I should beg?

I was at a sellers house yesterday to list their home.  They sprung on me at the last minute that they expected an extremely discounted commission.  I am a full service agent, with a full service firm and these were PAST CLIENTS!  This, after discussing the market times (2 - 6 months for some houses!), and watching the trends of price reductions, etc.  I couldnt believe my ears when he said "I'd think in this market you and your firm would be begging for a listing like this."  Huh?  The short end of this long story is that we further discussed, and I got what I needed, and they are actually now thanking me for it.  Sellers are a bit slow to understand the significance this market change, and that it requires a lot more now than merely a sign and an MLS listing to get the house sold.  We're seeing 4-5% commissions to buyers agents, we're seeing trips, gift cards, closing cost credits , cash credits to agents at closing, etc, etc. This is not the time to tie your agents hands and disable their ability to properly expose and market your house. This is a professionals market.  Plain and simple. The professionals will survive.  The rest? Only time will tell.