Steep agency markup.. just a rant

[saad]

My line manager would occasionally compliment me in meetings by saying "that's why we pay you big bucks.." Which I always find strange as I might be on higher end in my UX industry, but it's kind of average rate.

Once curiosity reached it's limits I asked him what exactly they are paying the agency, to my surprise agency is charging them 45% on my invoice since I started the gig year ago, which tells the reason why client thinks they are paying me big bucks. Nothing can be done really but, I am seriously pissed.

[FatLazyContractor]

My line manager would

Fail !

HTH

[Cirrus]

I might be on higher end... but it's kind of average .

Stick with UX. Don't go anywhere near quant stuff, MI, etc ...

[saad]

Absence of senior and reasonable members of this forum is strongly felt.

[fool]

Meh, folks here have markups in the region £300-£400 per day. Now that you know, take some of it for yourself on renewal.

[LucidDementia]

I remember discovering the 108% markup on my first contract. Amusing now looking back.

[LondonManc]

At least you know there's margin at next renewal - getting the agent (or pimp in this case!) down to 20% shouldn't be too difficult given that you've earned the extension, not them.

[FatLazyContractor]

Absence of PC is strongly felt.

FTFY

[Cirrus]

A while back I went for an interview at Capital One. I met the agent beforehand and he - to be fair - did fess up he was going to mark me up 4 times.

Whilst working for a small consultancy on a client site, I acquired a new bloke who discovered we always took a 40% margin ie we were charging about double what he was getting. It was still an above average rate but he never managed to deal with it. Never bothered me.

[NibblyPig]

It bothers me enough that I am going to work very, very hard to go direct to my future roles.