Real Estate Agent Commission TN

[Michael Letts]

Hello,

First time poster, long time reader! I’m in negotiations on a home in Tennessee and found the home on my own and without an agent. As I am now in negotiations I offered, what I assumed, was a standard offer of $10,000 less on roughly a 350k property. My explanation was that the selling realtor takes 3% commission and since I am with out an agent that 3% (roughly 10k) would be removed from the asking price giving the giving the seller the same amount they wanted and making a more favorable price for me the buyer. 

The agent said ”the commission is decided prior to listing the home in the Listing Agreement with the Seller. It is an agreement between my company and the Seller. As a buyer - whether represented or underrepresented - this is not something you can negotiate, nor is it something that will be reduced in benefit to the buyer”

Thoughts?