TER is my main tool for searching for ladies.
I'll check their reviews , then their sites or ads.

Word of mouth, other providers....Reviews are only a guide and are often exaggerated. Best info comes from first hand knowledge. A great duo session is the best recommendation.

Rely on TER and her reviews. Chemistry and location are important factors for me. Have had wonderful meetings with long time providers in the industry and well travelled worldly younger ones.

Have not joined P411 and probably will not sign up. I have established whitelist from TER and staying this route for now. Again, chemistry is priority for me and how other hobbyists described their experience in their reviews.

Ter ads are the easiest place to see who is visiting and when. Scroll through 3 pages of ads and you pretty well have the next month laid out.  I'm using Twitter more often but it is incredibly difficult to keep track of tweets about when people are going to be here.  

I agree that the reviews here tend to be bullshit but they do give you at least some indication and can at least weed out really bad experiences.  

I love P411 but I use it instead of references. I don't like their interface for searching.

I check out the ads on TER and sort reviews for selected services.   I have found I have been using P411 as a base as the selection is greater and using services offered on P411 with TER and provider web sites gives me a true idea of who and what to expect.  

It's that something in the photo or write up that catches my eye or imagination  (after checking services offered) - and probably red hair and appropriate age- that makes me want to book a new provider; but that's just my thing!

Eros and other review boards that arent allowed to be mentioned...

that can not be mentioned here.