Jun. 20, 2022 Edmonton Matchmakers: This company is a total scam. Here are 2 articles about it:
Located in: Strathcona Town Centre
Address: 7915 104 St NW Unit 230, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E1
Phone: (780) 571-8370
Jan. 11, 2019 "'You will be a lonely old woman': Client testifies Edmonton matchmaking consultant played on insecurities": Today I found this article by Andrea Huncar on CBC news:
When Val Taylor met with Edmonton Matchmakers, she says the dating consultant suggested her weight was the reason she hadn't met anyone.
Taylor hesitated over the $7,344 price. She said that made the consultant Sharon Claire Jones go from "nice Claire" to "evil Claire."
According to Taylor, Jones became aggressive and raised her voice to tell her "You will be a lonely old woman by yourself for the rest of your life."
"It made me feel well maybe she's correct and maybe it's the only chance in the world I will have to meet someone," said Taylor, 56.
In her testimony Thursday in provincial court, Taylor said the appointment at Edmonton Matchmakers on July 17, 2015 left her feeling defeated and afraid.
Taylor was the only witness at a one-day trial for Jones who is charged under the Fair Trading Act after an investigation by Service Alberta.
Jones has pleaded not guilty to exerting undue pressure on consumers to enter into a transaction.
A conviction for the offence carries a maximum penalty of $300,000 and two years in jail.
Jones occasionally shook her head as she listened to Taylor's testimony but didn't take the stand.
"I just wanted to get out of that room so I said I would sign," recalled Taylor, a medical lab technologist, who eventually put the payment on two credit cards.
Crown prosecutor Fraser Genuis argued Jones played on his client's insecurities saying, "If that's not seeking to exploit the vulnerability of someone seeking a matchmaking service, I'm not sure what is."
Defence lawyer Evan McIntyre questioned why Taylor had only complained to Service Alberta in April 2017, nearly two years after her appointment.
He argued Taylor willingly signed the contract but her story "keeps getting worse."
McIntyre pointed out that Taylor hadn't protested at the time, or cancelled her contract before the first date.
"You sat there in silence didn't you?," said McIntyre during cross examination.
"Silence and fear," Taylor responded.
Treated courteously
But McIntyre produced a document signed by Taylor that stated she was treated courteously and provided with adequate information.
Service Alberta has received 19 complaints about Edmonton Matchmakers between 2015 and 2018. Four complaints were investigated but this is the only case where charges were laid.
CBC first reported on Edmonton Matchmakers in April 2017 after Margaret Clark launched a lawsuit complaining that she only went on a single date after spending thousands of dollars on the service.
The story prompted Taylor to come forward about her own matchmaking woes with the company who sent her on a date with a "partially toothless," homeless man.
In court Thursday Taylor said she emphasized to Jones that any suitable match must be employed but her one and only date did not meet that criteria.
He said he was "happily unemployed" and had no intention of looking for a job because he planned to "bum around for the summer," recalled Taylor. He told her he lived at "no fixed address" and parked his camper on the side of the road or parking lots."
Judge D'Arcy DePoe said the contract, which locks someone in after the first date, appeared "incredibly one-sided." But DePoe expressed doubt over whether it could amount to undue influence.
He said he was troubled by the document Taylor signed indicating she was pleased with the service.
DePoe has reserved his decision.
andrea.huncar@cbc.ca
@andreahuncar
Feb. 27, 2019 "Edmonton matchmaking consultant found not guilty of high pressure sales tactics": Today I found this article by Andrea Huncar on CBC news:
A former employee of a dating company has been found not guilty of pressuring an Edmonton woman into buying a $7,000 membership.
On Tuesday, judge D'Arcy DePoe acquitted Sharon Claire Jones, who previously worked for Edmonton Matchmakers, of exerting undue pressure on consumers to enter into a transaction.
"I cannot find the Crown has proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt," DePoe said.
Last summer, Jones was charged with three offences under the Fair Trading Act, two of which were dropped before going to trial.
The Jan. 10 trial on the remaining charge hinged on evidence from former client Val Taylor, who filed a complaint with Service Alberta in April 2017, after signing up with Edmonton Matchmakers in July 2015.
Taylor said her one and only date was with an unemployed, homeless man — far from the criteria she had laid out in her appointment with Jones.
In court last month, Taylor said when she deferred her decision to sign up, she was berated by Jones. Jones slammed her hands on the desk and warned she would be a "lonely old woman," leaving her feeling demoralized and afraid, Taylor said.
According to DePoe, Taylor, who was not in court Tuesday, presented as sincere, and believed she was being truthful. But a survey filled out by Taylor after signing the contract was the "most important piece of evidence," DePoe said.
In the document, Taylor agreed that she was treated in a courteous, professional manner. She called Edmonton Matchmakers months later to find out what was going on, which indicated she still wanted the service, DePoe said.
"It puts her evidence of … undue pressure into question," DePoe concluded.
'Strong evidence'
Jones was very happy with the judge's decision, her lawyer Evan McIntyre said afterwards.
He said the complaint wasn't filed by Taylor until nearly two years after her appointment but the survey showed how she felt about Jones' service at the time.
"We felt that was strong evidence of the complaint and state of mind at the time she purchased the contract directly after interacting with my client," said McIntyre.
Taylor filed a complaint after Margaret Clark went public about her lawsuit against Edmonton Matchmakers detailing how she bought a $10,000 membership but only went on a single date.
Her story inspired others to file complaints with the province. In total, Service Alberta received 19 complaints against Edmonton Matchmakers. Four were investigated but only Taylor's case made it to trial.
But McIntyre said Jones felt she had always treated her customers fairly and courteously and the issue of the complaints seemed to be with the company itself, which has since changed ownership. Jones no longer works there either.
"She left actually when these other complaints started to come forward and she wasn't satisfied with the answers she was getting about these complaints. She was surprised about them as well," said McIntyre, adding that the case has been incredibly stressful on Jones.
"So it was really nice for my client, very satisfying for her to get her day in court, and to show the truth of these allegations," said McIntyre.
Despite the ruling, DePoe criticized the contract as being "extremely one-sided," containing "vague terms" and being written in a way to "absolve the company of any blame."
andrea.huncar@cbc.ca @andreahuncar
Edmonton matchmaking consultant found not guilty of high pressure sales tactics (yahoo.com)
These articles remind me of this because it's about people telling others about their bad experiences with this company:
"#MeToo movement becomes #WeToo in in victim-blaming Japan"/ "Outrage as women in Japan told not wear glasses in the workplace"
"You never look good when you are trying to make someone else look bad."- Unknown
Cham: Sometimes people need to be exposed for who they are hahah or maybe I should stop being petty
Tracy Au: There's a difference between trying to make someone look bad, and exposing them for who they are. It's like those #MeToo accusers and victims, they are plainly telling everybody about the perpetrators. They're not trying to make them look bad.
This week's theme is about how Edmonton Matchmakers is a scam:
"Edmonton woman sues dating service after paying thousands of dollars for a single date"/ "Edmonton woman raises alarm over matchmaking service" (Edmonton Matchmakers)
"Service Alberta investigating complaints against Edmonton matchmaking company"/ "Charges laid after Edmonton clients complain about matchmaking service" (Edmonton Matchmakers)
My week:
Jun. 25, 2022 "More than $100,000 raised for loyal Burger King employee of 27 years in GoFundMe campaign after video shows him getting 'goody' bag as reward": Today I found this article by Jordan Hart on MSN.com:
- Burger King employee went viral on TikTok for the gift bag he received on his 27th work anniversary.
- Saturday Night Live alum, David Spade, donated $5,000 to the GoFundMe created by Ford's daughter.
- "Some people got nothing, so I was just happy to get anything," Ford said in an interview.
Burger King employee Kevin Ford is receiving a flood of donations on GoFundMe after video of a prize bag he received on his 27th work anniversary went viral on Twitter.
Ford has worked as a cook and cashier at the Burger King in the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport for 27 years without missing a day, according to his viral video posted in June.
Although the video gained most of its attention on Twitter, it was originally posted on TikTok. In the clip, he receives a single movie ticket, a Starbucks cup, and some candy in a plastic drawstring backpack.
He refers to the goody bag as a "reward" for his years of loyalty to the franchise. But despite his appreciation for the gift, many online criticized it as lackluster for an employee of almost three decades, Yahoo News reports.
In a TMZ interview, Ford admitted to feeling "let down" by the gesture, but maintained that he was grateful for the recognition. Compared to the monetary gifts employees received before the pandemic, he said he felt the goody bag didn't really measure up.
His daughter, Seryna, created a GoFundMe page following the huge reaction on social media. She wrote, "My dad continues to work here, because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age and leaving would cost him his retirement."
Ford took on the job 27 years ago as a single father after he was granted full custody of his two eldest daughters.
He continued to work at Burger King to provide health care for all four of his daughters throughout school, according to the GoFundMe description.
Seryna let potential donors know that Ford wasn't in desperate need of financial support, but the money would help him to visit his grandchildren in Texas.
The fundraiser quickly exceeded its original goal, and is continuing to get donations even after hitting $100,000. One notable donor was comedian David Spade who donated $5,000 to Ford and encouraged him to "keep up the good work," TMZ reports.
Burger King addressed the criticism it's received in a statement: "The Burger King brand and its many franchisees nationwide are committed to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the thousands of people serving across a wide range of roles — all dedicated to providing our Guests a world-class experience."
Jun. 27, 2022 "‘Too much mayonnaise’: Subway worker shot to death after sandwich argument": Today I found this article by Michelle Butterfield on Global news:
A fight over how much mayonnaise is too much has ended in the death of a Subway worker in Atlanta, police have confirmed.
According to WBRZ in Atlanta, a customer shot two Subway workers after a complaint about his sandwich on Sunday evening.
Officers with the Atlanta Police Department (APD) responded to a Circle K gas station just after 6:30 p.m. after receiving a call that a person had been shot.
They found that two female employees inside the neighbouring Subway had been shot. One of the employees, 26, died at the scene, while the other, 24, was rushed to hospital.
“Believe it or not, it was about too much mayonnaise on his sandwich,” Willie Glenn, the owner of the store, told FOX 5. “He decided to escalate the situation and from there, that’s when all hell broke loose.”
Interim police chief Darin Schierbaum told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the 24-year-old woman was shot in front of her five-year-old child, who was in the store visiting at the time.
“What you are seeing behind me is the result of a tragedy,” Schierbaum told reporters from outside the Subway. “A senseless tragedy that we’ve seen numerous times throughout the year where an argument leads to gunfire, and now we have someone dead.”
Police told reporters the on-duty manager tried to return fire on the shooter, but missed and the shooter fled the scene.
A 36-year-old suspect, who wasn’t named, was later arrested in connection with the shooting.
“This was a very tragic situation that did not have to occur,” Atlanta police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. told reporters Monday.
Authorities haven’t identified the victims, pending notification of family.
Glenn told WBS-TV that both victims had started working at the restaurant a few weeks ago and described them both as “model employees.”
Schierbaum told WSB-TV that people need to handle disputes differently, instead of quickly turning to guns.
“We need individuals to talk out their disputes, walk away and do not pick up guns. We can take down drug operations that breed violent crime, we can dismantle gang organizations that breed violent crime, we can stop robbery crews that breed violent crime, we cannot stop someone who is mad because there is too much mayonnaise on their sandwich,” said Schierbaum.
My opinion: This is so bad. The workers may have asked: "Let me make you another sandwich. Is this enough mayo?"
I remember watching Jay Leno and "Ridiculous 911 calls":
Man: The sandwich is not what I wanted at all.
Woman 911 operator: Then don't buy the sandwich.
I have worked at 2 sandwich shops for about 5 years in total.
Posting Facebook photos: Yesterday I went to my friend's M's house to use her computer. I didn't know and couldn't upload all these photos I took at her party a few weeks ago. I then was able to.
1. Put in your USB key.
2. Put in your digital camera.
3. You have to "create album" on Facebook.
4. Press "post".
This will upload all your photos.
I was there for 2 hrs. My parents and grandma went to Costco at the time.
Jul. 1, 2022 Writing: It's the summer time, so I have been writing reviews of old TV shows. There aren't a lot of scripted dramas to watch at this time.
The Endgame: I was watching this show on my DVR. By watching all the episodes in a week, I find this show to be average. This show got cancelled.
The Endgame (TV Series 2022) - IMDb
Ordinary Joe: I have been watching this show and I really like it. I know this show got cancelled.
