Believe it or not, but I was once given a girl’s contact info… directly by the agency’s booker, at her request! So no, I definitely wouldn’t jump for the tar, feathers, torch and pitchfork if a girl handed me her contact info to make both our lives easier.
On the other hand, given direct access to an agency provider and the opportunity book her with no one else involved, I would probably still NOT bypass the agency.
I might very well be in the wrong here, but I find that booking through a well established agency also tends to provide me with… hmm, let’s call it a measure of reassurance. They have a reputation to uphold… They know me and my tastes… Yes, it does mean that a third party suddenly becomes involved in what is otherwise a simple transaction. But that third party has a vested interest in things going smoothly for everyone involved and that’s valuable to me.
So yeah, they might be the middlemen. Fair enough. But you know, I actually value their part in the proceedings… as much as I would enjoy a sommelier’s input before fine dining!
That’s just me. Not trying to change anyone’s mind here. Cheers!