In her American Television Archives interview, Rose Marie said this was her favorite episode, because it showed the vulnerability of Sally having a man who is serious about her and she does not know show his affection back.
According to the book, "The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book" by Vince Waldron, an exceptional amount of mail was received from viewers after airing, mostly from angry women on how poorly Sally treated Bert Monker and not giving him a chance for a romance.
The theme from many of the letters included the phrase "How could you?", "You deserve to be an old crow.", "You[re the reason you're alone." Most claimed it didn't make sense Sally to constantly complain being single and wants a man, but for no clear reason immediately writes off Bert.
The sympathy for Bert widely outshone Sally's dilemma. and was likely the very reason Sally never found a mate on the show.