Request for interview but agency saying rate has now been cut

[AvsFan]

Currently engaged on a contract of which period is coming to an end and don't know as yet if extension likely so have been looking for potential next contract.

A role was advertised as £x pd to £x+£100 pd which applied for, agency contacted me liked CV etc., and after discussion put me forward. Rate I requested was £x+£100 as this matches my current rate and matches role, commute etc. Just been contacted by agency to state that company really likes CV etc., and wants to go forward with interview but due to internal budgets/cuts rate is now less by £40 pd.

Now I know the rate I requested is the top end but is a valid rate for the role and I know what agencies are like and that this is potentially one of the tricks they sometimes pull, but when talking to the agents you do get a sense of whether they are of the 'wide boys' variety or not. Sense I get is that this agent is fairly genuine.

However, we agreed on a telephone interview first to clarify the requirements of the role.
My question is not whether the agent is telling the truth or not (we could debate on that for a long time ), but whether I could use the opportunity of the telephone interview to determine if this is correct.
I wouldn't mention the rate number but say something like "I see that the original rate was reduced due to internal budgets/cuts. Going forward will this have an impact on the actual role requirements ?"

Do we think it's reasonable to mention this in a telephone discussion as it doesn't actually discuss the rate value but implies the rate has been reduced but with the reasoning that it may impact the requirements of the contract i.e. likelihood of extension, possibility of contract not completing due to further cuts etc., but also will indicate whether the agent is trying to pull a fast one ?

[jmo21]

Do you mean £x - £40??

or they want to offer you £X + £100 - £40

[Batcher]

Currently engaged on a contract of which period is coming to an end and don't know as yet if extension likely so have been looking for potential next contract.

A role was advertised as £x pd to £x+£100 pd which applied for, agency contacted me liked CV etc., and after discussion put me forward. Rate I requested was £x+£100 as this matches my current rate and matches role, commute etc. Just been contacted by agency to state that company really likes CV etc., and wants to go forward with interview but due to internal budgets/cuts rate is now less by £40 pd.

Now I know the rate I requested is the top end but is a valid rate for the role and I know what agencies are like and that this is potentially one of the tricks they sometimes pull, but when talking to the agents you do get a sense of whether they are of the 'wide boys' variety or not. Sense I get is that this agent is fairly genuine.

However, we agreed on a telephone interview first to clarify the requirements of the role.
My question is not whether the agent is telling the truth or not (we could debate on that for a long time ), but whether I could use the opportunity of the telephone interview to determine if this is correct.
I wouldn't mention the rate number but say something like "I see that the original rate was reduced due to internal budgets/cuts. Going forward will this have an impact on the actual role requirements ?"

Do we think it's reasonable to mention this in a telephone discussion as it doesn't actually discuss the rate value but implies the rate has been reduced but with the reasoning that it may impact the requirements of the contract i.e. likelihood of extension, possibility of contract not completing due to further cuts etc., but also will indicate whether the agent is trying to pull a fast one ?

I never discuss the rate with the client. I don't think they would dscuss their budget on the phone to an unknown applicant anyway. Negotiate with the agency and tell them you are sticking to the original rate.

[Antman]

I never discuss the rate with the client. I don't think they would dscuss their budget on the phone to an unknown applicant anyway. Negotiate with the agency and tell them you are sticking to the original rate.

WHS, smells like agent tomfoolery

[BA to the Stars]

How much do you want the role?

You could call the agents bluff and state that the rate you quoted is your final rate - take it or leave it.

It is your call and if you are confident of getting another role (or an extension) then you are in a more powerful position than if your Co. need the money desperately

[TheFaQQer]

My question is not whether the agent is telling the truth or not (we could debate on that for a long time ), but whether I could use the opportunity of the telephone interview to determine if this is correct.
I wouldn't mention the rate number but say something like "I see that the original rate was reduced due to internal budgets/cuts. Going forward will this have an impact on the actual role requirements ?"

If you want to ask the question, then I would urge caution that you do it in a subtler way than this. The client doesn't really know you, and you might come across badly if you push too far.

"When I was talking to Pimpy, she mentioned that the contract was initially for three months, but it might go on for more than that. Do you have any firmer idea on how long the project is planned for?"

That might then lead them to say something along the lines of "we've got the budget agreed for the next twelve months".

What you then do with that information is another matter.

[AvsFan]

Do you mean £x - £40??

or they want to offer you £X + £100 - £40

It's the latter.

[jmo21]

It's the latter.

That says to me that the agent stretched the initial rate range to reel more people in.

You could subtly question the interviewer about rate cuts and you might receive a "no, this is fully budgeted for 1 year" type reply that indicates the agent was lying, but it gets you no further forward - the client hasn't actually changed the rate.

Then you need to decide how much you want it and how you play it from there.

[JoJoGabor]

I wouldnt mention it to client, jsut leave it for now, you may not even get offered the gig, then when at final negotiations with agent say you're going for another role as they are offering the amount you originally wanted. They will always negotiate at that point as its so close to the final deal

[AvsFan]

I wouldnt mention it to client, jsut leave it for now, you may not even get offered the gig, then when at final negotiations with agent say you're going for another role as they are offering the amount you originally wanted. They will always negotiate at that point as its so close to the final deal

Yes, thinking about it, I believe this is the best option.
I'll wait until after interview, I can decide then how much I want it & if I'm offered then re-negotiate. I was fortunate enough to have 2 roles on offer at the same time for current contract and was able to negotiate a further £95 pd (although I had I think undersold my rate initially ), on what I had quoted so you're right that you're in a better position to negotiate at that point.