Parting agencies, which offer services to people who want to end relationships but feel embarrassed or don't know how to do it, have recently popped up on the Chinese e-commerce website Taobao, Yanzhao Metropolis Daily reported on Thursday.

"If you want to break up with someone but are worried about hurting him or her, let us help you," one site says.

"We promise that we'll do it in the most proper way and reduce the pain to a minimum."

Many online shops have similar advertisements. The service typically costs 20 yuan ($3.13) to 200 yuan, depending on the circumstances.

These services have triggered controversies. Some think it unreasonable to help people break up, while others think they just meet the consumers' needs.

Since it is hard to define whether the break-ups are successful, disputes may easily arise between consumers and agencies. Consumers should be careful about which company or service to use, an insider warned.