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Meetup

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Overview

Meetup has a rating of 1.3 stars from 496 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Meetup most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and many people problems. Meetup ranks 626th among Social Network sites.

  • Service
    77
  • Value
    77
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
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How would you rate Meetup?
Top Positive Review

“Andrei's French convo group is magnifique!”

Masha K.
7/26/16

I've really enjoyed attending the intermediate/advance conversation group led by Andrei on weekend mornings. The topics are always interesting and the Union Square Barnes and Noble is a great location. Looking forward to going again soon!

Top Critical Review

“Meetup is now Greedup”

Jim C.
10/13/24

I have been an organizer for my group on meetup for about seven years. In June, they jumped their pricing sky high, $44 for one month, $180 for six months, $300 for a year and encourage us to have members pay this. Granted, we have 700 members, but that burden should not be placed on them (even 50 cents). When it was about $100 per year, I could justify the cost. At $300, I cannot any longer. And by the way, that is just their standard pricing. Meetup PRO is even more ridiculous than this. When I tried to reach out to support about this, I literally got the cold shoulder. Not a single person contacted me from Meetup about this issue. That was the final straw. Sure like most greedy corporations, they will get their money somehow. We just won't be one of their supporting groups.

Reviews (496)

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customer service (49)
Thumbnail of user angelah50
Nebraska
2 reviews
17 helpful votes
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October 19th, 2015

I set up a Meetup group, and many people joined at first, but only one or two people would ever RSVP and actually show up. I started getting rid of members who hadn't looked at the page in four months. Members would complain about where the meetups were, and I would change the event to a place they'd go to, and no one would go. I was open to suggestions, and held several meetups at places members suggested, only to have one person show up. Then there are the weirdos. Some of the members just did not make me feel safe to be around based on their comments, and I realised that Meetup doesn't do anything to really check to see who these people really are. I'd love for them to have something that verifies the person's identity and make sure these people are who they say they are. I would get so many new member requests from people with pictures of their room, a cartoon, or some weird name. I would clearly state that they had to have a picture that shows their face, and first name and last initial if they wanted to join, but no, I still got requests like that. I shut it down recently because I was tired of paying per month for no one to show up. I really think if you had to pay just to join Meetup in general, about $5 a month, or were charged a certain amount for each group you join, people would go to more events and take joining groups more seriously. I thought Meetup would be a great way to meet people, but I haven't had a good experience in this area.

Thumbnail of user adamc147
Georgia
1 review
13 helpful votes
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March 4th, 2018

Terrible UI changes. I use the calendar the most frequently to schedule events. For some reason they now hide the calendar and make it extremely difficult to find. I want to see a month's calendar.

Thumbnail of user rw96
Florida
2 reviews
11 helpful votes
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April 26th, 2018

No response to issues. If there is an issue your intellectual property is at risk as Meetup.com does nothing to fix an issue. FAIL! No Customer Service.

The concept is great but execution is dismal!

Thumbnail of user carmenem
California
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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July 27th, 2020

This site is such a scam. Beware giving them your credit card information. You can never speak with a person which is a scam in itself. Avoid this place!

Thumbnail of user jays346
New York
1 review
2 helpful votes
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July 27th, 2018

Meetup should reduce their cost. Even consider make it free. They don't provide any services and their (IT) platform is so poorly made it is shocking.

Thumbnail of user annf3
California
1 review
6 helpful votes
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November 21st, 2011

I too have major issues with privacy on meetup.com. I had set all my account info, groups and photo to private. One day I happened to do google search my name and location and to my horror it returned ALL my meetup.com information, including my groups (which I seriously wanted to stay private). It also showed up the messages sent to me in meetup.com. Furthermore, it showed my photo (and groups) as the first result in google image search. I had uploaded my photo on my meetup.com account only for a few days and then had removed it. Moreover, all the settings were private. The info. And pic still kept showing up. Then, I left the groups one by one and waited for a few days, it was still showing. Finally, I closed my meetup.com account 4 days back but the whole info is still showing up. I tried to resolve this with google.com but their response was that meetup.com has put this info publicly and google crawlers catch all public info. They advised me to contact webmaster of meetup.com and get the info removed. I had been sending emails to quite a few meetup.com contacts including webmaster since last 4 days to remove me completely, no response so far. I am very upset. This is a very serious breach of my privacy. I hope that there is a legal recourse available in case there is no action on their part. Any advice please...

Thumbnail of user youngk17
Virginia
2 reviews
20 helpful votes
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July 19th, 2022

I complained about assault and unresponsive organizer and they wiped out all my messages and groups and ignoring my emails. Its Only about $ for this company.

Tip for consumers:
No matter what you experience via meetup.com, don’t bother reaching out to them. They dont care.

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Thumbnail of user phoebeb
Colorado
1 review
4 helpful votes
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July 17th, 2013

Love the meetups, and have made many real friends.

The website has a big problem with scammers, however. Whenever I join a new meetup group, I get several messages from men who are using meetup as a pool of new targets for their scam. The language/phrasing is often the same, as if they cut/paste the bait message.

Beware if you get a message from a man whose profile shows messages from several other women saying "Thank you for the compliment but I don't remember you, where'd we meet again?"

Beware if you get a message from a man whose english is poor, using phrases like:

Hello dear
If you don't mind
I will like to know more about
Hope to read from you soon
Looking for a serious minded woman for a serious relationship
I am new here
Please no games
I will like to meet a serious minded woman for a serious relationship
God bless and please to hear from you soon
Thank you for the information's

If you do get a message like this, click Report - and also send an email to *******@meetup.com include links to the message you got and to his profile.

If they get enough complaints, maybe they'll be able to adjust the software to filter out certain phrases.

Thumbnail of user fayed9
Georgia
1 review
6 helpful votes
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January 13th, 2018

I tried to unsubscribe to meetup emails I didn't even subscribe to. The site required me to sign up - ha! - to be able to unsubscribe. STUPID! Meetup, leave me alone!

Thumbnail of user jerilync1
California
2 reviews
7 helpful votes
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February 20th, 2017

Organizer judges your ability after one session. No second chances. Very cliquey and unfriendly. Organizer charged $5 per person, there are at least 20 people there, and courts cost $5!

Thumbnail of user martins50
GB
1 review
4 helpful votes
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April 5th, 2013

Great potential that I want to recommend but a disappointment in UK practice.

Look at the number of foul-mouthed people trolling INTERNET and you must expect some foul-mouthed, weirdoes. They just want to make others feel how they feel as rejected social dregs. Give them a hug. If they don't change - tell them where to go.

There was a time when Meetup.com told you all people in your area interested in the same topic or activity as you. For some reason Meetup, stopped giving that information. Why? Feel a con coming?

Now Meetup.com tells you there are 64 people near you interested in the same topic. What does 'interested' mean? Something vaguely similar.

What does 'near' mean? Up to 100 miles.

Now either Meetup.com are out to con all new organisers or they are just plain dumb. They are Americans. From the other side of the Atlantic, they look at a map and see that Dover is near London. But Dover is up to three hours by public transport and a near 2 hour car journey that few in the UK would undertake lightly. And not for a regular social event.

What started as a great idea with potential is now degenerating into a con. Let me plaguerise Boomtown Rats: Its a rat trap - don't be conned!

Thumbnail of user mariac1556
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 10th, 2021

Hi, S
I have been an organizer of several SUCCESSFUL singles and hiking groups for a decade. Through the years, Meetup has "changed hands" and the new administration has made decisions that were financially favorable to them but not favorable to the organizers that pay their salary.
Today, April 10th, 2021, I was trying to create an event for my group and I was unable to to do so because I was getting the wheel thingy AFTER spending more that an hour researching and creating the hike.
Our house IS wired with fast internet because my husband's company pays for fast Internet due to his job.
I am a high school teacher teaching online from home and NEVER had an internet isssue... WHICH means that MEETUP.COM sucks and is taking our money but not delivering good service
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - DELIVER OR WE ARE OUT
WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN GROUPS IN FACEBOOK OR PRIVETELY
FIX THE ISSUES!

Thumbnail of user isb7
California
1 review
20 helpful votes
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February 13th, 2017

They claimed that Trump crossed their line, so they pushed their #resist groups on us.

I and many others will #ResistMeetup.com.
Now they will be sitting in their snowflake poop by themselves.

Thumbnail of user johns7448
Sweden
1 review
2 helpful votes
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November 4th, 2020

By far, the worst Experience that I have ever had with a Meetup Group in Columbus, Ohio was with a Group called, "CBUS Social Professionals 21-45," headed by Organizers, Mark Kido, Ross and Maurice. No one practiced COVID-19 Social Distancing Suggestions, people were extremely rude (Including the Organizers) and the Events were poorly coordinated. The entire Atmosphere was very Immature and Juvenile. I guess it's more a Casual Group for very young people in their early twenties but not one that can be taken seriously as a Legitimate Networking Group.

Thumbnail of user al327
California
2 reviews
17 helpful votes
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September 30th, 2023

Meetup LLC (meetup.com) is an unsecure website, app, and platform. They sell your personal information and leak your private information, including your personal email address. As an organizer, I have the right to decline members who are incompatible/unfit for my group. Recently, a declined member got ahold of my PRIVATE email address and aggressively emailed me. I contacted Meetup's Trust & Safety Team to no avail; they suggested I did not checkbox "hide my email address" when I declined members. HOWEVER, there was never this option on the apps (regular and organizer app). And they claim that it's only available on the website/desktop version, and the app doesn't have it because they don't release personal email addresses. THIS IS BS. Meetup is LYING and/or has an unsecure network.

Another recent incident involved reporting harassment from members to no avail. Their generic response? "We can't do anything... Or, "Contact your local authorities". There is NO ACCOUNTABILITY from Meetup! Myself, other organizers, and members have stopped filling out reports. And we no longer feel safe using Meetup.com.

Thumbnail of user ruudj
Netherlands
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2017

Don 't trust this organisation they don 't Pay their bill in Utrecht (holland) and their contact person "Lucian Naie"(*******253)will scam you! Don"t ever take their reservation

Thumbnail of user sues24
New York
1 review
5 helpful votes
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May 17th, 2013

Some groups are okay, have weekly regulars, and no ulterior motives.
On the other hand I am disappointed in those that are clearly for businesses. Well actually they are not clear about that until the first meetup you go to and then tell you about classes they have and how much it cost. Over 300 dollars for the last one I went to. Had I know this I would never have attended. It's basically advertising their classes without really letting you know that until you're already at the meetup. So then it's a disappointment and a big waste of my time.
I do think there are some good honest meetups. I found some meditation groups that are free or they ask for a minimal donation if you care to make one. I paid the suggested fee of a dollar at one, To help them with the cost of the meetup site.
I've also attended a book group and a general meetup for coffee, and a gamers group. There were plenty of others there. And all of the groups have been running a long time.

To some people that are saying it is for losers and the people are weird. Maybe some of them are odd (to you. Whose to say what's odd. Maybe you are), but to say they all are is wrong.
I've met a lot of intelligent likable and fun people. These people are not losers, they are people that want to get together and share their knowledge and interests with like minded people. In this way meetup is a great idea.

Thumbnail of user rennas
Colorado
1 review
17 helpful votes
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March 13th, 2017

My complaint is not political.

I thought I might find some useful comments here about the on-going changes that have made Meetup a huge headache: Changes in how people can/can't pay (dumping user-friendly PayPal for weird and pricey WePay, inc. actual manipulation to drive users toward WePay), we can no longer require payment to RSVP (which means lots of no-shows), add pictures, etc. EVERYTHING seems redesigned ONLY with concern for how it looks on a smart-phone, even if function and ease-of-use are lost. And it's IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone like Customer Service even though I'm paying to do business with Meetup (and have been for over 10 years). I can email questions. MAYBE someone will respond. Eventually. This is unreachability is unique in ANY on-line company I do business with.

All I'm seeing here are complaints about a political stance #Resist that has NEVER showed up on any of my stuff.

Whatever they're about politically, Meetup has become deaf to its customers, remote and out of reach, making changes based on what? That serve who?

I used to feel like I was really connecting and getting my money's worth as an organizer. The site made sense and was easy to use. Now, every new event posting I add reveals another goofy new glitch. What the heck happened?

Thumbnail of user susanc212
California
1 review
7 helpful votes
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October 16th, 2016

The new Meetup Site is awful... confusing & frustrating. The old site was great. Easy to use & the calendar was so much more functionable...
Upgrade is really a downgrade!

Thumbnail of user williamb71
Missouri
1 review
13 helpful votes
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July 30th, 2013

This site is a huge scam. Once you sign up you'll be harassed with endless e-mails, and changing your e-mail preferences is a major pain if you sign up to any of the groups. If you complain about the e-mail volume on their suggestion forum your account will be banned. If you say ANYTHING even slightly criticizing them on that forum your ENTIRE account will be banned. And if you paid money? Too bad, so sad, you voicing your opinions apparently means you're no longer entitled to the money you spent.

Not to mention the fact that if you don't give in at first and don't pay them to create a group, a few days later they'll send you a 50% off coupon. You have to be a pretty disgusting company to run your business like that. Trick people into paying full price but offer the reluctant ones HALF OFF. I mean, wow.

Aside from the unethical business practices the membership base itself if FULL of fake profiles. 90% of your members won't attend a meetup, won't respond to messages, aren't active in any way, and have stock photos on their profiles. Digging a it deeper you'll be hard pressed to find any of them are real.

AVOID THIS SCAM SITE AT ALL COSTS!

Thumbnail of user terryr133
California
1 review
4 helpful votes
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May 31st, 2018

Web site is hard to maneuver no real help unless your signed in etc and have to put in password too often... no real help from the managers of the site.

Thumbnail of user karenh219
Colorado
1 review
8 helpful votes
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May 2nd, 2017

WORST COMPANY IN THE WORLD. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. STUPID COMPANY. THEY WANT YOUR MONEY. BUT THEY DONT WANT TO LET YOU ORGANIZE MEETUPS. DONT EVEN BOTHER GOING TO MEETUPS. NO ONE SHOWS. SAVE YOUR GAS, MONEY, AND TIME.

Thumbnail of user miked236
California
1 review
20 helpful votes
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February 14th, 2017

Please don't email me information regarding your new RESIST propaganda...
I'm not interested, and I did not join Meetup to be indoctrinated with your politics.

Thumbnail of user louisea8
California
1 review
18 helpful votes
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December 5th, 2014

My stalker found me through Meetup.com because of their lax Privacy Policies in which case they did nothing to ban her from the site. Organizers don't want to deal with the "drama" so they ignore any requests for bans. And, because anyone can start a group with no guidelines or expectations set in place by Meetup.com for Organizers, Organizers can chose to do whatever they want without reprocutions, such as ignoring pleas for help.

FYI: If your name is used for your account or if your name is listed in any comments in any group, you will come up in any online search of your name and every single group you are a member of will show up. This is a great way for stalkers, employers, or anyone else to find you!

Mine did this, and then proceeded to sign up for every group I was a part of, then proceeded to slander me in groups, and act like she was going to show up to an event - only to never show up, but only psych me out from attending anything fearing she'd be there.

Did Meetup do anything? Nope.

Tip for consumers:
In this day and age, when our information and privacy, is a thing of the past, and companies like this chose to do nothing to better protect the online identity of their patrons, I really do believe there are other, more effective ways to go out and have fun and meet new people than heavily relying on sites like this.

I can better protect myself and my information "off-line" and "in person" through other means than through online sites that don't care what victims of stalkers go through.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user irvl
Illinois
5 reviews
14 helpful votes
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March 19th, 2013

Many people have asked about Meetup.com. They are a complete scam and ripoff!

First, they take your money (subscription), then a week later pick and choose who they do not want on their site. Without notice, they cancel your account and say it was due to a term violation and they will refund the money. After several emails and phone calls, all we received was a standard form email saying they will not discuss it any further and the case has been closed!

Second, so far, there has bee no refund and no emails returned on that as well.

Third, we forwarded several "identical" groups to ours that did the exact same group that we did but they ignored our objections and the one "local" competitor (who turned us in) remains on meetup with their group!

Fourth, we found through a source that actually offered up proof, that a "voluntary, additional contribution" to Meetup would get you what you wanted. Such as a competitor terminated!

This is a total scam and a simple sear around the internet will reveal additional Meetup "ripoff reports as well. Here are a few examples...

http://www.ripoffreport.com/lucy-from-meetup-com/event-planners-sites/internet-internet-fb91a.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/seminars/meetup-com/meetup-com-meet-up-com-meetup-082b8.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/media-outlets/meetup-inc/meetup-inc-i-paid-for-an-on-*******.htm

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