Anyone used Allen Lane?

**radish2008** · 13 July 2017, 10:05

Originally posted by jonasa View Post

Hi. I am new to contracting and have been invited to register with an agency called Allen Lane in London. I went to Google them and found that they have loads of negative reviews and people said to stay away from them and that they had hidden fees, charged you for finding you a job, treated people badly and the worst agency they ever used. As this is my first contract I don't want to be taken for a ride. Has anyone used them and are they as bad as the reviews say? Thanks Jo

If you're registering you don't have a contract or an offer right ? You're just registering your CV there ? As you would do with dozens of agencies in the near future.

**jonasa** · 13 July 2017, 12:50

Thanks radish2008. I am only registering at the moment but they said there was a job they wanted to put me up for, so I wanted to see before I go there whether I need to be worried out them as an agency. Google reviews talk about £700 a month charges from them if they find you a job. Is that normal?

**Eirikur** · 13 July 2017, 12:58

Originally posted by jonasa View Post

Thanks radish2008. I am only registering at the moment but they said there was a job they wanted to put me up for, so I wanted to see before I go there whether I need to be worried out them as an agency. Google reviews talk about £700 a month charges from them if they find you a job. Is that normal?

No that's absolutely not normal. Never in my life have I paid a single penny to any agency. (they get their money as a percentage on top of my rate, which they invoice to the end client, which I don't care about as long as I get the rate I want)
Avoid
Avoid
Avoid.

**tomtomagain** · 13 July 2017, 14:13

It's against the law for an agency to charge you for finding work in the UK.

That's why they take a %age of the income and do not charge an upfront fee.

**ruasonid** · 13 July 2017, 17:20

I had my time wasted by them a few years ago. No follow up or answers to my questions. I cannot recommended them, especially given that there is so much choice available.

**jonasa** · 14 July 2017, 07:39

Thanks guys. I will give Allen Lane a miss.

**SlipTheJab** · 14 July 2017, 08:20

Sounds like the same model as that other bunch of dodgy cowboys 'Bite Consulting' who try and sign up naive bods (many of whom are from overseas) to a contract that gives them a chunk of your money even if they don't find you a role, Google them but stay away.

**cojak** · 2 August 2017, 11:32

And here's the thread that explains the legislation:

Which law makes it illegal for a firm to charge for seeking jobs ?

**malvolio** · 2 August 2017, 11:37

Originally posted by cojak View Post

And here's the thread that explains the legislation:

Which law makes it illegal for a firm to charge for seeking jobs ?

Yes - and note my final comment...

Anyone used Allen Lane?