I'm really curious about this site and trying to meet a girl through here but I'm still on the fence about it. I keep hearing that guys actually need reference from other girls he's hired and I have zero. I'm afraid of paying for a VIP membership, trying to message a bunch of girls and then having her ask "Where are your reference? You don't have any? Bye!" I guess my first question would be, how do I get over that initial hurdle?

Also, about how much do services cost? I really don't know. Could I go to NYC every 2 or 3 weeks and meet a cute girl for a 1 hour session for $200 or $300? Or is this site for really top-tier, thousands-of-dollar-per-hour type of deals?

1) Spend a few months just reading the boards, reviews, and getting a feel for how things work, especially in your area.  If you aren't willing to risk a little money on a VIP membership, then this isn't for you.
2) Join a verification service like P411 or Datecheck, whichever is popular in your area. This will let the girls know that you are an actual, interested guy.  If you aren't willing to a risk a little more money on a verification service, then this may not be for you.
3) On P411 (and I'm sure Datecheck) some of the girls will be newbie friendly and will see you without reviews.  Be prepared, however, to be verified again.  You may initially balk at these verifications, but they are mostly very discreet.  They may include a lady calling your office, asking to speak to you and then hanging up.  If you aren't willing to brave verification, then this definitely isn't for you.  Once you build up reviews and references this will not be an issue.
4) Make a date and be extremely polite and patient.  Any weirdness or rudeness will not serve you well.  I'm not familiar with NYC, but in Atlanta you can see very hot ladies for anywhere between 300-450 dollars per hour.  
5) Get laid with a beautiful lady who will rock your world and give you memories to last a lifetime.
6) Write a review and post to the message boards.  This will build your rep and smooth the way towards seeing other ladies.  Good luck!

I work in a pharmaceutical lab; there's really no way to easily access it by phone. I still don't know how to call my lab from the outside; It's all interdepartmental extension numbers. I'm sure the person at the end in the company's customer service line isn't going to know who I am. What do I do this situation? Maybe an email with a scan of my pay-stub (with bank account numbers struck-out of course)?

All I know in this case is that it will take P411 longer to verify you.  Working in a black box makes things a lot tougher.

P411 has a toll free number you an call.  Gina has a pretty good rep for working with guys to verify them.  The providers on her site can indicate on their profiles if they are newbie friendly.  I'd start there.

Regarding VIP here, it's very important so you can do proper research on any provider you want to see.  Without it, you can't read the ratings, her fees, or the juicy details of the review.  Get it for a month to get started.

As far as NYC goes, from what I have seen, you are not gonna find too many quality providers in the 2-300 range, unless you go to unreviewed bp or cv girls.  This site has providers in a very wide range of fees, a lot of what girls charge depends on what the market in their area will bear.  Here you will find providers in all price ranges, depending on where you are.  In a market like NYC, where it is expensive to live.  For a provider to have an incall there, she is going to be charging more than 2 or 300 bucks, IMHO.

Swim

For that amount in NYC, he is going to have to do a hell of a lot of sifting for a diamond in the rough so to speak, but a massage and ending may be a better option for a first timer and the rate will be consistent with what he wants to pay.

the life saver on the top of this page. Learn how to use the search function so you can find some answers for yourself. Many questions repeat every 5 or 6 days.

As a newbie, do not see providers without reviews by established reviewers.

Patience and you will have loads of fun.