Hello everyone and Happy Holidays!
Just a couple of questions on screeners that I'd like hobbyists/providers thoughts on.
Keep in mind I am a 100% Independant provider.  
Are clients put off if a provider has an answering service or screener that handles her calls and screening process?
How about if the screener is a man?
Just curious because I know it would be helpful  when I start school again.
I would be the one calling the client to confirm the appointment.
Any and all thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
xoxo
Sicilia

I prefer to speak directly to a provider and not have to deal with a screener, but it is not a deal breaker for me. Similarly I would much prefer a screener to be female and not male, but it too is not a deal breaker either. Well actually a male screener might be a deal breaker, rightly or wrongly, a male screener invokes images of a pimp and most of us here will refuse to do business with a pimp.

Like I said, I am speaking strictly for myself, and several of my biases are not fair, but life is not fair. lol

As a newbie, it would definitely be an automatic "no thanks" from me if it wasn't the provider answering the phone. Spooks me out.

A screener is someone who does her verifications for her when she either does not have the time or has little to work with on the guys who are tough to verify for whatever reason..newbies the occassional hobbiest etc
99.999% of the time you don't even know the screener exists unless you are told about them.

A booking assistant on the other hand is someone who handles all the ladies arrangements from screening to booking the session to arranging her hotel etc..This is someone that you will know about and will usually have some direct contact with.

but the OP was using the terms synonymously so I did the same.

To add to my earlier post, I do believe that having a man answer your phone will have an adverse effect on business. Very few guys are going to want to talk to another man, much less give out any personal information to him. You are much better having a sweet voiced young lady answering your phone if you are unable to.

the potential client is aware before he makes a call that a screener/assistant will be taking info/making arrangements then not a problem at all.

If the screener is a man, I have to presume pimp.  This is not true in most/all cases, but I will opt for safety every time.  I am normally not comfortable when third parties are involved, and a guy answering the phone would put me off entirely...

I think I'd be spooked a little bit by any third party and if it were a guy, I'd be outta there.  Just instinct.  I'm new, and I'll probably hobby only occasionally in the future, so I'll always have to be willing to give information.  I'm ok with giving it to a well-reviewed provider, but nobody reviews pimps  This is slightly irrational, I know, since the provider could give my info to whomever she pleases, but I like to think that if she has lots of good recent reviews she won't be into doing that.

At first it gave me the creeps, but after a few times, I found him to be a real affable guy.

I once asked to schedule on a date she didn't have listed on their website and he said:  "For a great guy like you, we will do this.  She says you're one of the nicest guys she sees."

We had had about ten dates over the course of about a year.

It kind of made me feel good.

I think the guy was probably the gals husband, or at least her SO.  It was just a hunch.  I would never want to pry, and she never offered.

One day I called and he said that she will be on vacation for about a month.

I called back in a month and the number was disconnected, a short time later her site was down.

She was a real great gal.

Such is life.

instances where a call screener was involved each had an unusual situation.  Information was relayed to me incorrectly both times.

Not sure I would want to be talking on the phone with another guy about my appointment.

I much prefer to speak with the lady herself.  She could use a voicemail & have a trusted third party retrieve messages & do screening...  but I don't think I'd be comfortable dealing with a male.
Those that do use a male, make sure the clients know in advance.  It still gives me the creeps.
It gives me thoughts of a high volume agency...  

These impressions could be overcome, but being aware is the best way to manage these concerns.
skb

I appreciate the imput!  Just as I suspected, of course you'd rather speak with the provider herself.  I think it's better that way too, it adds to the whole experience.
Thanks!
xoxo
Sicilia