D2D glossary / How reps get paid
What is a draw in door-to-door sales?
Draw: A draw is money a company pays you before your commissions arrive, then subtracts from those commissions later. A recoverable draw must be paid back; a non-recoverable draw does not.
Draws exist because some industries pay slowly. In solar and roofing the first commission can be weeks or months after the first sale, so a company may advance a set amount each week to keep new reps afloat.
With a recoverable draw, every advance becomes a balance you owe. Your commissions pay the balance down first, and if you leave with a balance the agreement may say you owe it in cash. With a non-recoverable draw, weeks where commissions fall short of the draw are the company's loss, not yours.
A draw is not a salary. Treat a recoverable draw as a loan against your own future pay.
Ask before you sign
Is the draw recoverable, and what happens to an unpaid balance if I leave?
Related terms
Read next
- How Door-to-Door Sales Pay Works
- Door-to-door solar sales jobs · Solar sales FAQ
- Door-to-door roofing sales jobs · Roofing sales FAQ
Draw: quick answers
What is a draw in door-to-door sales?
A draw is money a company pays you before your commissions arrive, then subtracts from those commissions later. A recoverable draw must be paid back; a non-recoverable draw does not.
What should I ask a company about a draw?
Ask this before you sign: "Is the draw recoverable, and what happens to an unpaid balance if I leave?" Get the answer in writing, in the rep agreement or the pay plan.