Matchmakers & Dating Services: How To Find The Best
New guide tells consumers how they operate, how to protect themselves.
Tampa, FL (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) August 9, 2005 -- Marketdata Enterprises, the independent market research publisher of service industry studies since 1979, has just released a new 57-page publication entitled: Matchmakers & Dating Services: A Consumer Guide (July 2005), http://www.mkt-data-ent.com/studies.html.
“Matchmaking is hot, representing a $1 billion business. But, how do singles obtain an objective assessment of the best kind of dating service for their needs and budget? How can consumers protect themselves and find a reputable dating service? This new guide was created to take some of the mystery out of it for consumers. It's a must read for singles thinking of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a dating service or personal matchmaker,” according to John LaRosa, Research Director.
In-depth company profiles are included in the Guide for the top nine U.S. matchmakers, plus chains such as: Great Expectations, Together, The Right One, It's Just Lunch, HurryDate, 8minuteDating, Pre-Dating (Cupid.com), and Profile Doctor, Look Better Online, the top 15 dating websites, trade associations and more.
Much of this information is based on Marketdata's proprietary research and phone interviews, with “inside” information not found on the Internet.
Matchmakers & Dating Services: A Consumer Guide covers the following topics:
* Your Odds of Success
* Types of Dating Services
* Online Dating – Dating websites & profile enhancement services
* Social Networking Services
* The Major Retail Chains & Franchises with Offices
* Speed Dating
* Independent Matchmakers
* Radio Station Datelines
* Print Personal Ads
* Singles Publications & Singles Events
“In many ways, dating services is a wild west environment, where 'let the buyer beware' is very much the rule. The number of services, both on the Internet and companies with physical offices, has exploded since 2001. Each type of dating service has its own positives and negatives. Prices for services vary tremendously—from $20 per month to $50,000 . Consequently, it's more important than ever for dating singles to know what they are getting into before signing contracts,” according to John LaRosa, Research Director.
Some Major Findings:
* The Better Business Bureau reports that in most complaints received about dating services, the consumer is at fault because they did not thoroughly read the contract.
* A number of dating services have been sued by state Attorney General's offices or by consumers. Do you know which ones?
* Research shows that members of minority groups, unattractive or overweight people, those with rigid religious beliefs, singles with more than two children living with them, and chain smokers will have limited success.
* Singles have an equal chance of finding their soul mate no matter what kind of dating service they use. A higher-priced service is no guarantee of better results, although many will claim that their match rate is superior.
* Off-line chains such as Together or Great Expectations typically charge $3,000-4,000. Independent matchmakers (which are growing in number in the U.S.) charge anywhere from $500 to $100,000 for their services. The top ones usually cost $10,000 .
* Virtually anyone can call themselves a matchmaker—no license or certification is required. They are also hard to find, since most do not advertise. Word-of-mouth referral is used instead.
* Matchmakers today may offer many other services to make you more marketable: image makeovers, personal training and weight loss, wardrobe assessment, hair/skin care consulting, professional photos, written profile editing, etc.
About the Guide
Matchmakers & Dating Services: A Consumer Guide (July 2005) may be ordered directly from Marketdata, by phone, email, or via its secure e-commerce store at its website. It is available in print or digital form by email. The price is $250, and major credit cards are accepted.
About Marketdata Enterprises, Inc.
Marketdata Enterprises, Inc. is an independent analyst of a variety of niche service businesses since 1979. It has tracked Dating Services since 1998, and has also published a biennial and more comprehensive study entitled: The U.S. Dating Services Market (3rd edition, April 2004, 173 pages). Marketdata's dating industry market research is regularly quoted by all major media.
For more information, visit http://www.mkt-data-ent.com/studies.html
Contact Information:
John LaRosa, Research Director
Marketdata Enterprises Inc.
813-931-3900
www.marketdataenterprises.com
Continue reading this and more of John Larosa's articles by following the link(s) below:
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Adult Dating Services News Sources |
- Bulletin Board — Support Groups (San Antonio Express News)
(Phone numbers are in area code 210 unless otherwise indicated.)
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Andrew Robinson LEEDS Council has listened to learning disabled people who are demanding not to be treated like children. (30/06/2006 09:08:49)
- Plumbing leak leaves Justice Center with dozens of wet files (Daytona Beach News-Journal)
DAYTONA BEACH -- Workers are hustling to dry stacks of legal documents left soggy after a weekend plumbing leak soaked the Volusia County Justice Center and by Friday had caused more than $300,000 in cleanup and repairs, officials said.
- Inspectors offer up their skin to skeeters to help fellow citizens (The Herald-Tribune)
Two men on an early-morning stakeout of a pest that plagues Florida residents turn onto a dirt path edged with large trees.
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