...you do not have to answer to anyone about your business, but you publicly announce your business on the boards by discussing your policies, so that is where some may feel it IS their business and it jeopardizes the community as a whole. I am just playing Devil's Advocate and wanted you to see that people are not "attacking you" and you should not feel defensive. It appears that they are concerned about the business that you post about.

Anyhow, let me just put forth something:

Hypothetically, if a few years ago in Chicago, a lady had an inquiry from a new gentleman. She did not require references either, just work verification and driver's license. He said he was a mortgage broker for ABC, Co. She called ABC, Co. a secretary answered, transferred her call to his voicemail...She called another time and was transferred directly to him. All seemed okay. He showed up at her home driving a Mercedes, all seemed fine, an older gentlemen entered her home, his license verified with the name, a few minutes later without even discussing anything...BOOM....arrested. He was a law enforcement agent. They had created an alias for him to use, a fake company, a fake dl, a fake name of a "real person" who checked out. Now, had she requested references, he would not have been able to produce a "valid" one.  Because, he is not allowed to see anyone (in the line of duty, anyhow).  BUT, it has been known that even if you do require references, "fake providers" are set up where they are law enforcement, and they will say a guy fine and they are ALL law enforcement. That is why, if someday you do decide to accept references, and I really hope  you reconsider this issue, you would need to verify that the lady is a "real" provider.

Also, we are a close community. The ladies stick together and protect each other.  I give helpful details to the ladies and they do me... Okay guys, close your ears on this one... I will sometimes tell a lady "yes, have this to drink, or have this to snack on or have this kind of music"...   Wouldn't it be nice to have a little information prior to meeting someone new anyhow?

Okay, I will "step down from the pulpit now"...lol....I am sure if you wanted a sermon  you would have gone to church this morning...maybe you did...lol....Anyway, I am not attacking you (I hope you don't think I am; hell Girl, your from Pittsburgh...Go Steelers!...I luv ya') and I am sure others are not attacking you. We are just concerned about your safety and well-being as that of the community as well.

Now, go get some sun...it's a beautiful day out there today! I am heading to the Beach...

Enjoy & be SAFE!

Toni
Stepping down from my soapbox (you all have one too and get one it at one time or another, so let's have a soapbox derby one day...lol...)