The problem is precisely analogous to that of the first-time job-seeker, who complains that none will hire him without experience, and if none will hire him he cannot gain experience.  (And if you haven't passed that particular hurdle, how can you afford the indulgences you now seek?)  The solution is the same, too:  find the exceptions.  Admittedly the very best-reviewed providers can afford to and often do limit their clientele to those who can furnish good references.  But as with the job seeker, you just have to work your way gradually up the food chain, so to speak.  Perhaps some providers could chime in to answer the question, what constitutes "well-known"?  I suspect, though, that the provider who requires a reference from a "well-known" provider simply means that you need a reference from someone whom she herself happens to know.  And just maybe if you make a good-faith effort to respect her wishes, rather than copping a 'tude about the reference requirement, that itself will tend to open her door.

Two excellent replies. One possible other "exception" I'd mention:

Some of the more careful Ladies screen without using references. For example, they will require a business phone # (Main Switchboard / Receptionist / etc.), where they can call and ask for you by name. When the call gets put through to your office, they know you are who you say you are, and they know where you work. Some Ladies prefer this method to references, which can be hard to get sometimes, especially on short notice.

Others may want to meet you in a public place, see some ID, and then place a call to a friend or asociate to let them know that they are going ahead with the date, when to expect them to be done, etc.

Anyway, I have needed provider references only twice in my entire hobby experience, and both were years after I got started. One thing I've found is that if you swap a few nice e-mail notes or IM's with a Lady, she will get more comfortable about seeing you. She may not forego screening entirely, but she may be able to let the reference issue slide.

If you do correspond with the Ladies, though, kindly follow the previous poster's advice and PLEASE DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS - IT IS THE INTERNET EQUIVALENT OF "YELLING!!!!"  

-- Modified on 9/21/2002 8:26:53 PM

One question I have always had regarding references: does this breed resentment on the  part of the escort from whom you are requesting a reference? Obviously, if she gets a call requesting verification, that means that one of her clients has elected to see someone else.