If your good friend is a Realtor, are you obligated to use them as your agent?

Q & A ARTICLE I WROTE ON TRULIA IN RESPONSE TO A REAL LIFE SITUATION:

HERE IS THE QUESTION:

A close friend of mine wants to sell her house. She has a very close friend who happens to be a very good agent. The seller wants to get other opinions of value prior to listing. The very good agent, and friend, got upset when seller wanted second opinion. What is your take?

HERE IS MY ANSWER:

Great question John!  I'm sure this scenario comes up more often than not.  We have to remember as professionals, that we provide a service that is viewed by most prospective buyers and sellers as a commodity.  That said, although the "very good" agent is a close friend of the seller, can you blame that person for getting a second or even third opinion?  After all, friendship aside, real estate boils down to strictly business.  The seller needs to look out for their best interest.  If the "very good" agent (friend) is a full time Realtor in that area and is as good as they claim to be, then they shouldn't feel threatened by the seller's actions.  Actually, I would even encourage it since they should already have the upper hand with an established relationship.  Then again, there are lots of people who don't like to do business with friends on either side of the deal mostly because the seller may feel like they deserve extra special preferential treatment.  On the other hand, the agent may approach a listing of their good friend with a lackadaisical approach.  Both approaches are recipe for disaster and that's how friendships are lost!  The "very good" agent will get their friends listing if they are truly deserving!  If not, that "very good" agent shouldn't be upset with the seller, but may start thinking seriously about how "good" they really are in the eyes of their friends?