Are there many good providers who will meet you without having any references? I've been on TER now for 7 months and have been doing my homework by reading reviews and discussion board posts and am ready to make my first appointment. But all the providers I really like ask for 2-3 references. I'm a noob so I have none and getting them seems difficult. Out of fear of getting scammed/mugged I'm extremely leery of calling anyone on CL or CV and I refuse to do incalls because of all the stings I've seen in the news. Can anyone suggest a plan of action?  Thanks for listening.

If you have been on here for 7 months and reading the posts, then you should know that the easiest way to do that is join a verification site like P411, RS2K, or Datecheck.  Figure out which one is the one used most in your area and join that one.

I'm in the same boat and I've tried contacting provs who said on their websites that they're either willing to take newbs or emp. info. but so far none have responded.

I was hoping to spare the extra expense but I've finally cried Uncle and applied to P411.  They pretty much ask you for prov. info....no different than what I'd been offering directly to the provs, but maybe for whatever reason they feel better if someone else does it.

I just hope this finally works.

what if you are self employed like I am??