crazy stories about slimy ones in the industry.

Are the days of RE agents earning or even trying to justify such a high fee for most people? Absolutley!

I can just speak from experience in financial services and banking for years that there are tons of occupations where people are way overpaid for the amount of energy and time they spend for their clients. I won't bother arguing with people on here about who deserves what, but I have made so much money helping clients who have given me glowing reviews on much I really have helped them reach their goals, when they could have done a little more research on their own and saved tens of thousands in fees over the years.

Technology and innovative companies are changing who really needs a RE agent and how much they should get paid. I'll be the first to admit, it blows my mind what my wife makes on some transactions, but as long as clients agree to the terms going into it as a buyer and seller, it's all disclosed and agreed to.

The traditional system of buying and selling homes is obvioulsy outdated and not sustainable, but as long as clients are ok paying those fees, RE agents will keep collecting them.

As for the OP situation, agents that totally disregard a seller's specific instructions and treat you like that are lilkely in full panic seeing their future and are sadly grasping for straws on any transaction they can in this market. I hope they dont stay in the industry after this bubble happens.