I'm pretty new to all of this, have read through a lot of what this forum has to offer, but apparently not enough.  Maybe I should post this in the n00b forum, but there might be a few new lurkers on this board too who will learn something from my bonehead mistake.

I just spoke with a very nice phone receptionist for desert divas and discovered that, unless I was traveling from out of state, they could not set up a meeting in a hotel because I had never used the agency before, don't have any references, and don't have very many reviews posted here.  I totally understand that they need that kind of information for protection, but was under the false impression that there were alternative ways that they could verify my info (no fault of theirs, btw).

What's more, she explained that if we were to meet at my home residence instead of a hotel, a meeting could be set up.  That's impossible though, as my family is visiting from out of state and I'm far from alone.  Still, I was always under the impression that it was better to set up a first meeting at a hotel for her safety, and for mine.  I guess that is only the case if you are verifiable and have plenty of references (or reviews here), but I have the same complaint that many do: I'm not verifiable.

Now, I'm stuck trying to set up a late night rendevous with the only provider I've seen outside of MP's (and that was months ago, so she probably won't remember seeing me and I'll run into this same wall again).  It's either that, or CL or Backpage.

I know it's a repetitive complaint, but it is pretty damn hard when you're just starting into this and haven't established a reputation.  I guess I just want to say to any other guys like me, if you're going to book on a prayer (like I did), you apparently need to meet at your house for your first time (at least with Desert Divas).  Then, after that, the hotel route is fine.

Sorely disappointed, but it's nobody's fault but mine.  In fact, I found the phone receptionist very polite and professional.  Still, quite frustrating to get your hopes up for spending some time with a smoking hot girl, only to have to consider the AMP route... or trying to book with somebody who also might not remember you (i.e., another cycle of getting your hopes up, but then it falling through b/c you don't have references/etc.).  I shudder to think about calling somebody on CL, but I pricelined the hotel so I can't get a refund anyways.  Dislike AMP's because you aren't establishing references that way (and asian gals just aren't my thing), and I've seen enough on this board to make me very wary of CL girls (who tend to disappear anyways, and I wonder how many times I'd have to see them to get a reference in the first place... if they'd even see me sans references).

Oh well.  You people with relative/gf/wife-free residences make me pretty damn jealous. ;^_^

you have written 3 reviews, you're telling us that not one of these gals will reference you?

You do have a few options to get screened by
Date check
http://www.date-check.com/

Preferred411
http://www.preferred411.com/index.cfm

Many of the indies will verify you with some work info....the rebuttal indies are found on phoenix 411...they can be trusted! The trust goes both ways
http://www.phoenix411.net/escorts/escorts.htm

Hope this helps in some way!

Happy Holidays

Terri

as you put it.
We would have been happy to see you had any of your reviews been with know established providers of the community.

I would take Terri's recommendation above and see one of the Indy's that will take a work reference vs a solid escort reference.

I hope that once you get a solid reference that you will give us a call back so we can set you up with the smoking hot girl you are interested in seeing in the future.

Paul
602-954-5609

thank you, I will definitely do that.

FWIW, your phone receptionist was very patient and should be commended for not getting irritated after she found out things weren't going to work out with me.  I asked a lot of questions about who was available and whatnot and she was getting several calls during my call (she must be a juggler in her off-time).

I appreciate that she wasn't upset that things didn't pan out after what is probably a longer call than is typical.  I look forward to calling DD back soon.

wow, so that is how green I am.  I had *no* idea about date-check/preferred411 (except that you could use it to verify a girl's info).  Likewise, I didn't realize that the indies on phx411 would be willing to work w/ me if I give a work reference (I'm a little unsure about doing so, given then nature of my job... and that I'm unsure what goes into giving a  work reference, to be honest).  I've tried to check some more in the n00b faq, but I'm pressed on time attm and will have to check back later.

Still, I will call a few of the girls on phx411 and hopefully they won't mind that I'm a little ignorant (at least to the point that they will answer a few basic questions I have if I'm not sure what info. they need).

Regardless, thank you.  Your suggestions did help, a lot.

as for the three providers I've seen, one is probably out of the country now (she was in a residential quasi-AMP... which I later found out here to be a bad idea to frequent)... and the other girl, I've seen her about 7 months ago, and then a few months after that.  While she remembered me the second time, I just don't get how it works if an agency calls her up and asks if she knows me and she can't remember me ('cause it's been awhile and I have the impression that she knows plenty of clients).

Again, I'm probably just making uninformed assumptions RE: what verifying somebody takes, but I really appreciate all of the info. and help this community provides. It's a great resource, especially for fairly "dense" individuals like myself.

do not give out your work info. Several of the ladies i see know where i work but they sure didnt the first or even the fourth time i saw them. I know of so many horror stories simply from some poor bastard telling the wrong person the wrong info that i cant begin to stress how important it is.

Im even single and totally unattached and i dont divulge much right away.
my advice should carry more weight if your not. Even a simple mistake by someone can destroy your life.

I know one guy on this board whom others may know that ended up in a world of trouble simply because a lady called his house even though he asked her not to and she forgot.

personal info is only as safe as long as no one else knows it.

sure i dont see a few of the ladies on here but you what i dont mind the loss. the other possibilities are way too horrendous to be comfortable with.

I think you're wise to point out that I should be cautious. . . but I can see an instance when it might be okay and I still might consider doing so... if I talk to a provider and really can feel comfortable that she knows enough to say something like, "hello, this is so-and-so insurance company with some information for ....., can you tell me his number?".  That's hard to decide if I reach that point, but like Terri mentioned, I think it's an option.

I'll probably just go for the other methods provided (e.g., date-check/preferred411), but it was still nice to know the work verification is a possibility.  I work at a very busy place where a random phone call, with a sensible script like what I mentioned, would hardly go by noticed.  Yet, my job is such where a minor mistake really could mess things up, so thanks again.  Good suggestions all around here from so many people.  Thanks.

One of your reviews says you booked the lady through an agency.  Now you're saying they were all indies?  And did none of the your 3 reviewed ladies reference you in any way?  What's up with this story?

the review that you mentioned was written for a quasi-AMP located in a large residential apartment complex.  I followed the directions on their website when I booked, called, and was given directions for where to go.  At least at that time, the woman I spoke to hardly spoke English (though the provider did, who is now back in Korea).  It is still presented as an "agency" on the website, though.  So, that's probably why I talk about it that way.

As for now, I've just decided that preferred411 or date-check = the best option.  I'd rather not call a provider from phx411.net and then have her call for references from a provider who I saw months and months ago (with the risk being that the other provider won't remember me or doesn't have my information anymore).  I just think it won't look good, but maybe it really doesn't matter.

I just wrote off the previous frustration to not doing enough homework beforehand and will arrange things so that next time, they go smoothly.  You all are speaking like it should be easy to get references from these original providers whom I've seen... am I missing something?

Still, the other advice above seems to make the most sense and I'm sorry if I've been unclear in explaining myself.  I feel like the matter is closed and that I have a workable solution.