As a long time practitioner, I am more and more disappointed by the presence of weak agents in the industry. This past year the landscape of real estate has changed, now not only do you need to identify the home your client wants but now you have to interview the listing agent. Many do not know what they are doing and are operating under completely unethical and often times incompetent behavior. They are the ones who list homes and offer less than a full commission to the buyers agent. First it was the "discount" agents, or the flat fee listings, now it is the bank REO agents, but more and more frequently short sales and even straight re-sales are offering less and less. How can someone who drops their pants before an offer even comes in be considered a "good" agent or for that matter be encouraged to continue? 

We need to set a standard, if they are willing to dump the payable at the time of the listing it shows me they do not know what they are doing and do not deserve the listing. If they give up money so quickly, how the heck are they to be expected to get a higher sales price for the seller? Do they adequetley represent the clients best interest or get it sold at all for that matter? If you are an agent out there and take less than a full commission listing.. YOU should take the hit on your side of the transaction. You have already sold yourself short because your services are less valuable but keep your hands off the other agents commission. I have very little respect for agents who offer less than 3% after they have taken a less than 6% listing in the first place. In short if you are a weak agent please, do not take listings. Go back to the basics and leave the listings to the experienced agents who know what they are doing, we will welcome you back after you have earned your way back in.