All these guys complaining about writing 100 emails and getting 5 responses are right about the odds of getting a reply. But I don't think it's because these girls are stuck up or necessarily looking for an ego boost.

The problem is THAT MAYBE 15% OF FEMALES ON MATCH ARE PAYING SUBSCRIBERS. Add on top of the IDIOTIC notion that BOTH members must be paying to communicate and you have a recipe for roadblock. Hotornot has the right idea where a paying member can communicate with anyone, even if they aren't paying.

This is why match fails. There are a LOT of cute girls on match. They just don't subscribe. But if match had a reasonable policy then there's no doubt in my mind they would respond. As of right now, I'd say save your money and go for a site with a good policy regarding messaging. OKCupid is a decent free site with a lot of fun tests, but most of the girls there are either hideous and desperate or gorgeous and not really looking to date.

If match didn't charge you to see if your mail was read as well as let paying members talk with anyone, then it would be an amazing service. As of right now it's just a big waste of time. I've got a few dates with pretty girls from match lined up but it took an inordinate amount of mailing and luck. And I have no doubt these girls have dates lined up with 1000 other dudes. I think I only suceeded because I wrote good opening mails and I'm quite attractive.

Average dudes with "hey whats up" messages are doomed to fail on any site. Average dudes will have better luck at a bar or club online. Yes, looks matter more online, unfortunately.