The reason is because many agencies don't screen very much if at all. A reference from an agency that has done nothing to verify you is of no use to a careful indie provider who screens diligently.

Can someone tell me why independent providers won't accept references from agencies?  I would think that a longish history with a particular agency would be a petty good guarantee re LE etc.

References are only as good as reference giver.

Lina

The lady can certainly accept that you're probably not LE (maybe)... The thing she cannot verify at all is that you're not a dirty, psychopathic, stalking, wife-beater (i.e. your character).