People hiring a dating agency have specific reasons for doing so. Here is an example:

Agency manager: Why would you want to date someone that young, Mrs. Roberts?

Mrs. Roberts: I like younger men. Is that so hard to digest?

Agency manager: No...er...I mean...you’re almost 60, judging from your profile. And I’m not sure we can find someone aged 25 for you.

Mrs. Roberts: You make it sound like I’m a cradle snatcher. You would go all out to please sugar daddies, but what about older women like me who just want to have fun with a 25-year old?

Agency manager: Because we’re not sure if we can find a 25-year old man who would agree to go out with a 60-year old woman. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, ma’am. We can certainly try...

Mrs. Roberts: Oh, pooh. I’ll go to another agency then. Goodbye.

Agency manager: I’m sorry...and...good luck!

When it comes to hiring a dating agency, there’s a “love triangle” involved: the seeker, the sought and the go-between. Dating agencies are a thriving business as increasing numbers of people would rather leave all the hard work to the dating experts. They don’t want the hassle of online dating or answering newspaper ads. And they have allergies to blind dates arranged by well-meaning friends, and co-workers.

Busy professionals absolutely have no time looking for love. This is not to say that they’re not interested in developing relationships. The problem is, looking for Mr. or Miss Right feels like a full time job so they’d rather leave the searching in the capable hands of a dating agency. They’ll gladly fall in love provided the right mix of ingredients is there, but they don’t want to handle the preliminary details.

Hiring a dating agency isn’t that difficult: all you need to do is contact the hiring agency, go for a personal interview, state your preferences, pay the fee and wait. Even lunch and dinner dates – and sometimes limo service – are arranged by the hiring agency.

Like any merchandise, a hiring agency comes in many different brands and price tags. Find one that you feel comfortable with – not only with the person who will be handling the potential match but also with the prices.

A general rule is that you get what you pay for. Sure, there are pleasant exceptions, but going with a reputable hiring agency – particularly if you’re looking seriously for a permanent relationship – is worth the extra dollars. This is a lifetime investment, so consider yourself lucky if you find an agency that truly cares about your happiness and future and will do everything to make sure you find the ideal partner.

Hiring a Dating Agency: What to Look For

When you’re upgrading your computer, there are basic “must-haves” that you consider: does it have a larger memory and a speedier processing capability, does it come with software, will internet service be free for three months, does it come with a warranty? All these elements have to be taken into account so you can make an intelligent purchase.

While you can’t compare the purchase of a computer with hiring a dating agency, remember that consumer concerns lie at the core of any purchase – whether’s it for a product or service. A product is more tangible than a service, and the ability to measure a service’s effectiveness isn’t that cut and dried.

Before you sign any contract with a dating agency, watch out for these:

• experience and success rate – obviously the more experience a dating agency has, the chances are higher that they’ll find the close to perfect match for you. Find out about an agency’s reputation through the grapevine. Ask them for satisfied customers and request permission to contact these customers, or request testimonials. A good matching agency does not treat you as a customer account, they treat you as a human being looking for a potential soulmate. They work hard to achieve success: yours and theirs.
• membership fees – a good dating agency knows by instinct that not everyone can afford to pay a large fee just to find a date. Dating agencies therefore have to offer at least two to three different types of membership so that a client can choose one that fits his or her budget. For instance, you may not be into heavy dating and would only want to meet two people a month, whereas some will be looking to fill their agenda every night.
• database of profiles – a good dating agency must have a large database of profiles so that they can offer alternatives. A large database is a sign that many members have signed up, and that the database is updated regularly. You don’t want to deal with an agency that has a limited number of profiles that they recycle.
• premises – first impressions count. Does the dating have discreet and private rooms, is the office well laid out and is there a pleasant atmosphere that reigns in the reception area?
• personalized and professional services – are the dating counselors personable and knowledgeable? Do they make time to find out more about you and your likes and dislikes? Do they take note of your responses? Do they give you an evaluation and do they make recommendations as to the types of potential matches for you? Do they stay in touch and keep you informed?
• extra perks – does the dating agency offer to make arrangements and does it follow up with you about how the date went? Following up is a sure sign that they look after their clients very well. Does the dating agency also provide you with useful advice such as how to behave on the first date, what to say and tips on restaurants with the right ambiance?

Advantages of Hiring a Dating Agency

There are numerous advantages to hiring a dating agency. The idea is to hire one that best answers your specific needs. Like we said earlier, hiring a dating agency eliminates the hassles relating to online dates and newspaper personal ads. Two advantages stand out:

• professional screening – dating agencies usually have relationship counselors or psychologists. Instead of having to wade through hundreds of profiles, studying hundreds of faces and guessing which one is a potential one, a dating agency does the weeding out for you. Based on your preferences and your long-term objectives, their experience guides them in identifying those members who will have many things in common with you. They operate on the compatibility principle.
• availability of matches – a good dating agency will have a “reservoir” or a deep well of well-screened candidates. You’re not limited to three or four, but counselors can come up with up to ten at a time if you request it. They also help you narrow your search by entering parameters and keywords into their database.
• discretion – while you can’t reveal to your date that you’re considering marriage, you can confide this detail in your counselor. This way, he or she can come up with candidates who are also thinking of marriage. The discretion advantage also is great because if the date is not successful, all you need to do is inform your counselor and you’re off the hook. There are no messy “you’re really not my type” explanations. You had a good time but the candidate was not what you’re looking for.

Hiring a dating agency is certainly worth a try. We hired one many years ago, but our biggest mistake was going for the cheapest. We ended up dating a person who said he was a doctor; turned out he was unemployed. This is what we meant earlier when we said you get what you pay for. Go with an agency that prides itself in having only quality candidates who they screen rigorously before recommending them to others.