You kept telling me that when I said I dont want to pay $1000, I am going against halacha
I never said that either. I never said an amount.
My issue is that you’re against the idea of putting a number to it philosophically, because the shadchan doesn’t deserve it, which you would never say regarding a real estate broker. And that you somehow think that your inability to pay plays a role, unlike to a real estate broker.
If you would admit that it’s a chov like any other, as the halacha says, but merely argue that in your neighborhood the going rate is less, I would think you’re on the right track, and then we could discuss the numbers.