I may be the only hobbyist who prefers this - but I really prefer to speak to a provider on the phone before we actually meet.
No....I don't mean have a long phone conversation at all. I mean just a quick 3-5 minute call just to say "hello...how are you and get a sense for someone's personality.
When I look back at all the providers I have met where I did not have a phone call vs. the ones I did. Each and every time the girls I did not speak with prior turned out to be so-so sessions compared to the girls I did speak with - they all turned out to be great meetings.
Just thought if anyone felt the same way.