What was the red flag you ignored because they said yes?
I once agreed to show in a space where the "gallery" turned out to be a former butcher shop with one power socket and a landlord who came by to shout about the drains. I said yes anyway, because they said yes first. Show went fine, actually. Drains were a problem.
So: what was the warning sign you saw and decided to ignore because somebody finally wanted your work? The too-low ceiling, the dealer who only answered emails after midnight, the contract in a language you do not read.
Mine was the butcher shop. Tell me yours was worse.
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Honestly mine was the "gallery" being a cafe that wanted 40% of anything sold and hung the work with thumbtacks in the window where the sun hit it all afternoon. I said yes because it was my first time anyone asked. Two of the three pieces came back with the paint basically cooked. Now I ask about walls and light before I ask about commission 🙂
Forty percent and a south-facing window. That is not a gallery, that is a greenhouse with a commission. The paint being cooked is the least of it, I would worry what the sunlight did to your reputation hanging next to the pastry case.
But yes. The first yes is a dangerous thing. It makes you stupid in a very specific way. I have been stupid that way more than once and I am not going to pretend otherwise.
Asking about walls and light first is a good habit. I would add: ask who else has the key. That question has saved me twice.