Monet- I prefer Independents for various reasons but off the cuff I would say that the following are the most important:1) The girl on the website is the girl that shows up when you open the door. 2) Independents are both more professional and more GFE at the same time 3) Agencies are more prone to have the attention of LE 4) Independents request a donation and do not try to up the ante when they arrive - I never discuss business once the "date begins" ( See comments about LE) 5) Less people to communicate with translates to less hassles or misunderstandings 5) Independents are more discreet when arriving at your location. 6) Independents are their own boss. 7) The whole tipping issue 8) Independents because they are their own boss do not jump up at the wave of the second hand on the clock- or need to deal with the knock on the door or the ringing of the telephone.Now having said all of that and being a NYC, Philadelphia, DC hobbyist the reason you have seen more about agencies on the ER NYC Board and on other boards has to do with a couple of things. Prices for one. Agencies, although not always, are normally less expensive and we can discuss the ecomomy, the stock market, and Tax season adnauseam but at least in the cities I mentioned I have not seen the Independents as a group make much adjustment. I have heard a lot of talk about things being slow and business in some instances being way off but I have seen very little downward movement of rates. Most of the guys I know have cut back- including myself. Secondly agencies have more change in ladies, more variables so more questions get asked - ISO type post when you are looking for new avenues to find a provider. Third, at least for ER quit lurking and start posting. Independents get more request and have more inquires when they actively participate on a board. For now, the only ER Board that has active provider participation is the General Discussion Board and for all pratical purposes we are talking about Southern California as the hub of the activity. NYC and DC for different reasons do not get many ladies involved on the local boards. And unlike some of the other discussion boards the review section of ER precludes the hobbyist from posting reviews on the local boards. Traffic stays moderate to light. So eliminate reviews, eliminate Independent participation and you have left? Questions about agencies and if ladies are still there, when they are there, and for what amount including tip. Just a few thoughts and a humble opinion

There's nothing inherently wrong with agencies, and you could argue there may even be a few advantages.  But at least in Orange County, CA they have the well deserved reputation of being rip-offs, if not full-fledged criminals.They rob thousands of people every year and rely on hobbiest embarassment, fear of being "outed" or actual threats of violence to get away with their sleazy business.  It's primarily one agency, but they are so big and so connected (with LE) that they dominate the area.  The girls know their reputation precedes them too, so everyone tries to fool you into thinking they're independent.  I've never been robbed by an independent, but have been a victim of "cash and dash" about 5 times by agencies. In fairness, I had at least one good epxerience with an LA agency that also did OC. They delivered pretty much what they promised and everybody had a good enough time.  So I guess this does vary a great deal by region as you've concluded.