offbeat2, I’m not sure why it took you all the way until that entry to deem the chinese auction ridiculous. It’s a ridiculous chinese auction for a ridiculous organization and you shouldn’t be bringing an example from them.
I personally never heard of a shadchan charging to meet you. And if they do, it makes sense not to go meet them. The shadchan indeed owes it to no one to meet with them but that doesn’t mean that every girl necessarily has to meet every shadchan. And if they decide which to meet based on whether or not they charge, that seems like a pretty sensible way of doing things.
I agree with ubiquitin.
As for the farragamo belt, you’re right that everyone is entitled to a few mishugasen and it shouldn’t be the deciding factor in any shiduch, but the question isn’t out of place when trying to get a feel of the boy.
And you meant “flare-up.” “Flair-up” would be those shadchanim who only deal with the wealthy, and there’s no reason to be concerned your post would encourage that.