Dating Agencies

sunshine77

Hi just want to give people heads up on dating agencies - not the online ones. Seemingly can't give the name!! I joined one a year ago after seeing them on tv. They interviewed me for an hour on my likes and dislikes, my personality, jobs etc. my specifics in the gentleman I would like to meet! The deal was 500 euro for 5 very professional dates! They seemingly take all the hard work out of finding Mr. Right. After the date they would contact you and if you and the gentlemen were impressed with each other then your numbers were swapped and you could pause your account for maximum time of three months. But you could unpause at any stage!! All sounds too good to be true.
I took the plunge being 36 and after trying everything else I said why not!!
Unfortunately my first date was horrific. The gentleman was rude, what I had been told about him was all lies. It was the longest hour of my life. I was totally humiliated and had to drive an hour & half back to Dublin after it. I felt our names had been pulled out of a hat and that's how they put us together.
When I rang the company they gave out too me and told me that I was the problem!!
My next date was lovely a gentlemen but unfortunately for me the company never rang me to find out how it went. I finally rang them and they informed me they hadn't realised I had been on a date 2, some excuse about computers been broken down etc etc. they promised they would contact me back immediately once they made contact with the gentleman but still nothing.
What I'm trying to say its a big waste of money and please don't join them. They are extremely unorganised and not a bit helpful or nice. Don't believe the adds.
Hope this is helpful to people thinking about joining. Spend your hard earned cash on something nice. Unfortunately for me I can't get anything back..

All ceminists are funts

Sounds like a scam. You should try and get your money back pronto.

confuseddotcom

I hope you get your money back from those Scam Artists O.P. I don't know where you're based but there is a 2/3 Sites that have lots of Singles Nights especially in Dublin if you'd be interested in that.

Could never afford those Fee-paying Dating Agencies anyway, but even if there was something whereby they match you up and then you go out on your own dates and if something good comes out of any of those dates then I think I'd be willing to give them a small fee but only afterwards and if it's proven that it works!

sunshine77

Thanks guys. I just put up the post so that no other person tried to join the matchmaking company. Unfortunately can't get money back but trying help others not fall into the same trap as I did. They do come across very professional when you first speak to them.

countryliving

hi, I think it is a shame that we cannot name the dating agencies. I joined one last june 2013 and it has not been a pleasant experience. I got a 'sales pitch' from the owner. They are not customer focused and I don't believe that they have many male members either.

countryliving

thanks for highlighting about the dating agencies scam artists in my opinion as well. I would just like to meet a normal decent farmer in the leinster area...i totally understand that we may not have chemistry when i meet so my expectation is low but honestly it is hard to meet anyone these days!!
anyhow message - fellow board members - stay away from dating agencies which give great sale pitches and no follow up at all, not customer focused.

Emme

countryliving wrote: »

thanks for highlighting about the dating agencies scam artists in my opinion as well. I would just like to meet a normal decent farmer in the leinster area...i totally understand that we may not have chemistry when i meet so my expectation is low but honestly it is hard to meet anyone these days!!
anyhow message - fellow board members - stay away from dating agencies which give great sale pitches and no follow up at all, not customer focused.

Try www.muddymatches.co.uk

seablue

Hi,

Just want to echo Sunshines experience. I joined a dating agency last year - wast of time and money. I answered loads of questions about my interests, lifestyle etc, but they seem to match based on age and nothing else.

I live in Dublin but they kept matching me with men who live down the country. They advertise in the Farmers Journal. The guys were nothing like they described.

I'd say they have 10 women to every one man.

The lesson I've learned is that you cant leave you fate in someone else's hands. You are expecting complete strangers to find you a partner - these people don't care about you -they only want your money.

Emme

seablue wrote: »

Hi,

Just want to echo Sunshines experience. I joined a dating agency last year - wast of time and money. I answered loads of questions about my interests, lifestyle etc, but they seem to match based on age and nothing else.

I live in Dublin but they kept matching me with men who live down the country. They advertise in the Farmers Journal. The guys were nothing like they described.

I'd say they have 10 women to every one man.

The lesson I've learned is that you cant leave you fate in someone else's hands. You are expecting complete strangers to find you a partner - these people don't care about you -they only want your money.

One large dating agency did an interview in a national newspaper recently and more or less said that the main deciding factor in matches is age. They said that men want younger women and can get them and it isn't unusual for a man in his 50s to end up with a woman in her 30s.

Men in the city have no problem meeting women if they make the effort but it's easier for men in the country than it was before. It used to be that you would find more genuine men in the country than in the city but this is no longer the case. If a man of a certain age is unattached it's because he wants to be on his own or there's a very good reason. That doesn't necessarily apply with women.

meeeeh

Emme wrote: »

Men in the city have no problem meeting women if they make the effort but it's easier for men in the country than it was before. It used to be that you would find more genuine men in the country than in the city but this is no longer the case. If a man of a certain age is unattached it's because he wants to be on his own or there's a very good reason. That doesn't necessarily apply with women.

A few silly generations there.

I never used a dating agency so I don't know how they work. What I don't understand is how any decent person would join Elite Singles after watching their idiotic pompous tv add. Basically I have nothing of substance to add, it is just a rant about annoying tv add.

Emme

meeeeh wrote: »

A few silly generations there.

I never used a dating agency so I don't know how they work. What I don't understand is how any decent person would join Elite Singles after watching their idiotic pompous tv add. Basically I have nothing of substance to add, it is just a rant about annoying tv add.

Generations or generalisations?

I have had a lot (too much) experience of being a single woman in Ireland. From what I have seen men can find a partner at any age if they really want whereas it's more difficult for women especially as they age. Some might say women should focus on finding a partner when they are younger but women in their 20s may find it hard to meet a man willing to commit. Having said that men seem to find dating more difficult in their 20s than when they get older.

When I first saw Elite Singles I thought it was a joke sending up dating agencies.

simonsays1

'.........I'm 28. I met my boyfriend through __________'

Is it them?

Sobbrien

I joined a dating agency,do not wish to mention it's name
My details were taken and I was set up with an individual two weeks later who kept insisting he was a rocker and a roller, asked me if I fancied him,replied no and when asked what I was looking for in a relationship,I said security
Said gentleman got up and walked away even though I offered to buy him a drink and pay for my meal
He hadn't even dressed properly for the date,his hair was unkempt and his shirt was hanging out.not at all the kind of person I was looking for
My second date was even worse,he was very thin and definitely not the handsome man described to me
Went for a cup of coffee and during the date,he informed me thar he was undergoing treatment for cancer and was feeling exhausted
Didn't know how to take this but tried to be empathetic and consoling
He gave me a lift home,I kissed him and he returned my kisses.I gave him a hug and told him he's be alright.tried to comfort him(this according to him and the agency organiser was taken as snogging
All I could think of was Dear God,how could you date somebody who was obviously very sick and should not have been on the agency's books and what a terrible position to put me in
Found out the next day that he told the agency there was no spark,obviously because he was very sick and should not have been dating anybody in that condition
Also found out from him that he had dabbled in drug abuse seven years ago and was a recovering alcoholic
These two men were nothing like what I was looking for,I had a dreadful experience with both of them on my dates which were meant to be fun and a memorable experience
They were a memorable experience alright but all for the wrong reasons
My message here is do not trust dating agencies.they are a money making racket,all they want is your money and you could be set up with the most unsuitable people

Kerryite

Hi all,

I'm currently thinking of using a dating agency so would really appreciate if you could PM me the details of who you used! Is this allowed/ok?

Thanks :-)

meeeeh

Sobbrien wrote: »

All I could think of was Dear God,how could you date somebody who was obviously very sick and should not have been on the agency's books and what a terrible position to put me in
Found out the next day that he told the agency there was no spark,obviously because he was very sick and should not have been dating anybody in that condition
Also found out from him that he had dabbled in drug abuse seven years ago and was a recovering alcoholic
These two men were nothing like what I was looking for,I had a dreadful experience with both of them on my dates which were meant to be fun and a memorable experience
They were a memorable experience alright but all for the wrong reasons
My message here is do not trust dating agencies.they are a money making racket,all they want is your money and you could be set up with the most unsuitable people

I'm sure some of your complaints about dating agencies are valid but you are not seriously suggesting that they should turn away people with health issues? It's discrimination and lawsuit waiting to happen.

Neyite

Sobbrien wrote: »

I joined a dating agency,do not wish to mention it's name
My details were taken and I was set up with an individual two weeks later who kept insisting he was a rocker and a roller, asked me if I fancied him,replied no and when asked what I was looking for in a relationship,I said security
Said gentleman got up and walked away even though I offered to buy him a drink and pay for my meal
He hadn't even dressed properly for the date,his hair was unkempt and his shirt was hanging out.not at all the kind of person I was looking for
My second date was even worse,he was very thin and definitely not the handsome man described to me
Went for a cup of coffee and during the date,he informed me thar he was undergoing treatment for cancer and was feeling exhausted
Didn't know how to take this but tried to be empathetic and consoling
He gave me a lift home,I kissed him and he returned my kisses.I gave him a hug and told him he's be alright.tried to comfort him(this according to him and the agency organiser was taken as snogging
All I could think of was Dear God,how could you date somebody who was obviously very sick and should not have been on the agency's books and what a terrible position to put me in
Found out the next day that he told the agency there was no spark,obviously because he was very sick and should not have been dating anybody in that condition
Also found out from him that he had dabbled in drug abuse seven years ago and was a recovering alcoholic
These two men were nothing like what I was looking for,I had a dreadful experience with both of them on my dates which were meant to be fun and a memorable experience
They were a memorable experience alright but all for the wrong reasons
My message here is do not trust dating agencies.they are a money making racket,all they want is your money and you could be set up with the most unsuitable people

It sounds like your dates were equally unimpressed by you to be honest.

DoozerT6

meeeeh wrote: »

I'm sure some of your complaints about dating agencies are valid but you are not seriously suggesting that they should turn away people with health issues? It's discrimination and lawsuit waiting to happen.

Fair point, but do the agency not also owe her a 'duty of care' to inform her (with permission from the other person) that her date is ill, (potentially terminally ill, let's not forget!!). That way she could make up her mind in advance instead of being put in a very awkward position. FFS, your best friend wouldn't set you up on a blind date with someone who has cancer without telling you, I would expect that an agency that you are paying handsomely would show you the same respect. It could be a massive issue for some people, who may have this news just landed on them in a public place and then have to deal with it. I would be upset with the agency too.

meeeeh

No they don't. He is under no obligation to disclose to the agency his illness and frankly why should he. And do you really think it is acceptable to discuss someone's illness with the third party. Did she inform them about her in medical history before she went on a date. Maybe there is something in her medical history that would put people off.

I do believe that the agencies often take advantage of people's expectations which are often unrealistic, unclear or hard to express but they are happy to take their money. It is unlikely that a stranger will be more able to pick someone right than you are yourself. But seriously being outraged that they sent someone ill is frankly dumb.

summerb246

Hi I think I joined the same agency as you & have to agree that its the biggest scam & waste of money ever.
My supposed matches have been the worst dates & longest hours of my life. Nothing in common whatsoever & when I fed this back to the agency, they were so rude & said I had to be more flexible! One of their supposed matches lived in Galway (I'm in Dublin ... eh hello!) I think they just throw anyone at you so they get their 4 dates & keep your money.
Don't try to complain to one of the directors as I was so upset when one of them called me as he was just so incredibly aggressive to me. A far cry from the suave selling & profile taking that I first experienced with him.

I would never, ever, recommend that anyone join one. Shame on them taking peoples hard earned money as they are no better than scam artists.

panda100

Emme wrote: »

Generations or generalisations?

I have had a lot (too much) experience of being a single woman in Ireland. From what I have seen men can find a partner at any age if they really want whereas it's more difficult for women especially as they age. Some might say women should focus on finding a partner when they are younger but women in their 20s may find it hard to meet a man willing to commit. Having said that men seem to find dating more difficult in their 20s than when they get older.

When I first saw Elite Singles I thought it was a joke sending up dating agencies.

I really wouldn't agree with this at all. I'm 31 and happily flying solo. I have a lot of single male friends my age who are desperate to be relationships. It's still very difficult for them to meet people. I think it can be difficult to meet people at any age and whatever your gender.

I don't like the idea if dating agencies. I think online dating is much better as at least you can suss the person out a bit before you meet them.

countryliving

i have tried online dating and had some horrendous experiences - you have to be careful however it is all the rage and a lot of people have had very positive experiences.
i am currently in one of the dating agencies and i would not recommend. it is a rip off and a waste of time. honestly - yep same experience the owner is very aggressive and so ruthless. i have been with them about 9 months and I don't know how many change of staff they have had in that short length of time. everytime they are in touch they have a different staff member. as for the men i was put with...it felt like we were just being thrown together. i believe they have a huge female membership and hardly any men. one of the guys i met did not have anything positive to say either. yep the director was all suave and full of hot air and nonsense. i would not recommend.
yes - bad e all was my online experience i would probably do it again rather than join an agency. my advice - don't waste your time or money only to be disappointed

Galwayguy35

Emme wrote: »

If a man of a certain age is unattached it's because he wants to be on his own or there's a very good reason. That doesn't necessarily apply with women.

I'm nearly 40 and single, it's not by choice and certainly not because I want to be or have "a very good reason".

I am on various dating sites and I think the older a person gets the harder it is to meet someone, regardless of gender.

countryliving

I endured another date yesterday with this dating agency i am paid upto. 'endure' being the word. where they get these poor unfortunates. I am a people person very socialable and will chat away to anyone. but - you have these gaps in conversation and it was not a nice experience. honestly, i would rather have been anywhere else. this guy told me that he paid for 1 year but the agency kept ringing him with more dates even after his membership was up. I was just thrown with him - just to fill up my numbers. the agency have no interest in actually finding me a suitable partner. it is a lie this agency all sales talk and yet again another waste of 3 hours. they seem to attract a certain type of 'creator' - i cant put words on it. but a waste of time. i intend on not proceeding any further with the agency. i have had 3 disasters and i would be better off using my time doing anything but go on these dates

Emme

countryliving wrote: »

I endured another date yesterday with this dating agency i am paid upto. 'endure' being the word. where they get these poor unfortunates. I am a people person very socialable and will chat away to anyone. but - you have these gaps in conversation and it was not a nice experience. honestly, i would rather have been anywhere else. this guy told me that he paid for 1 year but the agency kept ringing him with more dates even after his membership was up. I was just thrown with him - just to fill up my numbers. the agency have no interest in actually finding me a suitable partner. it is a lie this agency all sales talk and yet again another waste of 3 hours. they seem to attract a certain type of 'creator' - i cant put words on it. but a waste of time. i intend on not proceeding any further with the agency. i have had 3 disasters and i would be better off using my time doing anything but go on these dates

He's not such a poor unfortunate craythur if they keep ringing him up after the end of his membership and giving him bonus dates. It's obvious they can't get men of any sort, let alone coherent ones.

In the meantime you and other professional women pay dearly for 3 encounters (I won't call them dates) with unfortunates.

If this isn't extortion then what is? Your odds of coming up with a winner would be better if you bet the lot on a horse at Punchestown or Fairyhouse.

anon1000

Hi there I would urge anyone contacting a dating agency to watch out for hidden costs and the owners taking advantage of people's vulnerable nature on this subject.

I went through a 25 minute interview <snip> which at the time I thought would be mutually beneficial and allow me the opportunity to find about them and the age profile and quantity of clients they had, success rate etc. I had to pay 50 euros in advance and if I didn't provide the balance of 500 euros on the day I was told I could never be a member again. Honestly these agencies should not get away with such treatment. At this point I was very concerned that something wasn't quite right then for the following 3 weeks the owner proceeded to keep phoning me until I answered asking me why I didn't pay in full. I told him that people shouldn't be treated like that, he didn't apologise and rude and disappointed with my choice and didn't even offer to refund my 50 euros which in my opinion was a complete waste of time.

Beware everyone one good tv appearance/radio slot does not equal large success rates by these companies.

LordNorbury

I was hearing radio ads lately and was wondering what the success rate might have been on the user end. First of all, 500 Euro for 5 dates, 100 Euro per date, how on earth are people (men or women), prepared to pay that sort of money to end up on a date, in the hope of meeting someone decent?

As an online dater, I think if you are cautious and wise about how you go at dating online, any woman that is reasonably attractive and personable, should have no problem whatsoever meeting a decent guy. Forget about paying someone 500 Euro for 5 dates, that is just plain crazy in my opinion, they don't give a shít about you or what you are looking for, it's as random as pulling two names out of a hat, you'd do a better job of it yourself if you spent an evening on a free online dating website, not to mention that you'd be 500 Euro up.

Magicmatilda

I have a male acquaintance who is about 46 and is on a couple of websites, tinder etc.. Anyway he was contacted through one of those sites by one of these agenies and offered 3 dates for free.

The guy is as I say mid forties, living in shared accomadation with 5 others and certainly wouldn't be a catch.Now is is grand, a bit emotionally immature, and not very financially stable but if I had paid money I would be very disappointed by this guy.

Anyway this is how they are sourcing their guys!

Teaatthree

Hi there, I have also signed up to the agency for €500, I have had the exact same experience! Owner exceptionally aggressive and just a nightmare to reason with- would any of you be interested in taking this further and getting in touch with a radio show e.g. Joe Duffy or Ray D'Arcy to put an end to their scamming people out of hard earned money?

PM me if interested

LordNorbury

Teaatthree wrote: »

Hi there, I have also signed up to the agency for €500, I have had the exact same experience! Owner exceptionally aggressive and just a nightmare to reason with- would any of you be interested in taking this further and getting in touch with a radio show e.g. Joe Duffy or Ray D'Arcy to put an end to their scamming people out of hard earned money?

PM me if interested

That's an extraordinary amount of money to fork out in these times for something like this. If I was stung like this I'd be picketing the outlet, it is a disgrace if some company are preying on people's desire to meet someone, in this manner.

Emme

LordNorbury wrote: »

That's an extraordinary amount of money to fork out in these times for something like this. If I was stung like this I'd be picketing the outlet, it is a disgrace if some company are preying on people's desire to meet someone, in this manner.

The agencies know people are unlikely to picket them or complain publicly because of the stigma attached to seeking a partner in Ireland particularly in the case of older women. If anyone did complain the agency would dismiss them as a fruitcake and say that person wasn't on their books for that reason even if they had a valid complaint. The only way people would have a case is if a significant number of dissatisfied customers got together and co-ordinated a public complaint en masse.

I know of people who set up dating services but didn't continue because they said the ratio of women to men is too high to give people a fair service.

The few men who do use dating services are often hounded by the dating agency and are kept in circulation for as long as possible. So a woman who has just joined and gone on a date could well be the 10th or even 20th person the agency has sent the man on a date with. It's a total scam.

miec

Maybe they are banking on the fact that not many people would publicly admit they used a dating agency. If I had forked out that money and was treated in that manner, I would have no problem admitting it. Thankfully I could never afford that kind of money and €100 per date is too dear in my eyes. Heck a day in the spa would be money better spent.

amcm81

Sounds like the same agency and I'm having the same experience. I've had 2 dates, both disasters. Feel frustrated as they seem to be shutting down any negative reviews. Had a particularly horrible date which left me in tears and they didn't care. Unsure what if anything I can do. They got nasty with me because I said no to meeting one of their "matches". Feel like I've wasted €500.

kissmequick

Is there any I.T. whizzes out there that can get me on this Tinder train on my Laptop?!?

Midnight Sundance

Did anyone ever try the knock marriage bureau?
I've heard of it but never heard of anyone actually using it. They claim they are successful and after reading about all your comments about a dating agency looking for 500e for 5 dates, was thinking of it as an alternative. It's 150e I think but I don't know if they questionnaires etc.
Would love to hear if Anyone has ever tried it

Emme

Midnight Sundance wrote: »

Did anyone ever try the knock marriage bureau?
I've heard of it but never heard of anyone actually using it. They claim they are successful and after reading about all your comments about a dating agency looking for 500e for 5 dates, was thinking of it as an alternative. It's 150e I think but I don't know if they questionnaires etc.
Would love to hear if Anyone has ever tried it

I haven't tried it as I am not a practising Catholic but as far as I know that is a requirement to join it. Ireland has changed dramatically since the Knock Marriage Bureau was set up. The priest who set it up wanted to help the large number of bachelors in rural Ireland to find wives. There are fewer bachelors and fewer practising Catholics.

LordNorbury

miec wrote: »

Maybe they are banking on the fact that not many people would publicly admit they used a dating agency. If I had forked out that money and was treated in that manner, I would have no problem admitting it. Thankfully I could never afford that kind of money and €100 per date is too dear in my eyes. Heck a day in the spa would be money better spent.

It's a huge outlay for something that is so high risk and open ended. Do the guys have to pay the same sum to these agencies? I hope this is coming out right, but I don't know any men who would dream of spending 100 Euro to go on a date, myself included. You'd have to pencil in another 100 Euro for the evening itself if it is dinner or a few drinks, in any event you'd be into a minimum of 50 Euro if it was just a few casual drinks in the evening...

I think if you go at online dating in a particular way (I know this thread isn't about online dating so I don't want to go off topic), but to my mind, 100 Euro is a scary amount of money to be handing over to get a guy to go on a date with you, I'm assuming you can't "pay as you go" with these agencies so the minimum you'd fork out is 500 Euro as has been stated. I'd sooner throw 500 Euro into the fire and watch it burn for the laugh than give it to a dating agency to set me up on a date.

As a business idea though, if it was done properly and with a bit of consideration for female clientele, and the guys were properly vetted, it should work out on some level I think...

LordNorbury

amcm81 wrote: »

Sounds like the same agency and I'm having the same experience. I've had 2 dates, both disasters. Feel frustrated as they seem to be shutting down any negative reviews. Had a particularly horrible date which left me in tears and they didn't care. Unsure what if anything I can do. They got nasty with me because I said no to meeting one of their "matches". Feel like I've wasted €500.

Hope it is ok to ask this but what went so unbelievably wrong that had you upset?

bucketybuck

I don't mean to be rude, but how the hell does anybody think its a good idea to give €500 to some dating agency? Of course they are just going to pull names out of a hat and give you your five dates, no different to any jobs agency that sends you to every interview they can whether it suits your skills or not.

Come on, how can any rational person believe that just because they paid money a date is going to be any better or worse than one arranged through POF or any similar dating website?

LordNorbury

bucketybuck wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude, but how the hell does anybody think its a good idea to give €500 to some dating agency? Of course they are just going to pull names out of a hat and give you your five dates, no different to any jobs agency that sends you to every interview they can whether it suits your skills or not.

Come on, how can any rational person believe that just because they paid money a date is going to be any better or worse than one arranged through POF or any similar dating website?

I think there would be a reasonable expectation that some sort of vetting would be going on, as in that the person is the height that they say they are, the age that they say they are, and that the fact that the guy is with a dating agency, that there might be a more genuine effort on his part to find a girl who is looking for a proper relationship.

It would seem though that none of this is happening and that the set up is basically a big scam.

bucketybuck

LordNorbury wrote: »

I think there would be a reasonable expectation that some sort of vetting would be going on, as in that the person is the height that they say they are, the age that they say they are, and that the fact that the guy is with a dating agency, that there might be a more genuine effort on his part to find a girl who is looking for a proper relationship.

It would seem though that none of this is happening and that the set up is basically a big scam.

I would think there would be a reasonable expectation that the dating site has a limited pool of people prepared to fork out €500 and so they will match those people against each other whether they are compatible or not, just to fulfill their obligation to provide 5 dates. Its blindingly obvious, unless you think they are going to take your money and then be honest in saying that they don't actually have anybody compatible for you.

LordNorbury

bucketybuck wrote: »

I would think there would be a reasonable expectation that the dating site has a limited pool of people prepared to fork out €500 and so they will match those people against each other whether they are compatible or not, just to fulfill their obligation to provide 5 dates. Its blindingly obvious, unless you think they are going to take your money and then be honest in saying that they don't actually have anybody compatible for you.

I certainly wouldn't pay 5 Euro for 4 dates, let alone 500 Euro, anyone who puts a bit of time and effort into it can easily meet someone online. Even if you aren't stunning or whatever, if you have a personality and can present well, you can have loads of dates and if you are cute about it you can weed out the timewasters before you meet them. I don't understand why someone would pay 500 Euro for 5 dates but that is me and I'm obviously not knocking anyone who would choose to do so, each to their own, who am I to say what is right or wrong for someone.

chuckles30

This has been an enlightening discussion - I have heard a number of these ads on the radio & tv and have often thought about looking them up, but I've knocked that on the head after reading this. I've done the online dating before...so might try that again....or maybe I'm just meant to be single....

LordNorbury

chuckles30 wrote: »

This has been an enlightening discussion - I have heard a number of these ads on the radio & tv and have often thought about looking them up, but I've knocked that on the head after reading this. I've done the online dating before...so might try that again....or maybe I'm just meant to be single....

The radio ads are becoming much more frequent I've noticed. I have to say, regardless of the approach taken by a dating agency, which is going to be anywhere between "brilliant I met my husband", to "Jesus Christ what the fúck was I thinking?", from a customers perspective, I don't think there is any value whatsoever to be found in 100 Euro x 5 dates, payable in advance up front. Maybe how you see this, is relative to your income but that is a LOT of money in my view, to be forking out for 5 dates.

At the end of the day, there is no more a likelihood that you will find a spark or a connection with someone who has been vetted by a dating agency, (who may be able to tick certain boxes on paper with the agency such as successful career, homeowner, etc), than you would with someone you met on a dating site or out and about on the town or whatever.

LegacyUser

Teaatthree wrote: »

Hi there, I have also signed up to the agency for €500, I have had the exact same experience! Owner exceptionally aggressive and just a nightmare to reason with- would any of you be interested in taking this further and getting in touch with a radio show e.g. Joe Duffy or Ray D'Arcy to put an end to their scamming people out of hard earned money?

PM me if interested

I had an absolutely horrendous experience with the owner of this agency and would be very interested in talking to you but not sure how to pm you to arrange

Katgurl

LordNorbury wrote: »

I certainly wouldn't pay 5 Euro for 4 dates, let alone 500 Euro, anyone who puts a bit of time and effort into it can easily meet someone online. Even if you aren't stunning or whatever, if you have a personality and can present well, you can have loads of dates and if you are cute about it you can weed out the timewasters before you meet them. I don't understand why someone would pay 500 Euro for 5 dates but that is me and I'm obvioKusly not knocking anyone who would choose to do so, each to their own, who am I to say what is right or wrong for someone.

But the problem is its so time consuming.

I'm obviously naive because I thought there was some matchmaking going on with these agencies.

650€ down the drain, the owner is rude, unprofessional and dismissive.

Garlicrosemary

How about just chat up men for free and ask the ones you like out on a date? It's easier on the bank account.

Emme

A friend of a friend set up a dating agency a few years ago. She folded it after a little less than a year because there was a serious male:female imbalance. She couldn't get dates for all the women who joined and felt it was unfair to take money off people when their chances of finding someone through the dating agency were slim to zero.

I know of another dating agency where the founder said that they sometimes scout their friends and acquaintances for dates if nobody suitable is available among their members. I don't know if that's a good approach because the person who is scouted will not have the same sunk costs as the person who paid to join the dating agency.

LordNorbury

Katgurl wrote: »

But the problem is its so time consuming.

I'm obviously naive because I thought there was some matchmaking going on with these agencies.

650€ down the drain, the owner is rude, unprofessional and dismissive.

It's only time consuming if you don't approach it right! If you are dating online and are using a careful and fairly cautious approach, you can hugely improve you chances of success. Success might often just be meeting someone who you have a laugh with, who you might not have a truckload of chemistry with, but like everything else in life, these things take some degree of perseverance. Success when it comes to online dating can often be about having a date where someone has not actually seriously píssed you off for the night.

As a guy who has been dating online, often the attitude (and by that I mean positive or negative), that a girl takes on a date can be the deciding factor in whether it is successful or not.

The point I'm making is that nobody is going to be any more careful than you are, when it comes to selecting what or who you are looking for, so nobody else is going to do a better job of finding someone for you, than you! Paying anyone money in the seriously vague expectation that because they are taking money off you so therefore have some secret formula to find that person you are looking for, I just think is pointless.

Sadly I find that some women in their 30's can become very frustrated in the search for a partner and I have to say that I think these dating agencies often take serious advantage of the emotions that may be in play there in that respect.

Katgurl

LordNorbury wrote: »

It's only time consuming if you don't approach it right! If you are dating online and are using a careful and fairly cautious approach, you can hugely improve you chances of success. Success might often just be meeting someone who you have a laugh with, who you might not have a truckload of chemistry with, but like everything else in life, these things take some degree of perseverance. Success when it comes to online dating can often be about having a date where someone has not actually seriously píssed you off for the night.

As a guy who has been dating online, often the attitude (and by that I mean positive or negative), that a girl takes on a date can be the deciding factor in whether it is successful or not.

The point I'm making is that nobody is going to be any more careful than you are, when it comes to selecting what or who you are looking for, so nobody else is going to do a better job of finding someone for you, than you! Paying anyone money in the seriously vague expectation that because they are taking money off you so therefore have some secret formula to find that person you are looking for, I just think is pointless.

Sadly I find that some women in their 30's can become very frustrated in the search for a partner and I have to say that I think these dating agencies often take serious advantage of the emotions that may be in play there in that respect.

I wrote the last post in a hurry so probably need to elaborate.

When I said its time consuming I meant its literally too time consuming for my schedule - going through mails, viewing profiles, engaging in conversations to see if there could be any rapport; then going on dates.

I appreciate the effort you've put into your reply but what you've described as success is success for you and fair play but you're not in a position to say what's success for me.

I know online dating can work if you have a lot of time. I know it can be fun. I know friends can be made from it or at the very least some funny stories.

My point isn't that matchmakers should be a better route for everyone. Of course if you have the free time to dedicate then you should do just that.

My point was if you DON'T have time then hiring someone to do the initial screening is on the face of it a viable alternative.

Leeleather

I think anyone without kids is usually just making excuses when they say they don'the have time to meet a someone, if you live in a town or city there are crowds of people everywhere, countless options.

ChannelNo5

Please, please, please i implore any ladies in their late 30's, 40's, don't waste your money on an agency. I didn't listen to advice/experiences of others and the whole experience was embarrassing and humiliating. I've been left feeling devalued and demoralised. Five totally unsuitable men, picked at random i guess or loosely based on age maybe?, at least one who had been given 'freebie' dates, one of whom was me!! Don't be fooled into thinking that there is any science to it, there really isn't. This was probably the best know agency in Dublin certainly if not the country.

I wish i'd kept my money (€500) and spent it on wine. at least i'd have the mother of all hangovers to show for it