3 minute read · Updated 26 October 2026
A commission rate can help you work out a payment, but it won’t tell you how much you’ll earn overall. You need to know which sales or introductions qualify, how much work is involved and what you’ll spend.
What does the percentage apply to?
The advertised rate might apply only to certain sales, or rise once you reach a target. Delivery charges, discounts, returns and some products may be excluded. Ask for the current payment plan and an example of how it works.
Some companies use points to measure qualifying activity. Don’t treat those points as pounds. Payments for your own sales and rewards for team activity may also follow different rules.
Keep track of expenses and time
Samples, brochures, subscriptions, delivery, travel and event fees can all reduce what you keep. You may also have joining costs to recover before the business has paid for itself.
Record the time you spend finding customers, answering questions, arranging demonstrations and handling orders. This helps you judge whether the return is worth the work involved.
Look closely at income figures
If a company publishes earnings information, check the country and year, who is included and whether expenses have been deducted. An average can hide big differences between participants. A top earner’s story gives little indication of what a new rep will receive.
Check when payments can be taken back
Ask when you earn commission and when it reaches you. Returns or cancellations may reduce a payment. For service introductions, a company may reclaim commission if a customer leaves; this is often called a clawback. Ask how long those rules apply.
Further reading
For individual companies and their official sources, see the company overviews.