Ditch or Date Avis 

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.

I attended a night a few weeks ago. There were much less men than women. It was also very disorganised. I was sat on my own for most of the night as there weren't enough men. I had to chase up an matches. And then Helen had the nerve to say she didn't have my number but she was able to message me and ask me to host the next one for £50! Helen does nothing apart from rake in the money and has the nerve to ask a participate to host the next event. Any wonder it is completely disorganised. And are you reporting this to hmrc that you are paying people cash in hand?? AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Had such a great night in Tipsy Bird last week. Fun speed dating night - loved it. Can’t thank Jess the host enough and Helen for her advice beforehand due to my nerves - got 3 matches !! Everyone was lovely btw.
Would def recommend.

What a great experience in Belfast !!
Wasn’t really sure what to expect but the event was just great
Met a lot of lovely people and 1 in particular with who I am now going on my 3rd date (fingers crossed for love in the air)

Thankyou Ditch or Date x

Highly recommend

First time I’d ever tried anything like this. I was nervous and apprehensive.
As soon as I arrived I was made to feel at ease the nerves quickly turned to excitement. What a brilliant night. I have signed up for the next one already…

Excellent experience, will definitely recommend it to freinds.

Avoid this woman at all costs. I booked an event that was advertised for a Saturday night, a couple of weeks later I happened to notice on the website that it had been moved to a Sunday, but Helen had not told me this. I turned up on the Sunday to find a woman hosting at the venue. I had to wait around for a good 40 minutes and was given no name badge. When we started the speed dating I quickly realised that there were much less men than women, which meant I was alone for a good part of the night. The host did not seem to participate very much, and this meant no one knew when to move on or where to move on to. When the event was over I handed my sheet in but as there was no name badges it was hard to remember who was who. The next night I waited on my email as promised by my host, I didn’t receive anything and had to chase this up with Helen. Helen was very slow at responding, so I decided to take the opportunity to give her feedback on the night. I pointed out that there were much less men than women and that defeats the purpose of speed dating. She promised up to 20 dates but there were less than 10 which is not what I paid for. I emailed Helen with the feedback and waited on a response. It took Helen 3 days to come back to me and she told me that her father had been ill. If you look at the reviews this is a reoccurring theme with Helen. Whenever anybody criticises her she pulls this card out, which is pretty disgusting. I had asked for a refund and again I have been ignored. So I would warn others, DO NOT ATTEND DITCH OR DATE. Helen is a con woman who does not respond and does not tell you the venue has changed. AVOID.