There are almost as many opinions about how to go about this as there are people reading discussion boards. These are my thoughts. Many will disagree.
Click on TER General Boards, then click on FAQ for Newbies, then click on Self Help Center and read, read, read. As you have questions that aren't answered, use the Search function. Or do that first. At the front page of the Minnesota Discussion Board click on Search, then search for "Getting verified" in the subject field for the last thousand days. You'll get four pages of hits. Run the same search in the Newbie Board. There are guys who think you should give up your SS# and bank account. There are guys who think the lady should wear a blindfold the whole time you're with her. Read until you are comfortable you have read both sides of every argument and then make up your own mind. TER is a great resource if you read it but there are no simple answers nor any guarantees. Join P411. They will ask you for personal information that will make you uncomfortable, but it's better to give that info to a site based in Canada; that trumpets the fact they don't save your info once they have verified you; and that a good percentage of the reputable providers in Minnesota have joined and give some credence. Others will disagree but it's what I did seven years ago and I have never regretted it. You can search P411 for Newbie Friendly providers. Doesn't mean they won't screen you - does mean they probably won't ignore you. Then search for Reference Friendly so she will answer when the next lady asks for an opinion. Join TER as a VIP member, at least for the first month, and spend a lot of time reading reviews. There is good information in there, not just about the providers themselves, but also about the various schemes they use to get you to their door so they can feel safe. You think it is the labors of Hercules, they think it helps them not get arrested or assaulted. If you want what they have, they win. It gets easier after the first time, if she will give you a whitelist and P411 Okay especially. Listen to your gut, not the little head. If someone asks you for information you just don't want to give, don't give it. Try someone elseI contacted my first provider to ask about alternatives to provider references since I have none. I kind of expect she'll ignore or give me the 12 labors of Hercules
Should I be doing anything on my own to get the ball rolling? I know about 411, is it neccessary to use any other services to establish oneself?
Is there a compilation of the most important threads and posts to be read by a newcomer?
I should know more than I do about all of this and it's probably a good idea to read the provider informative posts as well as things that went wrong in the pursuit of happiness.
Thanks
If you click on the "My TER" tab above, you'll find a "self help center" link down a ways on the left side. Indispensable info for the newbie, all in one place. Also, there's a newbie discussion board that you should check out in addition to this one.
There are almost as many opinions about how to go about this as there are people reading discussion boards. These are my thoughts. Many will disagree.
Click on TER General Boards, then click on FAQ for Newbies, then click on Self Help Center and read, read, read. As you have questions that aren't answered, use the Search function. Or do that first. At the front page of the Minnesota Discussion Board click on Search, then search for "Getting verified" in the subject field for the last thousand days. You'll get four pages of hits. Run the same search in the Newbie Board. There are guys who think you should give up your SS# and bank account. There are guys who think the lady should wear a blindfold the whole time you're with her. Read until you are comfortable you have read both sides of every argument and then make up your own mind. TER is a great resource if you read it but there are no simple answers nor any guarantees.
Join P411. They will ask you for personal information that will make you uncomfortable, but it's better to give that info to a site based in Canada; that trumpets the fact they don't save your info once they have verified you; and that a good percentage of the reputable providers in Minnesota have joined and give some credence. Others will disagree but it's what I did seven years ago and I have never regretted it. You can search P411 for Newbie Friendly providers. Doesn't mean they won't screen you - does mean they probably won't ignore you. Then search for Reference Friendly so she will answer when the next lady asks for an opinion.
Join TER as a VIP member, at least for the first month, and spend a lot of time reading reviews. There is good information in there, not just about the providers themselves, but also about the various schemes they use to get you to their door so they can feel safe. You think it is the labors of Hercules, they think it helps them not get arrested or assaulted. If you want what they have, they win. It gets easier after the first time, if she will give you a whitelist and P411 Okay especially.
Listen to your gut, not the little head. If someone asks you for information you just don't want to give, don't give it. Try someone else
I've used a number of times and never had any problems. And, as minn4evr, being based in Canada makes it much harder for US LE to get anything useful out of them.
TER & P411 go hand in hand for so many in MN. Each stand on their own and P411 Okays and TER whitelists is respectful of everyones time. It's the only way providers will meet with clients in NY for the most part. MN is catching on. It's easy, respectful and de-clutters the process.
-- Modified on 1/6/2016 4:00:59 PM