General FAQ

What services do you offer?

We offer matchmaking in Toronto, Hamilton, and the surrounding regions. We also offer online dating support, online matchmaking, and coaching to people regardless of location. Find out more about each option on our services page.

So how does this work, anyway?

For online matchmaking, online dating support, and coaching, you can sign up right away, set up an information call, or send us your questions. For matchmaking, please apply by filling out our quick form and we’ll be in touch with the next steps!

Okay, let’s be real: how much is this going to cost me?

A detailed explanation of our fees can be found on our services page.

I'm gay/bi/open/poly/trans/genderqueer/elderly. Can I participate?

Absolutely! Friend of a Friend prides itself on being open and inclusive of all genders, ages, abilities, and sexualities. We are invested in intersectional dating and do our best to keep up on research and media related to dating norms and prejudice in the dating world.

Where do you find your clients?

All over the place! Generally, our clients find us through Google. Around 75% of our clients come to us after researching matchmaking, online dating support, and dating coaching options. Others hear about us through friends, friends of friends (see what we did there?), or through our media appearances. While most of our clients have sought us out, we do reach out to prospective singles through our own extensive professional and friendship networks, through social media, and we’ve occasionally on dating sites such as Match, OkCupid, and Bumble (we always let our clients know beforehand if a prospective match is a recruit from a dating site). Our database includes active paying members, former members who are still open to meeting someone special, and people who have been headhunted and thoroughly vetted by us.

I haven't met anyone yet and I've been waiting for a while. Am I undateable?

No. If you are a decent, respectful, and caring person, you are certainly not undateable. Our matchmaking service focuses on strong mutual matching; we need to see solid relationship potential before we introduce you to someone. It has very little to do with datability and everything to do with who is in our database and what you're both looking for. If have any dating concerns (such as dating after divorce), reach out to us and we can set you up with some caring and compassionate coaching.

I signed up for Friend of a Friend but I've changed my mind/met someone. Can I get a refund?

Sorry, no refunds after seven days of registration. No exceptions. If you haven't yet met with us, you can transfer your membership to a friend if we feel we have a strong matching potential for them which is at our discretion. In the case of matchmaking specifically, the process can take time and we'd prefer to set you up with strong mutual matches instead of just throwing random dates your way to fulfill a quota. Please be patient with us.

Can you guarantee me love?

No one can guarantee you love and you should be suspicious of anyone who says they can. We can guarantee that we will try our best to set you up with people who fit your needs, a greater understanding of dating, and/or a more enjoyable online dating experience.

Matchmaking FAQ

Can I sign up for matchmaking if I don't live in Toronto, Hamilton, or nearby?

Unless you're in the region on a weekly basis for school, work, or family obligations, we are unable to take you on as a matchmaking client at this time. Online dating support and coaching are available regardless of your location.

Do you ever reject potential matchmaking applicants?

We do. Please understand that it's nothing personal. We are a small business and know our client base very well, so if we don't think we will have strong mutual matches, we simply don't want to take your money. If you'd like, we can recommend other local matchmaking services that might have the person you're searching for.

What's the difference between a match and a date?

A match is when we introduce you to a potential date over email. A date is when you meet one another in person. We can only guarantee matches. The going-on-a-date stuff is entirely up to you. (You're both smart people! You'll figure it out!)

What if I don't want to meet someone you match me up with?

You are under no obligation to meet anyone if you feel genuinely uncomfortable. Meeting new people is obviously what everyone is here to do, but if you don't want to meet someone we've connected you with, you do not have to meet them. That said, we encourage people to be open-minded when approaching matches and we’re happy to field clarifying questions within reason.

What if someone treats me disrespectfully?

If someone stands you up or treats you with any disrespect, please let us know immediately. We only want to work with respectful clients who take the matchmaking process seriously.

Do you ever revoke matchmaking memberships?

Please note that memberships can be revoked at any time without compensation or explanation if we learn that you didn’t treat a fellow client with due respect and humanity on your date. (We don’t expect to ever do this, though. Mutual respect is basic!)

Dating Services FAQ

Is coaching therapy?

No. We do not treat mental health issues in any way. Coaching focuses primarily on goals and is generally future-oriented. While we talk about how the past has shaped us and we can look at it to identify patterns and we look at the present to see what is working and what may need a shift, it is a different orientation than most psychotherapy.

What does online dating support consist of?

All of our packages focus on getting to know you, talking about your experiences and/or concerns about online dating, figuring out how to put out an amazing (and accurate) presentation of yourself, and then how to actually translate that into meeting people for dates. The larger packages include more sessions to focus in on particular areas in need of attention.

What is online matchmaking?

We have you share your phone/computer screen with us over a weekly video call and we swipe together on the dating site or app of your choice. You get insights, support, feedback, and a little bit of accountability. Think of it like hanging out with a friend (with excellent taste and good advice) and going through your Tinder / Match / Hinge / Bumble / OkCupid / etc matches together.