Okay, I am new here and I have no track record whatsoever. Nevertheless, I would like to make my first appointment but I am at a lost for what to do first with respects to connecting with a provider and setting up an appointment. I have taken the time to go over the newbie guide, but its all theoretical to some degree because I haven't put it into practice. Therefore, here are some of my concerns moving forward.  

Should I call or emailed a provider I am interested in?

What if I already emailed a provider as a way to connect but they never responded... what to do next?

And finally, what if my expected availability is in a week or so from today... should I be looking to make an appointment now or later?


Thanks,

In addition to Mr. Fisher's sound recommendation, one way that is helpful to get an idea of providers in your area and help insure you have a great experience is to join TER VIP if you haven't already, and read the New Reviews in your area or the area most convenient to you considering time and travel that are available to you. You can quickly get a list that increases during every day of providers and see which ones have multiple consistent reviews which would be a good context to start in rather than risking TOFTT with a provider who has no reviews, and no web site with information that can guide you towards seeing her and pictures.

Also check out the TER discussion boards that include the Provider Regional Ad Board in your area and the Regional Board in your area for postings by providers with their pictures, and often links to their TER reviews.

A TER profile will often provide several recent pictures via websites listed,  and verify their accuracy and details on providers in your area so that should enhance connecting to providers for you.

If you are new to the hobby as well as here, I would recommend joining a verification site like P411 or Date-Check:

www.preferred411.com
www.date-check.com

If the provider is listed on one of these, you can send your profile via them and use them to expedite your screening.  They also list providers that are Newbie friendly, and additional providers may be Newbie friendly if you provide enough information for them quickly, and if they feel comfortable.

Good luck,

JeffEng16




-- Modified on 6/10/2012 11:44:33 AM

Thanks guys. Ironically, I just responded to an email from P411 to finalize my verification. Now I am awaiting approval which I expect of course. Anyways, I will take everything that was said here and put it into practice. Also, I am a VIP member and I take the time to research local providers; I have a few that I am interested in meeting but time is an issue with me at the moment.

Follow the instructions on the gal's site with respect as to how to contact her.  If she is not specific, try both.

Try contacting her one more time if 3 days has gone by.  If no response in another 3 days, move on.

Make the appointment as far ahead as is convenient for you, and then keep checking back at least a week, and then a day ahead of time to confirm it.

Best wishes and welcome to TER.  I'm glad you read the Newbie Manual.  

Let us know how things turn out.

Mr Fisher has been around a long time and offers sound advice from lots of experience.
In my 2 1/2 years:
1). I have always written either an email
Or PM to introduce myself and set the ball rolling.
2) I agree that if you don't hear back within a few days, it's ok to send another polite email and if there's still no answer, move on
3). As far in advance as you can. I hobby on business trips with my schedule being finalized sometimes months in advance. It is not unusual for me to contact a woman in whom I am interested as far as 3 or 4 months in advance, sometimes confirming availability at that time but finalizing details two or three weeks before the actual date. That has worked well for me in my situation.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions ..... Good luck and enjoy!

Everyone has already given good advice. I'm just adding on to reiterate that the more notice you can give the better. I personally feel that 1 week to 3 weeks ahead of time is a good sweet spot. From your perspective, especially if your availability isn't flexible, more time gives you more options in provider. Let's say your first choice doesn't get back to you in a few days and you write again to no avail. Now you are that much closer and have even more limited time to procure your appointment with another provider.

Good luck and have fun!

Kiss me,

Kate