I don’t ask for references. If you, do how long is a reference good for?  

for a provider I have not seen within 60 days.  If that's the case, I would see her again before using her as a ref.  It's not reasonable to expect a provider to remember the details of seeing you for longer than that unless you saw her three or four times within a year.  

But if the client paid and wasn’t an asshole that’s all that should matter.

Why would she need to remember details of the encounter?  

I asked someone who I see somewhat regularly if she would be ok with being a reference and she got upset at me! She went on to say.....NO, I want you to come see ME!  
Now who was I to argue with that. So I said ...OK then, that settles that, see ya soon!! 🤣
That turned out to be one helluva great visit too!!

Some ladies limit it to an actual number, like 3 references per each time you see them. I have never really had an issue. Almost all providers are very fair and kind about it. References don't just help the guy, they help providers who request them as well.

I feel 6 months to a year is appropriate, but it should also depend on how positive an experience it was. And how often repeats. Some guys can only see 1 or 2 girls a year, others see every week. Financial, work, home constraints can all prevent guy from seeing girls more frequently and it would suck to not have references vouch for you because of the break between sessions.

Wouldn't you consider being safe and respectful to be "details" you would like them to remember about you?  I agree a blow-by-blow recollection is not necessary, but I didn't say it was.  But I would add that besides safe, respectful, and gentlemanly, I want them to remember that I'm generous.  For me, generous tipping has always opened doors and gotten me priority with providers.  After all, they are doing this for the money, so why pretend that is not an important factor.  I have tipped every provider I have seen, even if I don't plan to repeat.  That's how you make yourself memorable when it comes to relying on references.

I would let it go until I don't receive any calls from a Hobbyists.

I no longer accept references for screening, but I will give them upon request. I do let guys know that I am always willing to give one, but you need to ASK me first and also let me know who is going to be contacting me. This is for your protection. Your wife/GF/disgruntled ex could pretend to be a provider and contact me which we all know could turn into a shit show for you and for me. When I do receive a request I will be honest as to when I saw you, so if it was 2 months ago or 2 years ago that is the info I will be giving. If we parted on not such good terms, kind of like when you get fired from a job, probably not best to use me as a reference. I will be honest and I will tell the provider why I have decided not to see you again. (Yes, this has happened!!)

I have had several steadies over the years. Made the mistake of asking one to provide a reference for me. Her response was I never want to see you again.

Whoa....that is a bit extreme. And should never happen. But women are creatures I don't even fully understand and I am a woman.  lol  
My regular hair dresser was on a vacation so she referred me to another gal that works at the same salon.  I think she did a much better job, so yes, I am still unsure how I am going to somehow make an appointment to have Ashley do my hair now without Amy getting upset. Women. AAAAHHHH!!!!!

I had a reference turned down because she said the referee hadn't signed on to p411 in two weeks (which wasn't actually true, she signed on daily.) I realized at that point she wasn't actually taking references and I moved on.

Maybe it was something else she didn’t want to mention?  Just throwing it out there.  

I have never required references because of what you just clearly stated. All providers are not created equally. Why would I trust anyone I do not know personally? The only way to bypass my screening is if your friends with my girlfriends 👯‍♀️, or my better half.  

I can't read her mind. That's what she told me. She asked for my private info. I actually have given that in the past, but because they were up front about it.  She was obviously not interested in referrals but didn't say so directly. I bailed at that point because she was not someone I could trust after that.

I rarely need references, but I have met a few ladies who have told me that they'd be a reference for me anytime. I've been using P411 for the most part and have found it to be valuable in enabling me to see the occasional new (for me) provider.

after some recent issues I have experienced- references don't mean a whole lot, some women may find a behavior uncomfortable while others don't. Its the ebb flow and the business I think, I will be happy to provide a reference, but the few times I've ever tried to get a reference the other pro doesn't respond, so I screen how I screen now.

Same. I am happy to give them for clients but I have made it very clear that they have to send me a message first letting me know what provider will be contacting me. This is for *their* safety, as I am not going to give out your info to someone without your permission. Some guys are very good at keeping on top of this, but some are not.  
The references I was getting from gents were also very hit and miss. Some guys were super good at getting me all of the provider info along with the dates they saw the provider so that was awesome and easy.  
Other times I would get "I saw a provider named Kayla like 3 years ago. She worked out of some dumpy motel on the southside of Milwaukee." What the hell am I supposed to do with that?? And when I would ask them how they expected me to contact the provider with that info they would respond "you actually contact  her?" Yes, yes we actually do contact the provider. And yes, if you are lying, that will be an instant no go for an appointment.  
What really sealed the deal was a post by Bia who saw a post on twitter about a gal who saw a guy with a reference and he paid her 2K in fake money. In my entire time as a provider I have been shorted $20 and $50. I cannot even imagine how this gal must have felt losing 2k. And to have no recourse to find the dirt ball is just not a chance I am going to take.