Frequently Asked Questions.
"My Profile" FAQs
- Can I reduce how often I see the "cookie" message?
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Yes. We are all fed up with constantly being asked that cookie question, a side affect of the EUs GDPR legislation.
On OD you only need to give permission once every 2 years, provided your web browser is set properly. If you are having to give permission very time you fire up your browser then you need to change the cookie settings. That's because we use a cookie to store your response and your browser is probably deleting it between visits.
The best way to stop the browser deleting the cookie holding your [OK] response is to "white list" Outdoor Duo. How you do this varies between browsersjust checkout the details below for yours:
FIREFOX
-Type the words
about:preferences#privacy
in the address bar.
- Scroll to the "Cookies and Site Data" section.
- Click the [Manage Exceptions] button.
- Type https://outdoorduo.co.uk and click [ Allow ] then also add https://outdoorduo.com and click [ Allow ]
- Click [ Save Changes ] at the bottom.
CHROME
Type the words:
chrome://settings/cookies
in the address bar.
Scroll to where it says "Sites that can always use cookies" and click the [Add] button.
Type the outdoorduo web address
MS EDGE
Type the words
edge://settings/content/cookies
in the address bar.
Scroll to where it says "Allow" and click the [Add] button.
Type the outdoorduo web address.
SAFARI
Double click the address bar and choose "Settings for this site"
Click "Privacy" and the "Cookies".
Select the "Allow cookies for this site" or equivalent.
- Do I get received mail alerts? Close
Yes, but only an unread e-mail alert.
Every night a job runs that checks your mail box for unread messages, and informs you if you have received any. You get this via an e-mail to your personal e-mail address you entered when you joined up.
If you do not get this then either:
a) you read all your messages on the day they arrived or
b) The e-mail is being dumped in your "junk" folder. Check your e-mail program's junk folder and junk settings. You may need to add info@outdoorduo.co.uk as a 'friend'. - How can I stay anonymous? Close
If you use our internal e-mail system the end user will never get your contact details, and you can block them if they won't "go away" when asked.
When you are ready you could give them your actual e-mail, MSN identity or mobile number, but from then on we have no control over how they contact you.
A mobile number is more anonymous than a landline, and is therefore a better choice to a landline. - How do I change my password? Close
There are two places to change your password.
1. On the login screen there is a "forgotten password" link. This can be used to change your password whether you remember it or not.
2. If you have logged in click the "golden head" icon top right -> "Edit my Profile" -> "Reset Password".
Both will send a reset link to your email account, so make sure you have access to your emails. For security reasons this code is only "live" for 10 minutes.
If you copy and paste the password make sure there are no invisible spaces - the computer treats these as a valid character. If you are struggling then use the "Show/Hide" button to ensure you have typed it correctly, though if you are in a public place be aware of those around you. Remember the computer differentiates between upper and lower case letters.
Also, remember you use your email address to log in, not your screen name.
- How do I change my username and other details? Close
Log into the website and click the "golden head and shoulders" icon top right. Click "Edit my Profile" -> "Profile Details".
Click [Next >>] to save changes. You don't need to complete all four steps if you are just editing a section. - How do I edit the "I Like" star ratings? Close
Log into your Profile, and click the stars directly.
To "zero" a line of stars click the star with a red line through it.
- How do I upload a photo - I seem to have problems?! Close
Your photo is probably too large. Try re-sizing it in a graphics program.
If you don't have a graphics program download paint.net from www.getpaint.net, open the photo (File - Open) then:
1. choose Image - Resize. Set the width to 200 pixels for a profile pic, or 420px for a photo section pic.
2. click OK
3. choose Effects - Photo - Sharpen if its a bit blurry
4. save the file with a DIFFERENT name so as to not ruin the original file using File - Save As ...
Now go to "My Profile" on the site and click the "Edit my picture" link, or "Add a Picture" in the pictures section. - Should I post a photo? Close
YES!
Profiles with photos get 60% more messages than those without.
If you are worried then get a friend to select a good photo from your collection for you, or invest in a professional portrait. If spending a little will make you feel more comfortable posting then do it - a future love is an asset worth investing in.
Don't post an old or fake photo. You will have to meet any potential mates eventually, so don't waste either their time or your time. Be upfront and honest. The things you don't like about yourself are not the same as the things others won't like about you. - Can another member take over my Invite? Close
Sometimes personal circumstances change, and an Invite you have been working on is jeopardised. You can ask another member to take over the Invite.
If you find someone happy to do so please can both of you email Site Admin at info@ so that I know that both parties are happy for the change, and I can then transfer the invite to their account. They can then edit and alter the invite as if it is theirs, and all comments and expressions of interest will be moved over with it. - How do I delete my profile? Close
Log into the website and click the "golden head and shoulders" icon top right. Click "Edit my Profile" -> "Delete Profile".
If you have subscribed make sure you click the "Unsubscribe" button and cancel your repeating payment; this opens a new tab/window. Once you have cancelled the payment return to the previous window to complete the deletion.
We appreciate any feedback, especially if you have met someone.
When done click the [Delete] button to finally delete your account. If you just wanted to stop payments but keep your account then don't click [Delete].
Dealing with Other Users
- Can I prevent a user contacting me? Close
Yes. Log into your account, then find and view the profile of the user you wish to block and click the "Block this user" link.
Once the user is blocked they will appear on your "Blocked Users" list. You can un-block them by deleting them off the blocked list.
If you are particularly troubled by a user then feel free to contact us. - Can I report offensive content? Close
You can report offensive content by clicking the sad face with the speach bubble beneath the content. If you wish to report a user please e-mail us with their profile name, and details of your concerns. - How can I search for both men and woman for walking partners, not just for love? Close
You can search for both men and women. Just select the "Either" option for both "I Am:" and "Seeking A:". - How can I use the forum effectively? Close
The forum is there for you to communicate with a broader audience, but
please remember these few pointers to using the forum effectively.
- A forum is in "black and white". There are none of the tone of
voice and body language clues of a conversation that add colour.
Your post is likely to appear more positive or negative than
intended. Use the emoticons, and be aware that words have many
meanings; choose your words carefully.
- If you feel a post was overly accusatory or sharp in tone read it
again before replying - did the author mean something else, or
choose their words badly? - Its easier to get your point across without confusion in a short
post. Think along the lines of a conversation rather than a ten
minute speech. - Be civil. Personal differences should be handled through the mail
system and not through posts displayed to everyone. - Be quick to apologise and slow to respond in anger.
- Try not to rant.
- If you feel hurt by a comment or exchange then the other party is
likely to be feeling equally hurt. - We do have a Cyber Bullying policy in our Ts and Cs, lets avoid
the need to invoke it.
Have fun! - A forum is in "black and white". There are none of the tone of
- How do I contact other members? Close
To contact others log into your account before searching. You will then be able to click a "Contact Me" link on their profile (top right).
You could also add them to your "Friends List" by clicking the "Add to my Friends List" link on their profile. You can then visit "My Profile" and click the "My Friends" link from which you can easily e-mail friends.
You can, of course, reply to the e-mails they send you by clicking the reply icon on the e-mail list or when viewing the e-mail.
Online Dating FAQs
- Does online dating work? Close
Using a specialist site like this one means that you are more likely to be able to meet someone who is both free and looking for a relationship, and interested in the same things as you.
Thus it is easier to find a potential mate in the first place, and then have things in common with them in the second.
If people in real life walked around with sandwich boards declaring "I am am single and looking for a love-match; someone interested in pig breeding and flower photography" then sites like this one wouldn't need to exist. Here all the users have just such a notice attached to their profile. Moreover, you can search this using our search tool to find potential partners of interest to you.
Online dating is rapidly become a key way for many people to find their life-long partners. - Is online dating safe? Close
Online dating is as safe as any other form of dating. Indeed you could argue it is safer as there is no need to release details of who you are and where you are from until you feel comfortable with the person you are talking to.
Our Online Safety page will give you a few tips to help in this regard.
Payment FAQs
- How do I pay by Direct Debit? Close
We use an FSA regulated and approved company called GoCardless to manage our direct debits. With GoCardless:
1. Your bank details are secure. We don't see them.
2. You can cancel your payment through GoCardless or your bank.
3. The normal direct debit guarantees still apply
4. When you subscribe simply click the GoCardless direct debit link to set up a direct debit.
If you are currently paying by credit card through PayPal don't forget to cancel the payment. See this FAQ for more help:
How do I cancel or restart my monthly payments? - How long is the contract? Close
There is no contract. You can cancel your monthly payment at any time, and resume it again at any time. Our only restriction is that we do not refund monthly amounts already paid to us. Your "risk" is therefore just one monthly payment.
You can cancel a payment at any time, and restart at a later date. To do this:
- log into your account or click the golden head top right then the title "My Profile"
- Click the "Cancel my subscription" option on the right or below the picture
To restart just click the subscribe button. Again see the FAQ "How do I cancel or restart my monthly payments?"
For more information:
http://www.PayPal.com - PayPal Aaaaargh! Call their free phone: 0800 358 7929
- Who is PayPal? Why do you use them? Close
PayPal is a site that lets you send money via the internet in a safe way. It is used by Ebay and thousands of websites as their payment "gateway".
New UK customers no longer have PayPal as an option, and you may prefer Direct Debit via GoCardless a more reliable and simpler option.
We use PayPal for a number of reasons:
- It is big and well known and many people already have a PayPal account.
- It means we never handle credit card details, so you know we cannot charge extra amounts to your credit card or steal your details.
- They have a simple subscription system that handles subscriptions for us. You can cancel a subscription at any time through their system.
With PayPal your payments to us are secure and under your control.
For more information you can visit PayPal on the link below.
For more information:
http://www.PayPal.com - What method of payments do you accept? Close
UK customers can pay by Credit Card through WorlPay, or by Direct Debit.
USA customers can use PayPal for payments.
Worldpay is the world's largest credit card payment processor and very reliable.
For direct debits we use GoCardless as the processor, and you can cancel your payments easily through this site, GoCardless or your bank.
Neither of the above require an account with them, though you can choose to set one up when you make your payment if you wish.
PayPal is an online money transfer agent. You need a PayPal account and they transfer money from your bank/credit card into your PayPal account then to the account of those you are dealing with.
If you are paying with a Master Card credit card you need to use WorldPay and not PayPal. - How do I cancel or restart my monthly payments? Close
You can cancel a payment at any time, and restart at a later date. To do this:
- log into your account or click the golden head top right then the title "My Profile"
- Click the "Cancel my subscription" option on the right or below the picture
- My credit card needs renewing on PayPal - what do I do? Close
If you receive a warning from PayPal that your card is about to run out you need to enter the details of your new card.
To add your new card:
1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click the Profile button at the top right of the page. (Gray head in a gray box!).
3. Click "Profile and Settings".
4. On the left click My Money
5. Click Update in the
Debit and credit cards box
6. Select the card from the list, and then click Update or similar.
To pay by direct debit and avoid this problem do as above, but click the Add Bank Account in the
Bank Accounts box.**
If your card has already run out and the subscription cancelled just click the "Subscribe" link again (left menu and other places). You can then choose a different method of payment such as Direct Debit if you wish.
** UK customers note that the PayPal direct debit is not a "proper" direct debit "contract" that can be cancelled from the bank end. For that you need to set up a direct debit with GoCardless. See the FAQ "How do I pay by Direct Debit?" - How do I pay? Close
You can pay by Credit Card through WorlPay, Direct Debit, or PayPal (USA Only).
Worldpay is the world's largest credit card payment processor and very reliable.
For direct debits we use GoCardless as the processor, and you can cancel your payments easily through this site, GoCardless or your bank.
Neither of the above require an account with them, though you can choose to set one up when you make your payment if you wish.
PayPal is an online money transfer agent. You need a PayPal account and they transfer money from your bank/credit card into your PayPal account then to the account of those you are dealing with.
If you are paying with a Master Card credit card you need to use WorldPay and not PayPal. - Is the service free? Close
Our service requires a small monthly payment. It is very low cost as we don't want users to feel under pressure to "rush" into meetings and dates before the money runs out. The price is about the same as a cheap bottle of wine, and hopefully will have a better effect on your life! Click here for more details: Subscribe!
Feedback from research shows that users find subscribers to "paid for" sites are more serious, have more commitment to the process, and are less likely to mess you around.
It also helps reduce the likelihood of the inevitable spammers bombarding you with messages about bank accounts full of millions.
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