Ningbo matchmaking and dating platforms have received money but have no result. Can they return it?- Zhiheng Law Firm

In Ningbo, people spend anywhere from a few thousand to over a hundred thousand yuan on matchmaking agencies or dating platforms, only to meet very few potential partners; or they meet someone, the relationship doesn’t work out, or they get married and then divorced. As a result, many people’s first thought is: Can I get my money back?

To start with the conclusion: a refund is possible, but it depends on three factors—how your contract is worded, whether the matchmaking agency actually performed its services, and whether there was any deception during the process. In practice, both “no refund at all” and “full refund” are rare; in most cases, the court orders a proportional refund based on the portion that has already been performed and the actual losses incurred. If an agency engages in fraudulent practices such as using fake dates, providing false member information, or fabricating success stories, the nature of the matter changes: not only can the contract be rescinded and the fees already paid be recovered, but punitive damages may also apply.

Below, we will clarify this matter from eight aspects: contractual provisions, circumstances for refunds, refund percentages, consequences of fraud, avenues for protecting one’s rights, evidence collection, responses to institutions absconding with funds, and how to avoid pitfalls. Finally, practical tips specific to the Ningbo area are included.

1. First, check how the contract is stipulated.

The legal nature of matchmaking services is generally recognized as a service contract (some courts refer to it as a “matchmaking service contract”), while certain judgments treat it as an intermediary contract. Regardless of how it is classified, the first step is to locate the “Marriage Introduction Service Contract” or the “Romance and Marriage Services Agreement” and carefully review each clause to understand exactly what it stipulates, with particular attention to the service content, the service period, and the refund policy.

Scope and Duration of Services

The scope of services serves as the benchmark for determining whether an organization is “getting things done.” A standard matchmaking contract typically breaks the services into several stages, such as registration and profile creation, screening and matching candidates, exchanging contact information, arranging online video calls, scheduling in-person meetings, guiding clients through premarital medical examinations, and facilitating marriage registration, with each stage clearly specifying its corresponding fee percentage. Some contracts also stipulate a service period, such as “twelve months from the date of signing” or “until the date of marriage registration,” and include an additional “maintenance period” or “follow-up service period.”

By carefully reviewing the service details and the agreed timeframe, you can answer a key question: how much of the services promised by the institution has actually been delivered? Simply registering information and meeting twice are entirely different from successfully arranging a marriage that leads to legal registration; the legitimacy of charging a fee is on a completely different scale. It should be noted that the agreed-upon service details are best documented in writing or in chat records, as verbal agreements are difficult to substantiate.

Is the “no returns, no exchanges” clause valid?

Many contracts explicitly state in black and white: “Service fees are non-refundable once paid,” “No refunds will be granted for any reason after signing the contract,” and “If marriage does not take place due to reasons attributable to Party A, the fees will not be refunded.” Can clauses of this type block your refund request? The answer is: not necessarily.

The contracts provided by matchmaking agencies are generally pre-printed, standardized forms that are used repeatedly. If a “no‑refunds” clause unreasonably exempts an institution from its obligations, imposes an undue burden on consumers, or restricts consumers’ fundamental right to request a refund, such standardized terms shall be deemed invalid pursuant to Article 497 of the Civil Code. Courts in Beijing and other localities, when handling clauses in prepaid consumption contracts that stipulate “no refunds upon expiration of the validity period,” have ruled such clauses invalid on this basis. Furthermore, pursuant to Article 496 of the Civil Code, an institution has a duty to draw the consumer’s attention to and explain any clauses that exempt or reduce its liability; if it fails to fulfill this duty, the consumer may also assert that such clauses do not form part of the contract.

The three-tiered restrictions on standard-form clauses

There are roughly three levels of regulations on standard clauses: one is entry control, and the major interest clauses that the organization does not prompt to explain may not become the content of the contract (Article 496); the other is effectiveness control, and the clauses that are unreasonable exemption, increase the other party's responsibilities, and restrict the other party's main rights are invalid (Article 497); the third is interpretation control. When there is a dispute over the understanding of clauses, an explanation should be made against the provider (I. e. the institution) (article 498). A three-tiered structure means that it will be very difficult for the institution to simply shift all responsibility by slapping on a “no refunds” clause.

However, a word of caution: the regulation of standard-form clauses can help you invalidate unfair exculpatory clauses, but it does not, in itself, render the entire contract void. As long as the contract is not subject to any grounds for invalidity, it remains valid; the issue of refund should be analyzed in light of the performance and the legal consequences.

2. Main circumstances under which refunds are available

Whether a refund claim can be upheld depends on whether the institution has fulfilled its obligations and, if so, how serious the breach is. The following five scenarios are typical cases in practice where refund requests are supported, or where the likelihood of success is relatively high.

No service provided or no substantial performance

After paying the fee, the agency either delays scheduling meetings indefinitely or only introduces two or three clearly mismatched candidates before ceasing all further communication—this constitutes a failure to provide the services as agreed. According to Article 509 of the Civil Code, parties shall fully perform their respective obligations in accordance with the agreement and, in compliance with the principle of good faith, fulfill ancillary obligations such as notification and cooperation. If the institution fails to fulfill its obligations, it constitutes a breach of contract. According to Article 577, if one party fails to perform its contractual obligations or the performance of its contractual obligations does not conform to the agreement, it shall bear the liability for breach of contract such as continuing to perform, taking remedial measures or compensating for losses; according to Article 563, if one of the parties delays in performing its debts or has other breach of contract that makes it impossible to achieve the purpose of the contract, the other party may terminate the contract. Upon termination of the contract, any fees already collected shall be refunded accordingly.

The promise does not match the reality.

In the propaganda, the organization promised to "guarantee the success of the package", "guarantee the marriage", "recommend no less than several high-quality members", "the members have all passed the real-name authentication and asset verification", but it could not be done in practice, such as the number of recommended members shrinking, information fraud, and perfunctory meeting arrangements. This "saying one thing and doing another" constitutes non-performance of the contractual obligations, and you may therefore claim a refund for breach of contract. Brochures, advertising slogans, and verbal promises made by sales personnel—any of these, as long as they can be documented as evidence—can be used to prove what the institution has “promised.”

Marriage brokers, false information, and fictitious members constitute fraud.

This is the most severe type. The so-called "marriage support" means that the organization arranges people (sometimes even their own employees) who are not sincere blind dates to meet and deal with things. The purpose is only to make you pay to renew the contract or "complete the performance" for matchmakers. "False information" includes height, educational background, income injection, concealment of marriage history, fictitious real estate vehicles, and taking photos of others as members. If an institution intentionally provides false information, or, having a duty to disclose, deliberately conceals the true facts, thereby causing you to enter into a contract and make payment based on a mistaken understanding, such conduct constitutes fraud as stipulated in Article 148 of the Civil Code. In such cases, you may request the annulment of the contract and demand a refund of the fees paid. If a mediator colludes maliciously with a dating partner to defraud others of their money, this may also render the contract invalid under Article 1

54of the Civil Code.

Service period not yet completed

If the contract stipulates a service period (e.g., one year), and before the end of that period the institution ceases operations, becomes unreachable, or explicitly states that it will no longer provide services, then the fees corresponding to the unperformed portion should be refunded. When calculating the refund amount, it may be prorated based on the remaining term and the proportion of the remaining service period to the total service period.

Business operator has ceased operations and is out of contact.

Closure, deregistration, and absconding are common scenarios in current matrimonial agency disputes, often accompanied by a recurring scheme: after collecting payments, the company is deregistered, only to reappear under a new legal entity and continue operating. In such cases, not only is the original institution required to refund the funds; if the company is dissolved without undergoing liquidation, its shareholders may also be held liable for settling the debts (see Section VII for details).

3. How much will be refunded?

A refund is not a simple either/or decision of “full refund” or “no refund”; rather, it involves calculating how much has already been paid, what services the institution actually provided, the reasonable costs incurred, and the degree of fault attributable to each party.

Determined based on the portion that has been performed and the actual losses.

It is a common practice in courts to first deduct the reasonable costs actually incurred by the institution during the provision of services from the total fees paid by the consumer. Such reasonable costs typically include expenses for providing information, arranging meetings, and covering travel and telephone expenses incurred in the course of these activities. After the deductions are made, the remaining amount shall be ordered to be returned to each victim in proportion to the actual amount received by each defendant. In other words, the more money someone collects, the more they will refund.

Common Proportion of Court Rulings

Based on publicly available court rulings on refund disputes in the matchmaking industry, courts rarely grant full refunds, nor do they ever refuse to issue any refund at all; more commonly, they order refunds of 60% to 80%. Let's look at a few examples:

In a certain case, the plaintiff paid a total of 142,000 yuan for matchmaking service fees and bride price. The court found that the agreement on high matchmaking fees violated public order and good customs and was invalid. After deducting 30,000 yuan of reasonable fees, the court ordered the matchmaking agency that actually received the payment to refund more than 59,000 yuan. Another individual and a company jointly returned more than 52,000 yuan, totaling about 112,000 yuan.
In another case, the plaintiff paid a total of 97,000 yuan, and the court also found that the high marriage fee agreement was invalid. After deducting the reasonable cost of 27,000 yuan, the court ordered the company to refund more than 59,000 yuan and the individual to refund more than 10,800 yuan.
In another case, the plaintiff actually paid 170,000 yuan, and the court recognized that the contract itself was valid, but charging high fees violated public order and good customs. Considering the faults of both parties, the plaintiff refunded the money according to the 80% order of the actual amount of money collected, totaling 136,000 yuan.

These cases reveal a pattern: the more funds an institution collects, the fewer services it provides, and the greater its culpability—leading to higher refund ratios and larger refund amounts. Conversely, if the institution has indeed undertaken substantial efforts and the consumer also bears some responsibility, the refund percentage will be adjusted downward accordingly.

The Different Consequences of Breach of Contract and Fraud

Liability for breach of contract and fraud (which may be grounds for rescission) follow two distinct legal pathways, with significantly different consequences. In the event of a breach of contract, generally only the fees corresponding to the unperformed portion may be recovered, together with reasonable damages, with the scope of compensation limited to actual losses (Article 584 of the Civil Code). If the case is treated as fraud, you may request rescission of the contract and restitution of all payments made; in cases of serious misconduct, you may also seek punitive damages. Therefore, it is essential to first determine clearly: Is the institution’s behavior simply “not done well,” or is it “deliberate deception”?

4. Consequences of fraud

If a matchmaking agency engages in fraudulent practices such as using fake members, fabricating membership profiles, or concealing material facts, the legal consequences will be far more severe than those for ordinary breach of contract.

Rescind the contract and refund all fees.

According to Article 148 of the Civil Code, where one party employs fraudulent means to induce the other party to enter into a civil legal act against its true intention, the defrauded party has the right to request the people’s court or an arbitration institution to rescind such act. To determine whether fraud has been committed, four factors are typically considered: the fraudulent party acted with intent to defraud, committed a fraudulent act, you formed a mistaken belief as a result, and you made a payment based on that mistaken belief. After the contract is rescinded, any property obtained by the institution as a result of such act shall be returned.

Triple compensation under Article 55 of the Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law

Article 55 of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Consumers stipulates that if a business operator commits a fraudulent act in providing goods or services, it shall increase the compensation for the losses it has suffered in accordance with the requirements of the consumers, and the amount of increased compensation shall be three times the cost of the consumer's purchase of goods or services; if the amount of increased compensation is less than 500 yuan, it shall be 500 yuan. In other words, if you are a consumer who has purchased matchmaking services for personal use and the agency commits fraud, you are not only entitled to a refund but may also claim punitive damages equal to three times the amount you have paid. This regulation is a “heavy weapon” in the fight to reclaim fees and protect one’s rights in the matchmaking industry.

However, it must also be acknowledged that proving “fraud” in practice is no easy task; courts have consistently adopted a cautious approach to determining fraud, requiring a complete and coherent chain of evidence. This is precisely why materials such as clues about marriage scammers, promotional pages, and chat logs are so crucial.

5. How to protect your rights

Negotiate first.

First, communicate with the institution, clearly state the refund amount and deadline, and try to keep a record in writing or via chat. Even if negotiations fail, these records will serve as the foundation for subsequent complaints or lawsuits, and they can also demonstrate that you promptly asserted your rights, thereby preventing the other party from defending itself by claiming, “You stopped raising the issue long ago.”

File another complaint

If negotiations fail, you may file a complaint with the market supervision and administration department by calling the 12315 hotline or submitting your case through the national 12315 platform, focusing on issues such as false advertising, marriage‑scam fraud, and refusal to issue refunds. Market regulatory authorities may summon business operators for talks and organize mediation; in cases of serious violations, they may also investigate and handle the illegal acts in accordance with the law. In addition, you may also file a complaint with the local consumer rights protection committee.

Final Litigation

If mediation fails, you may file a lawsuit. The cause of action is generally classified as a service contract dispute; some courts refer to it as a marriage‑introduction service contract dispute. The key lies in the “defendant”: Do not limit the defendant to the matchmaking agency alone; instead, include the individual who actually received the funds, the legal representative, and the shareholders as co-defendants. In the aforementioned judgments, there are cases where the individual who received the funds was directly ordered to refund the payments, as well as cases where, following a company’s dissolution without proper liquidation, its shareholders were held jointly and severally liable for settling the outstanding debts. Including the institution, the payee, and the shareholders can significantly increase the likelihood of actually receiving the funds.

6. How to collect evidence

In matchmaking disputes, the outcome often hinges on the strength of the evidence. It is recommended that, from the very first day of engagement with the institution, you begin to keep records according to the following checklist:

Contracts and Agreements: Marriage brokerage service contract, service agreement, letter of commitment, and supplementary agreement. Please retain the original documents or clear photographs thereof.
Payment record: bank account, WeChat or Alipay transfer voucher, receipt and invoice. Pay special attention to “Who is the payee?”—is it a corporate account or an individual account? Make sure to note the name clearly.
chat records: wechat chat, voice and call recording with salesmen and matchmaker, and focus on keeping promises such as "guarantee marriage", "package success" and "all members are real.
Publicity page: screenshots of the agency's advertisements on stores, public numbers, short videos and dating apps, indicating the time and source of the screenshots.
marriage support clues: the abnormal performance of blind date, refusal to in-depth communication, inconsistent identity information, suspected employees of institutions, etc., can point to the "marriage support" material value is extremely high.
service records: the meeting time arrangement, the number and information of the recommended objects, and what services the organization actually provides are used to prove "failure to perform or not performing properly".

The earlier the evidence is fixed, the better, especially the chat records and publicity pages, which are easy to be deleted or removed from the shelves by institutions.

What if the 7. mechanism runs away and changes the shell

After the cancellation and loss of the organization, many people think that the money is completely out of the question. In fact, there are still several ways to go.

Multiple Defendants: The matchmaking agency, the individual who actually received the payment, the legal representative and the shareholder are listed as the defendants. The more responsible subjects, the greater the likelihood of repayment.
investigate the responsibility of shareholder's capital contribution: if the company goes through the cancellation registration without liquidation, which leads to the inability of liquidation, the creditor can claim that the shareholder and actual controller of the limited liability company should bear the responsibility for the company's debts; if the shareholder or the third party promises to bear the responsibility for the company's debts when going through the cancellation registration, they should also bear the corresponding responsibility.
Check the abnormal operation: check whether the institution is listed in the list of abnormal operation and whether there is a record of administrative punishment through the national enterprise credit information publicity system. These information can not only be used as evidence, but also help you judge the integrity of this family.

For the situation of "shell-changing" operation, we can compare whether the personnel, address and collection account of the old and new companies are highly coincident. If the coincident degree is very high, we can try to claim that the two subjects are related and require joint responsibility.

8. How to avoid pitfalls

Carefully review the contract: Before signing, read each clause regarding service details, fee structure, and refund policies. Object on the spot to any unfair terms such as “no refunds whatsoever”; if they can be amended, insist on changes; if not, do not sign.
Refuse high upfront payments: Services that require you to pay tens of thousands, or even over a hundred thousand yuan in one lump sum, while promising to "guarantee marriage," carry extremely high risks. Paying in installments and linking payments to the progress of services significantly reduces the risk.
Preserve evidence: Keep copies of contracts, bank transfer records, chat logs, and promotional screenshots in multiple locations—don’t store them solely on one phone.
Verify the institution’s qualifications: Before signing a contract, check its business license, scope of business, date of establishment, and whether it has any litigation or penalty records. Try to avoid institutions that have just been established, have undergone frequent changes, or have a poor reputation.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Once the contract is signed and the money has been paid, is it absolutely impossible to get a refund? Not necessarily. Contracts are one thing, but standard-form clauses such as “no refunds whatsoever” are likely to be invalid; if the service has not been provided at all, or has only been partially provided, you can still request a refund.

Question 2: I’ve met several people, but it didn’t work out—can I get a refund? It depends on what service you’re purchasing. If the contract promises to "promote marriage", the organization will only arrange a few meetings and ignore them, and can claim a refund for the unfulfilled part. If most of the agreed stages have been completed, the refund ratio will be reduced accordingly.

Question 3: My blind date is a marriage broker; can I demand triple compensation? If the institution has indeed engaged in fraudulent conduct, you may, pursuant to Article 55 of the Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law, demand a refund plus three times the amount as compensation. The prerequisite is proving fraud; the dating-scammer leads constitute the core evidence.

Question 4: The organization has already been deregistered—against whom should I still file a lawsuit? You may sue the individual who actually received the funds, as well as the shareholders and the de facto controller of the company who dissolved it without conducting a lawful liquidation, and require them to bear liability within the corresponding scope.

Question 5: Not only did it not work out, but we were also charged a high bride price—can we reclaim the bride price together? Marriage brokerage fees and betrothal gifts are two different things. The return of betrothal gifts is generally handled in a separate case and is determined based on whether marriage registration has been completed and whether the parties have lived together; as for matchmaking fees, they are claimed in accordance with the performance of the service contract.

Question 6: How long will it take to litigate this type of case, and how much will it cost? Cases involving refunds in the marriage‑brokerage sector typically involve relatively small amounts in dispute and are often handled under simplified procedures, resulting in a comparatively short trial period. Litigation fees are charged as a percentage of the claim amount; for claims of relatively low value, the costs are limited. Whether or not to hire a lawyer is something you can decide for yourself based on the specifics of your case and the amount involved.

10. Practical Insights from a Lawyer

The outcome of disputes of this type is often determined at the moment the contract is signed. First, gather all the relevant documents: the contract, payment receipts, invoices, promotional materials, and chat logs and audio recordings with the sales representative. Then, compare each item against the services promised by the institution to determine how much has actually been delivered. A reputable matchmaking agency will divide its services into stages such as registration and profile creation, screening and matching, and arranging dates, with corresponding fee structures. The number of people you’ve met and the stage of the matching process directly determine how much of the fee can be refunded. Don’t just take the other party’s word for it when they say they’ve already introduced you; use records to specify the exact number of times and the specific individuals involved.

It also depends on whether the contract contains any loopholes in its standard terms. The common "service fee will not be refunded once it is collected" and "non-refundable if you fail to get married for your own reasons" in the contract are pre-printed and repeatedly used by the institution. If it unreasonably exempts the institution from its obligations and restricts your main right to refund, you can claim that it is not effective or binding on you. When negotiating, explain this layer first, and then talk about the refund plan. At the same time, keep the records of your requests for refund voluntarily, the other party's refusal or delay. These are both evidence of rights protection and proof that you have not given up your rights.

If you’re serious about pursuing your rights, follow this order: first try negotiation, then file a complaint with the market regulator or the consumer association, and finally, take legal action. Don’t disrupt the sequence. Before the prosecution, the industrial and commercial registration, shareholders, affiliated companies and actual collection accounts of the organization should be found out, because running away and changing shells are the old problems of this kind of industry. When the payee and the contracting party are inconsistent, the main body should be listed together. When negotiating, it is best to have two bottom lines: the acceptable refund amount and the longest waiting period; If the other party presses you with "you don't cooperate", it will use the chat record to restore the passing of each buck and loss of contact. In the future, when signing contracts, include the service details and refund policy in the agreement, offer installment payments, and retain a final payment—this will save you a lot of trouble.

If a matchmaking or dating platform takes your money but delivers no results, that money isn’t wasted. Whether a refund is possible and the amount of the refund depend on three factors: the terms stipulated in the contract, the extent to which the services were actually performed, and whether any fraud occurred during the process.

give three practical suggestions: first, ask and write clearly the service content, charging standard and refund rules before signing the contract, and be alert to "package marriage" and "no refund"; second, transfer the payment to the agency's corporate account as much as possible and ask for the voucher, and keep all the contract, chat and publicity evidence; third, once a dispute occurs, negotiate first, then complain (12315), and then litigate. When suing, the institution and the actual payee and shareholders are listed as defendants.