All in all I've had mainly positive experiences in the hobby, ranging from good to fantastic. However, when I first started out and didn't understand the importance of research, I had a few less than savory experiences.
Probably the worst of these happened in Vegas. Prior to this I'd met with only one escort who I found on the Austin Chronicle's Adult section if you can believe that, and amazingly enough it wasn't that bad (hey at least I didn't get robbed!). So I figure Vegas must be incredible! Sin City! More hot top-notch providers than you can shake a stick at! What could go wrong?
So I settle on this one smoking hot provider I found on eros and got her contact info to take with me (this was way before smart phones). I get out there and finally work up the courage to call, and I talk to a really sweet, sexy voice that tells me that she's available and will be at my hotel room shortly. No talk of refs or any kind of verification, which if I were doing this today would have been a big red flag.
About 30 minutes later there's a knock on the door, I jump about 10 feet and try to calm down as I go to open it. Well...the good news is, she's actually pretty attractive. The bad news is she has this look on her face like this is the last place on earth she wants to be, and I better keep my goddam hands to myself if I know what's good for me. Also, she's not the girl in the ads, or the one on the phone. Plus she kinda looks like someone I know, which is weirding me out.
Her rate was $300, which I had in an envelope on the dresser. She takes a look at it, asks if that's all I have, and after I confirm that yes, that's all I have, she's explains how she'll need at least double that for Mr. Happy to go spelunking. Okay...so what can we do instead? She tells me she can dance for me while I service myself. At this point I know things have gone off the rails, but I was young and stupid and didn't understand the sunk-cost fallacy, so I timidly whip it out while she "dances." Her dancing amounts to half-assed gyrations with an incredibly bored look on her face, and pretty quickly I know there's no way I'm finishing. I explain as much to her, at which point she packs up, grabs her money, and suggests that next time I bring more money with me. Fun times.
In summary: I paid $300 to jerk off for a few minutes in front of a bored, resentful "stripper."