Extension, but agency refuses rate increase

[psychocandy]

Oh dear...

Concentrate on trying to be a decent contractor and manage your own affairs without failing so badly at understanding the agents. It's making my eyes bleed reading it.

What business doesn't give a stuff about the client that pays them or the contractors that provide the service. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

At best stop the agent hating. It's going to hurt you when you have to do business with them in the future. I know you've been bitten hard a number of times but if the agent gets a whiff of how much you hate them it's going to make your negotiating that bit harder.

Contracting 20 years+. Probably worked with (i.e. contracted through) about 2 decent agents. In terms, of recruitment agents (i.e worked with but not got gigs through), probably about 4 or 5 really good ones.

[psychocandy]

Though when faced with the kind of distance as a contractor, I'd stay overnight twice a week, and adjust my hours to suit.

Currently I do 90 mins door to door (albeit via train). Been doing so for almost 2 years now (yeh I know 24 months). Get used to it.

Stay over one night every 3/4 weeks. When Im busy or just to keep myself sane.

[psychocandy]

I'd say you're the one bluffing as you have nothing concrete lined up. 99% you'll waste more time/between contracts than you would have 'lost' sticking with the current one.
Assuming that you get extended for 12 months, ans assuming you can find a contract that actually pays 5% more, all it takes is to be out of contract for two weeks to be worse off in the new contract. In other words unless you are certain that you can get a 5% better paying contract in the next two wooks, you are better off financially sticking with the existing contract.
Simple?

But if OP really does not care if they extend or not then he might get somewhere.

I think agency will call his bluff to be honest....

OP - let us know be interesting...

[Mincepie]

I am in a similar position my lot offered an 2 month extension same rate i said no i want increase and ignored them. 2 weeks to go and its turned into 3 months no increase continued silence from myself. I dont really want to stay as its not the greatest gig but the warchest isnt comfy yet and i got building work to start and nothing lined up.

Fired off a couple of apps today and lets see what happens

[northernladuk]

I am in a similar position my lot offered an 2 month extension same rate i said no i want increase and ignored them. 2 weeks to go and its turned into 3 months no increase continued silence from myself. I dont really want to stay as its not the greatest gig but the warchest isnt comfy yet and i got building work to start and nothing lined up.

Fired off a couple of apps today and lets see what happens

So if they give you 15 quid a day it will make it all fine and dandy?

[Eirikur]

So if they give you 15 quid a day it will make it all fine and dandy?

Which is 300 per month, 3600 per year. If you don't try you won't get it. No agency will offer a rate increase voluntarily.

[Mincepie]

So if they give you 15 quid a day it will make it all fine and dandy?

Nah i asked for another 50 quid a day

[VillageContractor]

Nah i asked for another 50 quid a day

Risky game without a decent warchest

[Mincepie]

The offer is on the table the client likes me two weeks to find something less aggravating or simple yeah ok lets go again. I think low risk as its between me and agent negotiations

[psychocandy]

The offer is on the table the client likes me two weeks to find something less aggravating or simple yeah ok lets go again. I think low risk as its between me and agent negotiations

It is low ris. BUT I bet client kicks off if you get something else and say ok no worries Im off anyway....