In a perfect world, I would prefer not to deal with assistants.  It's another person who now knows about my nefarious activities.  Although I've never heard of a situation where an assistant abused private information, the possibility still makes me uneasy.

That said, as long as an assistant is polite, timely, and discreet, I don't have too much issue with it.  I can certainly see the value to the provider.    You just have to remember that, as in any service business, the people who represent you to your clients hold the fate of your business in their hands.  Good service brings back repeat business.  Bad service drives it away, and those clients tell their friends (or post anonymously about it on TER).  So if you opt to have an assistant, choose wisely.

assistant

i usually have found that high volume providers need assistants..whereas low volume do it all themselves..a good assistant will do all your screening and booking..for a fee of course..with a good assistant..you will never deal with any client till he knocks on your door..you show up..she or he does the rest..i you dont use one..you do everything yourself but dont have any cash outlay to anyone but yourself..it is strictly each girl's choice..

As a hobbyist, I don't mind working with an assistant.  However, if we have never met it is nice to talk to the provider just once.  You can get a better sense of who she is, her attitude, even her education from a short discussion.  

Bottom line from a at least one hobbyist's point of view.  Assistants are fine to handle the details, schedule, verification etc... just let me talk to you just once for a few minutes before we meet.

One man's opinion.

I used to see a provider who had a personal assistant. This person screened, placed ads, scheduled appointments, etc. All she had to do was show up and perform. They traveled together and the assistant would go hang out during dates. Well, as time went on, they invariably got into fights. The provider would take too long, forget to collect money, etc. They even started having a lesbian relationship. Well, this did not end well. Her assistant contacted her clients and started all kinds of shit, even turning her into the police. So, for that reason, I will not see someone if I know she has an assistant. The more people that see and handle the information, the more potential for problems.

And btw: the provider's current assistant is her husband. That's really messed up!