I'm trying to step up to the next tier in providers. I've found a few that fascinate me. With fears of being blacklisted for not having the credentials they ask for, I don't make contact. The ladies I've seen are ones found on the page behind the Internet. Some were reviewed here, but some of those may not even know a review exists. I also have a hard time with the thought of writing a review as I feel it is not the gentleman thing to do (kiss & tell). Hence why I have one that I worked on hard enough to publish.

 So I ask what do the different screening processes (i.e. light screening etc.) typically entail? What info should I be ready to release if the providers I have seen do not answer the check? How do I go about streamlining the hit or miss to more hits than misses?

Have you considered joining a Verification Service such as Preferred 411, Date-Check, RS2K, etc. While some providers still require provider references for members of those sites, there are also 'Newbie Friendly' providers that post there. As you see providers from those sites, hopefully they will be able to provide references for you in the future.  

Sometimes you need to take baby steps.

Chiguy

Why would you think you'd be "blacklisted" just for not having what a lady requires for screening?  

Unless, by "blacklisted" you simply mean that she won't see you.  Which you can expect to be the case.

But that's not what blacklisting is; real blacklisting can be pretty serious, and the majority of providers (especially those of solid reputations) do not do this lightly.  

As others will no doubt suggest, you should consider joining P411 or Date-Check, whichever seems to be more commonly accepted in your area.  And then look for newbie-friendly providers on those sites.  

Or start hunting for newbie-friendly ladies/agencies who will verify you via other methods; that often means giving out employer and other information.  

 
"Light screening" can mean a variety of things.    

If you're planning to use the providers you've already seen as references, it would be a nice touch for you to ask them first if they're ok with that.  But if they don't actually reply to another lady requesting a reference, there's really nothing you can do about it.  The lady you are trying to see may offer an alternative screening option, but then again, she might not.  

Try to learn all this right off the bat.  If you're not sure from her ad/site, then ask her directly.    

 

I'll step back now and allow the hobbyists to provide the perspective I cannot.

 
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Without reliable references I would suggest applying for P411, which will require work verification. The listings on P411 will include whether the provider is newbie friendly, requires references, or requires provider OKs via P411. Go with a couple of newbie friendly providers that are well reviewed on TER and this will give you the references and P411 provider OKs that will make screening a lot easier in the future.

However, the newbie friendly providers will still likely ask for additional verification info even though you may be work verified by P411. I already listed the screening methods in a previous post, but I will add them here again. The three methods I have encountered include:
 
1) Email from a work email address.  
2) Picture of ID (license, passport, etc...) and/or work badge (Don't forget to blank out all information except for name).  
3) Link to work directory, LinkedIn, or Facebook.  
 
You need to decide if you're willing to offer this information. BTW, it doesn't hurt to ask a provider if she is willing to see you even though she is not listed as newbie friendly and you have no easily accessible references. In my experience, if you are friendly, honest, and patient then most providers will try to work with you to get you verified. With all that said you should still be prepared to get rejected quite a few times until you get enough reliable references. Don't take it personally

I have considered verification sites. I'm just not sure which one to invest in as seems like there is no consistent preference among provoders I'm interested in. Some don't list a preference at all or if they use one. The more I play in the hobby, the more relaxed I get about picking one and giving my personal info. I just haven't fully wrapped myself around the idea of bring in a 4th party to the process (me-provider-TER-verification entity). I'm sure it is inevitable though.  

DnoonerG your absolutely right, I do jump around a bit. I have to think in order to stay focused and sometimes while writing I lose my train of thought. It happens most when I am learning or trying to grasp concepts and/or workings of things. Although 5 months in, I still consider myself a newb until I really know what's going on or how to actually fit in. Heck I have to sit on a question for at least a week before I ask just because I don't want to be laughed out of the website.  

Thank you both for responding, thank you to everyone who has or will help get me past this stage of the hobby.

About the blacklist thing, that was a poor word choice on my part. I'm pretty sure I meant blocked which in my eyes is the same. There was a provider here that I found stellar. I made contact and set up a time. She had no personal web site, only generated ads that seem to pirate from rear page ads. So the day of, I asked what I needed to bring as politely as I could. The reply back said blocked. I know that info is listed in the reviews, but let's be honest, those considerations are from other hobbiests and may be out dated. I think it would be looked at as negotiating if I were to be off. I learned a little that day and I know there is more to learn, just don't want to lose any chances with providers by making rookie mistakes.

END OF MESSAGE

the midwest, especially Chicago.

Dude . . .  bro  . . . for what its worth . . . I have p411 . Many of the providers on p411 require that you have one or two oks from other p411 providers.  Sounds like a catch-22, right ? Not really b/c there are a lot of them on P411 who are newbie friendly, so you locate a p411 provider who is well reviewed but also newbie friendly, and that is how you get your first ok, and then you go from there.  P411 and TER VIP are both great tools, and they are even better when used in combination.  I hope that was at least a little helpful.    

PS: also, as you may have noticed from other posts, it is a good idea to have a hobby phone and a hobby email.

I wish you the best of luck with all your future endeavors!

A.H