Guidance for new contractor please / How soon can I give notice?

[WTFH]

OK I think I'm getting it. It's not about who's right and who's wrong, it's about the customer is always right. So they can act in 'mercenary' fashion and that's their privilege as customer. I can't as I'm a supplier.

No, it's not "the customer is always right", it's not about them acting in a "mercenary fashion", it's not about their "privilege". It's about you being a professional business, intent on supplying customers.
If you want to be treated professionally, then be a bit less emotive in your words and attitude.

If you want to survive as a contractor, you have to be professional.

[northernladuk]

OK I think I'm getting it. It's not about who's right and who's wrong, it's about the customer is always right. So they can act in 'mercenary' fashion and that's their privilege as customer. I can't as I'm a supplier.

Jesus wept

[washed up contractor]

I'm really surprised and confused by these kinds of replies. In a business to business contractual relationship, why are the two parties' ethical responsibilities viewed so differently?

Client: Tells me they have the money signed off when they don't; suddenly stops giving me work part-way through a contract, or cancels it with no notice, and this is all considered fair play; just the way the business works, they are just following the contract T&Cs etc."

Contractor: Sticks to the T&C of his/her contract by giving notice and moving to another one. And this is unprofessional, mercenary, bad business, giving contractors a bad name etc.

Because dear boy (or girl), you are a one man band. While it is true contractors should see themselves as a business, many clients do not (even when you try and educate them).

You will never be seen as a "consultancy" by the vast majority of clients.

But, the bottom line for me when I was contracting was, if I was the other party, would I be hacked off with me as a contractor, if I suddenly jibbed them off. And almost every time I came to the conclusion yes, I would be hacked off.

What makes me laugh the most though is you newbies come on here and ask for advice from seasoned contractors, some who have sat on both sides of the interview and recruitment table. They give you advice based on their saged knowledge. And you promptly throw it out the window because you dont like what you're hearing.

It is your call, it is after all your career but please, dont waste our time getting upset over advice you asked for but dont like.

Toodle pip, old chap.