Here are some links to previous threads. We usually suggest finding ways to encouraging TER gents to visit you. They (we) are more likely to write a review than someone who has never even heard of TER.  
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I suggest wording such as, "Discount for experienced TER members." "Experienced" can mean anything you like: review history, posting history, .... no history .  
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Always place a time limit on a Promo or someone will contact you in 6 months expecting it.
"April Special: $X off for TER members."
"May Promo: TER members get 90 minutes for 60 minute rate."
Once you are where you want to be with regulars, you can stop posting the promo.
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Here are some links:
AlexandriaB - The beginning phase  
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion-boards/newbie-33/provider-friends-168697?frmSearch=1#168697
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Brielma_Furnes - Help, I'm An Online Newbie  
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion-boards/newbie-33/ter-ad-board-photo-board-p411-no-quid-pro-quos-168570?frmSearch=1#168570
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Charlize24 - Why is so hard to be successful????  
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion-boards/newbie-33/discounts-vs-promotions-168632?frmSearch=1#168632
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EllieFoxWeber - Is This How Agencies Work?  
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion-boards/newbie-33/re-change-nothing-168334?frmSearch=1#168334

Since you do not have PM yet, I'd better post this.  If someone claims to be a TER member, how can you confirm that w/o VIP? Using your regular contact method (email, text, VM), tell him to reply to a post (your post, for convenience) with a "secret code" or phrase or whatever. If he cannot do that, he might just be faking it.  
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~Please post a reply to my recent post with this exact phrase so I know you are really TERHandle: "Nice pics! 4321." or
~Please reply to impposter's suggestion with the following: "Hi Nina.  Impposter had another really good idea! It really is me!"  
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Good luck!

but with the right wig and makeup, you don't notice it so much. (Rim shot!)  
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Seriously, this does sound suspicious. When I was new and moderated, the typical delay was, at most, a few hours, 6 hours tops over a slow holiday weekend. Now, I get "random moderation" (annoying) but the delay is still only a few hours, at most.  
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I'll repeat my earlier suggestions, above. (1) Wait until the alleged TER guy posts a real message from his TER account with whatever confirmatory "secret code" you agree on. (2) Plunk down $25 (CC) or $40 (GC) for a month of VIP and use PM to confirm his TER handle.  
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Good luck! Stay safe!

...other than gift card is $30.00 a month. The $25.00 a month is for people that have been members for more than 5 years. Yeah, I know it's another one of those things that isn't written anywhere.

Yep, listen to both smartie and impposter - this dude you’ve been communicating with sounds fishy.

 
One of the functions on the My TER dashboard is More, which includes My Board Post.  Clicking on this will show a big list of all your board posts, including a given post’s Subject, Date, Status and Board.  Status will either be tagged as New (not moderated yet), Active (the post is up) or Not Allowed (tags the post as rejected and notes the reason why).

 
So no; “his post got caught in the lag indefinitely” is not a valid reason for it not being up.

 
As impposter and others have suggested; you should really consider getting VIP for a month so as to get your bearings.  Just use a CC and then cancel it; you’ll have it for a month without having to worry about any recurring charges.

I’m really glad it wasn’t scam and that everything worked out for you.

 
I hope all of your appointments go like this one.