Many brokers have begun taking upfront fees, generally the total fee can be a combination of an upfront fee and commission paid upon sale in the business. An unreliable broker meets with you, runs some quick numbers, lets you know that you can get your price actually more to your own business, soon after which it asks for a check to begin. In many cases, business owners are so relieved that they’ve found an agent and elated that they’ll write a check on the spot, without checking any references.