Extension, but agency refuses rate increase

[TheFaQQer]

Have a few promising things in the pipeline but nothing concrete so far, higher rates and closer by (now commute 190 miles per day)
Should I call the agencies bluff and say I will decline?

If one of those comes off and you start with a two week gap between contracts, how much higher does the rate need to be to counter the downtime?

And more importantly (IMHO), which role do you want to do more? Pick the one that you will enjoy.

[northernladuk]

If I give you 100 notes in Amazon vouchers will you stop this?

Done.

[SlipTheJab]

If one of those comes off and you start with a two week gap between contracts, how much higher does the rate need to be to counter the downtime?

And more importantly (IMHO), which role do you want to do more? Pick the one that you will enjoy.

Its the principle man! (oh and hello NLUK mark 2)

[northernladuk]

Don't forget to have your contract checked over by Qdos Contractor - Business Insurance - IR35 Insurance because a happy contract makes a happy contractor.

[psychocandy]

Got an extension on my contract, but I asked the agency for a small increase due to increased responsibilities and tax burden.
End client refused and agency refuses to pay it from their 15% slice, which they enjoyed for 5 months, it would still leave them with 10% for which all they have to do is pay me once a month.
Have a few promising things in the pipeline but nothing concrete so far, higher rates and closer by (now commute 190 miles per day)
Should I call the agencies bluff and say I will decline?

Unlikely to work. Agencies cling on to their margin as best they can.

In their head, they don't give a stuff about the end client and they certainly don't give a stuff about you. They think - leave we don't care, we'll just get someone else in to take teh 15% margin off.

[psychocandy]

Company War chest would keep me going for 1 year at my current spending level. Private savings another 2-3 years at reduced spending level

Depends on how keen you are to stay. It might work might not. If you don't care either way, go for it.

[SlipTheJab]

Unlikely to work. Agencies cling on to their margin as best they can.

In their head, they don't give a stuff about the end client and they certainly don't give a stuff about you. They think - leave we don't care, we'll just get someone else in to take teh 15% margin off.

An oversimplification at best, whose to say if the OP leaves that the same agency will supply the contractor or maybe the client wont bother to replace him (I've seen that before), and informing the client that you are off due to the greedy pimp means they wont exactly be chomping at the bit to re-engage pimp-co!

[northernladuk]

Unlikely to work. Agencies cling on to their margin as best they can.

In their head, they don't give a stuff about the end client and they certainly don't give a stuff about you. They think - leave we don't care, we'll just get someone else in to take teh 15% margin off.

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.

[cojak]

FYI I'm finding this IPSE adverting tedious.

[northernladuk]

FYI I'm finding this IPSE adverting tedious.

Fair comment. Was a bit of fun so was short term but yeah it's run it's course.