Tired of being single? This Valentine's Day you may not want to leave love to Cupid. But what do you need to know before trusting your heart to a dating service?

Linda Miller and James Rotheroe have a lot to celebrate this Valentine's. They met through "It's Just Lunch," three years ago and have been together ever since.

"I thought I can do an hour and then go home. Little did I know that we would get on so well," says Linda.

"And the rest is history. Here I'm sitting with a wonderful lady," adds James.

It's Just Lunch is an upscale dating service for those too busy working to meet the right person.

"I think it's a bit of a cross between modern day Cupid, personal assistant in one's dating life, and a little bit of a relationship coach as well," explains franchise owner Jacquie Brownridge.

It costs about $1,700 to sign up for a year.

I guarantee a certain number of dates within a certain time period," she says. "What I can't guarantee, is chemistry."

And that's an important distinction. The Better Business Bureau says most of the complaints it gets about dating services, centre around contract concerns.

"We see complaints come in where there is a misunderstanding of what that person was looking for in a partner," says Lynda Pasacreta of the BBB of the Lower Mainland.

The BBB gets more than seven million enquiries a year about traditional and on-line dating services in North America.

Before you sign up, it recommends you check a company's rating with the BBB. Make sure an on-line company has appropriate contact information, a phone number and address. Take time to read the contract. Ask how the company screens its members and protects your privacy.

And finally, get the refund policy in writing because the contract is binding from the moment you sign it.

And Jacquie has her own advice:

"Go with your gut feeling, you have to be really comfortable with that person because they're working with your love life," she recommends.

Linda and James would say a little courage helps too.

"The most important thing is to do something different than you've always done to find somebody who is special," suggests Linda.

"You'll start enjoying yourself, that's what I can say," concludes James.

Be sure to note if there is an automatic renewal in your contract. Otherwise, you may find you are still making payments after your life has changed.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen