Q: Dear Dr. Skye: You talked about dating services in a recent Q&A.  Aren’t they pretty risky? — Minnie G., Hershey, PA

A: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives many complaints about dating services, especially about their cancellation and memberships costs and their failure to provide what they claim in their marketing pitches.  In fact, complaints were up 73% from 2005 to 2006, and with the increase of clients, those complaints are expected to break records in 2008.  People interested in joining an online dating service or matchmaking service obviously should do their homework, including contacting the BBB (www.BBB.org) to check complaints against the company.  Compare the different services, take their claims with a grain of salt, and don’t give in to high-pressure sales pitches.  Know what you want from the company going in and how to cancel your service if you decide it’s not producing the results you desire.  And don’t stop trying some of the simplest ways to meet potential dates–such as volunteering, joining a club, or taking an adult education class.