Modern Matchmaker Reviews [Is Susan Dunhoff Legit?]

The Modern Matchmaker is a Pittsburgh dating agency founded in 1991 by Susan Dunhoff, offering three membership tiers ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for year-long contracts. Reviews are notably mixed—4.1 stars on Google (20+ reviews) but just 1.6 stars on Yelp (5 reviews), with a BBB complaint on file. Satisfied clients credit Dunhoff with facilitating relationships, while critics cite poor match quality and unmet promises. Here's what you need to know before signing a contract.

The Modern Matchmaker at a Glance

Quick Verdict: Is The Modern Matchmaker Worth It?

Worth considering if: You want a long-established Pittsburgh matchmaker with over 30 years of local experience. Dunhoff's comprehensive approach, including professional photography, profile optimization, and dating guidance, offers more than just introductions. Several Google reviewers credit the service with helping them meet partners. The tiered pricing ($5,000–$25,000) provides options for different budgets and search scopes.

Think twice if: The polarized reviews concern you, with a recurring theme in negative reviews that matches didn't align with stated criteria or promised introductions weren't delivered. If you're at the Signature level (database-only matching), understand that your matches are limited to other clients in the Pittsburgh-area database, which may constrain options.

Bottom line: Dunhoff has longevity and local expertise, but as with all personal services the investment warrants careful due diligence. Clarify exactly how many introductions your package includes, and understand the refund policy before signing a year-long contract.

How We Researched This Review

We analyzed The Modern Matchmaker's client reviews platforms like Google, Yelp, and BBB (including complaints), researched founder interviews, and compared the offering to other Pittsburgh-area matchmakers.

Disclaimer: This review was researched and written by VIDA Select's matchmaking experts to help singles find the service that best fits their needs and goals. Our industry insights come from 15+ years of matchmaking experience and writing 200+ matchmaking service reviews.

Susan Dunhoff has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's degree in Communications from Duquesne University. Before becoming a professional matchmaker, she owned a successful marketing and communications firm.

Her own experience juggling a career with dating gave her insights into the challenges her clients face and inspired her to start The Modern Matchmaker in 1991. As she shared in an interview:

“I remember being 29, a busy professional with a career in marketing at the time; I didn’t have time to play games. And I knew that there were many more people out there with that same mindset of wanting to find a true connection.”

A Personal Success Story

Although Dunhoff explains she “didn’t start this business to find a husband,” fate had other plans. Shortly after opening Modern Matchmaker, she met her future spouse, and they tied the knot in 1994. 

Their unexpected but joyful marriage further reinforced her belief in the effectiveness of the matchmaking process.

The Modern Matchmaker caters to single professionals of all ages, including older daters. As Dunhoff describes her typical client:

 “My typical client is a cultured, well-rounded professional who enjoys life. No one has to be a model to work with me or have a certain educational background or financial portfolio. A successful individual who takes care of themselves and is ready for a relationship, but needs a little help finding someone who complements their life.”

The Process

Step 1: Registration and Profile Creation

Potential clients register on The Modern Matchmaker website or call the office to set up a confidential profile. A meeting with a matchmaker is then scheduled to review the profile.

Step 2: Initial Consultation

During this meeting, you'll describe yourself, your lifestyle, and the type of person you're hoping to meet.

Step 3: Background Check and Photography

If you decide to move forward, the next steps include a background check and a professional photography session. The photos are used for your profile in The Modern Matchmaker database.

Step 4: Profile Optimization

You'll receive guidance on optimizing your profile, plus advice on first date conversation topics and wardrobe suggestions. As Dunhoff explains:

“We provide whatever the client needs to be successful. We assist in everything from how to dress to what to say on a date.”

Step 5: Matching and Dating

Once your profile is complete, you'll review profiles of potential matches selected by the team. Last names and contact information are only disclosed when both parties agree to meet.

The Modern Matchmaker team handles date scheduling and encourages feedback after each meeting to adjust your search as needed.

The Importance of Being Open-Minded

Dunhoff emphasizes that matchmaking requires client participation:  

“I always tell my clients that the most important thing they can do is be open-minded and put in the work to make the relationship successful. I can only do so much. The rest is up to them.”

The Modern Matchmaker Membership Tiers

Why Tier Selection Matters

At the Signature level, your matches come exclusively from the internal database of Pittsburgh-area singles. This may limit options depending on who else is currently in the database.

Higher tiers include scouting beyond the database. As Dunhoff explains:

“This concept has proven to be quite successful for our highly selective clients and is commonly used by matchmakers in cities such as New York, Chicago, and LA. Our team of professional scouts attends business networking events, charity events, and various other venues as a way to connect with the right people professionally and confidentially.” 

Dunhoff can also use her network of matchmaking contacts to source additional candidates for Concierge and Premier clients.

The Modern Matchmaker doesn't publish pricing on the website, but Dunhoff mentioned in an interview that services typically range between $5,000 and $25,000 for year-long contracts.

Final pricing depends on which membership tier you select and the scope of your search.

How The Modern Matchmaker Compares to Other Options

This Pittsburgh matchmaking service has a 4.1-star rating on Google, based on 20+ reviews.

Many of the reviewers reported a positive experience, saying they had met someone through the service:

And this reviewer was happy with the quality of his matches:

There were a handful of negative reviews. This client wasn’t happy with her experience:

This client did not purchase a membership, but said he was offered a complimentary date with someone he didn’t find compatible:

Over on Yelp, The Modern Matchmaker has just a handful of reviews resulting in an overall rating of 1.6 stars. 

4 out of the 5 reviews only gave the service 1-star. Most reviewers felt they were not provided with suitable matches:

But that wasn’t always the case. In the 4-star review, the former client wrote that he met and dated a few of the women he was paired with:

The Modern Matchmaker is not accredited with the BBB but has a 1-star rating based on 1 review. 

The 1-star reviewer of The Modern Matchmaker claimed he paid $3,000 for the service and was promised 12 dates but never got one.

The BBB also reports that there has been 1 complaint filed in the last 12 months.

The Modern Matchmaker complaint was from a client who had paid $2,500 for 4 matches. Per the complaint, the client met one of them in person but didn’t think it was a suitable pairing. 

Review Analysis Summary 

A significant gap exists between Google reviews (4.1 stars) and Yelp/BBB feedback (1.6 and 1 star respectively). Negative reviews consistently cite two issues: matches that didn't align with stated criteria, and promised introductions that weren't delivered. Positive reviews tend to come from clients who found compatible matches and appreciated the personalized service.

Questions To Ask Before Signing Up

Based on review patterns, here are questions to ask during your consultation:

1. How many introductions are guaranteed in my package? Get this in writing.
2. What happens if promised introductions aren't delivered? Understand the refund policy.
3. How many active clients are currently in the database? This affects Signature-level matching.
4. What's the typical timeline for receiving introductions? Set clear expectations.
5. Can I see the contract terms before the consultation? Review cancellation and refund policies carefully so there are no suprises.

Susan Dunhoff has been in the industry for over 30 years, demonstrating staying power in the Pittsburgh market. Her comprehensive approach—including photography, profile optimization, and dating coaching—offers value beyond just introductions.

The Modern Matchmaker may be right for you if:

• You want a long-established Pittsburgh matchmaker with deep local experience
• You appreciate additional services like photography and dating guidance
• You're willing to invest in a higher-tier package for scouting beyond the database
• The Google reviews (4.1 stars) feel representative of likely experience

Consider alternatives if:

• You want month-to-month flexibility without year-long contracts
• You're at the Signature level and worried about limited database options
• You prefer transparent, published pricing before consultations
• You'd rather a service have more extensive online reviews

The Database Limitation Problem

When selecting any matchmaking service, consider where your matches come from. At The Modern Matchmaker's Signature level, you're paired only with singles in the internal database. Making consistently high-quality pairings from a limited roster of Pittsburgh singles is challenging, which is why match quality complaints appear in service reviews.

Higher-tier packages include scouting, but that increases cost significantly. Services like VIDA Select take a different approach, leveraging the largest source of eligible singles from day one.

Alternative to Consider: VIDA Select

VIDA Select uses a modern approach that leverages the single largest source of eligible singles available—meaning Pittsburgh clients can expect quality matches without database limitations.

Key advantages:

• Month-to-month packages: No year-long contracts—stop, start, or pause anytime
• Transparent pricing: Monthly matchmaking starts at $1,595/month
• Largest candidate pool: VIDA's process extends their reach for beyond any traditional matchmakers database
• Fast results: Clients meet someone special within an average of 3 months (82% success rate!)

Discover how the modern approach to matchmaking will work for you.