Introduction agencies. Do they work?

[Everincreasingirth]

It has taken me a while but I feel that now, after a few years following divorce I am ready to consider the idea of a new relationship.
I have briefly tried on line dating and though the experience was not entirely horrific it certainly was an eye opener and not sure it was the way forward for me.

The site I was on had a link to a personal introduction agency which basically , after an interview with you in person, will hand pick a number of dates for you. They guarantee that all the people on their books are genuine and educated ( though what else would they say) . This all comes at a cost. Nearly two thousand pounds for a years membership!!!

That is a lot of money I know but I wonder if it may be worth it. A busy worklife and a hectic home makes it difficult to find time to trawl through the on line dating sites.
My reservations, apart from the cost is the fact the agency states they do not accept anyone . You have to be educated in a good job and tick the right boxes giving it a sort of elitist ethic which I am not sure would attract the sort of people I would like to meet ( there is no guarantee they would accept me anyway) .

Would like to know if anyone has done this and what their opinion was.

Sorry if that all sounds a little clinical but there are not many knights on horseback banging on my door these days so drastic action may be called for.

No experience, but I think if you are paying a lot of money you have to want the "product" and if the product (the type of man) they are offering isn't what you want maybe you shouldn't spend the money.

There are lots of agencies though - maybe you can find one which offer a "product" more to your taste and maybe cheaper too , say "country types", "arty types or whatever.

Thank you for your response.
Yes, I guess you are right, they sell ( for want of a better word) to a Market...might have more luck with that though. As much as I hate the whole clinical sound of it I don't much enjoy the single mum thing. It's bloody lonely

I agree its lonely Ever. Relaxed makes a good point, if you do some research, there is probably something more your scene. It sounds like a worthwhile investment and you presumably won't get sent willy pics

It worked for a couple of people I know, but I do think you have to find an agency who is really honest and knows if they have the type of people who will like you and vice versa, so I might look around at a few (lots do say for 'professional people' for example). It is also a bit age dependent, lots of slightly older men looking for younger women (so like online dating) but again, you need an honest response from the agency about whether this is an issue and if they have the age range you are looking for.

I don't think it will necessarily mean happy ever after, but I think it's a great alternative to online dating, and if I became single again, I would do it in preference to trawling through the sites/hoping in vain to be asked out.