I've got a different strategy than Elmo
About 2-3 years ago I got tired of the hit-or-miss experimenting with new talent, never knowing whether it would be one of those $150 women who were better than a $500 lady, or whether it would be a total rip-off and/or just plain terrible experience. I never got any "thrill" from the uncertainty of the outcome. I resolved to move a bit more upscale. These days I usually spend between $350-$500 an hour, and have also done a bit more research than I used to. I have seen one porn actress and a few of the often-mentioned, often-reviewed (and highly "ranked") ladies on the usual boards. The results have been good -- I've only had one bad and one average experience since I shifted up a notch. And the rest have been split 50-50 between excellent and spectacular.
I agree that there are less expensive providers who are every bit as good as the high-priced spreads, but I also have found that my chances of leaving with a smile on my face is improved vastly by shifting to a price level where the provider =knows= that a good experience is the minimally expected outcome. In the old days I met too many women who believed that the minimally expected outcome was just a spilled cup of coffee. Well I can spill my own coffee, thank you very much. I expect a lot more from a quality provider, and am pleased that I usually am not disappointed.