Do you guys think it is better to go through a service or independent provider? To me it seems more unlikely that you would run into cop going through a service becuase they use the same women, and if they get a bad rep they will be out of bussiness. I think a service is better what do you think?

You should always be able to avoid LE situations, so I don't think that is the main issue.

Plenty of people sing the praises of well established agencies and I see nothing wrong with that.  I prefer independents myself, just a personal preference.  I think you will find good providers either way as long as you do your homework.

I'm a big fan of the entrepreneurial spirit of the independents I have been with -- kinda like keeping out the middleman and seeing 100% of the fruits of the effort go to the woman.  I recently had a great agency experience, but in general I like the well reviewed indies, the differentiation in their websites, and the (maybe its just me)feeling that I am not filling another slot in a fully scheduled agency day.

Definitely agencies.  All the independents I tried scheduling with bailed out on the appointment in one way or another.  One went as far as giving me fake directions (to a Lebanese supermarket, of all places).  Others simply cancelled at the last minute, or ignored my e-mails and calls.  Agencies have been superb in working with me to get an appointment.  Even those who weren't able to schedule me had the decency to get back with a "sorry, not available" message.  Now I'm not knocking indies in any way, as I've heard of many great ones; I'm just more comfortable when there's a business entity enforcing some level of discipline (for the lack of a better term).  Simply put, I'm hobbying to escape the rejection from the civvies, and what's the point of hobbying if I'm still going to get rejected?  So agencies it is, and agencies it's going to be.

I've never used an agengy for fear of upselling. Advertised rates are the same as indies but surely there is a "required" tip? yes?

Smarty1101 is 100% correct about Las Vegas. My job takes me all over the southwest (including California) and it is rare to find a High Quality Agency. I can\'t speak about any other parts of the US. Good Agencies are out there, but very hard to find. I prefer to spend me time with Independents that I have done my research on.

This has *never* been my experience.  The only money I paid was what I put into the white envelope.  The girls didn't mention money even for a second during the whole appointment.  I guess I found a diamond in the rough in this case.