Using a rep

hello fellow orchidians and sages… i am considering working with a
jewelry rep for the first time and know NOTHING about such a
relationship - other than expecting to pay a 20% commission on the
wholesale price and picking up tales of great success and dismal
failure (as is true with everything!). do any of you have a contract
with your reps? did the contract originate with you? your rep? an
attorney? what about relationship? honesty? dishonesty? success?
failure? what to watch our for, look forward to. is working with a
rep an important element of your business? something you’ve tried and
may try again? never do again?.. and so on. i’d appreciate whatever
insight you can provide… maja