i will be writing an article on this very issue in the near future:
"Why I believe its crazy to ask agents to negotiate their own commissions when wholesaling"
Long title, i know im still working on that part.
In my experience i have found that paying agents commissions with in my sales price has concluded in more closed deals then asking an agent to negotiate with their buyer to pay the agents commission. And more repeat business.
in short: 2 reasons.
1. If an agent cant fight to get their buyer to pay commission upfront before taking that buyer to see unlisted properties, then they arent going to do it when your deal comes along. Causing the deal to fall apeart because the buyer doesn't want to pay on the back end of the deal. which will ultimately increase their purchase price, which may cause your deal to be a bad deal for them. Agents are like contractors 90% of them suck so if they cant negotiate for themselves they wont be able to negotiate to get theis type of deal done On your terms.
2. Spoon feed the agent and they will always come back. If the agent doesnt have to fight to get a commission on your deals, who do you think they will keep coming back to? I have found that buyers with agents tend to pay a little more then buyers without. Agents will be come your extended sales staff they will reach out to there client base 1 because it's a good deal 2 because they know they don't have to fight for a commissions.