An alternative to matchmaking agencies in French-speaking Switzerland

People turn to a matchmaking agency for good reasons: lack of time, not wanting to put themselves on show online, needing advice, or simply liking a serious, discreet approach. Velvet takes these expectations seriously.

So looking for an alternative to a matchmaking agency does not mean giving up on those standards. It means choosing a different way of meeting them: keeping the selection and the discretion, while gaining independence and clarity about the terms.

A matchmaking agency sells an introduction service. The Swiss Code of Obligations defines it as follows: in return for payment, the agency undertakes to introduce you to people with a view to marriage or a stable partnership (art. 406a CO).

The process usually begins with an interview, during which an adviser gets a sense of your personality and what you are looking for. The agency then searches its client base for people who might suit you and arranges the introductions. Depending on the agency, the support can go further: advice, feedback after a date, adjustments to the search.

This human contact is an agency's real strength. An experienced person can pick up on what a form does not say, and steer the introductions accordingly.

A contract with a matchmaking agency is a special type of contract, protected by the Code of Obligations (art. 406a to 406h). A few rules are worth knowing before you sign:

• A written contract. It is only valid if it is in writing and states the number and nature of the services, the amount of the fee and the costs of each service, including the registration fee, and the terms of payment (art. 406d).
• A fourteen-day cooling-off period. The contract only comes into force fourteen days after you receive a signed copy. During that period, you can withdraw in writing, and the agency must not accept any payment (art. 406e).
• Termination at any time. You can end the contract in writing at any moment; if you do so at an inopportune time, you must compensate the agency for the damage caused (art. 406d).
• Discretion and information. The agency has a duty of discretion regarding your data and must inform you, before you sign and throughout the contract, of any particular difficulties your circumstances might pose for fulfilling it (art. 406g).
• Fees that can be reviewed. If the fee or costs are excessive, you can ask a court to reduce them (art. 406h).

These rules say something about this service: you sign a binding contract for services defined in advance. Read it carefully and compare several offers.

Velvet is a premium dating site for French-speaking Switzerland. It keeps the central idea of an agency, selection, but leaves the decisions to you. Every day, you receive a few profiles chosen to match your criteria: what you are looking for, age, distance, lifestyle and interests. Each suggestion shows your affinity as a percentage.

Discretion is built into how it works. Your profile is visible only to logged-in members, never to search engines, and you can hide it at any time. Nobody can message you without your consent: a conversation only opens when the interest is mutual. Members who wish can have their identity verified and receive a badge.

The terms are public. Three plans give the same full access; only the length changes: Découverte at 89 CHF a month, Premium at 239 CHF for 3 months, Elite at 889 CHF a year, with payment charged in euros by CCBill. The new platform opens soon; pre-registered members receive 15 days on us, which start the first time they log in and must be activated within 30 days of opening.

Let us be clear: Velvet does not offer a personal interview with an adviser or dates arranged for you. If you need someone to get to know you, advise you and prepare each meeting, a reputable matchmaking agency remains the right approach.

If, on the other hand, you want a curated selection while staying in control of your choices and your pace, Velvet is designed for you.

Ask yourself three questions. Do you need advice, or would you rather save time? Would you prefer someone else to decide on introductions for you, or to choose for yourself from a short selection? Are you ready to sign an agency contract, or would you rather have a short plan you can try out?

Nothing stops you from pre-registering with Velvet first: there is no commitment and no bank card is needed. To compare with other sites, also read our pages on the Parship alternative and premium dating sites.

A good matchmaking agency brings a human perspective that no site can replace. Velvet brings something else: a daily selection in French-speaking Switzerland, built-in discretion, prices known in advance and the freedom to choose. It is up to you to decide what matters most right now.