This isn’t desperate at all. So far, 2,696 Washington-area men have paid good money to place bids on the website WhatsYourPrice, all in hopes of winning of a Valentine's Day date with a local woman, according to a report in The Washington Examiner.
The cost to bid? It’s more than $100, The Examiner reports. But that’s pre-date; winners still are expected to pay the cost of the dinner, as well as accompanying Valentine’s flowers and candy, according to the report.
Check it out. The WhatsYourPrice website itself describes its dating system as three-step: Fill out the profile information. Make an offer — or accept an offer. Then follow up with a message to set a date.
“Once you find the people you’d like to date, ask them out by making an offer. If you’re a generous user, name the price you’re willing to pay for the first date,” WhatsYourPrice says on its site. “And, if you’re an attractive user, name the price you want to get paid for the first date. Our offer negotiating system will allow you to accept an offer, reject an offer, or counter with a different price.”
WhasYourPrice even includes some handy etiquette tips: “Do not pay or ask anyone for payment prior to meeting for a date,” the site suggests. And it warns: “If someone asks you to send money by Western Union, report them immediately.”
The site says its service is very popular. According to The Examiner, it has recorded nearly 370,000 first-time date offers in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.
Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities

Born in 1930 in rural Missouri, Charles Vandegriffe, Sr., brings his time and place to the Communities.

Join the Communities and submit your column in response to one written, or on something totally new and unique. We want to hear from you

Entering the world of first time parents, there are lots of secrets unveiled.

Take a look at our pet friendly reviews and travel tips or find the best vacation deals and activities compiled by the The Washington Times Communities experts.