Free Sales Agreement Templates: Business, Vehicle & Commission Contracts

Whether you're selling a business, a vehicle, or establishing a commission arrangement with sales representatives, having a proper sales agreement protects both the buyer and seller. A well-drafted purchase agreement or sales contract ensures that all parties understand the terms of the sales transaction.

This guide provides comprehensive coverage of sales agreements, including free templates you can customize for your specific transaction type.

What Is a Sales Agreement?

A sales agreement—also known as a purchase agreement, sales contract, or buyer seller agreement—is a legally binding document that formalizes the transfer of ownership of goods, assets, or businesses from a seller to a buyer. It specifies the purchase price, payment terms, warranties, and closing conditions.

Sales agreements differ from bills of sale, which are simpler documents that merely record the completion of a sale. A sales agreement establishes the terms before the transaction, while a bill of sale confirms it afterward.

Key elements of a sales agreement:

• Parties: Full identification of buyer and seller
• Subject matter: What's being sold
• Purchase price: Total cost and payment structure
• Transfer of ownership: When and how ownership changes
• Warranties: Guarantees about the item's condition
• Closing date: When the transaction finalizes

Types of Sales Agreements

Business Sales Agreement

When selling or buying a business, a business sales agreement covers the complex transaction of transferring a going concern. These agreements are comprehensive and include:

• Asset vs. Stock Sale: Whether you're transferring assets or company shares
• Included assets: Equipment, inventory, intellectual property, customer lists
• Excluded liabilities: Debts and obligations the seller retains
• Non-compete clauses: Preventing the seller from competing
• Transition assistance: Seller's obligations to help with handover
• Earnest money: Good faith deposit from buyer

Business sales are complex transactions. While templates provide a starting point, professional legal and financial advice is strongly recommended.

Vehicle Sales Agreement

Private vehicle sales require documentation to protect both parties and comply with state DMV requirements. A vehicle sales agreement should include:

• Vehicle identification: Year, make, model, VIN, mileage
• Purchase price: Agreed amount and payment method
• Condition: "As-is" sale or with warranties
• Title transfer: When and how the title changes hands
• Emissions/inspection status: Whether the vehicle passes required tests
• Disclosure requirements: Known issues, accident history

Most private vehicle sales are "as-is," meaning the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition without warranties. This must be clearly stated.

Commission Sales Agreement

Commission agreements establish the relationship between a company and its sales representatives. They define how salespeople earn their compensation:

• Commission structure: Percentage or flat rate per sale
• Base salary: If any guaranteed compensation exists
• Quota requirements: Minimum sales expectations
• Payment timing: When commissions are paid
• Clawback provisions: Returning commissions on cancelled sales
• Territory or account assignments: Sales area definitions

Key Terms in Sales Agreements

Every sales agreement should address these critical terms:

Term	Purpose	Typical Provision
Purchase Price	Establishes the cost	Fixed amount or formula for calculation
Deposit/Earnest Money	Shows buyer commitment	1-10% of purchase price, applied at closing
Contingencies	Conditions that must be met	Financing approval, inspection, appraisal
Representations	Seller's statements of fact	Clear title, no undisclosed defects
Warranties	Guarantees about condition	As-is, limited warranty, or full warranty
Closing Date	When transfer occurs	Specific date or "on or before" date

Free Sales Agreement Templates Download

Download our professionally designed sales agreement templates:

• General Sales Agreement: Works for most straightforward asset sales
• Business Sale Agreement: Comprehensive template for selling a business
• Vehicle Bill of Sale: For private car, truck, or motorcycle sales
• Commission Sales Agreement: For sales representative arrangements
• Installment Sales Agreement: For sales with payment plans

All templates include:

• Complete terms and conditions
• Warranty and disclosure sections
• Signature blocks for all parties
• Optional notarization section

How to Complete a Sales Agreement

Follow these steps to create your sales agreement:

Step 1: Choose the appropriate template for your transaction type.

Step 2: Identify all parties with complete legal names and contact information.

Step 3: Describe what's being sold in detail. For vehicles, include VIN. For businesses, list all included assets.

Step 4: Specify the purchase price and payment terms. Include any deposits, financing, or installment arrangements.

Step 5: List all contingencies that must be satisfied before closing.

Step 6: Include appropriate warranties or "as-is" disclaimers.

Step 7: Set the closing date and location.

Step 8: Have both parties sign. Keep copies for all parties.

For vehicle sales, use ZenForms to create a vehicle information form that captures all necessary details for your bill of sale.

FAQ: Sales Agreements

Is a sales agreement the same as a bill of sale?

No. A sales agreement is signed before the transaction and establishes terms. A bill of sale is signed at or after closing and confirms the transfer has occurred. For valuable items, you may use both.

Do I need a sales agreement for selling used personal items?

For low-value items sold on marketplaces, a simple receipt may suffice. For items over $500 or vehicles, a proper sales agreement protects both parties and may be legally required.

What makes a sales agreement legally binding?

The agreement must have offer and acceptance, consideration (something of value exchanged), capacity (both parties are competent adults), and legality (the sale isn't illegal). Both parties must sign willingly.

Can I cancel a sales agreement after signing?

Generally, no—unless the agreement includes specific cancellation rights or contingencies that aren't met. Some states have cooling-off periods for certain types of sales, like door-to-door transactions.

What happens if the buyer doesn't pay as agreed?

Your agreement should specify remedies for non-payment. Options include keeping the deposit, reclaiming the goods, charging interest on late payments, or pursuing legal action.

Should a sales agreement be notarized?

Notarization isn't required for most sales agreements but is recommended for high-value transactions or vehicle sales. Some states require notarization for vehicle title transfers.

Ready to document your sale? Create a professional sales intake form with ZenForms to capture buyer information and transaction details—no monthly fees required.