Agency rates negotiation

[northernladuk]

Absolutely sick of agents and their vile tactics. Of course alot of contractors are in it for the money but they can justify asking for these rates as we specialise in what we do and are considered experts.

Don't be a hater. It's the way it is so you've got to just play the game better than them. Nothing more satisfying than spotting a wet behind the ears agents game and beating him at it. Being a hater just looks like you don't know how to play the game and are no good at it. Anyone can do the work at the client, even the permies. That is the easy bit.

If you want to be a contractor you've got to deal with it. It's what we do. A lot of us have made a very good living from contracting with agents being a key part of it. Do the deal and laugh every time you send your invoice in.

[ContractorHardman]

I think some people forget that as a contractor you are now a "Business".

Your CVs are your products
Your Agents are your marketing channels
Your Client is your customer

and YOU are the one who needs to make sure you don't get made a fool of by learning the game. People are bitching on here about being fed up of agents tactics, learn them, gain experience of the mistakes you make and move on! We are all adults here!

[LondonManc]

I think some people forget that as a contractor you are now a "Business".

Your CVs are your products
Your Agents are your marketing channels
Your Client is your customer

and YOU are the one who needs to make sure you don't get made a fool of by learning the game. People are bitching on here about being fed up of agents tactics, learn them, gain experience of the mistakes you make and move on! We are all adults here!

Correct. It's not like a league where you can put a motion forward at an AGM to change the rules.
Accept the game or play a different one.

[starburst89]

So.....was offered the second contract. Was told I was put forward for £400 and now agent is saying its £375 as there are other candidates who are cheaper...so why put me forward for £400 in the first place? Initially he said that he would try for £450 and then said that the client said that was a bit tight and then I said £425 and he said they have came back with £375. Something seems a bit off. He knows I have another offer waiting at 400 but was willing to wait for the outcome of this one as it is a longer contract length. Agent up to his tricks again you think?

[northernladuk]

More than likely but don't be a hater. In some cases they might not be. Up to you to play the game and get a result you are happy with. Welcome to contracting.

[LondonManc]

So.....was offered the second contract. Was told I was put forward for £400 and now agent is saying its £375 as there are other candidates who are cheaper...so why put me forward for £400 in the first place? Initially he said that he would try for £450 and then said that the client said that was a bit tight and then I said £425 and he said they have came back with £375. Something seems a bit off. He knows I have another offer waiting at 400 but was willing to wait for the outcome of this one as it is a longer contract length. Agent up to his tricks again you think?

Contract length means little. If the end client is haggling, they're more likely to bin you off early because they're on a tight budget. Take your first contract.

[starburst89]

Contract length means little. If the end client is haggling, they're more likely to bin you off early because they're on a tight budget. Take your first contract.

if they are on a tight budget then why did another agency advertise rates up to 600

[LondonManc]

if they are on a tight budget then why did another agency advertise rates up to 600

Oh dear, we are new aren't we. Agency tactics 101 time:

Agency not on PSL advertises big rate to get best candidates hoovered up on an exclusivity deal. Wings CVs in to client to show what they've got compared to the dross that's left who have pursued the cheaper rate. You'll then get battered down by that other agency.

[northernladuk]

if they are on a tight budget then why did another agency advertise rates up to 600

You've got to understand the agents are salesmen. They are going to advertise top rates to get the best applicants to fill the spot. Once you are in then the negotiations start.

What the agent advertises more often than not isn't what they will offer which in turn is not what the client is paying. It's all a game you have to play and it's up to you to get the deal you want or walk.

What would you do to maximise your profit if YOU were the agent?

You've got to get a grasp of this pretty quickly or the agents are going to sniff a newbie and have you over a barrel. Oddly enough this is harder as a newbie as the agents will play you like a fiddle. The more experience you appear to be to the agent, the less likely they are to try take the piss so it actually gets easier as you go on.

[VillageContractor]

So.....was offered the second contract. Was told I was put forward for £400 and now agent is saying its £375 as there are other candidates who are cheaper...so why put me forward for £400 in the first place? Initially he said that he would try for £450 and then said that the client said that was a bit tight and then I said £425 and he said they have came back with £375. Something seems a bit off. He knows I have another offer waiting at 400 but was willing to wait for the outcome of this one as it is a longer contract length. Agent up to his tricks again you think?

Yes. You have 2 offers you can play hardball with the agent. You need to decide what is the lowest amount you're willing to take for this role. Either tell the agent the rate or rate + x and be negotiated down. Otherwise take the first offer