Agency dodgy dealings

[mankyspanky]

Fairly new to this. Been contracting about two years.

Worked out that a lot of agencies are a little dodgy but recent events take the biscuit. Im always one for if rate is good for you dont worry about but this really is bad.
Just wondered how best way to handle it.

I've always thought agent was a bit of liar especially about the cut he was taking. Alway told me his margin was slim etc.
Asked for an increase at one renewal and although I got some, he told me client wasnt happy/had to re-do budgets etc which I've since found out was a lie.

Anyway, turns out agent has been playing contractors and client off against each other. Agent has been blaming client for rate cuts and dodgy deals which was all made up, and now client has got wind and is not happy about it. In one instance, agency knocked a chunk off, blamed the client for cuts and kept if for himself. For all contractors, client though rate was the same but its now appears to depend on how many lies agent could get past to cut the rate.

Client is also not happy that the margin appears massive and not 15% as they agreed with agent. Its all possibly going to get legal.

Must admit I don't like seeing client ripped off like this. The rate I get is OK, but if the client is paying a massive rate its unfair especialy if agent is using them in their lies.

Waiting to see what happens here to be honest. Any suggestions or anyone seen this sort of thing before?

[tractor]

...

Fairly new to this. Been contracting about two years.

Worked out that a lot of agencies are a little dodgy but recent events take the biscuit. Im always one for if rate is good for you dont worry about but this really is bad.
Just wondered how best way to handle it.

I've always thought agent was a bit of liar especially about the cut he was taking. Alway told me his margin was slim etc.
Asked for an increase at one renewal and although I got some, he told me client wasnt happy/had to re-do budgets etc which I've since found out was a lie.

Anyway, turns out agent has been playing contractors and client off against each other. Agent has been blaming client for rate cuts and dodgy deals which was all made up, and now client has got wind and is not happy about it. In one instance, agency knocked a chunk off, blamed the client for cuts and kept if for himself. For all contractors, client though rate was the same but its now appears to depend on how many lies agent could get past to cut the rate.

Client is also not happy that the margin appears massive and not 15% as they agreed with agent. Its all possibly going to get legal.

Must admit I don't like seeing client ripped off like this. The rate I get is OK, but if the client is paying a massive rate its unfair especialy if agent is using them in their lies.

Waiting to see what happens here to be honest. Any suggestions or anyone seen this sort of thing before?

Yes.

Agent lie. Even estate agents steal chocolate.

But seriously, agents are not the most honest of folk. It's a model that for now, we have to use. Clients simply don't want to spend all that time and effort sourcing contractors I am afraid.

[TheFaQQer]

<agent acts as agents do>

Waiting to see what happens here to be honest. Any suggestions or anyone seen this sort of thing before?

Make sure you know what restrictions exist which would prevent you from working via another agency or direct, in the event that the agency-client relationship goes badly wrong.

Start looking for something else, and remember not to deal with the agency again unless you absolutely have to.

[jmo21]

Anyway, turns out agent has been playing contractors and client off against each other.

I always assumed this was the default, normal behavior of agents.

[BolshieBastard]

Fairly new to this. Been contracting about two years.

Worked out that a lot of agencies are a little dodgy but recent events take the biscuit. Im always one for if rate is good for you dont worry about but this really is bad.
Just wondered how best way to handle it.

I've always thought agent was a bit of liar especially about the cut he was taking. Alway told me his margin was slim etc.
Asked for an increase at one renewal and although I got some, he told me client wasnt happy/had to re-do budgets etc which I've since found out was a lie.

Anyway, turns out agent has been playing contractors and client off against each other. Agent has been blaming client for rate cuts and dodgy deals which was all made up, and now client has got wind and is not happy about it. In one instance, agency knocked a chunk off, blamed the client for cuts and kept if for himself. For all contractors, client though rate was the same but its now appears to depend on how many lies agent could get past to cut the rate.

Client is also not happy that the margin appears massive and not 15% as they agreed with agent. Its all possibly going to get legal.

Must admit I don't like seeing client ripped off like this. The rate I get is OK, but if the client is paying a massive rate its unfair especialy if agent is using them in their lies.

Waiting to see what happens here to be honest. Any suggestions or anyone seen this sort of thing before?

Name and shame the agency that did this.

There isnt a lot you can do in situations like this except ask for the highest rate you think is relevant for the job and dont back down no matter what sob story the agent gives you about the client not paying it.

[kaiser78]

I always assumed this was the default, normal behavior of agents.

I would suggest this is normal behaviour of agents - just out for themselves and their scrawny commissions at the end of the day.

[Boney M]

Nothing to do with you move on

[billybiro]

Make sure you know what restrictions exist which would prevent you from working via another agency or direct, in the event that the agency-client relationship goes badly wrong.

Start looking for something else, and remember not to deal with the agency again unless you absolutely have to.

How can you tell when an agent is lying? His lips are moving.

This is typical agent behaviour. As an alternative, you could negotiate with client to work directly with them irrespective of the agent's contract and any restrictions therein. When agent gets p*ssy, flip him the finger and tell him you'll see him in court, then invoice happily ever after with a (now happy) client.

Seriously, if enough contractors did something like this, the whole agency model would have to seriously shape up or ship out.

[TheFaQQer]

How can you tell when an agent is lying? His lips are moving.

This is typical agent behaviour. As an alternative, you could negotiate with client to work directly with them irrespective of the agent's contract and any restrictions therein. When agent gets p*ssy, flip him the finger and tell him you'll see him in court, then invoice happily ever after with a (now happy) client.

Seriously, if enough contractors did something like this, the whole agency model would have to seriously shape up or ship out.

If enough contractors and clients breached their contracts, they'd just ship to court. At the moment, it's not worth their while to do so, but if enough people did it, they would.

[billybiro]

If enough contractors and clients breached their contracts, they'd just ship to court. At the moment, it's not worth their while to do so, but if enough people did it, they would.

Given that everything any agency does revolves around them making the most amount of money at the least amount of cost, what makes you think that they would be happy to be embroiled in multiple court cases over a significant amount of time at great expense (both in time and thus money) to them?