BP has an excellent point.!!
My point is 180 from the way this thread seems to run.
In business, huge time and money is spent stopping industrial espionage.
No business accepts referrals or references from their competitors, as it is in any company's interest to impact their competitors operations.
Seems the best screening would be from a current customer whom the provider knew, that would vouch for the prospective hobbyist.
Like BP, I and many others I know refuse to provide any personal info at all to anyone.
In todays world, you may be found from the most minor information about you.
As the purchasers we must protect ourselves, it is part of what we are purchasing.
As vendors, be smart about your info, do not get it from competition whose intentions you may never know.
L8r
r9
You are a wise man. I agree completely. I don't compromise my personal security, and if it means that I miss out on seeing certain providers, so be it.
Originally Posted by blowpop