I am very much a newbie. I have spent a fair amount of time learning the basics by reading the boards........how to search, how to call, how to conduct myself with a provider etc.... I thought I was ready to go. I had a list of 6 providers to try to contact. Ranked, of course, hoping to get one or two set up.

I have read that it's best to go through an agency and schedule a well reviewed provider at least early in my "hobby" . However, it seems my tastes run towards the spinners and lots of them seem to be indies. Anyway, 2 of 2 I tried at a well reviewed agency were unavailable this weekend. Another agency (not reviewed) doesn't pick up the phone. Of the indies I tried, one doesn't provide incall, even though her review said it was available. Another has a phone number that is "out of service".....even though her last review was posted a couple days ago. o for 5 so far and I have been trying on Wed. and Thurs for Saturday.

Should I expect that it takes 8 or 10 candidates to schedule 1.......even 2 or 3 days in advance? I have not even got to the screening part, so I don't think that is the problem. I can prove who I am, and that I am part of the mainstream business community.

I have seen a couple very attractive providers on sites, but they have no reviews. The boards say newbies shouldn't TOFTT.

Any thoughts out there? I am in Chicago, and the regional board seemed to be primarily provider ads. Anyone know a reliable agency that can help a newbie (without TER references on the whitelist) find a nice spinner on what will be short notice ? Or am I missing something and I just don't get it yet?