5 reasons why eHarmony’s FastTrack is a bad idea
We are unanimous about eHarmony’s FastTrack option:
FastTrack? Don’t do it!
If you receive the request, deny it. If you think it will work, don’t. Let us tell you why:
Reason #1. You skip seeing each other’s Must Have/Can’t Stand lists
These lists, we think, compile information that’s far less efficient, if not highly improbable, to gather over the phone before the first date, or during the course of dating. For example,
- Must Have: “Parent Care…: I must have someone who is willing to help me take care of my parents, now or when the time comes.” and
- Can’t Stand: “Intruding Family/Friends: I can’t stand someone whose relatives and friends are constantly calling or visiting.”
aren’t exactly things brought up on purpose during such circumstances. Yeah, the rounds of 1st and 2nd questions do serve a purpose.
Reason #2. You cannot withdraw or nudge FastTrack requests
eHarmony never tells you that, once you request FastTrack, there’s nothing else you can do with the match except close it. You cannot cancel the request, you cannot send a nudge. The match will be stuck at “Waiting for ‘FastTrack’ response,” that’s, in our opinion, the worst form of Waiting Hell.
Reason #3. The perception against “going too fast” into a relationship.
No matter how we phrase it, FastTrack is a “shortcut.” It confuses people: Why jump ahead? Why the hurry? What are you after? Are you in a rush for something? Do I feel the same way?
Because you are the one FastTrack among many other matches who took the long route, we guarantee that there will be apprehension.
Reason #4. You need to write a first message … but the match must accept the request before reading it.
You cannot present your case to persuade the match to accept the request.
Reason #5. There’s no going back.
Because of reason #3, the first message must at least answer why you asked for FastTrack. You probably read much insight in the About Me profile. What if you are wrong? If you are, then there’s no going back.
Categories: Tips
On point #4, why not just send them another message (ie. what’s up? Haven’t heard back from you. Have you been busy lately?”) ?
Isn’t that just as good as sending them a nudge?
by Eric on Nov 6, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Eric, see reason #2. You cannot send another message, in fact do anything, except close the match.
by Elizabeth R on Nov 6, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Eliz: thx for explaining that. I understand now.
I was thinking that of a scenario where the other match had accepted the FastTrack request. But, I see now that the blog post is referring to the scenario BEFORE the other match accepts or denies the FT request.
Thx ‘-)
by Eric on Nov 6, 2009 at 3:19 pm