The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word DEALER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
D
E
A
L
E
R
More clues leading to the result DEALER
- Some hide ale, ruining trader
- Expensive importing French article? One might find it so
- Trader expensive — the Parisian is taken in
- Broker fermented red ale
- Beer stocked by the German trader
- In school, person who gives out wooden ruler
- Someone who gives others a hand
- Merchant, one who’ll give you a hand
- Merchant, one who can give you a hand
- Salesman with a line in expensive-sounding animals
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Salesman" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case salesman = dealer.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DEALER mean?
DEALER noun- One who deals in goods, especially automobiles; a middleman.
- A drug dealer, one who peddles illicit drugs.
- A particular type of stock broker or trader.
- The person who deals the cards in a card game.