ofcourse
There are MANY professionals/laborers who do not charge for consultations. When was the last time you got an estimate from a painter and he charged you? I work in a law firm, we dont charge for consultations (most firms that make money based on a payout, dont charge for a consultation) What about a mechanic? The list goes on and on.
What shadchanim are doing is bogus, it is a way of making money for doing nothing.
I think most people would be more than happy to pay the $150 once the shadchan gets them the first date, but to be asked to fork over any sum of money with out any guaranteed results is just pure chutzpah. I dont know why anyone would do that.