Review - Great Expectations

Video Dating made Internet Easy ...

Way back before online dating , there was something called video dating. People looking for a date or a relationship would visit a dating service office and make a professional videotape where they would talk about themselves and the kind of person they were looking for. Members of the service would then view each others' videos and contact the ones who interested them.

Great Expectations began as one of these services back in 1976. With the dawning of internet dating, instead of throwing in the towel they adapted, resulting in an interesting hybrid.

Great Expectations is an online dating service with a highly personal component. All members are screened and interviewed in person by a Great Expectations relationship counsellor. They still make videos of members, though digital has replaced videotape. These along with a typical internet dating photo profile are posted on their site, where members (and only members) can view them. One good thing about these profiles is that photos are taken by Great Expectations' professional photographers - you won't find any forty-somethings trying to pass off their high-school yearbook photos here!

If you are interested in someone, Great Expectations contacts them on your behalf. The recipient has the option of contacting you, arranging a face-to-face meeting - or neither. You won't receive mail or phone calls from any member without your consent and only paid members can view your profile.

The personalized service, one of the benefits to Great Expectations, also is it's biggest drawback - you must visit one of their offices in person prior to becoming a member. Offices are located in or near most major US cities, but that still leaves a lot people who won't be able to use this service.

Audience:	Straight (heterosexual) men and women.
Seeking:	Dates, marriage or a serious relationship.
Features:	Personal counseling and advice - All members meet with Great Expectations relationship counsellors. Prospective members are met and screened face-to-face by Great Expectations staff - personal details are verified. Video dating - longer, professional videos which let people get a better feel for your personality. Photo profiles with recent and accurate photos taken by a professional photographer - photos are taken by Great Expectations photographers. Search - you can search profiles of all Great Expectations members Send postcards to let someone know you're interested - If you are interested in someone, Great Expectations will send them a postcard on your behalf. The recipient can view your info and has the option of responding and planning a meeting if interested..
Freebies:	N/A
The Good:	Highly personal touch not found in most internet dating sites. All prospective members meet with a relationship advisor to discuss their goals, be screened and have their identities verified. The photos you see online are accurate and recent pictures taken by one of their professional photographers.
The Flaws:	No details about the service, pricing or features are available via their website, and you cannot preview members profiles until you are a member. In order to sign up, you must visit one of their offices in person. If you are not within driving distance of a Great Expectations office, this service isn't for you, however there are offices located in or near most major US cities.
The bottom line:	There is much more personalization at Great Expections than at other internet dating services, and you can be certain that member photos are current and accurate. You need to divulge a lot of personal details to the Great Expectations staff, including your address, phone number and salary information, however this is all kept confidential - no personal information is shared without your consent.. You must be able to visit one of their local offices to use the service.
Our Rating:
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Visit www.great-expectations.com