Sigrid I have used P&E for years and know Victoria Strauss, the writer who maintains the database for them....she does extensive research and has based the info she posts on letters she receives from writers all over the world.

You of course need to follow your heart on your search for an agent but the rule of thumb (and I'm not just talking about on P&E) is not to pay a reading fee - and certainly that is one of the BIGGEST ones I've ever heard of!! Someone recently said that "time is money" for those reading all the query letters and I do believe that's true - but $395 is a LOT of money.

I wish you a LOT of luck though - and whatever you decide to do - make sure it's right for YOU - regardless what others may advise.