Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Professional Dating Services

34 replies

Oooeeh · 02/09/2022 18:52

Has anyone got any experience of a professional dating service ?

Im post 3 years of separation, divorce is being finalised and I am now thinking about moving on.

I’ve dabbled on apps but I’ve not had much luck. My friend said I should try out a professional service but they start from about £2.5k. Which is a small investment if I find a life partner but equally a large sum if there’s no bite.

just wondered if anyone has tried a company and whether there are any observations.

OP posts:
DatingDinosaur · 02/09/2022 21:26

TWO POINT FIVE GRAND??????

Fuck that.

Sounds scammy to me.

TWO AND A HALF GRAND????

Jeez, I need a lie down in a darkened room.

TWO
AND
A
HALF
THOUSAND
POUNDS

Needless to say I’ve never tried them and the above is my only observation.

Please have a long, hard think about why you’re even considering this.

justasmalltownmum · 02/09/2022 21:33

I have heard of a friend of a friend using one. It was in the £700 region. Their most recent trust pilot reviews don't seem to be very good.

cornonthehob · 03/09/2022 01:51

I signed up after mulling it over for many disappointing years on online dating apps and websites (after having a far easier time when I was younger). I'd read about people paying vast amounts only to find there were no men that would meet them and I asked them if that was a serious possibility. They poured a huge amount of time and energy into reassuring me that this was highly unlikely but when they got my money this is exactly what happened. I only got one date which was a very expensive one for about £3000 (I paid for extra perks to make matching more likely). I wouldn't waste your money to be honest. I was very lucky in that I found someone wonderful on POF of all places about a year after parting with my cash. I would be far more bitter if I hadn't met him as I'm disabled and £3000 is many months of income for me (which they knew).

Oooeeh · 03/09/2022 08:17

Thanks for the feedback - I think I’ll have a look for alternative means !

OP posts:
Sanpellogrino99 · 03/09/2022 10:58

Please dont waste your money
I spent 6k on one and the guy they set me up with was on hinge
The only one may I add

The small print is very carefully worded
You also cannot tell people the name (basically nda when you sign up)
Lots of false promises

All in all waste of money and effort also its the same guys as on the app
Avoid

lowmoodadvice · 03/09/2022 12:13

Sanpellogrino99 which agency did you use?

Sanpellogrino99 · 03/09/2022 12:19

lowmoodadvice · 03/09/2022 12:13

Sanpellogrino99 which agency did you use?

Cannot say as I signed NDA

Sanpellogrino99 · 03/09/2022 12:20

They say they will sue if any defamation
I suppose you could look up various and see which amount equates to that agency and its probably that one
Although I doubt they advertise their cost on this site

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 14:16

This thread does not fill me full of confidence!

I have signed up to one this summer ( I am Not mainland UK, I'm N.I so I signed up to an all Ireland one!! Really hoping I haven't made a huge mistake 😞😞

Sanpellogrino99 · 03/09/2022 14:25

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 14:16

This thread does not fill me full of confidence!

I have signed up to one this summer ( I am Not mainland UK, I'm N.I so I signed up to an all Ireland one!! Really hoping I haven't made a huge mistake 😞😞

I signed up to mines last summer - did not meet one person

All the ones sent to me were at the other side of the country and not in my criteria at all

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 14:50

@Sanpellogrino99 oh god 🤦‍♀️ sorry to hear that!

Ireland is way smaller than the UK obviously so maybe there isn't much hope for me...

Unless I join a London based one! Can I ask if yours was London based?

Sanpellogrino99 · 03/09/2022 15:03

Yes london based

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 15:39

@Sanpellogrino99 - oh dear!

I would of thought a London based one would be much better!

When you say the matches were unsuitable, in what way?

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 19:37

Does anyone have any inspiring dating agency stories?!

Or should I ask for my money back.....haha

VaddaABeetch · 03/09/2022 19:56

@OhHenry my brother & his friend were paid to go. On ‘dates’ when they were single in Ireland. They’d be pleasant & chatty & say no romantic spark as feedback.

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 19:58

@VaddaABeetch - are you kidding?! 😅🤣....who paid them? An agency! God that is shocking!

VaddaABeetch · 03/09/2022 19:59

@OhHenry yep the agency.

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 19:59

Jeez!! I'll maybe just give them a call on Monday and tell them don't bother with any 'dates' 🙈🙈

VaddaABeetch · 03/09/2022 20:03

@OhHenry a friend joined one. Got the hard sell. Didn’t get a single date. It was suggested that she expand her age reference by 20 years!

OhHenry · 03/09/2022 20:13

@VaddaABeetch - oh god! Maybe tinder is preferable after all haha! I have told them I will go 15 years older, (I'm 30) this is due to me not wanting children so I said I was okay with someone who had kids and didn't want more!

VaddaABeetch · 03/09/2022 20:29

Janey @OhHenry you’re only a child, why would you be arsed with old lads?

0live · 03/09/2022 20:35

@Oooeeh if you have not dated for the duration of your marriage and then another three years that you have been separated , the very LAST thing you need is to go off looking for a life partner.

You need to learn how to date first.

Oooeeh · 03/09/2022 20:37

0live · 03/09/2022 20:35

@Oooeeh if you have not dated for the duration of your marriage and then another three years that you have been separated , the very LAST thing you need is to go off looking for a life partner.

You need to learn how to date first.

Good point - I think I was looking for a professional services route on the basis that I have very limited time on my hands. When I'm away from my child, I'm usually at work and haven't really got time for time wasters etc.

OP posts:
OhHenry · 03/09/2022 20:45

@VaddaABeetch - due to a medical condition I have decided not to have kids.

The agency themselves said that a lot of people on their books my age want a family!

So I guess it's going to have to be the older lads isn't it 😳😳

VaddaABeetch · 03/09/2022 20:55

@OhHenry i know lots of lads your age who don’t want kids.

TBH I think getting with an older man who already has his own kids is getting the worst of both worlds!

Join Meet-up lots of younger men.