commission split should be the last item of concern when searching for a home for a buyer.... 

Maybe.  Though I think agents still have a say on which properties they want their customers to see.

I do! I show what my buyers want to see, but I'm sure not all agents do

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers An agent is obligated to show all properties regardless of the stated fee should the buyer want to view the property.

In general, I do not.  If my buyer wants to see a home, I show it.  Only exception is if it is listed by an agency known for illegal/unethical practices.  I would like to believe that good agents do the same.

I have seen it happen.  I know of one agent that almost lost a buyer over the commission amount.  She said "I won't show that house becaue they don't pay enough."  The buyer went directly to the agent and almost bought the house.  She didn't care about the agent's commission.  She almost started working with the listing agent as a buyer too!  She was under a buyer's agreement too, which the original agent negated by refusing to show her a home.

That agent really screwed up!  Instead of having a smaller piece of the pie, she almost got nothing!  Plus she lost the respect of her client!

Yes. Not dramatically but it does have an impact. And it's not all about the agent wanting more commisssion. I've had buyers hesitate when they see a discounted commission on a listing, thinking this seller is will be difficult to deal with.

Wow have you been burnt on a selling office commission recently Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers? You seem to be asking a lot of questions about SOC...

If the agent will not show the property the buyers go to another agent who will show it. I show all properteis.

YES. Human Nature & Devil's Advocate: says "if I can show you 10 homes and 5 are 3%, 3 are 2.5% and 2 are under 2.5%, I can show you those in the order I wish and hope you simply buy from the better commissioned ones before we get to the lower commissioned ones. We're still planning to see all 10, but I'm just suggesting the order."

In my case, I don't need to do this: if my buyer won't pay the difference (per my CAR BRE) between what is offered and 3%, then we avoid under-commissioned homes. I let the buyer steer us.

There are 2 agent in San Diego that are so unethical, most of us won't show their listings at all, but disclose it. Again, we have to explain this to each buyer, give our reasons why and let them decide. Most agree with this after they learn the horrible past experiences with these agents, those that don't, then we show and they get what they get...with fair warning.

Only if the buyer does not want to look at it because they dont want to make up the difference for listing agents who get greedy.

nope.  I rarely even look at commission and feel the same goes for most agents in my market.

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers like it or not, it is true!

Although it does not affect me as I have agreement with my buyers on what I will be paid, most agents do not have this conversation at all when they start working with buyers.

It's never impacted my decision on whether or not to show a listing.

I do believe that some agents look at this before showing property to a buyer. It's not how I work. 

No, if my buyer wants to look at a home we go.  Unless it is out of their price range, of course.

Tony and Suzanne,
I think it does. IMHO, there “seems” to be agents out there who put their money ahead of buyers’ best interest.