I spoke to the husband of a “prominent” boro park shadchan, and by prominent, I mean that she has been quoted before in articles, mentioned on blogs, ect. (I’ll not mention her name).
I asked him how to go about getting a friends daughter “listed” with her, or to see if she’s already on the list.
His reponse: Call on Monday; that’s when the SECRATARY is in. Mind you, in previous conversations with the husband (when wife was slammed for being price driven, and he was defending her) he said she work “l’shem shomayim” (his words).
So I ask, why the secratary? His response: with over 4000 names, she needs one.
4000 names? Gevald, no wonder we have a crisis. AZ is right, you need to find a quality shadchan, not quantity. Forget the lists, and ask your married friends / family members to put you in touch with the people that worked magic for them.
And do yourself a favor. Be proactive. Find the shidduch YOU want, do the homework, and then have someone do the actual shidduch call. That way, the incentive is already in place (at least 1 side is ready to roll).