I've used the personals sites a few times...specifically adultfriendfinder and lavalife.
You *CAN* meet people this way, but it can take varying amounts of work. Our hobby is one that sets us up with what is going to be a good time 99 times out of a 100.
I've met 3 women in person (and talked with more than I can recall) and had a good time with 2 of them. The third was, well, "a learning experience".
Some profiles are fake, some are probably SP's or wannabe SP's, and some are probably guys pretending to be women, whose motiviation I couldn't guess.
If you like to have an emotional connection with the other person (an emotional GFE if not a physical one) then this would be worth your time. I met the first women in person about a week after joining Adultfriendfinder. We met for coffee, and got it to go.
I guess this is a little rambly, but the short version is that if you don't mind putting the time into it then this is a viable option. I haven't done the phone thing for lavalife but there are links to scams on here (SP's that take the money and run) so be careful!
Hope this helps...I'd rather remain
anonemouse