It sounds as if you have done a good amount of research so I don't know what I can add, though I will answer your questions.

1.  I have a screening form and accept email only IF it has the same info provided.  Everything is email until the day-of when I ask for a confirmation call.  Of course, friends that I've already met can email or call anytime.  Very FEW time wasters will bother with this.

2.  No I do not use 3rd party verification.  I want to know what and how info was checked, noone cares about me as much as me.

3.  I don't know.  I'm sure they have contacted me (?)  It would be silly to assume otherwise.  Anyone who lies in my screening or breeches common sense protocol, end of communications.  (knock on wood)  I am fortunate and blessed... and I'm told - pretty sharp as well... no problems to date.

4.  I ask for my gift in an envelope.  
Yes, sometimes I have to ask.  Their mind is somewhere else LOL!
No negotiations allowed.  See #3.

5.  I happily provide references for any lady whom I can confirm is legit.

6.  Most of my friends have come as direct referrals from my FBSM work, the boards, and Eros.  I am not listed in the search engines.

Play safe, have fun!

I'm no seasoned veteran but can offer the following:

1) Personally I like email as an introduction.  It's hard if your looking for something immediate but I still prefer it.

2) The first girl I ever saw had a system whereby she would meet people in advance for coffee and a chat.  She wasn't a high volume provider as she had another job and escorted as a way of supplimenting her income.  I liked the approach of an initial meeting as it served to allow her to screen me but it also allowed me to screen her.

3) I'm not a provider so I truly cannot say.  I think I would do my best to meet some of the ladies in the area and see if they would allow you to work from their referrals.

4) I think the best way to handle this if a guy hasn't left it on the counter or pursuant to your web instructions is to invite him to "settle his account"  and then take a shower.  It's probably all in the presentation.  Personally I don;t think there is anything wrong with negotiating with a provider if you have something different in mind.  However, I would never ask a girl to reduce her rate because I simply wanted to pay less.  There will always be cheap guys, I think it comes with the territory.  Insofar as your rates, keep in mind that the market will be bare what the market will bare...

5. ?

6. Again, I would attempt to befriend a local provider or once you have seen one or two guys, use them to network (if they are the type of guy you would like to continue seeing).  I'm pretty discrete about my contacts but have on occaisions hooked a friend up.  If it ever comes up when I'm with my buddies there are many ways to provide a reference without actually getting in to a verbal TER type review and implicating yourself...

I think that first and foremost the idea is to be safe and discrete.  Eventaully after time things should pick up to a level you are comfortable.

My opinions are in parentheses....

1.  To avoid hang ups and time wasters I am just going to have hobbyists email initially (with info such as name, place of employment, verifiable phone #, etc).  Do any of you providers use email only and then follow up with a phone call to those who seem serious?

(I only use email initially for new friends, and it works out very well.)

2.  Have any of you used RK2 or any similar type of verification service? If so, do you find it reliable? My gut tells me I'd rather do the verifying myself, who's going to care about my own safety more then me.

(I love RS2K, but everyone has their own way of screening. Just do what is right for YOU.)

3.  Have you ever had LE make an appointment with you? Besides the obvious (talking about sex, asking how much for specific acts) what else should I look for as a tip off?  If you ever have been face to face with one alone, what exactly did you do to get out? Have any of you ever been arrested? What were the consequences? I realize local laws vary. I'm in CT.

(I have had several LE officials *try* to make an appointment with me, but it never went anywhere. All I can say is screen, screen and SCREEN!!)

4. Handling the donation: I've stated in my website "place in unsealed envelope in plain site etc" but do men always rememeber or are there times when you have to ask? Do you just leave it there where it was placed or pick it up and count (that does seem tacky, but what if it's the wrong amount?

(About 99% of my gents place it in an unsealed envelope somewhere where I can see it. If they forget, before they leave I just ask if they "forgot something". If the person has a habit of shorting girls, I will count it very discreetly. Go with your gut, but counting it in front of a gent is very tacky, IMHO.)

Also with the donation I will have it clearly stated what I charge. It seems to be in line with other providers in my area. Do men ever try negotiating before a meet, during?

(No negotiations - period!! If they haggle with you, just ask them to leave, or leave yourself. Not worth the trouble. LE is known for doing things like that as well.)

5. How did you ladies feel about giving out references to other providers? I've seen that listed on several websites.

(I am very open to giving references - I don't mind at all!)

6.  If you are an independent how did you get started? Besides having my site on the top of search engines any other thoughts? How did you get your first TER review? I've seen the "taking one for the team" posts from the men.

(Get started by posting on the boards and jump on in! Just remember to follow the rules of the board (regarding posting your ads) and you should be fine. As far as getting your first review, it will just happen!)

Hugs,

Vanessa Sue