and welcome new members to the club readily. The men in E&A are also very courteous and conduct themselves as gentlemen. In the two years I have been a member, I have never had a man say or act inappropriately to me. This speaks very well for the quality of men in E&A. I hate to admit it, but I have been a member and/or participated in: It’s Just Lunch, Great Expectations, Match, Cupid, Speed Dating events, and Lock and Key parties and have never met the same quality of people that Events and Adventures has. E&A has really been a lifeline for me when I find myself single again after being in a relationship and I can’t say enough about what the group has provided to me. The membership fee definitely was worth every cent I paid and more.

I am extremely skeptical of this post. I am pretty sure that it is phony, written by a marketing professional hired by Events and Adventures to try to offset the realities of the other posters. This is playing dirty pool, indeed. I think this company needs to be investigated and put out of business.

Thanks to everyone that made a comment on this site. I have an appt on Saturday to meet with someone, now i have chose not to go. I found it strange when i looked on line and had to give my name and # for someone to call me back. Plus there was nothing on the site that showed pricing or how they really worked. Then i got the call from an Audry and she seemed nice but tryed really hard to get me an appt right away. I went on to ask what the price is and she explained that the pricing is not done over phone or on internet, that was strange. I made the appt and she advised me she would send me an email with the directions. I have not recieved the email as of yet and it is strange that she could not give me the directions over the phone. This whole thing seems strange and sneaky. Now i know why. I am single and i was hoping to meet people but it seems like i am better off single. Thanks again to everyone and sorry for those who had to go through the nightmare.