Morgan McKinley cut my rate 3 times after Microsoft made an offer

[Spartacus]

Current agent, I asked for £x per day, they said "I think I can get you £X+50".

First time that's ever happened.

Same happened to me as well, except it was a permie role. I went in with £X pa and the agent said, "I can get you more than that", and he did. There was no direct financial incentive for him either, as I later found out the agency fee for that position was flat rate.

[TheFaQQer]

We have already spoken with Morgan McKinley regarding this once we became aware and we do not sanction their actions in any way. This has never happened before with any other agency we have worked with.

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This is the full statement received.

Take the statement, and go back to the agency and ask them for a full explanation of what happened. Show them that the client aren't happy with what they have done, so they know you mean business.

Then work out exactly what your losses have been. Make sure they are accurate and are quantifiable.

If the losses are under £10k, then go to the Small Claims Court website, register and file your claim against the agency and the client together. If the losses are over £10k, then engage a solicitor and sue the agency and the client together.

That's the only way I can think of to fight back. The alternative is to whinge on a forum about how bad it's been and then to do nothing.

Go get 'em, tiger.

[KentPhilip]

No way. Find out the address of the head honcho at the agency then do the old bag of flaming dog poo on the doorstep trick to him.

I would suggest going into the office with a box of matches and starting a fire.

<joke>

[Scrag Meister]

I always check if the agent is on the client's PSL and working on a fixed %age known to the client on top of my rate.

I avoid anyone who isn't as they aren't motivated to get you the best deal in the same way.

Like the poster who put that the agent could get x+£50 per day, they want to make more and aren't ripping you off as some do.

[SpontaneousOrder]

What is it you want to fight against? Unprofessionalism?

[TheDandy]

I always check if the agent is on the client's PSL and working on a fixed %age known to the client on top of my rate.

I avoid anyone who isn't as they aren't motivated to get you the best deal in the same way.

Like the poster who put that the agent could get x+£50 per day, they want to make more and aren't ripping you off as some do.

How do you verify the PSL of any potential end client before agreeing for the agent to represent you?

[redgiant]

Hello,

I am new to the country and need some advice. Here is a brief summary:

I responded to any ad placed by Morgan McKinley (MM) for a contract position, stating that the rate would be GBP400-450/day. I applied for the position and stated that my rate would be GBP450. I was given 2 interviews and the Microsoft staff offered me the job. After that MM then said that the rate would be GBP410. A few days later they said there was a mistake and the rate would be GBP350. A few days later they said that the rate would be GBP300. Then a few days later the job was not available anymore.

I have issues with this kind of behavior. First, this is utterly unprofessional, second, is this false advertising?

What can I do?

Just sent you a PM with some information on another MS preferred resourcing agent that should be able to help you with this. This isn't typical of my experience of working with MS (UK) - one of the better clientcos I have worked with.

[Frank Big Bird]

Just sent you a PM with some information on another MS preferred resourcing agent that should be able to help you with this. This isn't typical of my experience of working with MS (UK) - one of the better clientcos I have worked with.

Thanks, RedGiant, I just replied to your PM. I have been dealing with Microsoft for a long time over in North America and they are fine. As I said, in this case it is Morgan McKinley that was causing the trouble.

[kal]

Thanks, RedGiant, I just replied to your PM. I have been dealing with Microsoft for a long time over in North America and they are fine. As I said, in this case it is Morgan McKinley that was causing the trouble.

They were probably trying to get someone in cheaper to increase their margin while leaving you dangling. Don't blame you for having a word with the client, too many agencies behave like this and then wonder why we have such a low opinion of them, good luck.

[sal]

Current agent, I asked for £x per day, they said "I think I can get you £X+50".

First time that's ever happened.

That's probably because the client was paying £X+150 and the agent felt pity, or it was a fixed margin for the Agency so naturally they will try to sell for as much as they can.

On the main topic - the situation is unethical and annoying, but not illegal and there is no contract signed - so other than moaning and ignoring this agency in the future there is not much you can do.

Welcome to the contractor dog eat dog world.