Can I re-negotiate my rate at this stage

[Derben]

Hello,

Sorry for all the questions - I'm a newbie with so much buzzing through my head !!!

In your professional opinion, is it too late to negotiate the daily rate on my new contract. I tried a bit of negotiation at the time but I'm naff at this sort of thing. I acepted the original price and have been sent an electronic copy of the contract - which I haven't signed/returned yet.

Am I too late to re-nagotiate at this stage ? I appear to have accepted just below market rate and what fellow contractors are getting (who have just started out and gone the same route).

[Bacchus]

Hello,

Sorry for all the questions - I'm a newbie with so much buzzing through my head !!!

In your professional opinion, is it too late to negotiate the daily rate on my new contract. I tried a bit of negotiation at the time but I'm naff at this sort of thing. I acepted the original price and have been sent an electronic copy of the contract - which I haven't signed/returned yet.

Am I too late to re-nagotiate at this stage ? I appear to have accepted just below market rate and what fellow contractors are getting (who have just started out and gone the same route).

Imagine that you're buying a house. You agree a price and go through the lengthy and expensive process of doing the searches, drawing up contracts etc.

At the last minute, just before exchange, the seller says, I'm sorry, I have just realised that my neighbour got more for his house than me so I want more money

Do you think

a) What a reasonable and professional request, of course I'll give you more money, after all it's only money.
b) What a nobber, I'll buy someone else's house

If you tick b), I think you have your answer

HTH

[jmo21]

You were naff before and didn't get anywhere, what has changed?

Of course u can negotiate.

Chances are you'll get nowhere with the agent, he'll have heard it all before.

The only chance you have is if you threaten to walk and you'd have to be pretty convincing.

Is it professional, well maybe not, but agents will often try to reduce the rate at the last minute so it's fair game if you ask me.

Would I do it? Only if I had another definite offer on the table to fall back on. Best time to negotiate is on renewal, when u have proven yourself with client and have some more leverage.

[BolshieBastard]

Imagine that you're buying a house. You agree a price and go through the lengthy and expensive process of doing the searches, drawing up contracts etc.

At the last minute, just before exchange, the seller says, I'm sorry, I have just realised that my neighbour got more for his house than me so I want more money

Do you think

a) What a reasonable and professional request, of course I'll give you more money, after all it's only money.
b) What a nobber, I'll buy someone else's house

If you tick b), I think you have your answer

HTH

Prehaps b is the morally correct answer but, this is the real world and a happens (even if not the sentiment) and people do pay the extra.

To the OP, yes you can still try and negotiate extra but you'll have to play hardball with the agent. You have to make the agent believe you'll walk away from this role if you dont get a decent increase. The agent will, in return, play hardball with you so it becomes a game of who blinks first.

If you dont think you can carry it off, dont try as you'll end up looking a dick and, the agent will screw you further in this contract to teach you a lesson.

[Contreras]

Prehaps b is the morally correct answer but, this is the real world and a happens (even if not the sentiment) and people do pay the extra.

To the OP, yes you can still try and negotiate extra but you'll have to play hardball with the agent. You have to make the agent believe you'll walk away from this role if you dont get a decent increase. The agent will, in return, play hardball with you so it becomes a game of who blinks first.

If you dont think you can carry it off, dont try as you'll end up looking a dick and, the agent will screw you further in this contract to teach you a lesson.

What BB said ^^.

But you can still negotiate on things like payment terms and notice period, or indeed anything else that may not have been apparent until you received the contract.

[Wanderer]

Am I too late to re-nagotiate at this stage ?

No it's never too late to re-neg on an agreement but I'm inclined to say you should strike a deal and then stick to it as it promotes good will between you and the client. Conversely, I expect the other party to show good faith and stick to their side of the deal too.

Neither side likes to be quibbling about a deal after it's struck. However, as others say, business doesn't always work that way. Agents in particular aren't averse to pulling stupid tricks on people.

Have a hard think about it. If you are looking at a few percent increase and the contract is only 3 months then put this down to experience. Next time though, you will be a bit older and a bit wiser and you will negotiate harder.

Also, playing hard ball only works if you have another offer, in my opinion.

[Wanderer]

But you can still negotiate on things like payment terms and notice period, or indeed anything else that may not have been apparent until you received the contract.

Absolutely! All of that stuff is fair game...

[northernladuk]

You serious need to grow some. These are questions from some that hasn't put a bean of thought in to his position at all. You run a business now so start acting like you do.

[Sander Koop]

You were naff before and didn't get anywhere, what has changed?

Of course u can negotiate.

Chances are you'll get nowhere with the agent, he'll have heard it all before.

The only chance you have is if you threaten to walk and you'd have to be pretty convincing.

Is it professional, well maybe not, but agents will often try to reduce the rate at the last minute so it's fair game if you ask me.

Would I do it? Only if I had another definite offer on the table to fall back on. Best time to negotiate is on renewal, when u have proven yourself with client and have some more leverage.

I second. On renewal, make sure they know you WILL walk if they won't negotiate (or, at least make them BELIEV you will...)