Savvy Singles know that a dating agency is the place to go to find true love! Many singles who come to Intermezzo after having tried other methods for meeting that special someone, wish they had started here first. Some wasted hours sifting through online profiles with dating sites.
Others suffered through blind dates set up by well-meaning friends. And some experienced disappointing results with other agencies. A great number of these singles felt disheartened.
If you’re considering hiring the services of a professional dating agency, here are 8 Surefire Tips to help you find that special one:
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- Know the basic most important rule: Meet your matchmakers in person! Make sure that an in-office meeting is organized when you become a member. Do not meet your matchmaker in a public place or at your home, insist on seeing their offices and staff on hand. Make sure that your matchmaker is employed full time by the agency - a quick check on LinkedIn will settle this especially important point!
- For a brief while, during the height of the COVID pandemic, we were forced to interview our new clients using Zoom or Facetime. This experience reinforced our belief that face-to-face meetings with your matchmaker are essential for her to feel your energy and truly understand who you are. The vast majority of these clients were subsequently invited to meet us when health restrictions allowed us to do so, and what a difference it made. You also must admit that we all look much better in person than on any computer screen.
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- Beware of monthly membership fees or bundles of 5, 10, 15 presentations, as some agencies will charge you a monthly fee for their services. Though it may be tempting at first glance, it is not in the member’s best interest. Monthly membership fees don’t incite the agency to match you quickly. The more time it takes to introduce you to the right person, the more money they make. Know the difference between a presentation and a match. A presentation is a submission of a profile that you could likely refuse – these counts! Make sure that you are guaranteed real matches in which both candidates have accepted the match and telephone numbers have been exchanged! Finally, dating agencies are not free. Those who offer free memberships will simply be using your profile without any regards for your own criteria.
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- Most agencies will conduct a short telephone interview to qualify candidates to make sure that their profile corresponds to what actual members are searching for, if an agency does not ask some very basic questions, reason could be that they don't really care. It is also the time for you to ask your own questions about the agency's history, its methods and success rates. Enquire as to how presentations are made: do you simply receive a computerized profile or instead does the matchmaker take the time to call you to describe the profile in depth in order for you to you better understand why a match is being proposed. If the process is to simply send computerized profiles, such services should cost under $1000.
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- Do your research: Read the website, do your due diligence. Who works there? Are the individuals mentioned on the site full-time employees or are they simply affiliated with the agency and wanting to sell you something that you don't necessarily need (i.e. coaching, photography, personal styling, sex therapy.) Do their full names (first name and surname) appear on the website so that you can check on apps such as Linkedin to ensure that they are full-time employees dedicated to the profession ? Do they have a professional presence online? Do they target the profile you are looking for? How many years have they been in business? Do they have a good reputation? Do they have a good score on Google Reviews, beware of agencies who do not have any Google reviews. Make sure online reviews are from trusted sources and not from the agency itself. Check their credentials and track record with known bodies such as the OCCQ (formerly Better Business Bureau).
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- Keep it local. Does the agency have a strong local presence based in your city? Do they have a permanent office with matchmakers and other employees? Beware of agencies with a bare office space or located in temporary or shared rentals. You can’t trust an agency that doesn’t commit locally. How can they understand your needs? How can a matchmaker find the right match for you if she has never met you and the other members? Pictures and a phone call are no substitute for meeting the matchmaker in person, regardless of how many years of experience she possesses. And beware of the agencies with a lone employee who is receptionist, salesperson, office manager and matchmaker. Or worse yet, the ones that don’t even have an office and offer to meet you at a location of your choice, like the local coffee shop. Finally, we understand that this process is one that you wish to keep confidential hence our office doors do not show our name or what we do.
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- You should be cautious about signing up with a matchmaker who promises priority matches or more work for an extra fee. These are often red flags for unethical or ineffective business practices. Matchmakers who upsell priority services may not be transparent about how matches are chosen. If you must pay extra to be prioritized, it raises the question: What are you paying for in the base package? A matchmaker who genuinely has your best interests at heart should be upfront about what’s included and do their best work for every client, not just those who pay more. If someone tries to sell you better service at a higher price, it’s wise to walk away.
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- Don't be shy to ask questions when you call for information. It's important for you to feel confident about your decision to move forward with the agency. What are the services they offer? What are their policies and methods? Do they have human matchmakers that meet with you or do they use computer software? Do they have qualified coaches who can guide you, and is this service included in the price?
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- Refuse to be pressured. A reputable agency will help you make an informed decision by answering all your questions. If during your telephone consultation you mention that you want to think about it and the consultant puts pressure on you or becomes rude, end the conversation. Some agencies will attempt to manipulate you emotionally, emphasizing that if you do not sign up NOW, you will remain alone for the rest of your days. They cite your inability to meet a serious partner on your own thus far as proof positive. Hiring a professional matchmaking firm is NOT a last resort. It is a personal decision to enlist a professional with the expertise to assist you, much like you would a financial advisor, accountant, or consultant.
We offer you a variety of customized packages
CLASSIC
Exclusive matchmaking service Intermezzo Classic
VIP
Exclusive matchmaking service with access to the Intermezzo VIP service with your own matchmaker
PRIVÉ
Exclusive dating service with certified master matchmaker Joan Paiement, access to the Intermezzo Privé section.
One of our matchmakers will be pleased to give you more information about our different services.
OUR CERTIFICATIONS
Matchmaking Institute Certified Matchmaker
ICA Certified Professional Life Coach
Office de Certification Commerciale du Québec
