Maine § 1023. - Brokers and agents

§ 1023.. Brokers and agents

1.  Brokerage fee.  The brokerage fee, if any, shall be an agreed upon percentage of the gross proceeds from the sale, exclusive of the costs of transportation, and shall be charged the seller only upon receipt of payment in full of said gross proceeds from the buyer.

2.  Duties of brokers.  In addition to all the duties of the broker otherwise imposed by law or by agreement, the broker has the following duties.

A. The broker shall invoice the buyer, shall collect and remit to the seller and any secured party noted on the record of the transaction any and all sums due on account of the sale, and shall render an itemized accounting to the seller promptly upon receipt of payment, showing the true gross selling price, all brokerage fees deducted, and any other charges or expenses incurred in connection with the sale of the potatoes or rotation crops. Agreement to collect from the buyer and remit to the seller is not a guarantee by the broker that the buyer will pay for the potatoes or rotation crops purchased, unless there is a specific agreement by the broker that the broker will pay if the buyer does not pay.   [PL 1997, c. 606, §15 (AMD).]

B. The broker shall, to the best of the broker's ability, make all necessary arrangements to effect the transportation of said shipment to the buyer, but the broker, in the absence of a specific agreement, does not guarantee the carrier payment of carrier charges.   [PL 1997, c. 606, §15 (AMD).]

C. The broker shall prepare, file and fully process with the carrier any and all claims for the seller of the potatoes or rotation crops, including taking all necessary action to bring the matter to a conclusion.   [PL 1997, c. 606, §15 (AMD).]

3.  Agents contracts.  A person required to be licensed by this Article may not act as an agent for any grower without first having an agreement with the grower reduced to a written contract clearly defining the duties and responsibilities of both parties, the extent of the agent's authority in distributing the potatoes or rotation crops, and the agent's fee or selling charge, if any.

4.  Agent's fees.  The agent's fee or selling charge shall be charged the seller only upon receipt from the buyer of payment in full of the gross proceeds from the sale.

5.  Duties of agents.  In addition to all the duties of the agent of any grower otherwise imposed by law, rule or regulation, or by agreement, the agent has the same duties as are imposed upon the broker by subsection 2, paragraphs A, B and C.