You got it backwards, the Target cashier should ADD the value of the benefits they recieve not subtract them. As an independent contractor I pay for everything that employees receive as part of the compensation and genereally dont value.
The average realtor does not have 10 sales they have 2 to 4 which is part of the problem. With very low barriers to entry, agent productivity is very low. I would gladly work for less per transaction if the volume was there. To say 90% of my time is spent marketing is not accurate. Alot of my time is spend learning and identifying opportunities for clients to beat the market. That is what I get paid for. To say 05 should be spent marketing is very naive. All business require a significant marketing effort, at least all successful businesses.