Completely agree with there being more bad than good, this sticky is vital for newbies. I didn't mean to come across as though I disagreed, I just saw some new girls comments thinking that it's either indie or nothing, it's just to give the reassurance to the ones that want to try agencies that's it's still a viable option as long as you have your wits about you is all I mean

Maybe it depends on your location. Right now I do both, indie and agency. For me, there's no way I could survive financially/mentally being indie, there's just not the volume of serious clients via independent means as there is when working through an agency.

I would much prefer to be indie of course, and as you say it is bloody hard parting with a third, but in Newcastle anyway there just doesn't seem to be a decent amount of clients seeking indies to make it viable

I don't see the point of working via a agency.

As there are few bisexual male escorts out there i do get enough work to keep me going.

But this does lead to me getting emails and phone calls wanting me to join up with them and they tell me there not a agency and are just trying to get me more work.

At first i was interested and asked them to explain there selves and then they reveal there true colors by asking for a lump sum of money up front,stuff that as there are better things i could be doing with my hard earned money,as i want to promote myself and don't need people doing it for me.

It is all a con as you'll probably not get any work or less than what you did by promoting yourself x

I like working both agency and indie, although the latter takes priority, they are nice filler! 

Im currently working as Indie but in the process of joining an agency. Im not getting enough work by myself to pay the bills unfortunately. How do you manage your time between your own bookings and agency? xx

I can only talk about one agency that I know the ins and outs of, and it is in Edinburgh - the ones in London may be different.

At this agency, yes you really have to go to whoever they send you to.  You wouldn't be able to refuse because he's Asian.  When a guy books they take his name and address or name and hotel room number.  And a mobile number - they don't ask for landlines.  No, this agency doesn't vet clients....they say they do, but they don't and the amount of jobs that are wind ups or don't answer the door, or just want a look are massive.  They do have a driver, so you do have someone with you sometimes, but not always.  You are also (and I think this is the case with most agencies) 'on call', so if you say you're working Saturday, that means if she phones with a job for you on Sunday morning at 3am, you will be expected to be ready and with the guy within half an hour, so really you either have to sleep with your make up on and just doze in the chair, or stay up.  You can't really go to bed.  If you miss a job because you're sleeping, you won't get any more jobs for a while in retaliation, that usually lasts 7-10 days, but if someone specifically wants you she might lift the ban quicker.  This particular agency also checks viva st and adultwork looking for girls who work for her. 

Funny when you think that they agency actually works for you, isn't it?

This is just one agency though, but I can only speak about the one that I know.  I'm sure there are good ones out there.

Ive only just gone  independant after a long time working in parlours and for agencies!

Stay away ladies! These women who run these places are no better than pimps!

Here are some examples of how i was treated

I had a client who was quite rough and he accidently gave me a nose bleed. I phoned the "boss" and told her that i felt unwell i didnt want to work any more. considering id worked from 10 am and it was now 7pm, and id earnt her alot of money. she insisted i carried on till 10 pm.

I had a horrible client who talked about children during the session. I told him to get the f**k out. After speaking to other girls working for that agency who had experienced the same, i asked my boss, " why do you keep booking him?" she replied "its all money love"

At the end of the day, its your body. It wasnt until i went independent that i realised how shit i was treated and how much i could really earn.How can anyone justify taking phone calls from men they have never met and send them to other women? then to take a cut of the money.

At least if you are independent YOU call the shots. If you take a call and it doesnt sound right, dont book him. YOUR BODY YOUR DECiSIONS!!! please dont do it ladies.xxx Be your own boss, call your own shots xx

Now, I can fully understand your reasons above, but on the other hand, if you dont provide an agency/parlour with your ID, how can they prove one is over the age/legal to work as as escort?

As far as being over the age, not everyone is even remotely near their teens, so appearance alone would be enough in a lot of cases. I mean, I wish I could say that I look 18~ but I don't, and I'm only 25, so I'd imagine it gets even more clear cut the higher up you go.