Yes:  don't go with Hot Bottom, a/k/a Andrea.

I posted a similar message to the Vegas board but here goes:

If you want to have a good time, it always helps to do the research.

Pick up a one month membership here (and/or elsewhere) so you can get detailed information about the various providers.  Depending on your service needs, you will want to know which providers will be acceptable to you.  The Info & Policy section of TER has a glossary of terms/acronyms which will help explain some of the more common terms.

Find a good client guide.  Some of the local providers do provide links or at least some pointers as to how to have an enjoyable time (like being freshly showered and cleanly dressed, little to no aftershave/cologne, etc.).  It also helps to treat it like a date and bring flowers/gifts to show your appreciation.

The biggest problem with independents for the newbie is getting verification (basically they want to make sure you're not a cop/LE and feel comfortable with you).  They want references of other local providers they know, etc.  So for a first experience, you can go one of two routes:  Use a quality escort agency like Michelles, Secretly-yours, or Sterling; or use Room Service 2000.  RS2K is a nice route down the line so you can see other (hopefully independent) escorts that use RS2K for verification purposes.  First experience may be better with a good agency so you have an idea of what to expect.  Depending on the person, they may be somewhat careful (in addition to covered FS, you may encounter covered BJ, covered DATY, and no kissing).  While most places don't require a tip on top of the fees paid up front, if you had a good time, it helps to show your appreciation by giving a little extra (I tend to be a bit on the generous side and try and give out about $50-100/hour for tips if I thought it was a good time).  

A couple notes about RS2K:  For you to get verified, it costs $50 (one time as far as I know, could be yearly).  On their website, they do have a lot of listings, and some of those are with agencies.  While RS2K uses comments from both clients and providers, complaints about escorts from agencies doesn't work as well (probably because the agencies pay a lot in advertising multiple escorts).  So try and weed out the ones from agencies and stick with independents when you browse RS2K.  If you travel out of town, it also helps to scan if the provider you want to see out of town will use RS2K for verification.  I've run into a couple escorts elsewhere in the country who took RS2K and I've been happy that I'm listed ever since.

Good luck,
Bob