They make their money by representing several clients on a commission basis. They solicit orders for clients in territories upon which they have agreed. Some agents have employees who help them cover a wide area. The manufacturers, as a rule, ship and bill the customer directly. They set prices, terms, and other conditions of sale.
Sales agents go by various names.
The labels vary according to industry. Also, the marketing functions which agents perform vary from one industry to another. When an agent represents you, the agent controls the approach to customers. In effect, they are your agent's customers rather than yours. In many cases, such a relationship may be as good as, or better than, using your own sales force.