Saying the same thing - 1/10 being successful was referring to matches getting married, you’re saying it’s 8%. But yes, regardless I think it’s a better system where the shadchan is paid for each match made, regardless of outcome. Something like 250-300 per side would mean earning $5-7k for every 10-12 matches made, instead of 2k.
How much have you seen people pay for a reputable match maker?
Many shadchanim that I know of make suggestions that are totally ridiculous to people who know the two families. I have been involved in researching suggestions for single friends where the shadchan, when asked what made him think of this boy and this girl together, had answers along the lines of "she looks somewhat sephardi, and his mother is sepahrdi" or other equally ridiculous answers.
If the shadchan does his research properly, then paying them for it makes sense. Otherwise, even if the couple agrees to meet (generally out of desperation), I do not believe that any payment is warranted.
Another point to consider is how many people already struggle to find the money for all of the expenses associated with shidduchim. Requiring payment for dates will make people much pickier, and make the shidduch crisis worse - specially for lower income families.
