In any profession, new entrants who engage before they are well trained tend to drag dow the perception of us all. Training and mentoring is so important.

Great question. In many cases the answer is "yes", but there are those who have changed with the times and are excelling at customer service!

There is no perfect industry and we are not exception. 

As with any industry, some adapt and thrive, others do not and fade away.

I don't see our value as Realtors has diminished.  The change is that clients have the Internet and realize they have a choice.  They research and will change if they are not satisfied.  Our value continues to grow and less people are trying to work directly with the listing agent.  Is my perception correct?

Quite to the contrary, I see the adaptability which exists today much more so. You have to take two steps at a time to stay ahead.

i think the value of an agent, has gone down, because of the public access to listings and data. i think the public looks at agents like lawyers, a necessary evil, rather than a arbitrator for good.. just my thoughts.

I feel the perceived value of agents has always been low.  There will always be people who feel we do nothing but open doors and provide tours to people who like looking at pretty houses.  And, they're correct.  I'll use the 20/80 % formula that I believe never changes.  20% of us provide value and the other 80% feel they're professionals because they have business cards with their name on it that proves they're pros!

the value of agents is greater now than every before.... and the "real players" will always respond properly to changing consumer demands and expectations.... again, the "real players"...

Michael Thornton Agent's who keep pace with the industry will prosper. Those who don't will fade away.

I agree with Wayne's comment.

I'm with Ronald Gombach "clean up the playing field that is riddled, daily, with transactions, unnecessarily, gone bad."

The simple answer is some do and some do not. The public is learning what a good agent is and they are demanding it by not accepting those big company attitudes that takes the personaization out of buying or selling. Those offeringu a good service are flourishing while those that dont, are not

This is the second article you have posted I find offending to the real estate profession. Very soon, there may be need to parade the :inspectors gone goofy for equal time. 

The truth is there is no industry on the planet more agile and responsive to consumer need than the real estate industry. Early technology implementers co-exist with those using fax machines.  The diversity represented in the population of real estate agents matches the diversity of those being served.

Of course, in any competitive industry, there are those who think the competitor is inferior and desires to exclude them from the business.

Do small business owners such as inspectors, understand phycographics as it collectively applies to their consumer?

Of coure there IS a firm understanding and recognition of change, however, what your reading material and you have failed to present is how that is actully demonstrated on 123 Maple Street in Akron Ohio. Understand that and you will realize the real estate industry with a vast array of selection, choice and opportunity IS THERE.

No...no more than they ever did...technology has been appreciated by more clients...not at all the case here !