Agent and Contractor agree rate client now wants contractor cheaper

[northernladuk]

The agent told me the MD wanted to get someone cheaper as they 'think' this is the going rate.

The MD also wants to re-advertise the role as a not-so-senior position offering it to me first before going back to the market.

I am not interested in it any more. The meddling nature of the MD has put me off and I wouldn't accept it for the original rate now.

The contract between Agent and Client co hasn't been signed yet however the agent had begun issuing paper work regarding Contractor / Agency.

As so there were some other circumstances as I though but fair play to you for sticking to your guns.

[jmo21]

Small company, billy big bollocks MD.

Ahm oot.

[vadhert]

I have never met the MD.

I also have no interest in meeting him after this.

[SlipTheJab]

Absolutely. Hallmarks of a micro-manager. Nicely avoided by the OP.

You could say he's managed to 'Slip The Jab'...

[expat]

The agent told me the MD wanted to get someone cheaper as they 'think' this is the going rate.

Whatever that means.

I think you have correctly assessed that you know all you need to know about this one.

[psychocandy]

Bait and switch isnt this called?

Sod that. MD obviously thinks hes a bit special and wants to go home with a warm glow thinking hes saved £x if you go for this. Good on you for knocking it back.

I would avoid even if he backs down now - this guy obviously wants to be the winner here. I would be concerned that if he got forced to pay you the original rate, he'd make damn sure he got his money worth out of you....

[SlipTheJab]

Bait and switch isnt this called?

Sod that. MD obviously thinks hes a bit special and wants to go home with a warm glow thinking hes saved £x if you go for this. Good on you for knocking it back.

I would avoid even if he backs down now - this guy obviously wants to be the winner here. I would be concerned that if he got forced to pay you the original rate, he'd make damn sure he got his money worth out of you....

Isn't that verbatim what I said yesterday PC? I'm telling NLUK on you

[LondonManc]

Isn't that verbatim what I said yesterday PC? I'm telling NLUK on you

No, you were a bit more to the point.

I've had a similar situation last year...

Agent: "What's your current rate?"
Me: quotes my London rate
Agent: "Erm, don't think we'll get anywhere near that"
Me: "Didn't think so, that's for London. That's why I told you each contract is different."
Agent: "So, what would you do this one for?" (back-end of Bradford, bit of a commute but not stupidly far)
Me: "£x"
Agent: "OK, I'll put you in."

Got the interview. Drove up there, turned out to be proper back end of Bradford, next town along!

Gets home, chats to agent, gives feedback, etc.
Agent: "Glad you thought the role was doable, the guy liked you. Best candidate by far that he's seen."
Me: "Cool, so, is there an offer forthcoming?"
Agent: "Erm, I know we put you in on £x, but what's your minimum?"
Me: "Still £x. It's the absolute ar$e end of Bradford. Might have knocked £20 off if it was just off the M606 or near the station."
Agent: "Oh."

Mentions some figure that's about 70% of £x

Thanks but no thanks.

OP has definitely dodged a bullet on this one.

The only thing left in my mind was wondering whether the agent thought he could bargain me down or hoped he could get hiring manager to up his rate for a better candidate, which could be the other way that OP's situation has gone.

[SimonMac]

You could say he's managed to 'Slip The Jab'...

[LondonManc]

Hmm... That one sounds like an Arrows deal. I've never had an interview with them, but they definitely tried on the oh, I was wrong about the rate game.

Name, names please -- We all need to avoid like this.

I would be beyond angry if this happened to me.

I'm wondering if the agency was using me to test the water to see if the client would go to private sector market rate - it was a public sector gig.

While I appreciate your concern, it's hard for me to aportion blame to agent or client without knowing for sure whether the hiring manager said market rate and wasn't specific enough that it was public sector market rate! So on that basis I'm reluctant to name and shame.