Ditch or Date Omdömen 

EDIT: Hilarious and expected response from Helen, who accused me of ‘slander’ which is completely untrue! Good luck to anyone who chooses to use her in the future!

I booked to go to a 28-42 event in Belfast last night. I am at the lowest end of the age range so was understanding of the fact that everyone would be older than me. The issue was that ditch and date amalgamated another age group with the one I had booked - 40-55 and the majority of the men were over 42, with maybe only 2 or 3 in the age bracket I booked for. When I emailed to explain this morning Helen was full of excuses and was tying herself in knots to try to explain why 2 events were amalgamated without communication to the paying customers. I requested a refund but was told that I wouldn’t get one because I should have expected the men to be older - which I understand but older than the 42 advertised?! There was also talk on the night that men previously been on ditch or date had been texted that day to see if they were available to make up the numbers. Again, Helen disputed this but I don’t see why they would have lied about this. I would have given this a higher score if I felt like Helen dealt with things in the right way but she doesn’t seem to care about customer experience as soon as she has your money in her pocket. Avoid this company!!

I attended an event with this company, same day as Rebecca , it was disorganised,
I wouldn’t recommend them at all. Sorry.
Waste of money & time .

I had a lovely time last night at the ditch or date event. It was really good as a single person to be able to go out on Valentines Day in Edinburgh to meet a potential partner. Very thoughtful of Ditch or Date. The host Kerri was really nice, smiley, chatty and organised the event in a lovely way. I booked the event with Helen who was lovely also. If you are thinking of booking I would, as it’s a great way to meet a potential partner.

Helen was lovely and friendly and put everyone at ease. She made sure we knew what to expect and looked after us really well. I would definitely do this again and recommend this company.

A great host, the atmosphere was very relax and good fun! Met some interesting people too

I attend the Newcastle ditch or dates, they're a great way to meet new people in person, I hate online dating... Absolutely love this, always good fun at Amazing venues with a fantastic host. Great vibes all round

Absolute worst speed dating experience I've encountered. This company is a complete shambles. They changed the venue on the day of the event and it turns out the booking hasn't even been made at the venue. The general manager at the place had no idea what we were talking about, lots of people turned up and there was nowhere for us to go. On top of that it was valentine's day and just a miserable evening. I expect a full refund!!

Really unorganised and they changed the date one day before so I couldn’t make it. Also they didn’t refund me I emailed and texted them many times but no one replied.
Don’t waist your time and money.

Went to Lola Lo in Manchester last Thursday. Was extremely nervous but the host made me feel really welcome and I enjoyed the dates I had :)

Absolutely recommend Ditch or Date. Helen the host was fantastic friendly bubbly lady, explained everything that was going to happen and really settled my nerves. I’ve tried various ways to date but can say hands down speed dating has been top of the list. I was surprised at the great variety of choice from various backgrounds personalities, careers to hobbies the gentleman had. It was great to hold an actual conversation with someone and have a laugh.
If you’re nervous or shy don’t be afraid to go along as I’ve also made some great friends with the ladies who also attended and I know some of the men have also made friends too.

Event was first pushed back a week and then cancelled. Both at short notice. Was promised a full refund but over 3 weeks after the original date (over 2 since rescheduled was cancelled) still no refund. Helen hasn't replied to my email when I asked about refund.

Previous attended an event in July (which incidentally was also pushed back a week but at least went ahead) was poor ratio (5 women 10 men) yet so unorganised some women were sat with no-one to talk to even though men were waiting too. Although it was poorly planned was still kind of fun which is why I booked again.

Was offered my money back and think I should get my money back, so why haven't I had my money back?

Following reply...

You did reply to my first email asking for a refund, so suggesting they went to your spam/junk is a lie.

You offered a refund AND free entry into next event.

You have sent me a picture of a transaction of a refund but that does not show the date of the transaction. As yet I still don't have a refund.

The host of the last event was really nice, I wasn't suggesting she wasn't.

I didnt want to resort to leaving a negative review just to get what you said you would give us anyway.

I would have been happy to join the next event still but I guess I'm not welcome just because of this negative review.

You have flagged my review as harmful/illegal. I have said noting that isn't true. And I don't see anything that I have written that could be considered harmful or illegal.

Further update.

Helen has emails me again saying she never received an email from me regarding this. So I emailed her a screenshot showing our conversation and that in fact she did reply to my first email so therfore she must have received my email in the first place.

I have been to quite a few speed dating events in Manchester but this one is the best by a mile. Guys could actually hold a conversation and were nice and made a good bunch of girl friends. Henry the host is so charming.

Fun night out, met lots of lovely people. As long as you go with a positive attitude and don't have unrealistic expectations you should have a great night, and I'd thoroughly recommend it. Nice venue, and Laura was a great host. (Only downside was that a match's email address didn't work. Appeared to be an issue at their end, so not the company's fault.)
'Anonymous' review, and company reply below made me laugh out loud. Yes, it started a bit later, yes, there weren't any name tags, but it didn't matter. Everyone was capable of saying "Hello, my name is [blank] what's yours?" and then move to the next table after 4 minutes.
(I refer to my previous comments about not setting your expectations too high, 'Mr Anonymous' 😉).
And yes, I did miss my train. It meant I got to spend some time having a drink in the company of some of the other attendees, while I waited for the next one. Hardly a disaster. 🙂
Would certainly attend another event.

What a brilliant night!!!
Everyone was super friendly even got 3 matches!! ❤️

I attended this event after not dating much through covid so I was really nervous but I was pleasantly surprised by how at ease I was made to feel and how much fun I had.

When I arrived to the tipsy bird (a very romantic venue btw) the host introduced herself and when I told her I was new to speed dating she talked me through the whole process so I was prepared. During the night I chatted to a variety of men who had multiple professions and personalities I got 2 matches and plan to go on a date with both hopefully I find Mr Right but if not I’m glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone as I think this is a great way to get comfortable chatting to people. After the event some of us stayed and had drinks in the bar and mingled which was lovely.

I will be recommending to all my single friends!

Poorly organised event. Location was good but the event started late. One guy missed his train home because of this. No name tags for people which did not help when you were trying to remember who you were speaking too. No numbers on the tables so it was hard to know which way men had to move. Yea the fact men did they moving is a bit sexist and old fashioned. Some of the attendees had been to events before so it shows that they are not always successful.

Edit: I corrected the date as I had put down as the 8th when it was the 9th in Belfast, Northern Ireland. but then I realised the 8th was correct. The trustpilot site is anonymous, so blame them that for it. There were NO name tags and NO numbers for the tables, so it made moving from table to table confusing, as well as keeping a track of who you wanted to ditch or date much more difficult. The last lady I was with stated she did not get to meet the last two men and was told it was because "they came late". Oh yea and there was no free drink like other speed dating events I have gone to.

Edit 2: Ditchordates response to my criticisms has been extremely unprofessional and reflects negatively on the company. Instead of taking my complaint on board and responding appropriately they have attacked me by revealing my personal information. I will leave it to readers to decided if they want to do business with a company that has such a poor attitude to negative feedback.

Do not give enough info on anything they lie to you and pass blame do not give these people your money please don't do it avoid like small pox, super bad C.S they are lie to you really bad company don't not use under any circumstances beware please. They abused me calling me crazy sick people do not use.

Attended several times. Very well organised. Polite and friendly staff. All attendees are made comfortable. Every event takes place in a dedicated (separate) room.

I've been to ditch or date in Manchester several times over the past few years and each time I've felt welcome and had someone put my nerves at ease! The time flies by in these evenings and I always come away from it having heard a new interesting story or 2!

Had a fantastic night at the Belfast speed dating event. It was my first time going to an event like this but I was put at ease by the relaxing atmosphere and host. The turn out was better than I anticipated and even though I didn't have any matches, I look forward seeing what the next event holds.