Was I right or just greedy?

[Ltd]

There was a client in Switzerland (a strange startup of 10) who were interested in my rare skills and wanted to interview me on site without even doing a phone interview.
I asked the agent who was also Swiss whether my travel expenses will be paid by the cilent regardless of interview outcome. After long discussion the client offered they will pay half and the other half is on me. I insisted that I will only come once my travel expenses are fully paid by the client. They cancelled the interview.
The question is, was I right in my expectations or just greedy? Would you invest your own £500-£1000 on early stage with not the most well-known client?

Also anyone based in Switzerland, could it be that local traditions require candidates to pick up the travel bill?

[vwdan]

I don't think that's greed at all - just risk management.

[FatLazyContractor]

There was a client in Switzerland (a strange startup of 10) who were interested in my rare skills and wanted to interview me on site without even doing a phone interview.
I asked the agent who was also Swiss whether my travel expenses will be paid by the cilent regardless of interview outcome. After long discussion the client offered they will pay half and the other half is on me. I insisted that I will only come once my travel expenses are fully paid by the client. They cancelled the interview.
The question is, was I right in my expectations or just greedy? Would you invest your own £500-£1000 on early stage with not the most well-known client?

Also anyone based in Switzerland, could it be that local traditions require candidates to pick up the travel bill?

Depends on what the day rate is. Defines whether it is worth taking the risk!

[Ticktock]

How the hell would it have cost £1000 - £2000 for a sameday, or worst case overnight stay, in Switzerland?

[sal]

I don't think that's greed at all - just risk management.

+1

And if they are so backward to refuse at least an initial phone/Skype/Lync etc. interview and so cheap to refuse to pay what? £500-1000 to get you in for a face to face, do you really want to work with/for such people?

[FatLazyContractor]

How the hell would it have cost £1000 - £2000 for a sameday, or worst case overnight stay, in Switzerland?

£500 to £1000 was what the OP said.

Flight tickets at a short notice could cost no less than £300 return. Hotels (depending on the city) could cost no less than £100. Other expenses - £100.

Sounds about right to me.

[TheFaQQer]

£500 to £1000 was what the OP said.

£500-£1000 of their own money, and the client will pay the other half, so £1000-£2000 for the day.

Seems a tad high to me.

[FatLazyContractor]

£500-£1000 of their own money, and the client will pay the other half, so £1000-£2000 for the day.

Seems a tad high to me.

Pedant :nazi:

[Ticktock]

£500 to £1000 was what the OP said.

Flight tickets at a short notice could cost no less than £300 return. Hotels (depending on the city) could cost no less than £100. Other expenses - £100.

Sounds about right to me.

"After long discussion the client offered they will pay half and the other half is on me. ... Would you invest your own £500-£1000 on early stage with not the most well-known client?"

Easyjet can get me there and back again on Monday for <£200 - cheaper if I return Tuesday (or fly out with more notice - which I would expect, in which case it would be <£100). Hotel and other expenses can add up, yes, but not to £2K, or even £1K unless you're wasting money.

To answer the original question, I wouldn't do it myself (even at the lower cost), even if 50/50 split with the client, without an initial phone / Skype interview and some feedback that they're keen to progress.

[BlasterBates]

Agencies vary some offer half, some offer the full costs and often there is a condition, so for example they might pay full costs if the client turns you down or half of the costs if you turn the client dowm.

To summarise what the agency is offering is fairly normal, tightfisted but normal but there are agencies who would cover the full costs..