Reaching out to providers you've used in past

[fuffynono]

What do you all think is the way go about reaching out to providers you've used in the past but no longer advertise online? How kosher is it to reach out to them and ask about updated pics?

[+ JamesB]

If you’ve hired him recently, I don’t see any problem with reaching out. But if it’s been a long time since your last session and he hasn’t advertised in several months, I’d probably just let it go. It also depends on how good of a relationship, if any, you had with him back then.

[Nightowl]

If you still have his number, you could text him, identify yourself, and ask discreetly whether he’s still working.  I wouldn’t go into detail about the work itself though.

[DMonDude]

Haven't ran into this scenario yet, but if i did i would just text whatever number i had of theirs and just ask "Hey! Are you still around/available?" If they're still active, they'll likely still have the text history and know what you're inquiring about and they'll likely just be like "Hey! Yes i am! Want to book something?" and then that's when you go "Yeah i'm interested, it's been a while, do you have a few current pics?" and then they'll probably be like "Sure!" and then you make your decision from there. On the other end of the spectrum if they aren't active anymore, they simply won't reply as the number is likely an app generated number or a second phone they've deactivated. Not really anyway for it to go wrong in any meaningful way.

[+ Pensant]

I see someone monthly who has a full-time job as a habit stylist who discontinued his ad 9 years ago. Just ask. 

[+ DrownedBoy]

Yeah I contacted a former RentMen guy via FB and asked if he was still working. No response, so I assume he wasn't. No harm done.

[Ichabod]

On 9/18/2025 at 8:10 PM, fuffynono said:

What do you all think is the way go about reaching out to providers you've used in the past but no longer advertise online? How kosher is it to reach out to them and ask about updated pics?

I think reaching out is 100% fine. As others have noted, if he's not interested, he probably just won't reply, and you're fine. I would not ask for current photos, though. What if he sends them, and you are no longer interested? I would feel awkward about hitting up someone who (as far as you know) is no longer active in the business, and then rejecting him when he sends pics. Would you ghost him and not reply? Reply and tell him thanks but no thanks? Maybe I am too sensitive, but that sounds messy.