Get yourself VIP and read her reviews.  That way you'll know what to expect, or be able to shop around for what you are looking for.

You need to do your research o every provider you want to see.  Research is your best friend when choosing a provider.

Swim

Being a "freshman" with specific tastes(nothin weird at all), is there a better way to figure out what's "on the menu" than forking out for a whole hour.? I don't really mind that so much, as everyone I've seen so far usually has something to offer personality-wise and other perks. But it kindof sux when I find out early in that we're "incompatible". And local rates are a little steep just to sit around chattin 'bout the weather. How do/can you communicate this prior to "the deal" before we've figured out we're all "OK".? I don't see the majority of the local talent in the TER reviews.
Thanx for any help..  d:^)  Schneeks..

Been doin the best I can with the current "set of tools". Just can't seem to find much on the local gals.
Mebbe I'm lookin at the wrong line-up.. Seems BP and AS are about the only sources in this area. And they're pretty much the same.. Tnx..  d:^)  Schneeks..

Also periodically check out NEW reviews by the country and nearest city.   THen scroll down, looking for area codes near you or location hints near you...  then research a little.  
If you have read up on the Self Help section & read back on these boards (gets you up to a newbie level, and all free)...  then you do need VIP to read the complete reviews.  That's plural with an S.  You want to see well reviewed providers, so you have several write ups and can get a decent match for your interests.

Been reading like crazy the last few days since I've been on here. Very interesting. Some very humorous. And a little BS/drama that you get with any group of humans. Read thru the noob sections in Self-Help and such. Read posts on this forum.
I tried the "New Reviews" and there were only a couple from my area. Already have VIP.. I'll keep diggin.. Tnx..  d:^)  Schneeks..

If you're in the town I think you're in based on your only review (Wilmington, NC), the news is not good. TER covers North and South Carolina as an afterthought. It's one big region (Carolinas). I live in the same region, yet we're separated by about a six-hour drive. I check new reviews for the Carolinas almost daily. About one in four (2-3 per day) is within a 90 minute drive for me. I would expect the ratio to be far lower for Wilmington.

I trade backchannel tips with a guy who recently moved from Wilmington to Charlotte. He said there was pitifully little to chose from there. Sorry to say, your only option might be driving to Myrtle Beach or other travel opportunities.

As for for figuring out the menu, unfortunately, the providers who promise the most in their ads are generally the most likely to be ripoffs. There's really no substitute for reviews and reliable word of mouth.

consider them coming to you.

Some gals are willing to travel so ask.

in your area.  Then you can PM them and pick their brains about good local providers.  I have another thought but you'll have to PM me for it.

I noticed that. And it gets a little worse, actually. I'm 25ish miles South "down on the corner". But no worries, really. Thus far I've had pretty good luck. I get whacked for a travel fee but hey, it's at least an hour total travel time for whoever hasta drive. The price we pay to live in paradise, I reckon.
I'll put some more effort into checkin into what's available local before I head out to MB for sure. That's about an hour from here.
Actually had a verrry schweet setup goin with a gal for the last coupla months or so. But her personal problems and live-in made her just too flaky and unreliable to continue.. Friggin shame.
Tnx for the response..  d:^)  Schneeks..

Nothing wrong with a little networking.!! Been spending lots of time reading the local ads, cross-referencing the numbers/websites and such to see who's who. Google is yer friend. It gets a little interesting with the "fake indies" and all. Some others are just outright seedy and peg the internal BS meter from the git-go. I go a lot on gut feeling and it's pretty much balls-on. ENTP, ya know. d;^)

PM sent.. Tnx..  d:^)  Schneeks..

Your area is not a provider rich environment.  There are some jewels out there but you will have to look for them and be prepared to travel a couple of hours.  If you can find someone local who fills your needs, sometimes she will offer recommendations for other ladies providing similar services.

Many hobbyist find a business trip an excellent time to hobby. In your case, if you do, and you travel to major cities, this could solve your problem.

I get out of town occasionally. But usually it's an in & out day-trip type deal for a customer.
But yeah, there's occasional over-nighters that would hasta be taken advantage of.. Too few and far between to make that my only playtime, tho'.. d;^)   Thanx..  Schneeks..

Again, not much happening in NC on Eros, but it's worth a look once a week or so for touring providers. A few weeks ago, my Wilmington bud caught notice of a very hot babe from DC passing through town. I wish I'd been on your side of the state for that.

BTW, I could be wrong, but I think the reason Adult Search is so similar to Backpage is that its ads are just harvested from BP. Providers rarely post there directly.