Depending on your geographic location, and/or philosophy, there is an ongoing tug-of-war (I don't really want to call it a "battle") over which method is better.
Many agents (full-disclosure: I include myself amongst their ranks) believe that the best way to show a property is to install a LOCKBOX , and allow buyer's agents to make appointments and come and go as they can. Yes, when possible, the lockbox should be of the electronic variety... Buyer's agent call the listing office, set up an appointment which we confirm with the seller, and then off we send them.
Sometimes, if it's a second showing, or a particularly difficult or complicated listing to show, we'll accompany the showing, but if we're not available, we don't want to miss a showing, so we go and show. We do, of course, make sure that the home is "idiot-proof", and by that I mean we've got full-colour brochures, and signage all over the house, showing the 'hidden features' (ie: a bulleted flyer listing newest features... new furnace, 2008, new tear-off roof w/30year shingle 2009, don't miss half bath, house has Cat-5 wiring for high speed connections throughout the house... ) making sure that a buyer's agent can properly showcase the home, even if they've never been there before.
On the other side of the room (the one's who were glaring and "booing" while I was 
explaining the prior two paragraphs) are the agents who believe that putting a lock box on a property is tantamount to being a "For Sale By Owner". After all, if you're not going to accompany the showing, and point out all of the homes special features and functions, you might as well just put a sign in the front yard, and leave the door unlocked. Who needs a Realtor, if all you're going to do is send buyer's agents (uninformed, and disinterested) to the house, and allow them to wander through the home. And if I can't manage to accompany at 11:00, they can meet me at 1:00 when I will be available... if they're truly interested, they'll make it work.
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There are valid arguments on both sides!
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There are valid arguments on both sides, (no, really, there are) and I'm not really looking to argue those in this post. If you fall into the second category, I have nothing but respect and admiration for your ability to juggle all your showings on your listings, and chase them around the city, all day long. You work hard, and I respect that.
The area we fall into discord is when I, as a buyer's agent, try to make an appointment with a category two Realtor, and just can't get my buyer inside. My client has a property they'd like to see, and it's "accompanied only". The agent doesn't return phone calls regularly, and when he does, the times that are available for my buyer never line-up with those that the listing agent can manage to coordinate.
I don't fault him for not being able to matchup with our schedule. But you'd think after three attempts to view the property, over a period of two weeks, that someone (either the seller or the agent) would allow us to use a lockbox to view the property. I cannot sell the property, if I can't show it.
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