They could have gone directly to the sellers agent and asked for a reduction in the price by the buyers commission side however that wouldnt have helped much. If the listing agent would have done that she would have insisted on a price starting at least $40K higher than we settled at and would have reduced it by the buyers side commission that was alot less than $40K. This was a very challenging negotiation. I got the sellers to accept $40K less than an inferior comp closed a couple doors away last month. I earned every penny that I made on this one based upon what I got them the house for not even factoring in months of work and many failed attempts on other houses.
FWIW, I beleive I could have done alot better for you also. Alot better.