Perfect Match is one of the largest online
matchmaking sites on the internet, with more than 15 million members. Perfect
Match is not your typical dating site. When you visit Perfect Match, the first
thing you notice is that it's divided into two sections: a section for singles,
who are looking for love, and a section for those who are already married. For
the purposes of this review, we will focus on the singles section of Perfect
Match, where singles can come to find “the one” for whom they are a perfect
match.
The Perfect Match compatibility system was developed by Dr. Pepper Schwarz, a sociology professor and sexologist who has written numerous books about human relationships and sexuality. The Duet Compatibility system is based on the Myers-Briggs personality test and is intended to match prospective daters on the basis of their “whole selves” (that is to say, not just their hobbies and interests, but on their personality, values, ideal, life and “lovestyle”). The aim of the Duet system is to ensure that members are matched based on long-term compatibility, which should, in theory, result in steady, durable relationships.
The duet system demands that users devote a fairly extensive period of time to completing the questionnaire. Depending on the amount of thought you give to each question, this questionnaire will take you between 1 and 2 hours to complete. Once your questionnaire is complete, the system will begin trying to find compatible matches for you using its patented Compatibility Matching System. Once matches are sent to you, you will be able to view the profiles of your matches and decide whether or not to initiate contact with them.
There is also a special filter opportunity of the “dealbreakers”
– special qualifications which, if the person doesn’t match exactly, mean it’s
not going to happen. These characteristics can be positive, or negative. So,
you may use the filter to block the people with particular traits or cultural
background you would like to exclude from your personal consideration, like people
of a particular race or age, or those who aren’t (or are) religious.
The site offers users a range of options for contacting
other potential matches, including email and “ice breaker” questions and, quite
unusually for online matchmaking sites, a range of video chat functions.
Main Features
- Perfect Match uses the patented 'Duet Compatibility system' - ensuring total compatibility between matched singles.
- Unlike some other matchmaking sites, Perfect Match helps you to get matched on the whole you, not just on your hobbies and interests.
- The Duet Compatibility system is based on more than 30 years of sociological research by Dr. Pepper Schwarz.
- The system takes into account the member's personality, values, ideals, life and 'lovestyle'.
- The sophisticated and easy to follow system probes into both “similarity” and “complementary” personality features in a bid to match users perfectly.
- The Perfect match system is endorsed by numerous leading academics and relationship experts.
- Use comprehensive search tools to delve deeper into the Perfect Match community, finding matches that may not have been suggested by the duet system (opposites attract, after all!)
- Use Icebreaker questions - a quick and easy way to say hello.
- Dating on Demand - use a range of video dating tools to enhance the online dating experience.
- Read extensive Perfect Match success stories.
- Read a great list of dating 'do's and don'ts', advice and more.
- FAQ's and Technical Support.
Current Costs
Users of PerfectMatch.com have the opportunity to take the
compatibility test and check out the available matches on the site completely
free of charge. In order to have access to all of the features available on
PerfectMatch.com (including having the ability to contact other members), it is
necessary to upgrade to premium subscription. The cost of doing so differs
according to the length of subscription, as follows:
- 1 Month: $59.95
- 2 Months: $79.90
- 3 Months: $110.85
- 4 Months: $139.95
- 6 Months: $199.95
Free Membership
Free 2 months membership included registration (Email
address, member name, password, postal code, country) and ability to create a
profile:
·
About Me is your public face on PerfectMatch.com
and is the first step in creating your profile
o First
name, date of birth, relationship status (single, divorced, widowed) and
location
o Seeking
relationship with man or woman and age range
o Occupation
o Income
o Appearance:
eye/hair color, height, body type
o Ethnicity
o Languages
you speak
·
DealBreakers - Prospective couples need to make
sure they are in sync on important lifestyle choices. While you could be just
right for each other as personalities, this DealBreaker section allows you to
identify qualities and personal choices that will satisfy both you and your
partner
o I
don’t believe I would be compatible with someone who possesses the following
qualities… (e.g. homebody, sports fanatic, talkative, workaholic)
o My
personal choices would be… (choose ethnicity)
o I
would like my relationship to be with someone who lives…
·
Duet Test - PerfectMatch.com compatibility profiler
doesn't match people simply because they have similar character traits. It
actually describes and explains complete personality types. Based on the same
theory that inspired the famous Myers Briggs Type Indicator, this is the only
test of its kind and it is the only one that tells you which traits your
partner should share and which should be different. Featured on The Dr. Phil
Show, this is one of the most sophisticated and effective romantic matching
tool on or off the internet. The Duet Compatibility Test includes eight pages
of six true or false questions per page. Each page is considered an element.
These eight elements are:
o Romantic
Impulsivity
o Personal
Energy
o Outlook
o Predictability
o Flexibility
o Decision
Making Style
o Emotionality
o Self-Nurturing
Once the Duet Compatibility Test
is complete, you receive your similarity test results. These are personality
types that are "similar" to your type. There are four different
types. A percentage is given of how many members match your type. PerfectMatch.com
provides you with a description of each type and what that personality type
means
·
Additional profile information:
o Background
& Values - This part of your profile allows other members to explore your
favorite interests and lifestyle preferences. It gives them a picture of your
daily life. Through your answers, your perfect match will know your likes and
dislikes. Each question or statement below allows you to select single or
multiple predefined words:
o Core
Values assessment test
o Love
and Money assessment test
o Words
my friends and family use to describe me
o Which
things about me would a person have to like, or at least tolerate, in order to
be a good match?
o Political
View
o Education
o Religion
o Religious
Practices
o Environmental
views
o Love
& Lovestyle
o Lovestyle
test
o When
meeting a friend I’m usually…
o Children
and Family
o Drinking
o Smoking
o Which
best describes my approach to food…
o A
visit to my home and you will find it…
o My
sense of humor is…
o Hobbies
and Interests
o Sports
activities I participate in
o I
enjoy reading the following…
o When
it comes to music, I prefer…
o My
favorite romantic gestures
o When
it comes to pets, I prefer…
o Approach
to money
o In
My Words
o Introduction
o Personal
Statement
o Multiple
short essay questions on subjects like accomplishments, family, and favorite
date locations
o Add
photos by uploading, email or regular mail
Free membership does not include:
·
Advanced searching
· Communicating with other singles
· Access to “Ask Dr. Schwartz”
· Unlimited access to profiles
· Highlighted profile
· Communicating with other singles
· Access to “Ask Dr. Schwartz”
· Unlimited access to profiles
· Highlighted profile
Drawbacks
- Very few guaranteed match suggestions
- It can take hours to days to receive match suggestions
- Lengthy registration process
- No instant messaging
- No mobile online dating services
Dating for Seniors
PerfectMatch.com is realizing the high potency of the
seniors’ market for the online dating. There are no special features, different
from the main site, which will be particular for the related age group.
However, for convenience, there is a separate section of the site dedicated for
seniors: http://www.perfectmatch.com/onlinedating/senior-dating.asp
By default, the age for search is setup from 55 to 75, but
you can change it anytime, while preparing for your search.
User Reviews
While online reviewers, multimedia, and press love this site
and present it at the top of the list, be aware that the users’ reviews are
mixed. There are multiple complaints on the message boards from unsatisfied and
even angry customers. Frankly, there are more negative reviews than positive…
One of the negative reviews:
“Anyone considering using a
match/online dating service, please heed my warning. Do not sign up for
PerfectMatch.com. This service is a textbook bait and switch service. They will
show you different profiles before you sign up than you will find after you
have paid your money and have become a member. Also I have tried to contact
this "business" and every number does one of three things: rings
nonstop, always busy, or disconnected. Do not sign up on PerfectMatch.com! I
assure you, your experience will be just like the pages of people who have
complained already. Save your money and go elsewhere”.
We do recommend make
your own homework before buying the membership at Perfectmatch.com. And
actually, going further in our personal recommendations, we do not recommend
this site, no matter how attractive it may look…
Sources and Additional
Information:
