No confidence in agent

[cojak]

I have to admit that when I don't want the contract and tell them my rate, they more often than not will give me what I want.

Money talks so I took the contracts

[barrydidit]

you have clearly left him too much wiggle room so he will make a decision on how much he can fleece you for when he has assed the other candidates.

I wish this were in General.

However, OP if you've not committed to anything in writing then the rate is 'around' what you've quoted. First get the gig, then start worrying about the rate - if it isn't at or above your minimum then don't sign the contract.

And don't forget to keep looking for other stuff at the same time.

[northernladuk]

I wish this were in General.

Chicken!!

[TheFaQQer]

I tell the agent my rate: £XXX - the agent says 'what the minimum you would accept?' - I say £XXX.

If the role is different, or it's a London contract then my reply is £ZZZ (usually higher, occasionally lower). I have my minimum but I would NEVER tell that to the agent.

I tell the agent my rate. Very occasionally, I will accept lower than this - after a long time out of work, I got haggled down by £10 a day to get below the budget threshold, but lasted nearly a year there.

If the role changes between initial discussion and offer, then the rate will change as well, though.

[quackhandle]

, so I think the best way forward is honesty.

Contracting is going to be quite painful for you, my friend.

qh

[tractor]

..

I have to admit that when I don't want the contract and tell them my rate, they more often than not will give me what I want.

Money talks so I took the contracts

Only today, I had an email with the usual 'I found your cv it's interesting for a role blah, blah xxx rate'

It was quite an interesting role but low rate and in Wales so hotels for me, I emailed back and said I want xxx times 2 and then prepared to forget it. Within an hour agent was on the phone putting me forward. Still don't want to go that far but now the rate is tempting

[quackhandle]

Only today, I had an email with the usual 'I found your cv it's interesting for a role blah, blah xxx rate'

It was quite an interesting role but low rate and in Wales so hotels for me, I emailed back and said I want xxx times 2 and then prepared to forget it. Within an hour agent was on the phone putting me forward. Still don't want to go that far but now the rate is tempting

He's said he's put you forward, sometimes I wonder if they are sat there thinking "how can I get him to reduce his daily rate thus more margin for me?"

qh

[tractor]

..

He's said he's put you forward, sometimes I wonder if they are sat there thinking "how can I get him to reduce his daily rate thus more margin for me?"

qh

And if he didn't? Who cares. I'm not hanging around and I won't lose any sleep. It's a long journey so /shrug.

[Manz]

I saw a role that I'm interested in and contacted the agent and we spoke for 10 mins going through it, then he sent me a job spec with the company details etc, then I went on the company site and saw the role on there and it said "NO AGENCIES" and that they don't take applications from agencies. I replied to the agent saying that he can forward my CV on, but should I also apply for it directly from the company site?

[tractor]

...

I saw a role that I'm interested in and contacted the agent and we spoke for 10 mins going through it, then he sent me a job spec with the company details etc, then I went on the company site and saw the role on there and it said "NO AGENCIES" and that they don't take applications from agencies. I replied to the agent saying that he can forward my CV on, but should I also apply for it directly from the company site?

You can do what you want. Talking to an agent does not make you his wife! HTH