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Are you hoping to find love with someone else's help? After researching three dating companies I have mixed opinions on it. The main reason for my mixed opinion is they cost more than most online dating companies, and you need to have the money up-front for a set number of dates, matches, or months. It could average out to as little as $25/month or as much as a few hundred dollars a month. Basically, I feel, most people who are registered with a dating service company earn an above-average wage and therefore, are more likely to generally be white-collared workers who make much more than $12/hr. They have disposable income - extra money after their bills are paid to do as they please. So, let me tell you a little bit more about each of these companies and then you can judge for yourself.
First, I clicked on the website for The Right One and discovered that the website is rather in-depth and describes the process fairly well as I found out after speaking with someone on the phone. The Right One merged with Together to form a national company and database, and then launched elove.com.
First, you complete an online questionnaire. Then you will receive a 1-on-1 consultation which gives your 'counselor' a chance to really get to know you and what you are looking for. Then the matching begins. A background check is performed, and then you are matched based on preferences, values, and inner qualities. You are then contacted to have a date with someone whose interests, values, and personalities are similar to yours.
After your contact information is exchanged you hen set-up a date and see how it goes. After your date you decide if you want to see the person again and check in with your counselor before making your final decision to discuss how the date went and if it was a match. This continues until you fall in love with the right one.
he Right One is location in Shrewsbury, Woburn, Newton Center, and Norwell. When asked how much it will cost I was told it is based on a number of factors - number of people to date, length of time, plus "lots of other options" - and there is no ballpark figure to quote because it varies by individual. I have heard anywhere in the ballpark of $1000-$5000 from various people. One of the better things about The Right One is you can limit your selection based on age, income, location, height - just about anything. And, you know those involved with The Right One are somewhat financially responsible and are looking for love.
Successful Singles was next on the list. They have been in business since 1969 and in MA since 1984. They are open 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. They have multiple locations in MA, including Wellesley and Braintree. This company seems fairly straightforward. You fill out a compatibility profile which assesses 6 different areas of personality. Then, you have a 45-minute interview/consultation/assessment to find out what you're looking for and what's important to you. Successful Singles advocates for their members and when they find compatible matches for you they will give you an overview of the possibilities and then you decide which ones you want to meet.Then they contact those matches, give them an overview, and if it's a mutual match, Successful Singles will refer you to each other to meet. Membership costs $2500 for 6 months but there is no pressure with the clock. They will work with you "as long as necessary until they hit a homerun." So, your $2500 could go a really long way in terms of how long it takes to find someone or how quickly you hit the homerun.
Finally, we come to the most flexible and fair company, in my opinion. After doing my research, I called Lunch Dates, which was founded in 1982, and proceeded to have a 20-minute conversation/interview with Marty Sak, the co-founder. While there are locations throughout MA, there is an office on the South Shore in Weymouth. In order to join, you complete a free membership survey. From there, an interview is set-up where your counselor learns all about you in about 30-45 minutes. Your ID will be checked and if any lies or falsities are found your membership may be terminated.
Once your counselor finds a match for you, they will contact you for your approval ahead of time before setting up a date for you. There is a fairly even gender balance, with slightly more women than men. While your membership "clock" starts on the day of your first date, you can freeze your membership at anytime for just about any reason. Memberships, which typically run from 1 week to 2 years, start as low as $600 for 3 months or 5 dates, whichever is more or longer. The next membership plan is 6 months or 10 dates, whichever is more or longer. I feel this is one of the better deals monetarily and time-wise, especially given the fact that Lunch Dates does everything for you, including setting up the reservation for the date. All you have to do is check in with them after the date.
While I feel all three companies are great, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I have given you most of the tools you need to decide. Now, all you have to do is fill out the questionnaires online and follow-up with the interview to find out which company is best for you.
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