Brokerage companies ... what they stand for

Every individual broker is different. But what is the general reputation of different firms. Here is what I have heard from open houses/friends/etc ... I am not that experienced in the NY market. Brown Harris Stevens cleanest reputation (relatively) ... well connected brokers Citi Habitats ... low-end, rentals mainly Sothebys ... riding the auction brand ... unnecessarily prudish Corcoran/Prudential ... don't really stand for anything CORE ... marketing hype, little substance Tabak (boutique) ... overpriced stuff that sits on the market for ever Halstead ... BHS wanna-be I realize some of these are under the same ownership (Citi Habitats, Sothebys, Corcoran?) I might be totally off ... very curious to get experienced people's opinions.