minimize the risks

Minimize the risks - yeah, don't do it. Think of the worse possible outcome (and I don't mean just a bad session). Are you ready for that? I guess some guys get an extra rush from the risk, but if you're not one of those guys - take the safe route. Always.

is entirely up to you but if you are in a position to lose a lot and you still want to test the waters then you need to do as much research as possible before you take that leap of faith. Damn that was a long assed sentence. Must be the booze talkin..lol. But regardless you had better have as much info as you can get before you do. Google is your friend. Run a search on her phone number. If she has pics posted then do a Google Image search to see if the pics show up elsewhere. Those are just the baby steps but they will get you closer to your goal. Do RESEARCH man.

I think every guy wants to be able to say he was a new ladies "first". Sounds good on paper and won't be worth a shit typed into a divorce settlement. I've been lucky enough to be 2nd or third a time or two but only on the recommendation of respected reviewer friends and in one case a highly respected lady. Good enough for me, being that first reviewer is more risk than I'm wiling to take. Thought about it once, new provider posted an ad here, pics intrigued me, even had a legitimate looking website. Email communication seemed legit, flowed easy but my BS detector said something just isn't right. Said a friend introduced her to this, friend she mentioned was a former lady with a now defunct agency and she hasn't had a review in a couple years. I know there are ladies who don't have a presence here but it didn't add up. Google searched the pics and how could a fella get so lucky to have a British TV personality providing in Greensboro? Questioned her about it, and she's not been heard from since. Best case I would have opened the door to a 5 foot tall 300 pound woman with a handlebar mustache. Worst case I could have got an all expense paid trip to the gray bar hotel and Miss Case's lawyer asking me "how much you got fool? I want it!!" So being that TOFTT guy had never crossed my mind again.  

On another note, besides here and P411 where else can a fella shop? BP isn't for me and I've heard mixed reviews about Eros.

Her name. If she offers doubles do the same with the partners. Search my name if you want to know why I agree that Google is your friend. I put it on the general board or Atlanta. Too much to retype on phone. Be safe

Thanks for the good advice. You have convinced me.

I'm in a similar situation: a lot to lose personally and professionally.  I review when I can as payback, but rarely get the opportunity to pay forward.
Good question tho, where to find safe providers?
Finally, I do have email here if there are questions.

"better safe than sorry"
"Minimize the risks"
"leap of faith"
"all expense paid trip to the gray bar hotel"
"a lot to lose"

I can't believe the Nancies on this board.

You guys make it sound like we're going into battle. Quit freeloading off the rest of us and make your contribution. If everyone were like you guys there would be no reviews at all because everyone would be too scared. Besides, anyone with half a brain can avoid these "risks". You have to be a moron to get busted by LE, and there's plenty of those to keep them busy. And you could get into a scrape with a thug any time you step out of your house. The only real risk is crap service and money wasted. And quit this talk about how you have so much more to lose. You have no more to lose than anybody else.

You've been in the hobby for a few months? You should absolutely NEVER
TOFTT.

I routinely TOFTT because I live in an area where virtually no well-reviewed providers
exist. I have to drive 2 hours to find just a few, and 4 hours to find a selection. I don't
have the money to book long dates with high-end providers, and am sure as hell not
going to drive 4 hours, spend an hour in the sack, and then drive 4 hours home.

So, I TOFTT with BP, CL, and other providers. I've done pretty well, had some really
good encounters, and a few disappointing ones. Never been robbed or arrested.

Of course, my first paid date was in the mid-eighties, and I have been a member of
several major boards like TER for more than ten years. I have developed strategies
and methods to TOFTT and to avoid unpleasant outcomes. I can't teach them to you in
25 words or less.

There is only one relatively safe route for a newbie to hobby, and that is to follow the basic
rule - see only well-reviewed providers. If you have anything at all to protect, follow the rule.

When you said your life experience couldn't afford the risk, you answered your own question. Don't risk it. The hobby is risky enough without unnecessarily adding to it.

I took a chance last year.........

and she turned out to be a true sweetheart.  Seeing her tomorrow.  Probably for the ninth or tenth time, maybe more.  Couldn't be more happy that I took a risk.

BTW, I NEVER pay until after the event.  That avoids any issues.  I know some girls may have issues with that, but that is just the way I roll.  If someone demands payment before, well, I walk out.  And I have.