Do Online Roommate Matching Services Work?

Roommate matching services are much like dating services in that you hope to find the perfect match based on personality and other traits. Many services require you to create a profile, and some allow you to post an ad, while others find prospects for you. Whether a roommate matching service works or not depends on which service you use, their company history and the process they use to match roommates. For some it has not worked at all, but for others it has. There are no guarantees and you should stay away from roommate matching services that promise you a “perfect” match.

Some Services Go Out of Business

It says a lot about whether the services work or not when many roommate matching agencies fail or close up shop within their first year. You could blame the economy, too much competition or lack of effective marketing. However, much of the problem is likely unhappy customers who ended up with a wrong match, or no match at all. You might be better off and save money by finding your own roommate. However, there are some businesses that have been in existence for a long time and are still going strong. Research the company history of a roommate matching service that you’re interested in working with, and sign up for services that have been in business for at least 3 years.

Scams

Business failure is not the only indication that roommate matching services may not work. The number of complaints about scams from consumers is another sign that many of these services don’t work. Some scams involve complicated refund policies, resulting in people not getting their money back as promised. Other scams involve excessive fees, or a pile on of fees once the service is initiated. If you do decide to try a service, check for any complaints filed against them with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. See what types of complaints were filed and whether they got resolved. Stay away from any agency that has a pattern of not refunding money when promised. If multiple customers are complaining about an issue that’s a concern to you, choose avoid that company.

Compatibility

The roommate matching services that work take into account your compatibility with prospective roommates. For example, if you have a pet or want one in the future, then the service should only match you with roommates that feel the same way about pets. Otherwise, that arrangement won’t last long if you move in together. Someone who doesn’t enjoy pets will only tolerate yours for as long as it takes to find another roommate and living situation. Not all roommate matching services are alike, and some skip the compatibility questions and try to match you based on ads and your profile. Those may not work in finding a good match, even though you might get the names and contact information of prospective roommates.

Take into account the issues above if you decide to give a roommate matching service a try. If you live in another state or country, you may have very few options for trying to find a roommate on your own. It may be your best option.