or would you be comfortable trying a service?
What factors make you feel comfortable when trying to see someone out of town?
Hugs and Kisses,
Jai Loren

Do your homework---confirm availability and all details--there are many gals you can spend days and months sending E-Mail and can never confirm an appointment with!!

-- Modified on 4/7/2006 9:23:46 AM

The only person who can really know what you are looking for is yourself!  Most of my encounters are done while I'm traveling.  What I usually do is read new reviews in a city I know that I will be traveling to soon.  If a review sounds appealing to me, I will read the rest of the reviews under a ladie's profile.  From these reviews, I can narrow my choice down.

I usually try to make initial contact via email and give them enough information about me to verify that I am who I say I am.  After her response, we narrow down the date and time and everything usually goes smoothly.

In areas where agencies prevail, I will have a special girl in mind but have a couple of backups in mind in case the girl I want to see during my trip in not available.  I have found that making arrangements too far in advance doesn't work too well with agencies.

I can't say that every encounter I have is a "10" using this method but almost all are a fun time.

I agree with this approach, except I think its a good idea to have a couple of back up choices just in case something happens.

You may have secured a date with a well-known top drawer provider ... but if she has to cancel, then you are right back where you started from if you don't have a few other good choices.

I actually only "hobby" when I travel, and I do all my own research, mostly here on TER. I usually search based on the average ratings (7-10) and narrow the field down based on other factors that are important to me. If I'm interested in seeing someone, I'll usually read most, if not all, thier reviews, and if it looks like someone I'd be comfortable with, I'll email them. Since I don't do this very much (maybe a handful of times a year), I'm always nervous even contacting someone, so by doing my homework, I find it lessens my nervousness.

I've never used an agency, and to be honest, there's something about them that makes me uncomfortable. For me, indies and doing my research works best.

I've never heard a "good" agency story personally. It's just too hard to know what you'll get. I know I would probably refer to the long time posters in that city, referrals, reviews and such. I know sometimes it has to feel like a crap shoot.

In most cities, I try to avoid agencies as well.  However, in a city like Seattle there are at least a couple of agencies where the ladies have great reviews.  I have personally used Elliott Bay and they have numerous attractive ladies with great reviews.  An agency I have used in Indianapolis, Hotfriends, charges a "membership" fee but gives that back in discounted rates and provides references as long as your membership is active.  Some ladies are wary of accepting a reference from an agency but the thing you get with an agency is that somebody always answers the phone so contact with that reference is always easy.

usually they're being told by an agency insider, trying to increase buisness.
Even with doing your research and sticking with indies, it can feel like a crap shoot, you're right. The very first provider I ever saw, who has become a good friend to me, said it best when we first met: "Sometimes you click, sometimes you don't." That's absolutely true. I think there's always some "YMMV" whenever meeting someone new. Many times, it's nobody's fault. The chemistry for a great experience just isn't there. I've been pretty lucky so far.

was on the east coast just before Xmas and did contact an agency and had a good experience. Of course i posted on the Philly board looking for input and did research some of the ladies on the agencies web site before committing and everything worked out fine.

One avenue that hasn't been brought up is to ask for referrals from fellow hobbyists.  In fact, I've received PM's from two fellows who were going to be visiting the SF area, who ran across my reviews and wanted to know if I had suggestions for them.  
Pre-planning is key.  I received a few great referrals from a fellow VIP'er for a San Diego trip but couldn't make the time to set things up in advance.  I did have one confirmed appointment but she had to cancel (with 4+hrs notice3).  Without a back up, I had a less-than-desirable experience.

When I travel I simply keep a private jet on alert. Then I can get to see jai in San Diego and have no worries.

service and our ladies and their reviews and I think you will find we are highly rated and well thought of in the cities we visit.  To cast all service's in the same light is like saying if there is one bad indy all indies are bad....just my two cents..thanks for listening.