The old last moment bodyswerve

[unixman]

Yes. The client manager was an okay bloke, to give him his due, and he knew his technical onions too, he was just a bit grumpy by nature. Also it was smack in the middle of the recession.

[LondonManc]

Seems odd, you'd think they'd have accepted that when they went to hire a contractor!

In regards to my own situation, yes I suppose, but when I have a call like: what's your rate and I give a modest figure like £350-400 and they say "okay" then come back a day later with a different gig and say "I know you said £350-400 before, but this one is £292," I get suspicious - especially when it's a funny number like that.

Had a strange rate like that myself (but far bigger) - it's just the way that certain rate cards work.

It's when you get a round number like £300 that you'll get fluffed over. I've been put in at £350, interviewed at £350 and asked to do the same gig for £250 before now. It was simply the client manager trying to see what he'd get for £350 and then being told by his manager that he can't have the extra.

[northernladuk]

The agent said: the client wants you, but they want you for 10% less (than previously agreed between you and the agent). Yes, it could either be the client being flaky or the agent dishonest. Who knows.

And you believed that??

[LondonManc]

And you believed that??

Shut up grumpy, it happens.

The agent typically lowballs you at the start if they're trying it on, although it happens less these days with the agencies more on flat fees/percentage cuts than having a budget for themselves from the client.

[northernladuk]

Shut up grumpy, it happens.

The agent typically lowballs you at the start if they're trying it on, although it happens less these days with the agencies more on flat fees/percentage cuts than having a budget for themselves from the client.

And you believe that??

OP has made too many assumptions and then is trying to tar a client with those assumptions. Might be specific to one client but it's certainly not indicative and should be used to judge a client before you've even got there. My client will offer less if a contractor isn't worth it but we can used in a different role. It will be a different rate from the rate card though, not 10% which makes me highly suspicious.

[Cirrus]

Nearest experience I have

I was working in a small part of a very big name FS organisation. I interviewed a PM with a spot-on CV and I said "yes - let's take him".

Then I was told my boss didn't actually have the budget agreed.

Then I was told some one had gone back and offered him £100 or more a day less.

He'd lost a day's pay and come all the way from Cardiff to the East Midlands.

What would have happened if he had taken the lower rate? He would have been canned shortly afterwards. The place was shambolic and they ran out cash.

[unixman]

And you believed that??

Did I say I believed it ? It was reported speech only.

You know I'd be only too happy to troll you into the middle of next week in General, NLUK, but as this is is Business/Contracts, try to keep it helpful, eh? I'd appreciate it if you would just leave the thread, to be honest.

[northernladuk]

Did I say I believed it ? It was reported speech only.

You know I'd be only too happy to troll you into the middle of next week in General, NLUK, but as this is is Business/Contracts, try to keep it helpful, eh? I'd appreciate it if you would just leave the thread, to be honest.

But that paragraph is the root of the problem and why it's a bit of a poor thread. It's not trolling. You are starting with something that is contracting 101, the agent trying to up his comission. You are then trying to read in to it that the agent is dishonest or the client is flaky. It's just a ridiculous argument for a whole host of reasons and your perceived outcome is incorrect and will be inconsistent.

It just reads to me as a client/agent hating thread because you can't deal with fundamental part of contracting which is the negotiation.