If you search the Newbie forum for 'references', you will find 31 posts in the past 30 days, and 70 posts in the past three months.
That's a pretty good start for getting the current perspective. And you'll find some pretty good advice there, too.
You may also wish to check out the link below.
I've been taking my time before "taking the plunge" the first time out. Having done a decent amount of research, I've found that I would only feel comfortable with a mature (35+) provider who has been around awhile, has great reviews, and a professional website. The first one I contacted wanted two reliable references, as did the second and the third. This is very understandable, but the Catch-22 is you can't get the really good without references, but I would only want a reference from a really good provider to start with. Therefore, it seems you must intentionally "lower" your standards for your first couple of encounters (arguable the most important ones) to get where you want to go. This is likely an age-old question, asked and answered many times, but it's always nice to get the current perspective.
If you search the Newbie forum for 'references', you will find 31 posts in the past 30 days, and 70 posts in the past three months.
That's a pretty good start for getting the current perspective. And you'll find some pretty good advice there, too.
You may also wish to check out the link below.
I believe there may be an alternative... sign up for one of the client verification services such as Date Check and/or Roomservice 2000... cost is minimal and
considering the $$$ you will spend on good providers in the future, well worth the investment. Info they request is no more than any reliable provider would ask for in screening you and in general will be accepted by most providers in lieu of individual reliable references.
Above all when starting out, patience is key and take the advice from ATL MGR... learn how to navigate this site and find resources that are easily available.
Very good advice, there are multitudes of seasoned providers who will "take a chance" on you with no references if you are Date-Check or Preferred 411 certified.
I have found date-check to be good for those last minute appointments.
What is the utility/advisability of using google (probably most of us have a few references on google) or the internet as a reference? To tell the truth, I'm not afraid to use my real name with a well-reviewed quality provider, and I also have a small internet business that could also be a reference. Wouldn't this suffice? Am I running too big a risk?
With most quality providers you will have to give your real name the first time you see her, if nothing else she will probably check your ID when you first see her. If you have no references, then anything you have on the internet would help prove you are legit, all depends on the lady and what info is available.