Hello,

This is my first time hobbying--rather trying to.  However, a few of the agencies I called will not take new clients or people without references.  Is there anyway I can get around this if the providers I want to see are all in the said agencies?

Any advice on how to get started would be appreciated.

Thanks!

if there is a problem with screening for independents.  The only think I can advise is to try another agency to try to build a rep that can get you into the door with the agency you are looking to use.

Also, at least in my area, the agencies are relatively active on the local board.  Maybe if you participate in the board discussions and start to become known there, you can try to network yourself past the barrier.  Some agencies also have separate groups on Yahoo and such, so maybe you can try to prescreen for that and participate in the group (make sure your hobby email does not display your real name - some make that mistake and inadvertently display their names when posting to the groups).  

Good luck

I used date-check recently as my reference, and I was successful in being approved by a reputable agency.  If your filling out an application online, try using the name of a screening service on the reference line, even if it seems to ask for the name of a provider.

Date Check, Preferred411, RS2000 are three that come to mind.  Some ladies will even offer a discount for members of a certain service.

See Preferred411 thread below (2 down).

-- Modified on 7/15/2008 6:50:55 PM