Desperately need advice

[bennyboy]

You are perfectly within your rights to turn down a contract at any stage prior to signing. Tell the agent to grow up, there aren't many agents out there who would honour a verbal agreement, and you shouldn't have to do so either, especially when they behave in this way.
There is no such thing as a blacklist. An individual pimp might "mark your file", but one of his colleagues will still happily place you if he thought you could earn him a few quid.
The rate looks a bit low as well. Have a look on this list: http://forums.contractoruk.com/showp...41&postcount=7
It wouldn't surprise me if your agency is on there (the situation you describe bears all the S3 hallmarks). If it is, make a note of the rest, and avoid if at all possible.

Thanks for the advice Mordac and everyone else who has contributed. Yes my agency is in that list and so are the names of several agencies he mentioned I would be blacklisted from.

In a woefull display of ignorance I have to ask...
What/Who is S3?

Thanks muchly
Ben

[DaveB]

S3 group is the holding company for a whole range of recruitment agencies, all those on the list you referred to. By their own admission they refuse to work on a high volume / low margin basis preferring to take advantage of clients and contractors not sufficiently experienced to know that low rates and 20-30% margins are not normal in the business.

[bennyboy]

S3 group is the holding company for a whole range of recruitment agencies, all those on the list you referred to. By their own admission they refuse to work on a high volume / low margin basis preferring to take advantage of clients and contractors not sufficiently experienced to know that low rates and 20-30% margins are not normal in the business.

Cheers for enlightening me Dave. So by the sounds if things if this guy does black list me from the S3 companies he would in fact be doing me a favour

I'll give him a buzz on Monday and tell him to get stuffed. It would feel so good to give the client a call as well just to let them know what kind of agent they're dealing with. But then I guess that would make me just as vindictive as he is.

Cheers
Ben

[malvolio]

No, do it. The more clients get to hear about the crap service they get from agencies who effectively lose them good contractors for stupid reasons, the better AFAIC...

[bennyboy]

No, do it. The more clients get to hear about the crap service they get from agencies who effectively lose them good contractors for stupid reasons, the better AFAIC...

Are there any legal repercussions for calling the client and letting him know that he's dealing with a complete tool that bullies candidates into accepting a role and most likely has over inflated margins? Truth be told I really liked the client because through 2 interviews he was nothing but straight forward and honest with me so I wouldn't mind calling him to explain why I turned his job offer down.

[DaveB]

Cheers for enlightening me Dave. So by the sounds if things if this guy does black list me from the S3 companies he would in fact be doing me a favour

I'll give him a buzz on Monday and tell him to get stuffed. It would feel so good to give the client a call as well just to let them know what kind of agent they're dealing with. But then I guess that would make me just as vindictive as he is.

Cheers
Ben

I wouldn't worry about the black list thing. Just cos they are all part of the same group doesnt mean they actually communicate with each other. Besides, they're agents. As soon as they have a gig they think they can get you in for they will be back on the phone again.

[dmini]

Im currently dealing with one bit of the S3 group - and the guy I deal with DOESN'T like other parts of that group. I don't think he would take any notice of a blacklist from most of the other parts of S3
Having read some comments here, I was quite surprised the contract came through with a higher rate than was initially quoted

[malvolio]

Are there any legal repercussions for calling the client and letting him know that he's dealing with a complete tool that bullies candidates into accepting a role and most likely has over inflated margins? Truth be told I really liked the client because through 2 interviews he was nothing but straight forward and honest with me so I wouldn't mind calling him to explain why I turned his job offer down.

Believe me, the client thinks he has got the best deal he can , based on the agency's reputation and market position. He will be delighted (and probably a little upset) to hear he is being screwed and is losing potentially good candidates as a result. This is business, the agency is not the key player and you should not feel bad about telling an end-client one of their key suppliers is not up to the job. If the client is any use at all, he will appreciate the insight - he probably still won't give you a job, but he will be grateful for the feedback, and he may prove a useful contact in the future.

Legally, what's the problem? "Sorry Mr Client but your agent would not offer an acceptable package and was unwilling to negotiate, so I have to walk away from your role." That's the truth - you can't get sued for that.

[bennyboy]

Believe me, the client thinks he has got the best deal he can , based on the agency's reputation and market position. He will be delighted (and probably a little upset) to hear he is being screwed and is losing potentially good candidates as a result. This is business, the agency is not the key player and you should not feel bad about telling an end-client one of their key suppliers is not up to the job. If the client is any use at all, he will appreciate the insight - he probably still won't give you a job, but he will be grateful for the feedback, and he may prove a useful contact in the future.

Legally, what's the problem? "Sorry Mr Client but your agent would not offer an acceptable package and was unwilling to negotiate, so I have to walk away from your role." That's the truth - you can't get sued for that.

Well I wasn't sure on the legal side because I'm relatively new to the UK and contracting and I'm still getting used to EVERYTHING having a legal aspect to it. In Australia EVERYTHING has a legal aspect as well just no one gives a toss.

On the upside I'm looking forward to Monday more and more with every post here. Thanks guys for all your help and info. This forum is truely a godsend to newbs like me.

Cheers

Ben

[lukemg]

Ben,
Why put yourself through the grief, you have made your mind up, email the agent saying no thanks and forget about it.
Do you think they would phone to say you haven't got the job ? Nah, they would scratch you from the list and ignore your calls.
Sounds like he has made it personal (I can understand it may be frustrating for him to be close and then miss out), once that has happened, you owe him nothing.