Consumer Tips

Dating and Introduction Services

When considering a membership with an introduction service, the Better Business Bureau has the following suggestions:

1. Decide what you want the service to do for you and how much you can afford to pay.

2. Shop around and compare membership prices. Ask what services your membership fee will entitle you to. How many referrals will you get and over what period of time?

3. What is the company's refund policy? If you're not happy with the service you get, can you get a full or partial refund? It is up to each company to set their own refund policy. Currently consumers DO NOT have a 10 day cooling off period in which to cancel their membership; the contract is binding upon signing.

4. Ask how the company screens its members. Does it do criminal record checks? Are personality tests utilized and if so, are staff qualified to interpret them?

5. How are matches/introductions done? What criteria is used by the company to match two people? Will you get to see a picture or video of a potential date?

6. Ask how many active clients the company has. What is the ratio of male to female clients?

7. If you met someone either on your own or through the agency, what happens to your membership? Is it put on hold? Is it terminated?

8. Don't succumb to high pressure. If the price won't be good tomorrow, you're probably better off doing business elsewhere.

9. Study your contract before you sign it. Make sure it includes all the provisions that are important to you, and make sure you understand the conditions under which you can get your money back.

10. Don't take unsubstantiated claims of successful matches, satisfied clients, etc., too seriously, and don't rely on verbal promises.