I'd like to ask a general question on agency reviews.I tend to use agencies because I feel a bit safer. Why are some agencies reviewed quite often on TER and others that have a high visibility on google/yahoo never reviewed? Can I ask this question on the general discussion board?

in the GD board rather than here.

Swim

What makes you feel safer using an agency? The common wisdom here is that they are much more risky than an Indy. Thanks.

Out of curiosity can you elaborate on why they tend to be more risky? (Newb here)

LE likes to go after agencies because agency busts get big media play and politicians love that. With many more girls involved, the risk goes up.

Also, when an agency goes down, sometimes the client list becomes public. There is just less incentive for them to do so for a single operator Indy girl.

It's easier for LE to make headline news by claiming trafficking and other felony violations against an agency with the potential for big names on their client list. There is big money to be had when they claim to be fighting the human trafficking of sex slaves.
A simple solicitation charge againt a single independent provider isn't usually worth the time and expence of an investigation unless she makes a public nuisance of herself resulting in complaints from neighbors.

But for the most part these days, these agencies are one or two people anyway. Most minor cities simply do not have the funds to target prostitution. As long as its kept quite, and not stuck in their faces, they will continue to ignore it. Yes a few asshole mayors or police chiefs seem to like to run busts, but look who they are catching. These guys look at most like lower middle class or lower income guys just looking to bust a nut. Its actually sad.  

As time goes on, LE will continue to develop their online presence, and may eventually do a little more damage here or there, but those operations can cost 10's of thousands of dollars or more and they simply cannot get enough convictions to warranty the expenditure.
 

Reviews on TER take more effort.  The under-the-radar sites reviewed on TER are more apt to have regular clientele who are pleased with their service and repeat enough that the service doesn't have to raise their Google presence.  Lower visibility means less likelihood of law enforcement taking an interest, and can serve to moderate the concerns by their clients of LE activity.  It's doubtful that an agency well reviewed on TER would be a front for a sting; conversely, I'd not say the same about one openly advertising on Google.

Where P4P is legal the use of a service is more open and you'll find much greater competition & visibility on search engines as they're all competing with one another for the same clients.  You'll also tend to find more reviews of these agencies outside TER since they are able to fly above the radar, and welcome reviews.  Having your own (good) client profile with an agency can lead to special offers ahead of general advertising, and can ensure your ability to book someone who meets your desires.

and I find the exact opposite to be true.

In most countries I go to where P4P is legal I see a lot less web presence than I do in the US.

What countries are you talking about, and where do you find more reviews than TER? Ok, you can't really answer the last question as it would violate TER rules, but I doubt that there is a larger review database anywhere in the world larger than the one you will find right here.

Somehow I don't think you are speaking from any kind of real life experience, I think you are more likely speculating on how you think things should be in a legal P4P environment.

At least I think I read that in some of your posts, but that'd likely explain the difference.  The influx of Eastern European women has significantly flooded the UK market, while southern Europe has seen pressure from its southern and eastern neighbors.  Legal play is now competing and it's not unusual to see one lady on multiple valid escort agencies (even TER reviewed) offering different rates under different names for different services.  That's not an unheard of practice even in the US among independents; there's someone in NC who successfully does the same.

Link below shows where I play, as it was discussed on another TER board.  
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=1054&boardID=129&page=2#1054

True, TER has a greater database of reviews in general, but the focus leans toward independents more than agencies.  Makes sense given the environment and where the bread & billings would originate.  And yes, my recent focus is on independents rather than agencies - that's why TER is so useful to me that I'm taking an active participation in it.

And no, TER won't let me post links to agency review sites that work well for the EU market.  I tried but post was rejected.  *sigh*  

-- Modified on 2/16/2015 4:40:21 PM