Before you, as a buyer, go to see homes, there is already a mechanism in place for the agent who opens the door for you to get paid.  This is why agents may want you to sign a contract to work with them, but they do NOT rely on you to agree to pay them.

The payment for the services afforded you is already in place.  You can choose to know what that is, or you can choose to feel that the service is free.  By and large the buying public likes the idea of thinking it is free.

Most buyers do not talk about commissions, do not care what the agent is getting paid and simply look at houses and then buy one.  That is how it has always been.

I do not urge you, the buying public, to get into a conversation about commissions in order to rock the boat with regard to the money exchanged.  I do it so that you will be sure that your agent understands that he works for you and is paid by you.  Most do not.  You pay the commission as part of the sale price, so make it your business to know what you are paying AND make it your business to make sure the agent knows he works FOR you AND is paid by you. 

When the agent thinks you are not paying him, and you are getting something for nothing...it will bite you in the butt somewhere along the line.  So don't step into a house with an agent until you understand what you are "stepping into".

For up to date info on the Real Estate Commission controversey from The Real Deal click HERE.