The Sherman Antitrust Act. We can advertise OUR rates. We can not gather with other brokers and agree to set prices

It appears your question has been fully answered and addressed, particularly by Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor 

One can ALWAYS discuss or advertise your commission rate or fee to the general public.  The risky thing to do is to even discuss them with agents from other brokerages.  Thanks to Pamela Seley for posting the link to the video I was looking for earlier and could not find!

Candice A. Donofrio got it and I'll piggyback with the legislation that piggybacks the Sherman Antitrust Act, which is the Clayton Antitrust Act that further details out what the Sherman Act leaves as potential loop holes. Also the Robinson Patman Act that amends the Clayton Act. (So it seems there are those that always will seek the proverbial loop hole.

Zillow and other companies have recently been filtered through these two pieces of legislation:

• price discrimination between different purchasers, if such discrimination tends to create a monopoly
• exclusive dealing agreements
• tying arrangements
• mergers and acquisitions that substantially reduce market competition.

I'm with Candice A. Donofrio and Pamela Seley.

Commissions are negotiable with the consumer.  It is viewed as 'price fixing' if you talk with other agents about commission structure, however. 

Val,

We constantly get mail solicitiations with lower commissions promised, and I see it in various print media.  And Candice A. Donofrio gave the answer.  A

 Val Evans , The Competition Act (‘the Act’) is the oldest antitrust statute in the western world, enacted in 1889 (one year before the Sherman Act in
the United States). The Act comprehensively sets out the competition
law of Canada, from hard-core cartels to merger review. With few exceptions, it applies to all businesses in Canada.

The Sherman Antitrust Act prohibits us from discussing them with anyone from competing brokerages, but we can discuss them with members of the public.

You can discuss your rates with the public, you can publish your rate. However teh Sherman Anti trust act forbids discussing what any other company charges or discussing rates with agents from any other companies. You can not state an average rate, going rate or most common rate for an area. 

One does not exist.  I can discuss the rates I charge with the general public anytime I like.  I just can't discuss them with professionals outside of my employ

I know that it is one of the anti trust laws that prevents us from discussing fees at professional gatherings.

Looks like I'm too late and you have your answer on this one.

Val Evans Already answered - the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Sherman Antitrust Act - 

 Barn Burner Realty, your discount broker 1.9% or lower.

In the Clouds Realty, your trusted community real estate marketer, 'Never pay more than the standard rate of 5%.

Zillow - real estate agents are over paid. Offer them $2,500 max.

Who is in violation?

As others have mentioned (Sherman Antitrust Act).  I don't think there is a problem publishing your rates, you just can't get with other brokers and establish those rates.

guilty....I don't know verbatum, but I know that commission rate should not be advertised ..... commissions are negotiable and there is no fixed commission rate....

It appears that you have received answers for this question. 

Real estate professionals should be careful when discussing commissions in a forum.

 Good Thursday morning Val. Interesting question and I had to read through some of the answers. There are some agents in this area could tout that they will sell your home for free. Of course, there is a catch.

Looks like you have some good answers!  I Hope you had a safe and happy Veterans Day and have an even better day tomorrow.  

We don't disclose it to public.

You have your answers it is the Sherman Antitrust Act, but it is not that we cannot advertise our commission but we cannot agree with other agents or agencies to keep commissions at a certain level.

While the Real Estate industry is certainly a regulated industry, that regulation is through each individual state and not through the Federal government.

Thus, to answer your question, there is not a federal statute per se that governs this type of advertising. There is, however, clear guidelines from the Sherman Act that prohibit collusion amongst agents. And certainly there are ethical guidelines that should govern all of our advertising, with the focus always being on what is best for the client.

Hope that helps!

It's the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/antitrust