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$1,000 makes
you a match
By Sandra
Thomas-Staff writer
"Our company
represents an intelligent, attractive, well-educated warm and
compassionate woman in her 70s who is currently searching for a partner
with whom to share her life."
So begins a
typical ad placed by matchmaker Jane Carstens, West Coast manager of
Hearts Introduction Services.
Although she
usually casts her net across the country through the national press,
Carstens is looking locally for this client, who wants to meet a
"vital, energetic 70-plus gentleman who is intelligent, enjoys a
lively conversation, and shares her interest in politics and
travel."
"This woman
is in her 70s, lives in the West End and doesn't drive. She'd like to
find someone close by, so I decided we'd try an ad in the Courier and
see what happens."
"She is a
regular swimmer," the ad continues, "enjoys walking the
seawall and gardening on her deck. She loves to entertain and
frequently hosts dinner parties in her home."
Carstens said the
ad is one of Hearts' "private executive searches," which cost
clients between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on how long it takes to
make the match.
The majority of
clients, however, forgo the more expensive executive search and pay a
one-time fee of $1,000 to become a Hearts member.
The fee isn't due
until clients agree to be set up with a match for the first time. After
that, they pay $15 a month to keep their files active.
"The
financial process puts a different perspective on matchmaking,"
she said. "When someone pays $1,000, we know they're
committed."
Carstens, who
moved here from Toronto two years ago, said prior to the move, she was
travelling here at least once a month to meet with clients.
As the demand
here grew, Carstens said, it became obvious the company needed a West
Coast office, so two years ago, she relocated and opened a branch on
Hornby Street. She now sees two or three clients a day.
Since she's been
here, she's noticed some differences between West Coast clients and
those in Toronto.
Torontonians, for
example, tend to get married-Hearts matches have resulted in several
hundred marriages in 18 years-but so far, there's only been one Hearts
marriage and one engagement on the West Coast, although many clients
are still seeing each other.
Carstens has
files on about 400 B.C. residents, most of whom live in the city, North
Vancouver and West Vancouver-about 80 live on the Island. The majority
of Hearts clients are between 40 and 60 years old, and about 65 per
cent are women.
"But that's
changing dramatically," she said.
"As word
gets out, more men are joining."
She begins by
meeting clients in their home for a free one-hour chat, which she uses
to gather information on their likes and dislikes.
Carstens admits
while she uses the info as a base, she often relies on intuition when
matching couples.
"This is not
just about hiking, biking and skiing."
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