Do I pay a broker? or go around them?

The buyer does not pay the broker. The seller pays the broker.

I think the OP is talking about rentals nycjunior1. With rentals, the tenant usually pays the agent.

If a broker showed you the unit you wind up renting, then yes, you are obligated to pay their fee. It's not their word against yours - they will have a list of the properties they've showed you. If, on the other hand, you find a different apartment in the same building on your own, that's another story.

Bottom line - if the broker did a job for you he deserves to be paid. Scummy or not.

showed = shown. Geez, I'm starting to sound like a Neanderthal...

If you rent the apartment the broker showed you, then you should pay. That said, there's room for forthright negotiation. You can tell the broker, "I liked the unit you showed me better, but your fee is pushing me toward the other one." Just make sure you're prepared to follow through if the broker refuses to cut the fee.