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Exclusive Agency Agreement

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Exclusive Sales Agency Agreement

This Exclusive Sales Agency Agreement, hereinafter called the Agreement, is made on the day of , 20, between (Name of Representative) of , referred to herein as the Representative, and (Name of Company), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as the Company.

I. Definitions.

A. Products initially shall mean those products listed in Exhibit A attached hereto and any such additional products that Company may manufacture or sell. Products may be changed, discontinued, or added by mutual agreement of the Parties. Representative shall have the right of first refusal to represent any additional product, including Product upgrades and modifications, represented, sold, or marketed by Company.

B. Territory means the geographic areas listed on Exhibit B attached hereto.

II. Appointment and Authority of Representative.

A. Exclusive Sales Representative. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, Company appoints Representative as Company’s exclusive sales representative for the Products in the Territory, and Representative accepts such appointment.

B. Independent Contractors. The relationship of Company and Representative established by this Agreement is that of independent contractor, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to (i) give either party the power to direct and control the day-today activities of the other, or (ii) constitute the parties as partners, joint venturers, co-owners or otherwise as participants in a joint undertaking, or (iii) allow Representative to create or assume any obligation on behalf of Company for any purpose whatsoever. All financial and other obligations associated with Representative’s business are the sole responsibility of Representative, Representative shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold Company free and harmless from, any and all claims, damages or lawsuits (including Company’s attorneys’ fees) arising solely out of the acts or Representative, its employees or its agents.

III. Commission.

A. Sole Compensation. Representative’s sole compensation under the terms of this Agreement shall be a commission (Commission) as provided in Exhibit C hereof on the net sales of all Products ordered, delivered or sold in the Territory.

B. Basis of Commission. The Commission shall apply to all orders to the Territory, whether or not such orders were solicited by Representative. Commissions shall be computed on the net sales amount invoiced by Company to the customer, provided no commission shall be paid with respect to charges for handling, freight, taxes, C.O.D. charges, insurance, tariffs and duties, cash and trade discounts, rebates, amounts allowed or credited for returns, uncollected or uncollectible amounts, services, and the like.

C. Payment. Commissions shall be paid in United States dollars and shall be subject to all applicable governmental laws, regulations and rulings, including the withholding of taxes.

D. Time of Payment. The Commission for a given order shall be earned by Representative when that order is placed. The Commission on a given order shall be due and payable thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar month in which Company invoices and ships that order.

E. Commission Charge-Back. Company shall have the right, while this Agreement is in effect, to write off as bad debts such overdue customer accounts as it deems advisable after notifying Representative and providing Representative the opportunity to attempt to induce payment. In each such case, Company may charge back to Representative’s account only any amounts previously paid to Representative. If such accounts are paid at any time, Representative shall be entitled to the applicable commissions.

F. Monthly Statements. Company shall submit to Representative monthly statements of the commissions due and payable to Representative under the terms of this Agreement, with reference to the specific orders on invoices on which the commissions are being paid.

G. Inspection of Records. Representative shall have the right, at its own expense and not more than once in any twelve (12) month period, to authorize Representative’s independent auditors to inspect, at reasonable times during Company’s ordinary business hours, Company’s relevant accounting records to verify the accuracy of Commissions paid by Company hereunder.

IV. Sale of the Products.

A. Prices and Terms of Sale. Company shall provide Representative with copies of its current price lists, its delivery schedules, and its standard terms and conditions of sale, as established from time to time. Representative shall quote to customers only those authorized prices, delivery schedules, and terms and conditions, and shall have no authority to quote or offer any discount to such prices or change any such terms and conditions, without the consent of Company. Company may change the prices, delivery schedules, and terms and conditions, provided that it gives Representative at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of any changes; however, such changes shall not affect any existing contacts or pricing agreements. Each order for a Product shall be governed by the prices, delivery schedules, and terms and conditions in effect at the time the order is accepted, and all quotations by Representative shall contain a statement to that effect.

B. Quotations. The parties shall furnish to each other copies of all quotations submitted to customers.

C. Orders. All orders for the Products shall be in writing, and the original shall be submitted to Company. Company shall promptly furnish to Representative informational copies of all commissionable orders sent by customers in the Territory.

D. Acceptance. All orders obtained by Representative shall be subject to acceptance by Company at its principal office currently located at the address listed for Company at the beginning of this Agreement, and all quotations by Representative shall contain a statement to that effect. Representative shall have no authority to make any acceptance or delivery commitments to customers. Company specifically reserves the right to reject any order or any part thereof for any reasonable reason. Company shall send copies to Representative of any written acceptances on commissionable orders.

E. Credit Approval. Company shall have the sole right of credit approval or credit refusal for its customers in all cases.

F. Collection. It is expressly understood by Representative that full responsibility for all collection rests with Company, provided, at Company’s request, Representative will provide reasonable assistance in collection of any accounts receivable. In the event that Representative, with the approval of Company, purchases Products from Company and resells said Products to its own customers, Representative shall have the sole right of credit approval or credit refusal for its own customers and full responsibility for all collection for such customers rests with Representative.

G. Inquiries from Outside the Territory. Representative shall promptly submit to Company, for Company’s attention and handling, the originals of all inquiries received by Representative from customers outside the Territory. 4.8 Product Availability. Company shall not be responsible to Representative or any other party for its failure to fill accepted orders, or for its delay in filling accepted orders, when such failure or delay is due to a cause beyond Company’s reasonable control.

V. Additional Obligations of Representative.

A. Annual Quota Commitment. Within 30 days of the Effective Date and within thirty days before the start of each subsequent calendar year, Company may assign to Representative an annual quota. Any annual quota must be fair and reasonable, taking into account factors including but not limited to sales in prior years, the competitive and economic situation in the Territory and marketplace, and Company’s market share nationally and in the Territory.

B. Promotion of the Products. Representative shall, at its own expense, promote the sale of the Products in the Territory. Representative may hire or contract with sales representatives or service personnel to promote the Products and perform the duties hereunder.

C. Facilities. Representative shall provide itself with, and be solely responsible for, (i) such facilities, employees, and business organization, and (ii) such permits, licenses, and other forms of clearance from governmental or regulatory agencies, if any, as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business operations in accordance with this Agreement.

D. Customer and Sales Reporting. Representative shall, at its own expense, and in a manner consistent with the sales policies of Company: (a) attend a reasonable number of trade shows as Company requests; (b) provide adequate contact with existing and potential customers within the Territory on a regular basis; and (c) assist Company in assessing customer requirements for the Products.

E. Customer Service. Representative shall diligently assist its customers’ personnel in using the Products and shall perform such additional customer services as good salesmanship requires and as Company may reasonably request.

F. Product Complaints. Representative shall promptly investigate and monitor all customer and/or regulatory complaints and/or correspondence concerning the use of the Product in the Territory. Representative shall immediately notify Company of all such complaints and/or correspondence in accordance with the following: (a) Representative shall advise Company of all complaints relating to incidents of serious and unexpected reactions to the Product as promptly as possible but not more than two (2) calendar days following the date Representative receives such complaint; (b) All complaints other than those related to incidents of serious and unexpected reactions to the Product shall be reported to Company within five (5) calendar days following the date Representative receives such complaint. (c) For purposes of this Section F, a reaction shall be deemed to be unexpected if it is one that is not listed in the current package insert for the Product approved by Company and a reaction shall be deemed to be serious if it is fatal or life threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization, prolongs hospitalization, is permanently disabling, or requires intervention to prevent impairment or damage.

G. Expense of Doing Business. Representative shall bear the entire cost and expense of conducting its business in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

H. Representations. Representative shall not make any false or misleading representations to customers or others regarding Company or the Products. Representative shall not make any representations, warranties or guarantees with respect to the specifications, features or capabilities of the Products that are not consistent with Company’s documentation accompanying the Products or Company’s literature describing the Products.

VI. Additional Obligations of Company.

A. Training by Company. Company shall provide sales training to Representative’s personnel at periodic intervals, with the frequency and content of the training to be determined by Company. When possible, such training shall be given at Representative’s facilities, but it may be necessary to provide training at a geographically central location near but not in the Territory.

B. Regulatory Approvals. Company shall be responsible for obtaining FDA and any other approvals necessary to distribute the Products in the United States.

C. Materials. Company shall provide Representative with marketing and technical information concerning the Products as well as reasonable quantities of brochures, instructional material, advertising literature, demonstration product samples, and other Product data at no charge.

D. Telephone Marketing and Technical and Sales Support. Company shall provide a reasonable level of telephone marketing and technical support to Representative and its representatives. Company shall use its best efforts to support Representative’s sales and marketing activities.

E. Delivery Time. Company shall use its best efforts to fulfill delivery obligations as committed in acceptances.

F. New Developments. Company shall promptly inform Representative of new product developments relating to the Products.

VII. Trademarks. During the term of this Agreement, Representative shall have the right to indicate to the public that it is an authorized representative of the Products and to advertise (within the Territory) such Products under the trademarks, marks, and trade names that Company may adopt from time to time (Trademarks). Representative shall not alter or remove any Trademark applied to the Products. Except as set forth in this Article VII, nothing contained in this Agreement shall grant to Representative any right, title or interest in the Trademarks.

VIII. Confidential Information. Representative acknowledges that by reason of its relationship to Company hereunder it will have access to certain information and materials concerning Company’s technology, and products that are confidential and of substantial value to Company, which value would be impaired if such information were disclosed to third parties. Representative agrees that it will not use in any way for its own account or the account of any third party, nor disclose to any third party, any such confidential information revealed to it in written or other tangible form or orally, identified as confidential, by Company without the prior written consent of Company. Representative shall take every reasonable precaution to protect the confidentiality of such information. Upon request by Representative, Company shall advise whether or not it considers any particular information or materials to be confidential. In the event of termination of this Agreement, there shall be no use or disclosure by Representative of any confidential information of Company, and Representative shall not manufacture or have manufactured any devices, components or assemblies utilizing any of Company’s confidential information. This section shall not apply to any confidential information which is or becomes generally known and available in the public domain through no fault of Representative.

IX. Indemnification. The Company shall be solely responsible for the design, development, supply, production and performance of its products and the protection of its trade names and patents. The Company agrees to indemnify, hold the Representative harmless against and pay all losses, costs, damages or expenses, whatsoever, including counsel fees, which the Representative may sustain or incur on account of infringement or alleged infringements of patents, trademarks or trade names resulting from the sale of the Company's products, or arising on account of warranty claims, negligence claims, product liability claims or similar claims by third parties. The Representative shall promptly deliver to the Company any notices or papers served upon it in any proceeding covered by this Indemnification Agreement, and the Company shall defend such litigation at its expense. The Representative shall, however, have the right to participate in the defense at its own expense unless there is a conflict of interest, in which case, the Representative shall indemnify the Company for the expenses of such defense including counsel fees. The Company shall provide the Representative with a certificate of insurance evidencing the Representative as an additional insured on the Company’s product liability insurance policy. This provision shall survive and remain in full force and effect after the termination or nonrenewal of this Agreement.

X. Term and Termination.

A. Term. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a period of three years from the date above, unless terminated earlier under the provisions of this Agreement. Thereafter, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive additional three year terms under the same terms and conditions unless either party chooses not to continue the relationship and provides written notice 180 days prior to the natural expiration of the existing three-year term.

B. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by as follows:

1. By Company if Representative fails to achieve its annual quota requirement.

2. By either party if the other party becomes insolvent or bankrupt, or files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or has had filed for an involuntary petition in bankruptcy (unless such involuntary petition is withdrawn or dismissed within ten days after filing) in which event termination may be immediate upon notice; or

3. By either party if the other party fails to cure any breach of a material covenant, commitment or obligation under this Agreement, within 45 days after receipt of written notice specifically setting forth the breach from the other party; or

4. By either party if the other party is convicted or pleads to a crime or an act of fraud that materially impacts on its performance or its fiduciary duties hereunder, in which event termination may be immediate upon notice.

C. Return of Materials. All Confidential Information and other property belonging to Company shall remain the property of Company and will be immediately returned by Representative upon termination. Representative shall not make or retain any copies of any Confidential Information that may have been entrusted to it.

D. Return of the Products. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Company shall repurchase any inventory and instrumentation of the Representative at Representative’s cost.

XI. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

XII. No Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

XIII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of (name of state).

XIV. Notices. Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

XV. Mandatory Arbitration. Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

XVI. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XVII. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XVIII. Assignment of Rights. The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

XIX. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

XX. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

XXI. Property Rights. Representative agrees that Company owns all right, title, and interest in the product lines that include the Products and in all of Company’s patents, trademarks, trade names, inventions, copyrights, know-how, and trade secrets relating to the design, manufacture, operation or service of the Products. The use by Representative of any of these property rights is authorized only for the purposes herein set forth, and upon termination of this Agreement for any reason such authorization shall cease.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

_____________________

(Name of Company)

_____________________ By_____________________

(Name of Representative) (Signature)

(Printed Name and Office in Corporation)

(Attach Exhibits)

Enter text✕

What an Exclusive Agency Agreement Is and When Parties Use It

An Exclusive Agency Agreement is a written contract that grants a single agent or broker the right to market and sell an asset while allowing the owner to find a buyer independently without owing a commission. Common in real estate and insurance agency contexts, the agreement sets the exclusive term, marketing responsibilities, and commission conditions. It records the parties' identities, property description, and compensation formula. In the United States these agreements are typically enforceable as contracts when executed with clear intent and valid signatures; electronic execution is generally acceptable under federal and state e-signature laws.

Why an Exclusive Agency Agreement Matters

An Exclusive Agency Agreement clarifies duties, reduces disputes over commission, and sets precise timelines and termination terms for both owner and agent.

Why an Exclusive Agency Agreement Matters

Typical Parties and Use Cases

Exclusive Agency Agreements are commonly used by sellers and brokers in property and by principals and agents in insurance or commercial representation.

  • Seller/Principal: Owner of the asset who grants exclusive marketing rights to the agent for a defined term.
  • Listing Broker/Agent: Licensed broker authorized to market and present offers under agreed compensation terms.
  • Buyers/Third Parties: Not signatories to the listing agreement but affected by its commission and closing provisions.

The form is appropriate when one party wants agency exclusivity but reserves the right to transact directly without paying agent commission under certain conditions.

Who Signs and Why Their Role Matters

Owner — Authorized Signer

The owner or principal must have authority to bind the entity or individual that owns the asset. Verify corporate resolution or entity authorization for business sellers; individual owners should match government ID to the contract name to avoid disputes.

Broker — Broker of Record

The broker of record or authorized agent signs to accept the listing and commission terms. State licensing law may require inclusion of broker license numbers and firm details directly on the agreement to be enforceable.

Essential Clauses to Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete Exclusive Agency Agreement clearly defines parties, the exclusive term, commission triggers, agent duties, owner exceptions, and termination rights.

Parties and Recitals

Identify full legal names, entity types, and addresses. Recitals explain the asset and the parties' intent and set factual context for enforcement and interpretation.

Exclusive Term

Specify a clear start and end date, automatic renewal rules if any, and how the term interacts with escrow and closing timelines.

Commission Clause

State the exact commission rate or formula, when it is earned (procurement, contract execution, closing), and any exceptions if the owner procures the buyer.

Broker Duties

List marketing activities, MLS listing obligations, showing requirements, and advertising expense responsibilities to avoid later disputes.

Owner Reserved Rights

Document the owner's right to sell independently without owing commission when specified conditions are met and how notice of owner-produced buyers must be delivered.

Termination & Remedies

Describe termination for cause or convenience, cure periods, post-termination commission survival, dispute resolution, and venue or governing law.

Step-by-Step: Complete an Exclusive Agency Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and execute the agreement so it is enforceable and ready for closing.

  • 01
    Prepare Document: Populate parties, asset, term, and commission fields.
  • 02
    Confirm Authority: Verify signer capacity and entity authorization.
  • 03
    Review Law: Check governing law and any state-specific disclosure requirements.
  • 04
    Execute: Obtain signatures, dates, and retain copies for all parties.

Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set up fields, signers, and authentication to match your operational and compliance needs before sending for signature.

Upload Document Start with a final PDF or DOCX version.
Add Fields Place signature, date, and initial fields where required.
Set Signers Enter emails and define signing order if sequential required.
Authentication Level Choose email, SMS, or stronger KBA as appropriate.
Send Options Enable reminders, expiration, and attach supporting exhibits.

Where to Send or File the Executed Agreement

Distribute executed copies to each party and, when applicable, record or lodge with relevant service providers.

  • Owner/Principal: Provide an original or PDF copy for records.
  • Listing Broker: Retain signed agreement in broker file for compliance.
  • Escrow/Title: Deliver if commission or sale terms affect closing.
  • MLS or Association: Upload if required by local listing rules.

Digital Signing and File Formats

Use platforms that support PDF and DOCX and provide a complete audit trail for signatures.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage
  • Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, action log

Key Dates and Timing Considerations

Track effective dates, listing term, notice periods, and any survival dates for commission claims to avoid lost rights.

Agreement Effective Date:

Date when duties and term begin.

Listing Term Expiration:

Last date agent may earn commission without extension.

Owner Notice Period:

Days required for owner to terminate or notify agent.

Post-Term Commission Window:

Period when commission claims survive after expiration.

Document Retention Reminder:

Keep signed copies and proof of delivery.

Milestones from Listing to Closing

Track milestones sequentially to confirm when obligations arise and when commission becomes payable.

01

Agreement Signed

Execution by owner and broker starts obligations.

02

Listing Active

Marketing actions begin and MLS posting occurs.

03

Offer Received

Agent presents offers and procures buyer contract.

04

Closing/Commission

Commission is due per contract at closing.

Common Errors to Avoid

  • Using informal or incomplete signatures that lack signatory capacity or date information, which can void the contract.
  • Failing to specify the commission trigger clearly, leading to disputes over when the fee was earned.
  • Not including owner exceptions or required disclosures, causing confusion about owner-sourced sales and commission liability.
  • Neglecting to verify broker license details or required state disclosures, which can create regulatory compliance problems.

Potential Legal and Financial Risks

Commission Dispute: Arbitration or litigation costs
Invalid Signature: Enforceability challenges
Regulatory Fines: State licensing penalties
Breach Damages: Compensatory damages owed
Missed Deadlines: Forfeited commission claims
Recordkeeping Gaps: Evidence lost in disputes

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Compare common pricing tiers and feature availability for widely used eSignature providers; signNow is listed first for parity in vendor comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-World Examples of Use

Two brief examples show how organizations used electronic execution to manage exclusive agency arrangements.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

Tim Martin used online execution to manage residential listings efficiently

  • Agent processed owner exceptions quickly
  • The firm reduced in-person meetings, maintained compliance across mobile and offline workflows, and kept complete audit trails to resolve a subsequent commission question without litigation.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

A small investment firm used an exclusive agency for syndication rights

  • Broker tracked provenance of investors
  • Electronic signatures ensured consistent records, shortened negotiation cycles, and improved the firm’s ability to demonstrate who procured investors at closing.

Practical Tips to Reduce Risk and Speed Execution

Follow these practices to make the agreement clear, enforceable, and easy to process in a digital workflow.

Use Clear Commission Language
Define the fee calculation, payment timing, and whether commission survives termination to avoid later disputes.
Verify Signer Authority
Confirm entity authorization or power of attorney before execution to prevent claims that the signer lacked capacity.
Preserve the Audit Trail
Keep timestamps, IP logs, and consent records to support electronic signature validity under ESIGN and UETA.
Document Owner Exceptions
Require written notice for owner-sourced buyers and maintain a dated register of such notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Execution and Enforceability

Answers to common questions about whether the agreement can be signed electronically and how to avoid common problems.


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