You're right. Back then the only way of finding places was via ads in shop windows or the back pages of local newspapers.
As well as the rise of AW, the 2008 recession will have seen a drop in trade, plus newspaper groups were pressured to stop carrying the ads. They also disappeared from shop windows suddenly as well.
I read your review of the Latino place in Gants Hill, straight away reminded me of choosing one over the others and getting a good time for doing so, did make want to go if it had not been Latino would have been there quick, they just do not do it for me and never clicked, maybe just my body type or something else but never works for me.
Aw is boring really, all fake pics, extra menus, coke heads that are shit in the morning and jaded by the evening and reading recent reviews Covid and no feedback is giving them all sorts of reasons to mug punters and put up prices.
The good news is other sites are livening up with bored women and those needing money, Meeting a 24 year old black girl this afternoon, no idea what she looks like, did not ask, she wants anal training and no money, Asked what she should wear, tight top, short skirt, stockings and no bra or panties was the answer, ok she said so cannot be too bad lol.
I asked first before revealing my age or race if she had a preferred type, older white guys, game on, asked why and she said young guys have not been satisfying her and are selfish and she wants to try new things.
If you are patient, have time, and can read between the lines and converse easily and draw out their needs it is well worth a try, lots have high expectations money wise, but there are sensible ones and those that just want good sex, when I mentioned money to this one she said she does not want to be paid for sex full stop.
It is not like calling a whore, telling her what you want and agreeing a price, you have to converse and be patient and see if the is a meeting of minds, a meeting of minds usually leads to good sex, not always but sometimes and when it does it is far better than a limited time meet with a whore and going through an extras menu.