Thanks for sharing on the board.
Personally i will admit i like to deal with agencies a lot. I also deal with indies but i would say most of my bookings are with agencies. Its too bad my post was erased because the person who made the thread erased the entire thread, but i had a pretty lenghty post on why i enjoy dealing with agencies and why they often does not get the credit they deserve.
But in a nutshell i got to admit i apreciate the simplicity of agencies. Most owners knows me by now and know i am reliable and easy to deal with. I try to usually get in contact with the owner first about seeing a specific girl and to be sure we would match well. Know also if she is reliable on her side as i come from out of town. The new generation of agency owners are honest and i enjoy dealing with them.
50% of a cut is indeed way too much, most agencies usually will take 30% max. In a 220$ booking i know usually girls retain 160 or more, and the rest is to the agency and driver. I know on the spot it may "suck" to have the impression to have your due earned money taken from you, but as you say in your message, you don't have to pay for ads, transportation, and once you built your reputation as a great provider in an agency, you are always fully booked.
I hope this will not sound controversial but ill admit i apreciate the agency pricing as well

(I know your hourly rate is very close to agency, im talking in general)
I will also admit that when dealing with an indy i apreciate when its simple. We get in contact, i ask a few questions, they get answered and then we set on a day and time. I don't like when there is "requirements" like references, full name, 4 star hotel minimum (or incall only) or even a deeper screening/deposit ask. I come to Montreal to have a good time, to relax, its my "vacations" if i can say (i don't travel) so i don't want to have additional unwanted stress. I have my usual hotels (one in specific i prefer but if i don't reserve well in advance its often fully booked lol) and i keep walking into MTL at a minimum.
But this is me and i know we are all different and some peoples are locals etc.
If being indy suit you better Kyla, its awesome. I am glad all goes well for you. Some other SP like the conveniance of an agency just like i do as a client. And its ok as well.
I wish there wouldn't be "hard feeling" between the girls, but sadly life is like that :/
In any case gonna wrap this up repeating myself but yeah i sometimes book indies as well and more often than not it goes well. Last time i had a booking set with an indy i was in the car for Montreal and i got canceled, i know the excuse given was a lie (for a fact) so it kinda gave me a cold shower... If for some reason she didn't wanted to see me i wish she would had tell me right away. But otherwise i had great booking with indies as well.
So im glad there is both ways in the business. Everybody is happy.