Not promoting anything here (Disclaimer), but there are positives and negatives to all things. Agencies can be great and a lot of people prefer them because you only have to be screened once to have access to a large, and ever broadening selection of ladies. As you mentioned, many girls are short lived in this venture because they may be new, or grow tired quickly of having to split profits. Agencies are also easy to be broken into by LE if they aren't diligent on their screening. There are also several Independent ladies (such as myself) who won't accept stand alone agency references unless they are adamant about keeping a record of the result of a date.
Independents are great in the sense that, assuming the lady doesn't use a booker, you can get a pretty good idea of the girls demeanor right off the bat in an initial contact that you can't get with an agency. You do have to provide screening to each individual and even for some girls, P411 isn't quite enough. The site actually encourages us to screen further than what they have done, and they have also been broken through and infiltrated before.
As for specific agencies, I contact Jennifer's Models frequently for references and they are one of very few agencies I would trust. I don't know them personally and have never worked for them, but they are always considerate when I talk to them, quick to respond, and when I do see a review of one of their girls, they seem to be pretty good.
Hope I was able to help some and shed a little advice on your dilemma!!
~XOXO~
Piper
1) TER does have Agency Profiles so you can check there. That should offer a bit of an assurance -- no guarantee but better than none.
2) If you see someone listed at an agency check to see if they have TER review. If they have several and the review also shows a good history you're probably going to be okay working through the agency and not be dealing with some low end, possibly trafficked provider.
Most girls will have at least a couple of reviews if you search the TER review page. Usually if you do a search for 'new reviews' about 75% of the girls will show-up there.
I've noticed on one of the agency pages in particular, they don't update the link to reviews and says, "be the first to review", when in fact they do have reviews.
Agencies are great when you're in a pinch and want quick access. Independents you either have to be a regular or pre-screened to make a last minute appointment, and even then there are no guarantees (and that is peculiar to the DMV, the rest of the country scheduling a date is really super easy).
Piper pretty much hit on the head.
I an near your age and have used agencies and visited independents. I have visited 35+ and those who claim to be just 20 from an established agency. I have had poor, mediocre, good and great experience in all categorizes. I never write a bad review except for a rip off or flat out lie. Remember agency providers probably service a minimum of 3 or 4 clients a day, a independent might only one or two. Your experience though will depend on you and the provider - most agency workers provide the same menu for all clients, the menu might grow as an indie gets more comfortable with you. Check TER for review. Yes I was nervous when one Miami agency was busted but the Feds do not seem interested in ruining anyone life.
Also check out Allure Model Encounters, and several other agencies on Ad board.
Good luck! Be careful.