Personally, I use both.  Like Smelly Smegma said in his post, there are advantages and disadvantages on both.  Overall, I prefer independents, but if you need something last minute or outside of the schedule of typical independents, then agencies are the way to go.

Either way, I've met some wonderful ladies on both the independent side of things and the agency side of things.

I have had more than great experiences with agency and indy ladies.. The only thing you have to do with either is TER research.
As far as age, just a small difference..no difference from agency to indy from 18 to 50+.
If you are looking for a great grandmother you will probably have to find a indy.

I have used both and been happy with both.  I currently see two indie ladies regularly but both have worked for agencies in the past and may again in the future.  Many ladies choose one route or the other based on their real life obligations and change venues frequently. It's all down to the research. Just as both can be successful, both can also be rip-offs.

I've always gone Indy.  I considered visiting a particular lady at an agency and was ready to make the call when I discovered she had retired.  Haven't had a reason since but one could arise.

Two reasons for my choices:

1. I like to see a bit of a lady's personality through postings, a blog, her website, and maybe reviews.  It is rare to see this material from agency ladies, so I am less likely to find them intriguing.

2.  Concern over LE.  It's a low probability event, but I still worry about agencies getting busted and their records being made public or used in the prosecution.  We've all seen the problems in Phoenix and recall the DC Madam.  I don't want those complications.  Of course, the same can happen with an Indy, but generally the arrest would be for lesser crimes and therefore the effort put into prosecution would be reduced.  So I'm just playing the better odds.

No particular reason, just hasn't ever been a need. At some point, I probably will.

I have found that agencies are much more of
clock watchers than indies. Some agency providers will even end the sesssion before the
time booked is up.

I have always used indies. I like dealing with the owner (the lady) and want her to keep all of the "gift". Do your homework and you shouldn't have any problems

While there are some good agencies out there, LE risk is higher.  If you have read the boards over the years, most of the LE horror stories involve agencies.  The former governor of NY was brought down because he went the agency route.  Read the Phoenix board over the past few weeks...should be self explanatory...

I like indies because there are only 2 people involved in the transaction.