While the economy may have something to do with it I think that email is just fundamentally limited as a way to get in touch with providers because as you mention providers get a lot of potentially time wasting inquiries and filtering out the legit ones can be difficult.

I've found the best approach is to send the ALL the required info via an initial email request and then follow up with a phone call. The call (and subscribing to services such as P411) suggests you are more serious and talking to you can provide a level of comfort than email can't.

If after trying this you still get no response just move on.

A couple of other observations;

Always remember the golden rule of dating: Desperation is never attractive. Do not make more than 2-3 attempts to contact a provider within a short time period. Either they have a reason not to follow up or you are just reinforcing bad behavior, neither is helpful.

Where there is drama, there is BS. This applies both in reviews and message board posts. I always look at a providers best and worst reviews first. Often times the worst ones are obviously not a reflection of the providers shortcomings but rather the clients and in other cases reviews can tell you where a providers shortcomings are. A provider does not necessarily need to be a great communicator to be successful, although many are very good, but you need to be able to read between the lines.

Having said that the posters who often have drama surrounding their message board musings should not be trusted when it comes to reviews. I have followed up with providers regarding certain attention seeking clients and what they post here to discover that their reviews and postings are not grounded in reality. No big shock there but beware the drama queens...

By contrast the providers who post here, both the regulars and visitors, as well as less frequently posting locals tend to be some of the most friendly and responsive.

I think you may have just hit a string of bad luck, there are lots of great and responsive ladies here and I'm sure you'll connect with one eventually.

Yeah but I think the OP is right as is Earl.  

I've basically stopped trying to get a date with local ladies 'cause the hassle outweighs the benefits,

I'm whitelisted, RS2k etc as well, but aside from a few providers I can't get a date because of the process.  Shoot I had one lady last week ask for 3 references for a repeat visit!!  

I told her we had seen each other all I got was "I don't do references or keep track of my clients babe" and no effort to remember the previous date.

I have no problem providing some info, but if I can get a date with a hot visitor for the same price as a local and not have to run a gauntlet every time, I'm taking my money there.

This is now a question I ask at first contact, if the answer is no, I move on.  If the answer is yes and I see the lady and she lied to me, I will do my best to share this with every hobbiest I know.

Generic emails going to junk files, ladies issue, not the guys.  If she suggests email as first contact she better fix that junk file pretty quickly.

What does a bad economy have to do with answering an email?  Called side stepping the question or making up excuses in my eyes.

I will go out on a limb and say that the biggest issue is ladies coveting their clients and not wanting them to see other ladies, thus the no reference and bad vibes they send to keep their clientele.

The thought of a guy sending all his information in the initial email is crazy at best, why would any guy do that?  His private information would be everywhere! Not that I advocate sending that private info in any case.  This is illegal for everyone and references and reviews are designed to be protect everyone.  Those that don't understand that will hopefully run out of oppotunity and leave the hobby all together.

I would also think that the ladies would disassociate with other ladies that are not reference friendly.  Why help those that are not willing to return the favor, I am pretty sure many of you ladies get together on a pretty regular basis.

Certainly not my place to tell you all how to play in the hobby, just some thoughts as I see them.

In response to the statement that the OP had made too graphic of statement in an initial email, it may be the case in many of your emails, I have never had a lady tell me that.  No money talk, no service talk, it is a pretty simple concept.  Those ladies without reviews and no cost per hour, should go without a call.

Play safe and help each other out, ladies and gents both included.

Re: My Name is Earl...

There is a pattern of no calls back, schedules
are demanding on both ends.. Sometimes I open end
the request indicating I will work with her schedule and still no reply back.  and all info
to make her comfortable is in place.  Makes a boy
head for other happy hunting grounds  NY LA or LV

I wish it was not so............