Okay, I get what you're saying now. I guess I don't get the "desperation" felt by these particular people given that they weren't that old really. I took it as they didn't have any luck finding someone on their own, so they thought the experts couldn't do worse. If that was truly their motivation, then this experiment is a huge leap of faith and good on 'em. Unfortunately, now in hindsight, it doesn't seem like a few were legitimate.
Edited to add: I also think our own experiences impact our thoughts about this
"experiment". I truly believe in love at first sight and destiny and I lived it. I knew the day I had my first date with dh that I would marry him. We were 19 and in college and have been together for 29 yrs this August. I want to see happily ever after.