Alex Mann - I will never deal with again

[lawrenso]

Well, here goes - first post, got a gig to go back to the worlds biggest IT project - I have previously done work for them and didn't have to bid for the work, and initially sold as 3 months + possible extensions worth of project work. Great - local to home (N.Wales) as such and been working away for the past year+. Turned down a contract in the W.Midlands for 6 months on the strength of this.

Anyway, to say that Alex Mann are incompetent is complimenting them.

One week lost while they said I had to have a Basic Security Check, and I have SC anyway, one week lost because they had the spec wrong - told it was 1 weekend in 3 and then found out it was more like 3 in 4 so I wanted a higher rate - and another week+ lost because they are basically incompetent.

Monday I was assured that everything was OK - rate agreed etc... Served 1 weeks notice on my existing client (which they new was coming) - all set for Tuesday start - lunchtime today (Friday) - I had to phone the Agent to get some info - she casually turns round and tells me that the hours have been capped at 44 per week - fair enough, not a problem with that - and then told me that the duration has been capped to 2 months max! Tough - take it or leave it. Turns out that at the time of our conversation the role had not even been signed off by the relevant areas

So I have served notice on my current contract in London - was told there was work until next April if I wanted it- they have now filled the position - and I am looking to either having no revenue stream on Tuesday and looking for work, or starting on the new contract and waiting until January to try and find another gig - talk about Hobsons Choice!!

So - has anybody else got a bad experience with AMS. How can an agency tote themselves as being independent when they actually email using the end clients @ address. Have I got any leg to stand on at all.

Any comments, experiences or advice most welcome

Cheers

Lawrenso

[Moose423956]

So - has anybody else got a bad experience with AMS.

Yes. They told me blatant lies.

[kirk]

Most agents are tulipes ; it's an unfortunate reality

[kirk]

I wrote <kirk is a donkey> not tulipes but I salute the profanity filter

[Funkywood]

For a second I thought it was some acronym for people who Talk Utter Lies In Pursuit of Everything; or Something?

[daviejones]

Not had any issues personally and I have been with them nearly 9 months.

[SallyAnne]

Sorry Lorenso - I feel you pain.

Why did you hand your notice in to your London client before you had a signed contract? (with rate/duration ec all written on it?)

[thunderlizard]

Very sorry to hear about that. But I reckon you can still salvage something if you go in and do the 2 months contract. Once you're on site you'll be able to talk them into further work on terms that suit you better.

The only odd thing is that you already knew the client and got handed the project on a plate; but you not only involved an agency but let them do all the negotiating on detail (or lack of it). I'd be wanting to cut out as many variables as possible.

[TheFaQQer]

Hi (and welcome!),

From here, the only thing that you can really do is to take what's on offer and hope that you can stick around for as long as possible.

There's nothing that I can see that you can do against the agent, but IANAL so it might be worth a quick call to someone who is. If you are a PCG member, then use their legal helpline and see whether they say there is anything you can do. If you are not, then maybe the legal helpline on your house or car insurance (if you have legal cover) can help - they are meant to be generic rather than specific to your insurance in a number of cases.

Best of luck with it all,

FAQ

[lawrenso]

Thanks for all th replies guys. I just hope that I can persuade them. My own fault in a way - jumped at the chance of being local and with two small kids...

I only handed my notice in after a rate was agreed and a discussion on the phone with AMS assured me that everything was sorted. They are basically denying that now - apparently it was still not signed off until Thursday and then by a VP at Accentura's successor. Here is the drivel that I have had from AMS

1. It does take several weeks to get a contract sorted out!!

2. I needed to go through Basic Security Checks when I am already SC - this would take a week max then after a week it was two weeks - thats when I went straight to the controller at the company.

3. Denyig that the agency has said things.

4. Only telling me about the change when I phoned them about my PI, although she had for a few hours.

Basically, they are a bunch a cowboys and as I said in my earlier post, how can they be for the contractor when they use the end clients email address.

I just hope that everything is sorted out for a start on Tuesday now or else I am losing revenue come Tuesday - might be able to pick up some health check stuff from previous clients.

I do think that there is a need nowadays with the protracted views of large companies using a tied in agency for agents that act on behalf of the independent consultants - I know it is cutting the margins twice but then again they would more than likely negotiate better rates etc...

Cheers

Steve