Lovelab Frequently Asked Questions

Intro: We have provided numerous direct links in this FAQ. Please make sure you are logged on with your username and password in order for the links to work properly.

I. MAKING CHANGES TO MY ACCOUNT OR MY PROFILE AD.

How do I change my username?

To change your username, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Edit My Account Info." Or go here.

How do I change my password?

To change your password, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Edit My Account Info." Or go here.

How do I change my email address?

To change your email address, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Edit My Account Info." Or go here.

How do I edit my profile ad?

To edit your profile ad, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Edit My Profile Ad." Or go here.

You will then see your profile ad with edit links to each of your answers. Click on the edit links of the parts of your profile that you want to edit.

If I skipped questions the first time through, can I go back and answer them later?

Yes. To go back and answer questions that you skipped, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Edit My Profile Ad." Or go here.

You will then see your profile ad. If you scroll down your profile ad, you will see a banner that says "Answer the Questions You Haven't Done Yet." Below that banner are links to the questions that you skipped.

Can I add photos, delete photos and change the order of my photos?

Yes. Click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Add/Edit My Photos." Or go here.

On that page, you can upload up to five photos. You can also change the order of presentation of your photos.

How do I "hide" my ad?

If you would like your ad to be hidden so that nobody can see it, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," you will see "Profile Status: Live [edit status]. Click on edit status. Or go here.

How do I cancel my account and ad?

If you want to cancel your account and ad, please understand that once it is cancelled, it cannot be reactivated. Any stamps or paid time remaining will also be cancelled. If you are now in a relationship and don't want others to respond to your ad, we suggest you "hide" your ad. If you wish to completely cancel your account and ad, click on "Contact" at the very bottom of any page. Or go here.

In the "Your message" box, indicate that you wish to cancel your account and include your password and your first and last name. We will then cancel your account and notify you when it has been cancelled.

II. USING THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Where do I find the telephone numbers to call?

Click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on My Telephone Numbers. Or go here.

On that page, you will see that there are two different telephone numbers to use. Under the heading "Instructions for Voice Greetings," you will see the toll-free telephone number to call to record your voice greeting. This number is used only for recording your voice greeting. You cannot use this number to check for messages nor to listen to other members' voice greetings. Under the heading "Instructions for Checking for Messages," you will see a different telephone number. You can use this telephone number to: check for both email and voice messages and listen to your voice messages.

III. EMAIL NOTIFICATION.

How does email notification work?

You decide if you wish to receive email notification. You can elect to receive email notification whenever you receive a message (text and voice.) And you can elect to receive email notification of special announcements/events. You will not receive email notification unless you want it. To enable email notification for either messages and/or announcements, click on "My Account" on the top navigation bar. Under "My Settings," click on "Email Notification Settings." Or go here.

IV. SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

I thought I paid for a membership but I can't email anyone?

If you pay for a membership online, we immediately send you an external email receipt to the email address on your account. If you did not receive such an email, there is a problem. Most likely, the transaction never went through and your credit card was not charged.

The problem is usually because you have your browser set not to allow for cookies. We use cookies to track you throughout the site. For example, once you have logged on, you will see your username in the top-right sign-up window. If you then click on browse to look at some ads, look again to that sign-up window. If you don't see your username, that means that we were unable to track you.

Here are the steps to enable cookies if you are using Internet Explorer as your browser. Click on "tools" and scroll down and select "internet options." Click on the "privacy" tab and, depending on your operating system, you should be able to adjust your settings to allow cookies.

MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How do I make sure I am never a featured member?

E-mail lovelab@thestranger.com with Don't Feature in the subject line and your username in the body.

What do I do if I am currently a featured member and don't want to be?

E-mail lovelab@thestranger.com with Take Down Feature in the subject line and your username in the body.

Do I have to place a print ad?

No. You do have to place a "web ad," which is essentially just info about yourself, as long or as short as you want it to be. This ad will appear at the top of your profile page.

Do I have to answer all the questions?

No. If you don't find a question interesting or applicable, feel free to skip it. It won't show in your profile that you didn't answer the question. We are always adding new questions to the site to keep things fresh. When a new question is added, we’ll let you know via email or in the internal message box.

How much does it cost to place an ad?

Absolutely nothing. It's free to complete a profile and browse ads. The only time you pay is when you want to contact someone. Even then it is really cheap: a one-week pass of unlimited responding is only $9.99, one month only $19.99, 3 months is only $39.98.

What is a "flirt"?

A flirt is a quick way to let someone know you're interested without sending a full message. Think of it as a glance across the room, without walking over and talking.

How do I get my ad in the paper?

Ads are cherry-picked for each issue, so we can’t guarantee that your ad will run in print. However, your chances are good if you keep your account active, have a voice greeting, and make your profile as interesting as possible.

How do I retrieve my voice messages?

There are a couple of ways. Once you've signed in, click on My Voice Messages to listen on your computer. You will need Quicktime to use this function. If you prefer to use the phone, sign in and click on My Telephone Numbers under My Settings to get those phone numbers and the account info you'll need to provide when you call.

Which phone number do I use to check my voice messages?

There are 2 different telephone numbers. The toll-free 866 number is ONLY used to record your voice greeting. The other number is used to check for messages. Both telephone numbers are listed when you sign into your profile and click on My Account, then My Telephone Numbers. To check for messages, call 1-520-547-0777 (regular toll rates apply).

How do I get rid of my voice greeting entirely?

Click on "Contact" at the very bottom of any page, or click here. In the "Your message" box, type "erase voice greeting". If you want a new voice greeting, simply re-record a greeting and the previous one will be erased automatically.

What do I do if I have a problem?

Contact us directly at: lovelab@thestranger.com.

How do e-stamps work?

Stamps (2 per message) are automatically deducted from your account when you send a message. You can only use stamps to reply to ads online.

Which deal is better, purchasing e-stamps or a pass?

With a pass you can send as many messages as you want while your pass is active. You can also respond to ads via e-mail and the phone. Stamps never expire so you have no time limit. But, with stamps, you can only reply to ads online. We love them both the same, but the pass seems like a better deal.

How can I contact another member?

Once you've created your online profile and find someone you like, you can then decide if you want to purchase a pass or stamps. Once you’ve done one of these, you can contact other members.

What if I don't have a digital photo?

If you don't have a photo saved on your computer or on a disk, just take a photo down to Kinkos or a local office supply store and they can scan it onto a disk for you.

What if I forget my password?

Just sign in with your username and type in what you think your password is. If your password is incorrect, the password reminder link will appear - click on it, and follow the instructions in the middle of the screen. Or you can e-mail us at lovelab@thestranger.com.

What if I forget my password?

Just sign in with your username and type in what you think your password is. If your password is incorrect, the password reminder link will appear - click on it, and follow the instructions in the middle of the screen. Or you can e-mail us at lovelab@thestranger.com.

Where are my keys?

They’re right over there on the kitchen counter.

Do you know what bus goes from the U-District to Ballard?

I think it’s the 44.

Do you have any idea why someone would vote for Nader?

Haven’t the faintest.

That’s not a very good answer.

Well, that’s not a very good question.

Fine.

Fine.