Local UK contract through an overseas agency - anything to worry about?

[SueEllen]

I know 2 people who started contracts through Tech Mahindra only to get canned after a few weeks. They both claimed they were replaced by a Bob.

When I get those 0203 calls purporting to be from London and hear an Indian accent, I don't even enter into a conversation anymore.

It's just like <click>.

You are late to the party.

They can use 0208, 0207 and random UK cities now. The problem is their spoken English is so accented I can't be bothered to ask where the less angry sounding ones claim they are from.

[northernladyuk]

I've recently been contacted via linkedin for a contract within my home city. The client and agency (which I haven't heard of previously) are overseas based but they would like a project to be run in the UK. All my contracts to date are with well established clients and agencies within my city and I'm worried there may be pitfalls working with an overseas agency. I'm only considering the position as work is struggling to come by in my sector (oil & gas) so I'm wondering if there is any pitfalls I should be looking out for. Last thing I want is to give up my existing contract and find out I have issues with an overseas agency (payment issues, etc).

The old man always requests payment in advance for a foreign client so suggest you do the same.

[kungfuman]

thanks for all the replies and there's some good advice here (re payment up front).

Some more info, the agency is actually based in Romania and from what I gather in their website, predominately operates in the oil and gas sector. The client is from the middle east.

I am not chasing the £££ as the rate isnt that great but it could be a longish project which is a good thing in the current o&g market.

[m0n1k3r]

thanks for all the replies and there's some good advice here (re payment up front).

Some more info, the agency is actually based in Romania and from what I gather in their website, predominately operates in the oil and gas sector. The client is from the middle east.

I am not chasing the £££ as the rate isnt that great but it could be a longish project which is a good thing in the current o&g market.

Sounds like it is a consultancy, not an agency.