Why SHOULD guys pay $500 to see you...? Think about it from our perspective. If I'm gonna shell out "top tier" money, I want to know that I will have a top tier experience. This business is rife with scammers and BS artists, especially ones with glossy photos. Very few girls deliver a top tier service. Being in the $500 club means you should be something special. The highest rated TS on TER is Rachel, and she charges $500. I see a lot of TS girls and I've only paid that much a few times, and its only been worth it once. You are an unknown, so I wouldn't even think about seeing you for $500.
Your choice of cities could be a problem for you too. NYC is a buyers market, there are a lot of tgirls there. Guys likely have favorites already and aren't thirsty for a good tgirl. Visit Cleveland, Pittsburg, Indianapolis, or any other smaller town that isn't host to one of the largest populations of tgirls in the USA, including a throng of visitors.
As for the guy wondering if there was anyone else in the room, this happens fairly often. Girls will travel with friends and lock them in the bathroom or closet when they work. It's really shitty and annoying.
What makes you think you are not appealing to the clientele? Have there been issues when guys have seen you or is it just that they aren't seeing you...?
You're very pretty, and I applaud you asking for help. Hopefully, you get a good reputation and can charge what you want.