Expert: Richard Stolp - 7/8/2011

Question
Hi Expert! I was called a "partner" though I believe it may be an affiliate...not sure of the difference. I sold for them and was paid a flat commission per sale and then they switched it to a percentage then they changed their reporting interface which looked like i was making less than before but they said no. I phoned many times and they explained to me i was miss-reading it. these changes happened over a period of years from 2001 to 2007 and it appeared that i was getting only 1/3 of what I was promised from 2002 to 2007. Though I continued in the program as I was earning $35,000. to 15,000 per month. I stopped making profit with them when the economy took a turn in 2007/2008 I stopped promoting their products as doing so was no longer lucrative.
yet recently, last month I started promoting their products again and it shows payment is at the rate of what i used to expect to have made per sale but wasn't getting. I also see that they have been bought by a HUGE well known company.
How do I know if I was cheated out of money? Is there a statute of limitation? Is it necessary to have a lawyer? I cannot afford one.  
does one even have to sue. or is there a simple law of inquiry they must abide by? and most importantly! Am I asking the right expert?!
Thank you!

Answer
Hi, you are probably asking the wrong person - I'm an expert if you owe the IRS. My experience says that enforcement of your contract - if you have one in writing - can be relatively easy. But you will need a lawyer to at least to write a letter. You should review all your contracts and see it you can spend about $500 for letter. The lawyer can also give their opinion on whether you have a case or not - that should be no charge. Because your old company was bought out makes enforcement of the old contract a problem. Be sure the new owners give you a written contract for your contributions.
RS