Most real estate people everywhere will provide a service to you in exchange for compensation. When you sell, they will represent you as a seller's agent; when you buy they will represent you as a buyer's agent. In some instances they will act as a dual agent, with full disclosure to both parties.
I'm sorry to hear that you have had bad experiences with agents, but you are swinging a broad brush when you say "most". Are there bad apples? You bet! But "taking advantage" of clients (treating them unfairly or dishonestly) is a great way to lose your license.
No one wants the bad guys out of the business more than I do.
I rarely say nor write much in the way of opinion anymore. It is better for the other person to have no idea of what is going to happen to him/her if they cause a problem without cause. Case closed. Don't reply, don't ask, don't tell. :-|.
The above statement about individuals losing a license for the things they do is the biggest bunch of hogwash I've EVER read on Free Republic, bar none. Do NOT reply...just let it go and close it.
Yes, like the one who tried to sell me a 16-year old doublewide on 9 acres with a pond for $125,000 in a rural area? ROFL.
I don't believe in making money that way -- it is blatantly dishonest. It is especially galling since the property later sold for around $77,000 (which was still a bit high). Okay, now I'm finished.