TER General Board
P411 Okays are only a part of the equation
I am one of those providers who still asks for personal information
I don't understand why this is so difficult for clients to grasp. Whitelists/P411 Okays mean different things to different people. I think the baseline we can all possibly agree on is that they show that you saw a provider without incident. That's meaningful but only to an extent, as behaviors change from person to person. And also because some providers are being coerced to give them, or giving them out in exchange for positive reviews.. which makes them even less meaningful. Case in point: a client contacted me a couple of months ago to set up an appointment. He was somewhat difficult and couldn't follow directions so I realized that I wasn't sure I wanted to see him. But what really sealed the deal? He essentially said, "I promise I'm a good guy. I just don't want to turn over my personal information for my own safety. You can contact my most recent whitelist for a reference" (the message was long, I'm paraphrasing)I contact the whitelist and say, "Recently (username) contacted me and I see you whitelisted him in TER. He said I could use you as a reference. I am not really sure about seeing him but if you have a positive reference I would possibly reconsider"
And she replied saying yes, he was very difficult to deal with. If you have even a borderline negative experience with a client, why are you whitelisting him? I would only whitelist a client I could give a positive reference for. If you are difficult with me during screening or during an appointment? No. Not happening. The same way I would not give an employment reference to a colleague who was difficult to work with. No need to argue that point. If you feel differently about my policy for giving them out. Kudos to you
)) Even outside of that- I need to know who I am seeing. Point blank period. If I can't verify your identity before the appointment and also see that your name doesn't show up in criminal records databases for the city we are in and the city you are from... that's a scary thought. There's literally a video online of a provider being attacked and robbed by a client. I'm not sure the circumstances of their meeting. But I can assure you, if she screened him properly, the whole process of trying to recoup her belongings and file a complaint against him is a bit less of a headache. If something happens during an appointment, and heaven forbid a client were to turn violent or rob a provider, that lady would need more than a P411 username to give to them. A name, an age, where you are from, with a physical description is best. There are plenty of other reasons. If you're in a small area, knowing your personal information may prevent you from seeing someone you know. If a provider has a day job? She may not want to see someone she may now or in the future work around/for. Or maybe she is on parole and cannot fraternize with other felons so she wants to make sure you aren't one in case her parole officer sees y'all on a date. This complaint about being asked for screening information is the equivalent to complaining about having to show your work badge/possibly going through random screening at the building you work at even though you show up in business attire everyday..... Just because you "look" like you are safe, doesn't mean you are. Last thing I'll say on this very long reply. I respect that you may not want to provide personal information to a provider, I would hope she does as well. Do us all a favor and don't argue about our screening protocol. Don't try to convince her to change her ways. Thank her for her time, let her know you do not wish to provide that information, and move along to the next lady who interests you and has a screening method you are comfortable with. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you!
Related Link: Priya Rainelle
No need to argue that point. If you feel differently about my policy for giving them out. Kudos to you ))
Related Link: Priya Rainelle
