you not see a potential client, don't see him/her. It might come back to haunt you later. Just a reminder to keep it safe.

I went to an appointment one day and arrived at the provider's apartment complex ten minutes early. I noticed things about the complex and people around that made me feel uncomfortable.

This was my first visit to this provider and when she told me which apartment she lived in, I realized that I had seen another man enter that unit several minutes before me.

The provider may have shared the apartment with another provider, I don't know. I just decided there were more people in that place than I cared to see at one time.

I called the provider back, told her I was not comfortable with the situation.

I decided I would see another provider on another day.

TOMC

Did this just seem like a good time to remind everyone or is there something thta happened recently (having me walk through the door, for instance)?

In Midtown West in NYC -- every time I pass this place, I see anxious middle-aged men coming and going, eyes beating around, trying to blend in to no avail.....  It's so funny that I make a point of walking by whenever in the neighborhood!  And the shopkeepers/ neighbors all know, as I see them look and roll their eyes....  Very busy place!!

Agree to trust one's instincts.  Have always done that, and have never had an unfavorable encounter.

Just a guess, but it may have been this from the TC board.

The ladies check the message boards of the other site (arf arf).

Sometime providers don't do the complete checking of references. Some have had some very close calls with LE/Jerks only to get away in the knick of time. Had they checked the reference they would have found out the guy was LE/Jerk.

people are opinionated and I know good people who have been accused falsely of rape and/or being bad parents and I know real jerks who have a spotless reputation and clean criminal record

I always let someone know who I am with and where I am going but that only helps out if something bad happens

gut instints are your best bet

While most of us are stand-up types, there are more than a handfull that are very close to problematic.  what causes them to act out?  what releases them from any understanding of humanity?  what causes them to see the pain of others as pleasurable?  don't know.  So far, in this hobby I have been lucky.  So far, in my profession I have not had to supervise any truly unstable person...   but know what, I have friends whose stories curl and grey my hair and make my skin green....   I agree.... gut feels - they do tell you something... good and bad... but do the check, I strongly support them....

Usually if I am seeing a provider for the first time, and I really get a good sense, I will invite them to "google" me (the real me) so that they understand that I have more to loose than they, should I not be on the up and up.  Ladies - for those of us in the hobby for what it is... it is not a bother.