You won't see me writing reviews or posting on here very much. And I am not even on here very often.
But over the years have some interesting observations, but maybe all the hobbyist’s have seen these? I have only seen providers rated 8-10 on this site and on the more expensive side. And I will be vague as overall I thought my experiences were very good.
1. If you are asked if you give reviews, and you say no, there is a good chance you will get treated different. I had this happen to me with a highly rated provider. She clock watched, told me I had X amount of time left, and talked about how her boyfriend was well endowed. (I wanted to write a review after that experience, but I’m sure the administrator would have thrown it out as her score would have been way lower than you see on her other reviews).
2.  Some of these providers’ pics and measurements are horribly off.  Yes, most or all providers touch up their photos, but some are 10-20 pounds heavier (or more!) when you see them. There are a lot of beautiful, sexy fuller figured women but If you are going to say you are petite, please know what the definition of petite is. We are paying for a fantasy and part of that is the look and size that we find sexy and hot.
3. But I will say some of the providers also look better in person.
4.  A lot of the providers are highly competitive with each other. One even wanted to be exclusive and was very manipulative. When she knew I was going to be with another provider, she asked if she was “better,” said she couldn’t understand why I would want to be with anyone else and, when I didn’t cancel the appointment, contacted the other provider and bashed me to her!
4. Some of the cancellation reasons are comical. I understand that sometimes a provider needs to cancel. Although if hobbyists cancel they want to charge us extra and/or get very upset and/or blacklist you! But if a provider doesn’t want to see a hobbyist, I would rather have a provider not respond or just give a hard cold truth on why they won't see a hobbyist than give me some comical reason to cancel multiple times.
5. Most of the providers are very nice, or at least act very nice. But come on guys, a lot of these providers can get, or have, good looking boyfriends. I find some to be way too manipulative. Yes, I’m paying for that time and the fantasy but I’m also not 18 and don’t need to be manipulated into more time/money. I’m offended when a provider gives me a sob story in an obvious effort to con me into giving her more money

Quite true on all counts.  This is a fantasy world that we live in and need to remember that it is all about the fantasy.  If the fantasy isn't being provided, move on.  There are lots of providers out there.  While I get that it is "their body, their rules" it is also "our money, our rules".  Somewhere in between lies the sweet spot where everybody is happy.  I am at all not suggesting that guys should seek out activities that the lady is not comfortable with.  But, old pictures, etc. are just wrong.

LOL - Hmm, you mean generating a discussion on the discussion board........?
Do you feel better not adding to the discussion but whining about mine

I also have gravitated to 8-10's and higher $, and have been rewarded. I feel for your plight but that has not been my case. Although I have gotten a surprise or two along the way, I would say I do a very good job of analyzing the photos and the reviews. Once interested, I check other reviews written by a reviewer, about other providers. It give me more insight to how that reviewer thinks and what he likes. Then I can better evaluate the provider in question. Choose wisely my son.

Excellent advice!  
Read the reviews on your chosen provider but also other reviews written by the reviewing hobbyist (hope that made sense ). That will give you an idea whether the provider you are considering will meet your ideals.

... is one of my pet peeves!

That's all part of the research.  
If you have seen the same photo of a gal posted for several years, then that's an old photo. If you can tell it's a highly photoshop'd image, be aware, ask around, find out. Then as I stated above, when you get an opinion from a reviewer, check out other reviews by him to see that he seems to share views like yours. Maybe you find a review of another provider that you both have seen, then you can compare/contrast.  
For me, when in doubt, don't go, wait and see.

I think that is the way to go....don't rush, just wait and see. You are paying a considerable amount of money so you should have a somewhat reasonable idea of what to expect....and that takes some time and thought....even communication.

Yes, I agree with all that Sam says. A provider can have a reason to be secretive.  

Well....I agree though technically, 'petite" refers to height. If you go into a major department store it is possible to find "petite" size 12 or 14. The clothes are designed for those of us who are "gravity-challenged" with shorter hems, inseams and torso lengths.