OK--you list sellers under an agreement that if you sell it yourself, they get a reduced price. If another agent brings the buyer, the other agent gets a substantially higher commission.

If I leave the company I was with, I could theoretically become the "other agent that brings the buyer". Does anyone see any issues with that?

No problem here. The listing stays with the broker.
Why not take the listing with you and get both sides? I can't imagine that just bringing the buyer will get you more vs. the total reduced % agreed to in the listing.

But what you're probably doing is seeing this from the seller's point of view...

I am Mr. Seller. I sign a listing contract, and if my listing agent brings the buyer then the amount of commission I pay is lower than if another broker provides a buyer.

A few months later, my listing *agent* leaves the brokerage, and I see an offer written by that agent with another brokerage. Wait a minute! But that's my listing agent! I should get a discounted commission rate!

Your sellers might need a re-written brokerage agreement so that whomever is handling the listing next is the designated agent who will discount the commission.
That might be the perfect, ethical window for your seller to say "Well can I change companies and list my home with you?"
--A

Thanks. You got it. That was my exact concern. Your solution is a reasonable consideration.

I would think the seller would jump for joy to get an offer after so many months and not care about you having switched brokers.
Also, what makes you think another agent in your old office who took over the listing still has the same terms you had negotiated for yourself?

;) Good question, but I'm LOL . Just shows how different franchises are, and, how different each independently owned and operated franchise is. Basically, I've been serving a given area because no one else wanted to serve it or was available to serve it. That is why I feel so tied to the listings and feel so responsible. I am concerned about service to them when I leave. Big picture--some franchises do not allow agents to negotiate different from one another.

Sidebar: 3 agents recently left for "greener grass". I cannot see this listings being maintained or serviced. OK, maybe they can be. Maybe the problem is that I personally feel responsible.

Thanks for your input.

Intersting, this is expressly forbiden in Manitoba. We can offer a reduced rate if we double end, but only if there are NO other offers on the table.