Does anybody know the significance of agencies asking "what is your current rate"?

[TykeMerc]

In truth it's an attempt to gain a terrifically weak bargaining chip. The "you charge X not X+n argument doesn't withstand any kind of scrutiny.

As people have pointed out as contractors we set our rate expectations based on loads of factors, I'm currently discussing one that's over £50 a day less than my last one because I fancy the project and the client is interesting, distance wise it's still 200+ miles away from home though.
I'm also talking to a couple of other Agents about roles at £100/day more than my last one, but in truth I don't care at all about those unless one materialises into an offer.

Oh the rate question also helps them to try and profile your current/ex client, again the info isn't worth much on its own, but it is part of the jigsaw puzzle that they prefer to have, like a bit of sky or grassy field.

[FatLazyContractor]

I just tell them that it depends on what the client expects me to do from implementation, deliver etc POV and then ask them what the client is offering.

If they insist, I tell them 'Market rates'.

[LondonManc]

If it involves staying away, I'd need to know where so that I can have a look at hotel prices in the area as well as consider travel time.

[NotAllThere]

I just tell them that it depends on what the client expects me to do from implementation, deliver etc POV and then ask them what the client is offering.

If they insist, I tell them 'Market rates'.

And when they ask "what is the market rate then?", you point out that they're supposed to know that already.

[curtis]

This is one of the few things that really irritate me in having to deal with agents, almost every time I get what rate are you looking for? Every time I say it depends on so many factors I get bored of saying it every time.

Then you get ones that say well its doing this here so what would be ok for a role like that and I end up giving a rate but then have to say again that it still then depends. That and the references chat are the worst for me.

[diseasex]

I have similar question if you guys care answering.

Say a role says it pays between 400-475 ... do you always opt for the end bracket (475) and maybe negotiate down , or you say your rate is somewhere in the middle (say 450 ?). Whats your approach when asked for a rate in this example?

[Boo]

Agencies seem to ask for this information these days - "what is your current rate"?

Is there any specific significance to that - from our point of view, that is?

Yes :

<agent_speak:>What is your rate ?</agent_speak>

<english:>We don't have any live roles right now but if you tell us the lowest rate you will ever work for we will put you on our list and call you if you ever become the lowest priced contractor on the list and simutaneously there is a job matching your skills. If we remember to even look at the list again that is, rather than just spam another job advert onto the boards. And that is if we ever see a contract in your specialism which frankly we haven't in all the 17 years you have been replying to out adverts</english>

Boo

[psychocandy]

I have similar question if you guys care answering.

Say a role says it pays between 400-475 ... do you always opt for the end bracket (475) and maybe negotiate down , or you say your rate is somewhere in the middle (say 450 ?). Whats your approach when asked for a rate in this example?

Depends if its high or not. i.e. if going rate for the role is 400-450 then maybe go for 450.

Depends on location for me as well. If its local and I really fancy it I will go for the lower end. If its miles away I'll go for upper rate.

[psychocandy]

Bit like when you take your car in for part-exchange. First thing they ask "so who much do you want for this?"

If you say £5000, and they know they'd have offered you £6000 then they've made £1000 first off the bat because you've sold yourself short.

[curtis]

A lot of times I tend to get this question is when they don't really have a role to call me about they are calling "just to find out my situation" or the role I applied for does not exist so when they call me they don't talk about the role too much just use it find out about other stuff aswell to do with me or where I worked.

Its frustrating when your keen to get a job and you get so many waste of time calls.