I figure it's not the guy's fault that some agencies take a bigger bite out of what the girls end up with. Don't mean to sound like a bitch, but in 15 years of working as an SP for both agencies and independent, Thunder Bay is the only city I ever worked in where girls "expected tips". This is because when I was there, they would starve if they didn't get tips.
In 1997 I went there for one week and all of the agencies operated the same way. They charged $100 for one hour and we had to give them $50. The agency owner told me it was up to us to hustle for tips and that if the guys wanted sex they would have to. Because I never worked that way, I felt very uncomfortable. Sometimes I would walk away with only another $50, making only $100 myself for the hour because I couldn't bring myself to do it. Just to give you an idea, the standard hour rate everywhere else was $250 to $300 in those days.
I have no idea how agencies in Thunder Bay operate presently, but that is how it was done then and it was horrible. Of course when I called to go there, they didn't exactly tell me - they just said I could make $500 to $700 a night. I knew some girls that literally walked away with $50 because they weren't hustlers. I am not saying it is like that now, but perhaps the tipping mentality is still there - which by the way is not the girls' fault.
I hate to say it but after working in Calgary, Fort Mac, Peace River, Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John (a real hell hole), Prince George, Kingston and North Bay, Thunder Bay was the worst city I ever worked in as far as rates went. I hope some things have improved in Thunder Bay since that fateful trip I took in 1997.
If a lady doesn't like what she's getting paid from an agency, she should consider going independent. But to expect the guy to subsidize that is asking him to pay above what is being asked. If for whatever reason she has to work agency, then in my opinion, she is agreeing to the rates being paid.
My rates are all inclusive. If I get a tip, I am happy, but I NEVER expect it or would tell anyone it should be mandatory.
Sorry, to come down on you, but this is why some guys choose to see indies over agency girls because they don't want the pressure of the upselling once they get there.
Additional Comments:
I figure like attracts like. If a "bad" agency keeps operating after exploiting (yes, fining is a way of shaking them down), then there is a reason for it. That means there are certain girls who are willing to keep working for them and guys willing to keep calling them.
Not all girls are mindful of their rights and if they are being exploited, it can be for many reasons. They are young, naive, dependent on drugs or some other reason for needing the money, low self-esteem, not very good SPs and no one else will hire them - the list goes on.
I don't blame the victim so to speak, but with the ability to work indie, review boards like this and other resources, I am surprised to hear that these types of agencies still operate. I understand girls' reluctance to "rat them out". It's tough.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but back before working independent or doing in-calls was an option, corrupt agencies were the norm.
That is not the case now. There are many good above-board agencies with good reputations out there and some of the names have been mentioned here.
Perhaps again it is because you are in a small city and they are the only game in town. It's unfortunate for the ladies who work for them, because they not having the positive experience of working as an SP that should be afforded to them.