Do Lawyers, Accountants, Charge Commissions?

Hello Leanne - it was in junior high school when I first heard the acronym TANSTAAFL  there ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Maybe it was the language the teacher used but it has remained memorable for me for fifty years.

The words we use can convey so many images. We do work for our remunerations and whether fees or commissions every penny is deserved.

Words matter. So does the tone of the words. 

I've been using the word Fees for many years. 

There are several terms (words) used by real estate agents that make me cringe. 

Good evening Leanne,

I've always felt words matter and usually refer to my compensation as a fee. It might be wise now that our industry is being "reimagined" to use different words and fee is a good one to describe how we work.

Hi Leanne- I've been using the site for years when I am torn between what title to use. Depending upon the type of post, it helps me with finding a title that will attract readers. 

It seems that they charge more per 10 minute interval than I make hourly, haha.

Thought provoking post that really does make one thing Leanne Smith !

Yes indeed, great reminder to choose our words carefully. I have been using "my fee" vs. "the commission for over 15 years now. The reason why originally was to separate my gross fee from the total gross fee. Sellers kept saying 6%?!? as if it all went into my "Mansion on the hill Fund". I'd have to explain I only net about 1/4 of that after splits back in the day. Now we only discuss my fee and then, I share how they need to consider compensating the seller's agent with a cooperating fee.

Fee just sounds less expensive than commission too to me for some reason.

Great point. The way we say things really matters, and even without the website that measures EMV, the words fee and commission just feel different.

The lawsuit, of course, was not about either commission or fee. The lawsuit was how the charge was determined and who was paying it. While I disagree with the outcome of the suit, I do know that it will make us consider how we frame the charge to our clients in the future.

I wrote a long response to this and it vanished, Leanne! I thought it hadn't gone through because the login page suddenly appeared...UGH!

In a nutshell, you're so right about this. I have always felt that the term 'commission' makes me think of a high-paid artist who has been 'commissioned' to paint a portrait of the Queen. I shudder at the thought of the cost of that portrait.

Therefore, 'fee' is the term that I use with my clients - I never want to induce shuddering!

Actually our State has been slowing retiring the Word -Commission . Our state Docs now read Brokerage Fee