How to Make the Hinge Corporate Office Listen

Hinge is a huge dating platform owned by Match.com (Match Group) used by millions of Americans. But although their customer service should be exemplary, it’s lacking more often than not. If you’ve ever had an issue with your account, billing, or harassment, chances are you’ve found what all too many others have discovered: Hinge’s corporate offices are impossible to reach and their customer service is nil.

It can feel degrading and deflating to know that you can’t get the corporate offices’ attention. But there’s something else you can do aside from calling customer service lines again and again.

Use Arbitration to Settle Your Complaint with Hinge

Hinge may be used by millions of people, but that doesn’t mean that their corporate offices are particularly user-friendly. In fact, when it comes to getting those corporate offices to listen about an issue with your account or personal information, you’re more likely to get radio silence, or even a rude rebuff!

That’s because Hinge knows that the contract you signed with them to use the platform prevents you from suing them as you would another big corporation that mistreated you. This may give them the false certainty that they’re untouchable, even though they’re not.

In truth, independent arbitration provides another way in which you can get a real resolution for your complaint with Hinge. That’s because the same contract that prevents you from suing them does allow meaningful recourse through arbitration, which is presided over by an unbiased arbitrator who acts as a third-party. Even though it’s not the same thing as a full lawsuit, any resulting decisions are still legally binding.

Arbitration is Fair, Just, Reasonable, and Transparent

Your case will likely be handled by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS, which means that it would comply with the Statement of Principles of Consumer Due Process Protocol. This means that:

• The arbitration hearing will be fair for both parties, not just Hinge or you. Furthermore, a neutral arbitrator, whose competence is demonstrated beforehand, will be hired to oversee the hearing
• Throughout the hearing, reasonable standards will be upheld, meaning that both parties will be able to access the same information, reach the location for the hearing, and won’t have to pay insane costs
• Standards of transparency will be prioritized. Any resulting arbitration agreements or negotiation contracts will be clear and easy to understand and both parties can hire additional representation
• Alternatives to arbitration, including mediation or small claims court, will be offered depending on the case
• Overall, the arbitration hearing will result in a just and fair ruling, and the results will be legally binding regardless of whether they are awards or penalties

Arbitration Gives You, the Customer, Leverage

Companies like Hinge are used to having the upper hand, which is part of the reason why they only rarely respond to customer complaints, if at all. But once they receive word that you’re committed to pursuing arbitration against them, they may suddenly sit up and take you seriously.

That’s because arbitration costs money for big companies, regardless of whether they win or lose. They still have to put materials together, spend time and money preparing for the arbitration hearing, and talk to dozens of people within different departments to get their story straight. If they lose, they’ll have to pay even more. Ultimately, Hinge is much more likely to listen to your demands when they consider all these costs.

Yet if Hinge still decides to play hardball, know that you won’t have to spend any money throughout the arbitration process unless you win.

Just know that arbitration should only be used as a serious last resort. Grievances that could be deemed frivolous by the independent arbitrator may end up costing you money in the long run since you might be deemed responsible for the charges Hinge incurs throughout the proceedings. Make sure to only use this for serious complaints.

Leverage Can Lead to Faster Settlements and Real Resolutions

Big companies like Hinge don’t have an advantage when arbitration is on the table. As a result, their corporate offices are much more likely to reach out for negotiation or offer a quick settlement to sweep the entire thing under the rug.

To start arbitration proceedings, you have to actually formally raise the issue and your intentions for arbitration with Hinge before filing. Your contract with Hinge likely has a window during which you must give the company time to handle your issue that’s similar to this time frame, which is why it’s so specific.

The good news is that about half of all cases result in company corporate offices offering settlements to their disgruntled customers before the arbitration deadline comes around. This may result in you getting a real resolution without having to lift a finger. If they don’t send you a response letter or start negotiating, you can formally begin filing for arbitration.

Do I Need an Attorney?

When you go to arbitration, you’ll normally have the option to hire an attorney for additional representation and legal assistance.

Attorneys can be great choices since it’s easier to get a favorable ruling or a particularly high settlement if your complaint can be identified as covered under a certain law or statute. Since attorneys are experts in legal matters, it’s easy to see why they can be helpful for your arbitration case.

If you do decide to represent yourself, check out the American Arbitration Association’s Pro Se Case Administration Team, which has helpful information. But do keep attorneys in mind overall; some cases, like those dealing with harassment or improper debt collection, can benefit from an attorney’s assistance much more than others.

What Can I Do Next?

If you haven’t already tried to resolve your complaint by contacting Hinge directly, start there. If customer service isn’t helping, arbitration may be a good next step for you. While FairShake is not accepting claims against Hinge yet, we may in the future. Tell us what happened below, and when we are ready to help, we’ll contact you.