Ive done a transactions with them representing buyers. My experiences have not been great. Each time I entered hoping for the best and being dissapointed.

They are working a bunch of transactions, dont know the details of the transaction and didnt counsel their clients properly. When I receive an offer nowfrom a buyer represented by them all things equal I consider that a weakness vis a vis another buyer with traditional representation. In full dislcosure, I feel the same way about some agents Ive worked with also but with them it was systemic. You can get the same financial arrangements with traditional experinced involved agents.

As for your friend my experience is they love them until they dont. Most of the top producing agents there move on after a few years.

For many they are fine but if I had an out of area family or friend that asked me Id send them elsewhere. YMMV