This happens with full price agents too. In my experience, their "expertise" is really just confidence and bluster. Commissions are high not because real estate salespeople are good, but because they are inefficient and because they operate under a de facto cartel.
Some are pretty good at getting you more. The opposite is a house dumper or bad one(the house dumper is pro, excellent for buying).
I've sold in other industries before....good ones are worth every penny and know how to twist arms.
Granted it is a cartel that hopefully Zillow will destroy. I suspect the agent will still be around for the lazy, elderly, or those who can't sell well.
