I had no idea, a whole society of like-minded folks watching each other’s back. To be able to be intimate with someone you could only lust after in reality is great but to know what your getting in advance is PRICELESS. Before I go any further, I hereby certify that I read all the newbie pages before posting this thread. I had no idea how annoying it is to read, "what does YMMV mean?" until I found it 40-50 times throughout the 15 pages.  It means your impatient! No wonder we're called newbies.
I used to kick around the idea of seeing an escort but the fear of being ripped-off or screwing some comatose clock-watcher (see!) always kept me away. Sure I'd seen various websites but never reviews or an entire universe of hobbyists. In 2 minutes I became a free member. 20 minutes later I was a VIP. Day 4 after reading all the newbie boards, 20 or so other pages & countless reviews I contacted my first provider by email. Day 5 contact, batting 1000. My 1st GFE is only a matter of days away.  I avoided several newbie mistakes because of this board.
Hobbying vs the tiresome, competitive politics of modern dating? Ugh, stop the fight already! The annual cost of dating, birthdays, weekend getaways, anniversaries & more bs anniversaries that you couldn't possibly remember or predict with a crystal BALL!?  It’s a minefield.  One false move & the drama unfolds while the legs close. I won't even mention in-laws (too late). Economically it's a wash - for me at least. I could've spent it all on 20 encounters & a big-screen TV.  In fact, I think I'll shop for one right after I bust my escort-cherry. I’m not giving up on finding the right SO for me but right now I just don’t see the point & I refuse to allow Mr. Happy taken hostage anymore.  As a team we are poor negotiators when we’re horny.  
So thank you fellow hobbyists & GFE Providers, this has been very liberating.  My first pop is dedicated to y'all.
Peace, Love, Understanding & Respect.