Frequently Asked Questions
So, Joe is a real guy who lives in Chicago?
Yup. He lived in Wrigleyville when he first moved here but got tired of scraping drunk baseball fans off his front lawn after games. Now he lives in Roscoe Village for the easy street parking and the 80 places to have brunch. He looks like the Asian kid in the Goonies but has no accent. He doesn't have any photos here on the website because he's a pretty modest guy who isn't looking for celebrity, and he doesn't want his doppelganger (spotted regularly in Lakeview) to get bombarded by cases of mistaken identity. Despite the name of the service, Joe really does want this to be about everyone else, not about him.
How much does this actually cost?
You really can give it a try for just $29, which gets you a personal consultation with Joe and one meeting with a person or a small group that Joe arranges based on your meeting with him. After that, if you enjoyed your experience and want to retain Joe's help, future opportunities are priced on a sliding scale by commitment, for as little as $29. Or, you can decide you don't want to do it again, and at most you're out $29 and missed a couple hours of tv that you can probably watch the next day on Hulu. Joe's goal is to truly make this one of the most low-risk, high-reward social opportunities you can find.
Can I talk with Joe before I fork over my $29?
Yes, you can reach him by email or phone via the contact page. Say hello, ask him a question...he will reply.
Isn't this just like buying (er, renting) friends?
Definitely not. Joe will never introduce you to friends "for hire" and you will never have to ask for anyone's hourly rates to hang out with them. Everyone connected through Meet Joe is an authentic person who is genuinely seeking other new friends just like you.
Why does Joe only focus on friends, what is wrong with dates?
Nothing, dates are great...but there are already many established services that focus on helping you find the right guy or girl. Then there are events and companies marketed to “singles” that give the wink and nudge that you might meet a date at their events (or...you might not), which can make the situation even more awkward. This leaves a whole segment of people out in the cold – both single and taken – who just want to meet friends without the added pressure and mixed signals that go with looking for dates. This is why Joe only focuses on matching new friends (without benefits), one-on-one and in small groups.
Are there any requirements to signup?
You must be at least 21 years old and a resident of Chicago. Please keep in mind that Joe's core service area is from Rogers Park to the South Loop, and Logan Square to the Lake. If you're outside of this area, please contact Joe before signing up.
How long will it take for Joe to find me someone new to meet?
This will depend mostly on how specific you are about who you want to meet. If you are new to Chicago and simply want to meet new friends around your age that live in the same neighborhood and like beer and football, it probably will not take very long at all. If you only want to meet someone from North Dakota who owns a boat and now lives within a two-block radius of you...that might take longer. When you meet with Joe, he will give you an honest estimate on a timeframe based on your preferences and whether or not he already knows of someone who is a match.
Hello, 1996 called and it wants this website back.
The truth is, Meet Joe is not a web site, a "dot com" (it's a dot net!), or an online community – real world, real friends. After you visit this site once and sign up, you may never have to come back again. The website is only here to provide information – you will never need a username or a password, there are no message boards, blogs, member profiles, or stock photos of models pretending to have fun; just a few photos from around the city and details about an honest, locally owned and operated service that helps you meet new friends.
Can Joe help me if I want to meet professional contacts who could hire me or benefit my career?
Maybe, but Joe's focus is on friends. If you come to Joe asking for help with professional networking, it's like going to a taco stand and ordering a hot dog. There are better places to get a hot dog, and better services out there to help with career advancement.
How does Joe decide if I meet someone one-on-one or in a small group?
Joe may make a recommendation but he will always ask what you prefer, so it's up to you.
Why isn't Meet Joe on Twitter?
Joe thinks twitter is a fad that won't last. However, Joe also felt the same way about text messaging and look how that turned out.
Does Joe verify the information that people provide about themselves?
No, which is consistent with most people who do not run background checks on new friends they meet without Joe's help. Also, the cost of doing so would add to the cost of the service and put it out of reach for many people. Joe always reminds everyone to use the same good sense they would use when meeting new people on their own. This is probably also a good time to remind you to read the Terms of Service.
What happens if Joe introduces me to someone I do not like?
Unfortunately, for one reason or another, not every meeting will result in a great match, so Joe cannot make any guarantees. You can tell Joe about the experience when he checks in with you the next day. He will ask about why it did not go well, and if it is something that was his fault or within his control, he will do whatever he reasonably can to fix it. Joe is an honest guy with good intentions and rarely takes an "oh well" approach to solving a problem.
