A buyer without representation is negotiating directly against a seller's agent who is legally obligated to get the seller the best price and terms, not a neutral middle ground. Paying for your own advocate is what puts someone on your side of that table instead of no one.
Commission in Saskatchewan is negotiable and often tiered, a different rate on the first portion of the price than on the balance, so a fairer comparison between agents is what each one actually does for that fee, weighed against a fixed cost like the $800 to $1,500 a lawyer charges to close the file.
Joel Dyck sets his fee and his role out plainly before a buyer commits to anything, including how a hand-reviewed valuation factors into the offer he helps negotiate. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.