Question about salary negotiations for new job

[MrGville]

My wife has been fed up with her current job for about 18 months now.  She was just offered a position at another company.  Her base pay would be about $1,500 less than is is at her current job, but she can earn commission on top of that.  She requested a base salary of $40k during the application process, but they offered her $38.5k and havent provided much guidance on how much commission employees earn.  Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.

Should she push for $40k?  They said they can give her a $1,000 sign-on bonus instead of paying her $40k (which obviously doesnt even things out). 

I feel like they definitely need to provide additional information on the commission structure.  We aren't sure if average commission would be $500 every quarter or $5000. 

This is a job at a recruiting firm in their 'professional' division, by the way. 

[Coloradostache]

Not a super helpful response, but if she has the opportunity to earn commission she should be able to calculate how much she expects to earn.  Did they provide the commission plan outlining rates paid?  Does she know what she's capable of selling?  I would ask for the details of the commission plan.

[MrGville]

Not a super helpful response, but if she has the opportunity to earn commission she should be able to calculate how much she expects to earn.  Did they provide the commission plan outlining rates paid?  Does she know what she's capable of selling?  I would ask for the details of the commission plan.

Someone verbally explained how the commission works, but I don't think they provided a rate sheet or anything (we'll ask for that).  You'd think they would give a little more insight into commission possibilities if that is going to be a sizable portion of someone's income.

[jwright]

Agree that they should provide more information.  Can she request a copy of the employee handbook?