Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Olsen:

You have requested the opinion of this office concerning the practice of companies who sell goods on consignment to dealers who then sell the goods door-to-door. This request has been forwarded to me for research and reply.

Your specific question is:

"Can these dealers advertise the name and logo of the company and still be considered independent contractors?"

A determination of whether a dealer is an independent contractor or an employee of the company is important in that it dictates whether such dealers will be eligible for worker's compensation benefits.

An independent…