When We FirstReviews of whenwefirst.com

Sandra truly cares about her clients. She has 15+ years of experience in the industry and started the first hybrid dating app combining the option to swipe or choose actual human one on one care, coaching and matchmaking. She challenges clients to look beyond their “type” and get out of their own way because let’s face it, your “type” is probably not working for you if you’re still on all the apps and not having any luck. She along with the matchmaking team and recruiters screen and vet your dates (if you go the matchmaking route), share profiles before dates and reasons why you align, once both parties say “yes”, your date is setup with a public and preferred restaurant partner, and after each date the team checks in because they want your feedback. What were the green flags? Were there any red flags? This helps the team with coaching because everyone can use a little coaching at times. Dating intentionally and more safely is why people go this route along with being fed up with other avenues they have exhausted while being busy hard working professionals who are tired of wasting their time. When We First does the work for you! There’s also an ID check, Zoom call, etc. to ensure people look like their pictures and are honest about their age because let’s face it…people don’t always tell the truth on apps. I 100% endorse Sandra and her team.

Sandra Hatton did a great job of researching, vetting, and introducing. She made the process seamless and easy and it resulted in a really nice meeting and a very promising match.

I signed up primarily for matchmaking and unfortunately have been disappointed with the experience. Over the course of my membership, I received very few introductions, including only one in-person date through the service this year. Another concern was that all three women I was introduced to were also introduced to a friend of mine who became a client after I referred him to the service. I understand that some overlap can happen in matchmaking, but having all three of my introductions overlap was disappointing and made the service feel less personalized than I expected. More recently, the focus shifted from providing introductions to requiring additional conversations about feedback/coaching before moving forward. I made it clear that I’m open to constructive feedback and feedback after dates, but that my main reason for signing up was matchmaking and that I wanted to focus on completing my remaining introductions. I understand that a matchmaker needs to consider compatibility and feedback from both sides, but for the amount of time and money involved, I expected substantially more matchmaking activity and a greater focus on delivering the service I originally signed up for. Unfortunately, my experience has not met those expectations.

Trustpilot confirmed my review does NOT CONSTITUTE DEFAMATION & will remain published. My reviews represent an accurate reflection of the services received—as written by a professional, mature adult—and are certainly not "personal retaliation." This is evidenced by my first bringing concerns regarding WWF's services to the founder in Sept 2025 and my initial refund request in Jan 2026, both before any alleged conflict. My dissatisfaction remains entirely related to service issues, which remain my focus. I have conducted myself professionally in my reviews by omitting irrelevant or emotionally-charged matters from my complaints. Of note, HALF the 5-star reviews (or 9 of 18) are for a matchmaker NO LONGER WITH WWF, as confirmed by the founder in an April 29 email. Their departure necessitated my 2nd refund request. WWF REQUESTED I provide "more [review] details"; I did, bc my review was removed when I did not. I believe WWF's subsequent response demonstrates a lack of professionalism, unwillingness to accept feedback, & poor customer service. My concerns include: Poor Complaint Resolution WWF refused my prorated refund request, itemized list of services, & explanation of how successful services could occur going forward. WWF’s offer to retain a dissatisfied client for services is highly unusual. Alternatively, their offer to terminate w/out a refund (resulting in a loss of $3,175) is unacceptable. -Lack of Matchmaker Continuity Matchmaking is an inherently personalized, relationship-driven service. Over the span of just 7 months, my account was shuffled through 4 separate matchmakers (MM) due entirely to internal company turnover or incentives offered. *Documentation confirming these changes were offered as incentives by WWF have been provided.* This constant matchmaker turnover destroyed the continuity of services, forced me to repeatedly restart the intake, rapport building, and relational processes, & resulted in a total failure of consideration and material breach of contract. A successful Client-MM relationship cannot occur when trust & rapport have been irrevocably damaged—yet WWF offers MM services as a primary resolution while simultaneously failing to address how they will repair the client-MM relationship despite my request. *Documentation of WWF's refusal has been provided.* Most egregiously, my current MM is the COO, who is not listed on the “Client Engagement + Matchmaking” team. By reassigning my account to a senior executive, WWF has displayed a total inability to deliver the expert matchmaking services I paid for. WWF has effectively abandoned the specialized, expert services and violated the very premise of our agreement. Transparent Billing I requested an invoice for services and WWF refused, despite my NOT requesting personally identifying information. Therefore, WWF’s refusal based on privacy concerns is unfounded. Transparent accounting is standard business practice. Their refusal is circumspect at best. Location My “dating hub” was established in correspondence w the Director of Client Engagement on 9/1/25-over a month before the contract was signed. The claim I later changed the location is incorrect; WWF was aware of my residence prior to contract execution. Documentation of my requested dating hub was provided to WWF. Fee The intake coordinator confirmed via text on 9/2/25 that my rate was based on a promotion offered at the time. Privacy Issues & Lack of Appropriate Technology: WWF confirmed that they lack the basic technology to prevent ongoing access to client profiles that are shared as emailed PDF files to individuals unknown to clients. My specific profile sharing request did not represent a significant shift in business practices but was a necessary measure due to WWF’s inability to ensure privacy through other means. Business Operating Costs Vetting & recruitment efforts serve WWF's general "rolodex" of matches, acquisition of additional paying clients, & business development-these should be considered standard operating & recruitment costs rather than services billed exclusively to my account. Specifically, WWF has confirmed that matches are vetted & maintained in their "rolodex" of potential matches to be considered as matches for ALL applicable clients. Moreover, the founder confirmed that MMs work as a "team," discussing matches vetted for *one* client to determine if they may be suitable for *other* clients. Furthermore, the founder confirmed efforts to *recruit* potential matches as paying clients when vetting these individuals for me, to which I noted my concerns. My review represents an accurate reflection of my experiences with WWF & is solely based on those experiences.

I have done matchmaking before (twice) and I never talked to a matchmaker unless I asked for a call back. Sometimes that would never even happen. I like getting weekly calls, feel encouraged, learning a lot about myself and dating. Overall having a good experience and feel like I am supported. There's a lot of focus on coaching so if that isn't your thing, you can skip it, but I personally appreciate that kind of thing and I call it my dating therapy! Hope to meet my person this way but if not, I feel like the experience itself is worth it for me and I love working with Sandra. I did talk to a few of the other matchmakers when I signed up and they all seem great.

I am so glad I decided to try out a matchmaker and went with When We First! I was recently divorced and wanted to get back into the dating scene but the apps seemed overwhelming and not for me. Sandra has been the perfect person to bring me back into dating. She asked questions and was part therapist making me think about what really wanted and what I was really looking for. She found me someone that is an amazing match and I’m excited to have all kinds of when we first… moments.

I've been working with When We First for a couple of months now and I'm very happy with my experience so far. They are super professional, very thoughtful in their approach, and always looking to go the extra mile to help you find connection. Dating isn't easy in 2026 and I appreciate having the extra care and attention to detail that When We First brings day in, day out.

Bottom Line: I absolutely recommend When We First. Dating with When We First feels different because you’re not just being set up with someone who, on paper, is a match; you’re getting thoughtful support before and after each introduction (tips, coaching, and real guidance). I’ve been working with Claudia for a few months, and the experience has truly renewed my optimism about dating. She listens without judgment, offers honest insight, and is genuinely your biggest cheerleader. It’s a slower, more intentional dating process, but it has been the most meaningful dating experience I’ve ever had. Without endless swiping or wondering if there’s a “better” profile one click away, I feel more confident owning my dating goals and trusting the process. I have complete faith in Claudia and the team to help me achieve them. Dating will always have its ups and downs, but with When We First, you have a team not only helping you navigate it, but also cheering you on. It’s been the most refreshing dating experience, and I truly believe they’re helping me get closer to my last first date. 😊