Vector Resourcing - Any experience of them?

[cojak]

If someone has really ticked you off I would understand it.

There was a time with Barclays Online...

[Valbuena]

Vector Resourcing are the worst agency I have ever encountered.

As this is my first post on this forum, I will moderate my language. I have been contracting through agencies for over twenty years and have never encountered anything remotely as offensive as my experience of Vector Resourcing.

As an example, the concept of not paying the last invoice until they receive funds from the client. I corresponded on this as was informed (among other things) that I had no right to know when payment would be made, and that if I communicated with the client to discuss their payment terms I would be in breach of contract. An idiot stated "this is an industry standard practice". Not only have I never encountered it, none of my colleagues past and present have. Fortunately the client was very helpful, and I finally received payment about two months later.

Incidentally, one of the reasons they go to such great lengths to prohibit communication between contractor and client is their unbelievable commission rate. I will make further posts on the various aspects of this experience if this first contribution passes the moderator.

[Taita]

I have had a contract with them for nearly 3 years.
The only time they ever contacted me was when it was nearly the end of my contract and they asked about extensions.

My final invoice "will be paid when we receive cleared payments from the client" now that is a strange one, its never happened before and I have been working as contractor now for nearly 20 years, and my final invoice for the contract has ALWAYS been paid on time never been delayed until payment has been received from client.

Its a good job there is something called "Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2002", if they don't pay within 60 days then I can charge them £70 + 8.5% statutory interest!

As a matter of curiousity what will you do if they pay the invoiced amount less the £70+8.5% statutory interest?

[ylg0504]

As this is my first post on this forum, I will moderate my language. I have been contracting through agencies for over twenty years and have never encountered anything remotely as offensive as my experience of Vector Resourcing.

As an example, the concept of not paying the last invoice until they receive funds from the client. I corresponded on this as was informed (among other things) that I had no right to know when payment would be made, and that if I communicated with the client to discuss their payment terms I would be in breach of contract. An idiot stated "this is an industry standard practice". Not only have I never encountered it, none of my colleagues past and present have. Fortunately the client was very helpful, and I finally received payment about two months later.

Incidentally, one of the reasons they go to such great lengths to prohibit communication between contractor and client is their unbelievable commission rate. I will make further posts on the various aspects of this experience if this first contribution passes the moderator.

Experiencing exactly the same with them as we speak. No longer sure when I will see my final pay. And the only way they seem to be able to communicate with you is via their beloved Contract and endless clauses. Be prepared to report back for your every move and get regular reminders that you are not to liaise under any circumstances with the client. I have been contracting for a number of Agencies over the course of 18 years and this has to to be one of the worst Agencies I have encountered!

[ZingZangZong]

Another disgruntled new joiner here.

Their slack attitude to paying is simply no good for an agency that works with freelancers. There's no customer service either, just references to 'the contract' with vague allusions to maybe paying you someday, whenever...maybe.

I should take the same attitude to paying my rent. I'm sure it'd go down well.

[redhotchiliflea]

Hi,

Another new joiner being affected here.

Is this clause even legal? I notice TopCat that you have put the following:
"Additionally small and medium sized enterprises could ask a representative body to challenge grossly unfair contract terms used by their customers which do not provide a substantial remedy for late payment of commercial debts. Documentation"

Does this mean that if after 60 days that you were expecting payment (you all know vector, so the invoice was due to be paid on 17th July. does this mean If after 60 days from here (15th September in my reckoning), the condition:
"4.4 VRL shall pay the Supplier’s final invoice submitted by the Supplier pursuant to Clause 1.5 only once cleared funds have been received by VRL from the Hirer."

will no longer be valid after the 60 days?

to be honest putting it mildly this has angered me, as I have worked with them for over 4 years putting up with the unflexibility of their in payment system, the 2 days it takes for paid invoices to clear into an account, larger than acceptable (in my opinion) 35% cut that they take from me and then as a final blow - they stiff me by not paying my final invoice. This is unacceptable.

A nice bunch of people to talk to on the phone, so it's easy to see how people can get lured in, but i would recommend anybody to avoid. if they don't want the hassle of not being paid.

Does anyone know the benefits of having an agency REC registered? Is this just an ombudsman for agencies? are there any plans for this to be compulsory?

[WTFH]

Might be of interest to some in this thread:
Conciliation service for the unpaid renamed 'Small Business Commissioner' :: Contractor UK

[contractorbynature]

Also in dispute...

They are not REC registered; says it all really. I am in dispute with them at the moment over payment.

I would seriously reccomend anyone who is contacted by Vector NOT to take on a contract through them.
I am also in dispute with them over an unpaid invoice. I have heard of several contractors in the same position.
Do not touch them with a barge pole.
I would also concur that they take a LARGE percentage of your daily rate as their fee, and will not negotiate!
It's not worth the hassle to go through these guys. AVOID.

[fidot]

"4.4 VRL shall pay the Supplier’s final invoice submitted by the Supplier pursuant to Clause 1.5 only once cleared funds have been received by VRL from the Hirer."

Just out of interest, why did you guys agree to a contract containing the above clause?

I presume you are opted out. Otherwise, that sort of clause isn't valid.

Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly not an apologist for their actions or contract, but, assuming the quote is correct, it is in the contract.

[DelboyTrotter]

Thanks for the heads up, although I'm not on the look out for a new contract, I seem to be getting daily voicemails from them about new roles coming out.