It is ridiculous to pay a fee before. Like Demo said they hardly even answer the phones when you call and until they call back can take some time. I understand that this is some peoples jobs, but this should really be done from the heart. Ok fine they will get paid if it does work out but to pay a fee per date? I feel bad for some guys who go out with many girls. Paying for the date and the shadchan? He will be broke before he finds the one lol
Anyways if there was only a fee if it worked out, I feel shadchanim would put in a little more effort than just randomly coming up with a name right off their head. If they are getting money for every date they probably don’t put in as much effort because if it doesn’t work out this time then the’ll set them up with someone else, Oh rite we get paid for each date so why not!!!!