The ABIA ensures that regulations are in place to provide clients with a level of service second to none.
The ABIA is UK’s first regulatory body within the industry and the only one to have been recognised by the OFT and has worked hard in constantly keeping standards high, in what is a very competitive market as far as offline and online dating agencies are concerned. The ABIA represents the thriving offline dating industry that is continuing to expand.
In the absence, so far, of any official legislation, we strive to create a greater public and media awareness of the services we represent, whilst enhancing the image of our industry which is often tarnished due to agencies that lack experience, resources and professional acumen. It is for this reason, we also offer individuals who wish to start their own offline dating agencies, the opportunity to avail our ‘start-up agency’ consultancy service.
Whilst it would be quite wrong to infer that all non-member agencies are questionable, it is a sad fact that many are. The industry is plagued by the growth of short lived agencies whose founders expect rich returns from poorly researched and funded businesses, with many lasting no longer than a few short weeks.
The services provided by agencies are particularly personal ones. The ABIA will only allow an agency to become a registered member after assessing that minimum standards have been met and the ability to subscribe to the ABIA Code of Practice.
This is an area where consumers have the strongest need for adequate and clear information about the services being offered before any commitment is entered into. The code provisions addressing these are invaluable. Consumers need to have confidence that a Code of Practice will deliver what it promises, and the independent mechanism set up to enforce this code is able to ensure this.