I agree it's a problem. That's why I wanted to post my experience with them on this one, and why I wouldn't accept lower than $xxx. We both obviously have our defenses up now regarding one anothers' posts, but I think we are getting at the same issue.
As for shaming, I do view it as shaming to simply say that it's an individual's fault for taking a lower-than-desired fee when those fees are the norm in an area and most SSs won't negotiate. It's not a matter of "liking or disliking what I hear", it's an acknowledgment of the reality of the market as it is at the time I entered the market (which was just this past summer). I wasn't here when this norm became the norm. I can only respond to the market as it is and try to build up the experience to start asking for those higher fees.
As mentioned in my other reply below, it would be great if we could all organize nationwide and agree not to accept fees below a certain level. That in my view would be the most plausible action we can take. |