SPIES Review [Best Phoenix Matchmaker For You?]

SPIES Matchmaking is a Phoenix-based service founded in 1994 by Roseann Higgins, a Navy veteran who applies military observation skills to matchmaking. Men sign on as paying clients (starting around $6,000 for one-year contracts), while women join the 70,000+ singles database for free. Reviews are mixed—satisfied clients credit Higgins with finding lasting relationships, while critics cite poor communication and match quality concerns. Here's everything you need to know before signing a contract.

SPIES Matchmaking at a Glance

Quick Verdict: Is SPIES Matchmaking Worth It?

An acronym for Single Professional Introductions for the Especially Selective, SPIES was founded in 1994 by Roseann Higgins. 

It’s headquartered in Phoenix, and primarily caters to singles there and in Scottsdale. But she and her team help singles throughout Arizona and nationwide as well.

Higgins didn’t always dream of being a matchmaker. In fact, as she shared in an interview, it was her own frustration with trying to find “Mr. Right” that led her to launch her own matchmaking service more than 2 decades ago. 

“If you told me then that you would pay me, and pay me decently, to find somebody to change everything in your life… and you’d pay me for that? I would have laughed.”

Navy Background Shapes Her Approach

Before starting SPIES, Higgins worked as a freelance writer and radio host, and served in the Navy and Naval Reserve for over 15 years. She credits her military experience with shaping her matchmaking process, particularly her attention to body language and communication skills.

As she explained in an interview with Eliances.com, 

“The Navy teaches you to log everything that happens on your watch. So when I’m meeting people, I’m noticing everything that they react to. How are they with me? What’s their tone of voice? What’s their interest level?”

The "Spy" Approach to Finding Matches

Higgins puts her observation skills to work by becoming a "spy" at local parties, events, clubs, and meetings to scout potential matches:

As she says: 

“…If somebody can afford the investment to hire a personal matchmaker to go out… they can’t be at all the events I’m going to and spotting the girls that they would want me to approach if they were there, and getting to know all these things about her.” 

She also uses these skills to evaluate potential clients, tracking how often someone looks away or seems distracted during conversation to gauge their genuineness and readiness for a relationship.

Client Structure: Men Pay, Women Join Free

SPIES typically takes men on as paying clients, while women can apply to have a profile listed in the database of 70,000+ singles.

For women joining the database, Higgins explains that accepted candidates are attractive, "baggage free," single and ready for a relationship, and honest. They generally accept applications from women between ages 22 and 55, occasionally up to 65. She typically keeps age differences between clients and matches under 10 years, and specifies that they screen out "gold-diggers."

As Higgins explained in an interview, 

“The men are the clients… they’re busy so they get to hire me to do all of this vetting and most of my guys can’t be on apps. Some of them aren’t even on Facebook, and they’re looking for a relationship.” 

The Matching Process

Step 1: Discovery Conversation

For men, the process begins with a paid consultation (several hundred dollars) where Higgins gets to know you, your desires in a romantic partner, and your relationship history. Contract details are discussed during this call.

Step 2: Database Search

If you decide to move forward, Higgins and her team search the database for compatible singles. She looks for compatibility factors while also weighing communication style and authenticity:

“I’m looking at a girl for what’s genuine inside of her smile, and if she laughs genuinely. Is she looking at me or is she looking away? Is she distracted? If I put a guy in front of her is she going to be the best girlfriend and possible future wife…?”

Step 3: Profile Review and Introduction

You'll review a profile including photos of each potential match. When interest is mutual, the date is arranged. Afterward, both parties have an opportunity to give and receive feedback.

SPIES matchmaking services start around $6,000 with contracts typically lasting one year.

Final pricing depends on your matching criteria and search requirements. The initial Discovery Conversation costs several hundred dollars and is required before contract details are finalized.

How SPIES Compares to Other Phoenix Matchmakers

Yelp: 3.8 Stars (10 Reviews)

SPIES has a 3.8-star rating on Yelp based on 10 reviews—a polarized mix of enthusiastic endorsements and sharp criticism.

What satisfied clients say:

One reviewer shared that he found a relationship through the service. Another woman reported meeting her husband through SPIES. A third positive reviewer specifically addressed negative reviews on the platform, defending her experience with the service.

What critics say:

Several 1-star reviews cite poor experiences. One particularly persistent former client left an initial 1-star review in 2017 and has updated periodically over the years with additional negative feedback.

Note: Yelp also has 8 "not recommended" SPIES reviews (hidden by Yelp's algorithm), all either 1-star or 5-star—further illustrating the polarized nature of client experiences.

Google: 4.5 Stars (11 Reviews)

SPIES has a 4.5-star rating on Google based on 11 reviews.

Important context: Some reviews are from people who knew Higgins socially or worked with her on business projects rather than matchmaking clients. Others are from paying clients or women matched through the database.

One 5-star review came from a woman who was successfully matched as a database member:

BBB: A+ Rating (No Reviews)

SPIES is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating. However, there are currently no client reviews or complaints listed on the platform.

Review Analysis Summary

The pattern: Reviews are notably polarized—clients either rave about finding love or express significant frustration. There's little middle ground, which suggests the experience may depend heavily on individual circumstances, expectations, or fit with Higgins' approach.

When it comes to finding an Arizona matchmaking service, you have several strong options. Narrowing your choice will likely come down to factors like how the initial consultation makes you feel, contract flexibility, and cost.

SPIES may be right for you if:

• You want a matchmaker with 30+ years of local Phoenix experience
• You value in-person scouting and a hands-on, observational approach
• You're comfortable with a year-long contract starting around $6,000
• You prefer a large established database (70,000+ singles)

Consider alternatives if:

• You want month-to-month flexibility without long-term commitments
• Mixed reviews make you hesitant without more due diligence
• You prefer transparent, published pricing before consultations
• You want access to the largest possible pool of eligible singles

Alternatives to Consider

VIDA Select

VIDA Select's modern approach leverages the largest source of Arizona singles available, meaning quality dates with matches who check all your boxes.

Key advantages:

• Month-to-month packages with no long-term commitment—stop, start, or pause anytime
• Transparent pricing: Monthly service starts at $1,595
• Largest candidate pool: Access to far more singles than any static database
• Fast results: Clients typically meet someone special within 3 months

Intrigued? Discover how VIDA Select can find your perfect match!

Enamour

For a highly tailored luxury experience, Enamour uses a blend of relationship psychology, AI, and intuition to pinpoint matches. Their "invitation-only" database is supplemented by recruiting technology and a network of scouts. Packages start around $20,000 for 6 months of service.

The Bottom Line

SPIES Matchmaking offers Phoenix singles a veteran matchmaker with three decades of experience and a substantial local database. Roseann Higgins' hands-on scouting approach and Navy-honed observation skills differentiate her service from algorithm-based alternatives.

However, the polarized reviews warrant careful consideration. Request references from recent clients, get clear on contract terms and refund policies, and trust your gut feeling from the Discovery Conversation before committing to a year-long agreement.

For those wanting more flexibility, transparent pricing, and access to a larger candidate pool, month-to-month services may be a better fit for your search.