Independant Sales Rep question:

[speeder]

The thread on multiple income sources could not be better timing; I was planning on asking this today anyways. I have a chance to rep a good product w/ a territory from the manufacturer, auto-related, but my general questions are these:

1) Is it better to be an employee or an independant sales rep? (Not sure whether I will have this choice, but wondering about the differences).

2) Any ISRs out there who can advise me what to ask for if I get this product into stores? A major (nationwide) chain perhaps? Would it be normal to get a one time commision or perpetual commisions?

3) Is there a type of lawyer who specialises in these types of contracts whom I should seek out? I only want a "normal" fair deal, whatever is industry standard, but I'm dealing w/ something that could potentially be very successful. Thanks a lot in advance, guys.

[imcarthur]

I been both in consumer electronics over the last 25 + years.

There are actually 3 basic classes:

1) Independent Manufacturers Rep - you run it & pay all expenses & earn all the dough for the products you are contracted to sell in the sales area or customer base agreed upon.

which can grow into:

2) Independent Manufacturers Rep Agency - either you run it (ideal) or you rep the lines the agency sells & get a commission % + some expenses

or

3) Manufacturer's Corporate Rep - often you get paid salary + bonus + expenses paid

The risk diminishes as the paperwork increases as you move up the numbers.

Ian