Photos price advice?

Hi guys! Just after a bit of advice and would really appreciate any info you could give me. Have had a read through the FAQ on finding an agent and everyone seems to agree that if you are paying for photos and/ or membership when joining you are doing yourself a disservice. I've talked to two places now (I just scanned the places on seek.com and sent off a few resumes n pics for extra and modeling places) and both have said that without a professionally done portfolio of photos I simply wouldn't be considered by their clients. This seems to make sense to me. However after reading some of the threads here I wanted to make sure I wasn't being ripped off. Place #1 has asked for $190 + $8.80 a month to maintain an online profile. Place #2 has asked for $350 (apparently a student rate) for photos and membership and stated that the photos would have to be done in house. My question is not whether or not paying up front when joining an agency is a good idea but are these reasonable rates for (I assume) professional photographs? If not, what is? Also, if I was to do a TFP shoot is the any reason these photos could not get me started at an agency (assuming said agency doesn't have only an in-house photographer policy)? Thank You! Alec