In July 2006, I went into the offices of Elite Personal Search and had a 3 hour 'interview' with Devan. At that time, I wasn't sure if the service was right for me. I explained to Devan that I felt it would difficult to find a match for me among the members of Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler. Although I am a professional career woman, Devan assured me that I would 'easy to match', even though I have tattoos and dreadlocks (I work in a creative field, and wanted to meet someone who was a professional, but also 'eclectic') . She explained, 'we have all kinds of people as members. We have artists and musicians, even performers from Cirque De Soleil.' I was hesitant about joining, when she assured me that if they did not have someone appropriate for me, that Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler will go outside of its membership and 'troll the community' for a good match. She explained that she had met HER husband through Elite, and that once she started working there, she was able to fix up 2 of her girlfriends with men who were NOT members, but that she had met outside of work and thought they would be good matches. She told me that one of them was now married to the man Devan had fixed her up with. I do not feel that I would have been comfortable paying the extraordinary amount of money membership cost if I had not been reassured that they would go outside of the membership to find a match for me. Devan and I discussed the type of man who would be a good match for me. We set up a long list of parameters, which she assured me DID exist in many of their members. (the main thing we agreed I needed was someone who was 'hip' and up on modern technology, as I am a bit of a computer geek). When she told me that my $5000 fee would get me 8 matches in the next year, I was wary. I told her that I didn't feel like 8 was very many matches. At that point she said, 'But we will be doing all the research for you. By the time you meet a match, they will have all of the qualifications you are looking for. The only thing missing will be chemistry, and you WILL have chemistry with at least one of 8 men who exactly the type of match you are looking for.' She noted that Elite also checks criminal records and paycheck stubs to make sure that members DO in fact make the amount of money they claim (although they never asked for any of that from me). Additionally, Devan assured me that she would work closely with the matchmaker and that the matchmaker would also work very closely with me by calling me frequently to discuss various matches. All of the above made me feel safe and comfortable and confident that Elite could help me find a match. I was unable to join in July, so I had to put it off until December 2006. I did join in December of 2006. At that time, Elite set up a second interview with Jen Turner. Jen also said that she thought I would be easy to match and that the qualities, and other parameters I was looking for would not be difficult to find. She also assured me that Elite would go outside of their membership to find a match for me. Since that time, I have had NO matches that 'have all the qualifications I am looking for'. Additionally, I have not met any men from outside of the membership. In fact, most of the matches I have been sent, were not at all the type of men that I would be interested in. Many of the matches have been misrepresented by Elite. For example, I was sent a potential match who 'had his own business building zen gardens', he was actually a gardener for the public park systems! I was sent a potential match who worked as a 'holistic therapist', he turned out to be a massage therapist! I was VERY specific about the type of person I wanted to meet, as well as what type of job they should have (professional, like me!), how far I'd be willing to travel (I live within 10 miles of literally millions of people, yet they sent me matches that lived 50 miles away?!), and the fact that he should work at a standard job where he would normally have nights and weekends free (the massage therapist worked BOTH nights AND weekends!). Neither Jen or Devan or anyone from the Elite office have ever 'worked closely' with me to find a match. In fact, I often don't hear anything for weeks and weeks, unless I email THEM. I now feel that I was misled. It has been over 9 months since I joined and not ONE good match has been introduced to me. I sent a certified letter to Elite with all of the above information and demanded my fee be returned. I filed a complaint with the BBB (they have over 20 complaints and have earned an 'F' rating), but Elite did not respond to either me or the BBB. I feel that it is appropriate for Elite Personal Search/Debra Winkler to return my $5000 fee.

They over promise and under deliver. Was a client for 6 mos and did not get 1 match based on what I was looking for. They constantly threw matches at me that were out of my county and nothing of what I was looking for. Currently filing claim in court for refund. Canceled my contract and they have sent me to collections. Was told I was an easy match! Gave specific criteria and 6 mos and not one match. They try to run your contract out and get their money. DON'T WAST YOUR MONEY!!!

Working with Elite has been more than just a matchmaking experience. The VIP Matchmaker, Kim has a great personality and I love working with her. She's been coaching me along the way and it's been quite a learning curve for me. I’ve learned that it is not just about finding men I am attracted to but what it takes to have a successful relationship. Kim gave me a total personal and exclusive experience by working with me on my challenges and shortcomings that have been sabotaging my past relationships. She gives me exercises that have helped me learn about myself so I can attract the right guy in my life.
I now feel really confident with my dating life and have been introduced to many great men. I have started to see someone now regularly and I’m excited to see where it goes. Thank you Kim for changing my life!

I have never seen any matchmaking service work this hard for their customers. I've been in and out of the dating scene for at least ten years now. I've had my share of meeting different women and have been a customer with five different dating companies. With all my experiences, I have to say that Elite does the best job. The also have a totally different approach which I think is the most effective and unique. The price is high but the results make it worth every dollar. After they introduced me to Martha (my present wife) I feel that the least I can do to show my appreciation is to write this review and share it with other people.

Elite personal search, Ha. The only thing elite is there name. The only difference between Elite and Match.com or other internet sites is the thousands of dollars Elite charges. You would think that after the several in depth interviews for your match requirements that they might actually match you accordingly. Think again. You have to tell them over and over what it is your looking for. Their match making ladies are not too sharp either and it takes them weeks to find you someone that is not even close to your criteria. The sales ladies do a good job making their company sound great, but don't believe it for a minute. Go buy a 70" plasma instead. You'll be happier.