Not sure how I am supposed to post reviews on providers that I have never seen. I mentioned in the OP that I had only ever seen one, and it was quite a while ago, before I knew this site existed. I understand, of course, that communities exist on sites like this, and that you cannot expect to be included or entrusted with secrets without establishing yourself in some way. However, I'm not sure I see why shelling out 80-something bucks for a membership to this site would enhance my credibility in any real way. I mean, is that how it works? It just seems to me that each provider's page links supply all the necessary info regarding services offered, rates, etiquette, etc., and that the portions of the reviews that are visible to non-VIPs are sufficient to gauge whether or not the provider in question is legit, the reviewer would repeat, etc. Also, there are other, non-paywall sites to scan for reviews on any providers that one might be researching.  

In any case, I'm not necessarily asking for anyone to give anything away that they wouldn't be willing to share with any other stranger asking questions of this nature. I just ask you to consider what advice you might offer someone in my position, other than paying for a subscription to this site (though, I should clarify that I am not necessarily opposed to doing so.. I just don't really see it as a necessity at this point. If you disagree please let me know why.)

Thanks.

Indeed. How dare I thank the one person who actually seemed to possess the reading comprehension skills to grasp what I was asking, and at least made some attempt to justify the value of a VIP membership to me. I suppose I should have showered you with praise for your snarky non-answer, in which you responded to a couple of sentences in my reply as if they meant something that they clearly did not. I raised the question of whether or not buying a VIP membership alone would enhance my credibility to a point where others might feel more compelled to offer any help, and later noted that while I did not see it as a necessity, I was open to input on why other members felt that it was. But alas, now that you have deemed me unworthy of your help, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you provided zero to begin with.

And I'm sorry, too, that you wasted all 8 seconds of the time that it took you to post your helpful and well articulated reply.