Im guessing that indy's are not as good a way to get a reference as an agency huh? I dont want to work through an agency but if this is what it takes to get a reference than ill do it.

I think that this "startup to hobbying"is more about paying for a reference  than paying for a good time.... So i failed my first with an indy and if an agency is the way to go then ill do it.

Retro,

Others might feel differently but I have had a very hard time getting references from agencies.  Frankly, I don't think they care to be bothered with it.  Although I normally book a few days in advance I've had three different cases where I submitted two references (one agency and one indy)...in all three cases the indy responded within 24 hours but the agency never did.

Best bet is to find a indy who is "newbie friendly", she will take work verification and a verification site in lieu of a provider reference.  Get through the first one or two and then you have your references.

A lot of indies won't accept references from agencies (they even say so on their websites), and a some agencies can't be bothered to give references. I'd stick with indies to get references.

You'll just have to ask the provider agency or independent if they are OK with doing a reference.

Som agencies will confirm before the appointment that they are OK with references as long as the date goes well.

On the subject of paying for reference, a decent tip can help with indies.  

Agencies can be one option, but make sure it is an agency that will give refs to providers not in their agency.  Some do, some don't.

You can also look for indies who say they are newbie friendly.  They usually have alternate ways to screen.

Or you can join a ref site such as P-411 or D-C.

All can work.  I'd suggest #3.

i am  a member of p411 and it doesnt seem to help at all so far.

You're either not looking for newbie friendly ladies, or not willing to go through the ladies screening along with P411 so that she can be comfortable. A lady who has as much as you do to lose doesn't trust anyone to do her screening for her.

The veteran guys beef the newbies' heads up to not comply with a lady's screening when they don't have references, leaving them to wonder why they're having a hard time. It's not hurting us, cause for every one of you that fails to comply there are two that will. It's the same for you guys too, for every lady that requires extensive screening because you have no references, there are two that will just tell you to come to their hotel room. But your risk is greater. If you EVER run across a provider that doesn't use employer verification or can't screen properly using the information already provided, be prepared for the worse.

It's a catch 22 any way you look at it, Sweetheart. Hobbying is just risky business. For the most part, if you give your information to a lady to be screened, they don't have any reason to misuse this information. She's not going to fall in love with you and call your house or constantly call your office. This is where your research comes in. You read her posts on boards like this, and read her reviews. If she's unstable, stay away. Yes, even if she's hot.


On average, these ladies that screen you, screen everyone. The chances of this lady being busted are slim to none. LE would have to be working with other ladies to provide references, or using the profile of a well-known hobbyist. And since even on our end, it's a misdemeanor, and only carries a fine, I know most ladies won't comply. And MOST well-known hobbyists don't get well-known by visiting with ladies who engage in high-risk behavior. I know you've heard some horror stories. Just pick a lady that's worth your compliance and go from there.

You want to know how both men and women get busted? Follow the link...

I started out at a couple of well established agencies to get my foot in the door, and from there moved on to well known indies that would accept their references.

I initially tried the indy route, but never got any return contact from the two ladies recommended to me by a local board member. Looking back, being the newbie, my email approach probably was not the best and I write very different initial contact emails now that I've had much more practice and learned that short is sweet.

They will have the best presence and likelihood of providing references. Some providers will take them and some won't. You may have to visit a provider or two that are not on your A-list to get started.

And that, I think, is actually a good thing. Sometimes it is the provider we don't think about that rocks your world.

Bit risky if he's seen her only once though, a lot of providers like myself are more comfortable if something is a bit more established. I feel like in a sense especially for providers that other than individually that we are responsible for each other.

nah, i answered all her questions. I even told her extra. She said she was newbie friendly and chatted with me for a lil bit but i still got the 2 ref req.