Just getting started in the Hobby and want to be very carefull of LE. Have been following the discussion boards and the Newbie FAQ page. Just getting around to filing for my VIP membership, seems like that is the way to garner more accurate and safe information. Howvere, don't really want to wait until that gos thru before I jump in. Have my eye on several providors based on their reviews, or what I can get out of the minimal reviews us basic newbies are allowed to see. What is everyone's opinion on going by those limited reviews and avoiding LE. Any tips on helping the providor feel safe also?

posting your questions to the newbie board rather than here. You should also have some patience and wait until you do have VIP status and access to all TER features so you can make educated choices.

Uhh, I think I'm missing something here because it sounds as if you're trying to gain membership to an exclusive club that has a waiting period. Membership, or more accurately VIP status, is nearly instantaneous when you use a credit card (via IBILL), so you would have the information available to you faster than it took to write this message.

Not to be too critical, but if for some financial reason you don't have a credit card, then you may want to rethink partaking in this potentially expensive activity.

I will now climb down from my soap box.

Good input - I thought about posting to the national board, but seems to me each region and city vary as to methods and activity. So I felt it best to post in the region I am initially starting out in. Also, my initial observance is that if I stay with providers that have a good spread of reviews, I can be relatively safe. I'm not looking at providers with one or two reviews. Just not sure yet how much additional info is provided beyond the teaser. But, I'll get there soon enough.

As to credit card use on the net - I choose to deal in cash as much as possible. No trails with cash.

Some of us don't like to use credit card for obvious reasons.  When the renewal or even intiating the service is done through check/money order/etc, it takes longer. There is only one day a week they process these, and depending on the day of arrival, it could take a while.