You're actually incorrect. You may file a complaint against a Registered Rep (or a "broker" as many on here are calling them) for misrepresenting a product or prescribing something that is inappropriate for you based on your basic suitability, e.g. time horizon, age, and investment goals, just the same as you can for an Investment Advisory Representative (or an "advisor" as many are calling them on here). Those disclosures can be settled privately or if they are deemed legitimate by a regulator body, could go to arbitration as delineated by FINRA.

Most "advisors" are also "brokers" and are allowed and capable of selling products on commission. It's amusing to me that so many people are making it such a black and white situation in this thread, as if all brokers not bound by fiduciary duty are selling their clients down shit creek. On the contrary, it's often better for smaller clients with a very long time horizon to pay a relatively large commission up front with A shares rather than an ongoing annual fee (usually about 1%) that an advisor would charge. Yes, ETFs are very popular on this subreddit, but mutual funds have their place too.