Assuming The Same Service Levels?
Not every agent in the Wenatchee Valley offers equal client services or experience. The average agent only completes five transactions per year. In my opinion it’s hard to stay on top of things professionally if you only work at it just a few times each year. And you certainly would not have much experience negotiating those five transactions on behalf of your clients.
By choosing an agent with a large marketing budget and ideally with their own in-house marketing team, your property will be exposed to a much wider pool of qualified buyers. Reaching a greater number of prospective buyers means a better chance of receiving a good offer and in less time. Newspapers and most print media is no longer effective in selling homes so you'll want to pay a lot of attention to the online media opportunities that each agent presents. 
Choosing A Discount Real Estate Agent
Top agents don’t discount their services. They don’t have to. A discount agent has to cut corners and services and their marketing budget for your property will be at the top of the list. If the main benefit an agent offers is a cheap service fee, why not ask yourself why? Could the agent be new, desperate for business or possibly unqualified (even minimum wage)?
One final point on commissions: The difference between an agent that charges 5% and 6% is 1%. Would you come out ahead if your selling price were reduced by just 1% because you choose to work with a discount agent who did not have the resources to effectively market your home?
You are right, Melissa. People think they are saving money, but in reality, they will be loosing on sale most of the time.
Melissa, I just wrote a post on someone who "just wanted a sign in the yard and to be placed on the internet for 1%". Your post is SO right!! A good realtor provides SO MUCH MORE for his/her client. A SOLD sign in the yard is the goal, and not every agent will do the work to make it happen!
I agree Irina & Sonja...if they are listing with an agent just to save on the listing commission I gaurantee that agent doesn't spend as much time and money as I do marketing their property! Most agents in my area that cut their commissions are just buying the listing and do very few deal each year. Which equals to very little experience!