Would You Rather Pay For Tinder Or Your Very Own Yenta?

The good people at Tawkify sent me an email and a press release about their service, which provides customers — for a fee — with “your dating concierge.” At this point, why not? We’re spending countless dollars a year on dating websites and hook up apps, and countless more hours watching strangers on reality shows, thrown together by no greater cupid than your average B-level casting director, paw at each other in an attempt to find love. A digital matchmaker might be a more efficient choice, and it certainly seems more budget-conscious than an IRL Yenta.

According to The New York Times, traditional matchmakers cost anywhere starting from $10,000. Tawkify is hipper, younger and charges less. We find you love and adventure using smarter matchmakers and better tech.

What does “charges less” come out to?

Our clever technology works behind the scenes to make our matching and recruiting more efficient, which enables us to offer high-touch “traditional” matchmaking for a fraction of the usual cost. Our personalized matchmaking packages start at just $499 per month. Those desiring a more “passive” approach with no guaranteed matches can join as “Matchable” Members for $49, and will only be contacted when they’re a potential match for a Tawkify client.

$499 a month translates to $6,000 a year. That’s not bupkis. No wonder one of the FAQ is “What if I don’t live in San Francisco or New York?” How does $6,000 a year compare to a non-digital matchmaker?

In 2013, Grace Bello spoke to a professional for the Billfold:

How does matchmaking work, exactly?
I only work with between twelve to fourteen people at a time. I’m actually the most affordable matchmaker, I think, in New York City at the moment. My rates start at $5,000 for six months, minimum. And it just depends on how much help they need. Do they want me to manage their online profiles? Do they want me to take new pictures for them? Do they need me to take them shopping? Are they so busy that they don’t have time to set [up] the dates or to curate the dates? So, basically, my clients outsource that entire part of their life to me.

My clients pay me, and I interview anybody who I think might be a good match. It’s free to be matched with my clients. So you can get into my Rolodex, and then I have that information, so once I have this amazing person that’s looking to meet with you, then I can just hook them up with you.

In 2012, Mike interviewed a 60-something businessman who used a matchmaker named Deborah and paid $11,000 — $13,000 every six months.

Is this a big city, rich person thing? Would you use a matchmaker, wherever you are, assuming the rates were Tawkify-ish or even more reasonable?

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