Turning down contract after verbal acceptance?

[vwdan]

Well I did it and glad I did.....

Agent didn't even bother to respond to my email. Yeh cheers for that.

I have a feeling it was on hold anyway so they didn't want to waste any time on it...

You did it over e-mail?

[Eirikur]

You did it over e-mail?

What's wrong with that? At least you have a written confirmation

[northernladuk]

What's wrong with that? At least you have a written confirmation

Technically that's very true and nothing wrong with it. I see where Vwdan is coming from though. I'd have been ringing the agent to chase the gig so I would have rung them to tell them as well. Totally get the fact that isn't really needed. Just a personal preference. It's highly unlikely the agent isn't to blame, they are probably as frustrated as the contractor is, I just feel more comfortable doing it by phone as well.

[PerfectStorm]

I've called through and emailed to confirm when I've done it. Best of both worlds.

[quackhandle]

Badabeep-badaboop!

It's not personal, Sonny. It's Strictly Business.

You donta listen, you sleep with the fishes.

qh

[psychocandy]

I've called through and emailed to confirm when I've done it. Best of both worlds.

To be honest, they've ghosted me the last two weeks when I've been chasing for an update for the gig...... Whenever I've tried to call I get "he'll call you back". Never did.
They promised to let me know when the client had sent them a PO and they never did. I even msged the one guy via linked in to say "did you get my email asking for an update?" Reply "yes"

A big part of the reason why I decided to can this gig in favour of the new one. Something going on and I get the impression that its not been signed off with the client and agency don't want to waste time on it just yet. They've got me in the bag and can't be bothered to speak to me.

I emailed them - they knew my phone number if they wanted to discuss. But what is there to discuss? They decided not to I guess. Suits me.
Didn't really fancy a phone call where they'd probably just say "yes we got the email" or started to have a dig....

As with most, I expect they're slightly narked for now (until they get the next person in). Client might be a little too but, to be fair, they'll maybe realise you can't drag it out for weeks and weeks with a contractor.

[northernladuk]

To be honest, they've ghosted me the last two weeks when I've been chasing for an update for the gig...... Whenever I've tried to call I get "he'll call you back". Never did.
They promised to let me know when the client had sent them a PO and they never did. I even msged the one guy via linked in to say "did you get my email asking for an update?" Reply "yes"

A big part of the reason why I decided to can this gig in favour of the new one. Something going on and I get the impression that its not been signed off with the client and agency don't want to waste time on it just yet. They've got me in the bag and can't be bothered to speak to me.

I emailed them - they knew my phone number if they wanted to discuss. But what is there to discuss? They decided not to I guess. Suits me.
Didn't really fancy a phone call where they'd probably just say "yes we got the email" or started to have a dig....

As with most, I expect they're slightly narked for now (until they get the next person in). Client might be a little too but, to be fair, they'll maybe realise you can't drag it out for weeks and weeks with a contractor.

You appear to be blaming the agent for something they'll just be as frustrated about. The agent is in exactly the same position as you as they aren't earning commission either and they've put in a lot more work than you have for nothing.

They won't be as narked as you think. They'll be even more hacked off with the client than you are with them and as much as they moan they'll but fully expecting you to turn it down. They do this day in day out so will be well used to contractors finding other gigs when the client delays for weeks. I'd go as far as to say they've probably written if off even earlier than you which is why they are putting so little effort in to the updates.

It is what it is and I am sure every contractor will come across this at some point. Can't take it personally and hate on the agents who are just as frustrated.

[TestMangler]

You appear to be blaming the agent for something they'll just be as frustrated about. The agent is in exactly the same position as you as they aren't earning commission either and they've put in a lot more work than you have for nothing.

They won't be as narked as you think. They'll be even more hacked off with the client than you are with them and as much as they moan they'll but fully expecting you to turn it down. They do this day in day out so will be well used to contractors finding other gigs when the client delays for weeks. I'd go as far as to say they've probably written if off even earlier than you which is why they are putting so little effort in to the updates.

It is what it is and I am sure every contractor will come across this at some point. Can't take it personally and hate on the agents who are just as frustrated.

Hating agents is never a bad thing......

[pr1]

You appear to be blaming the agent for something they'll just be as frustrated about. The agent is in exactly the same position as you as they aren't earning commission either and they've put in a lot more work than you have for nothing.

If that was entirely the case then there is no (good) reason they couldn't keep OP in the loop about that though rather than weeks of ghosting, assuming they wanted OP to wait around

[northernladuk]

Hating agents is never a bad thing......

Fair comment and maybe. But when that hate is clouding your ability to see who in the chain is responsible and so not act appropriately then it's not helpful was my point.

If that was entirely the case then there is no (good) reason they couldn't keep OP in the loop about that though rather than weeks of ghosting, assuming they wanted OP to wait around

Fair point but not really. Agents are there to make themselves money, not keep contractors all cosy and warm. If the client is ghosting the agent and the agent has nothing to pass on then, just by the nature of their job, they won't bother with the contractor. Yeah not great but it's the way they work and you gotta just live with it. If you aren't making the agent money then you are dead to them so cannot expect the agent to spend an inordinate amount of time giving updates when they don't have them themselves. As I say, the agent is probably getting as much of a run around as the contractor feels they are. If it is the client messing about then everyone below is suffering including the agent. If you are expecting regular updates or feedback from an agent then you are going to have a long frustrating career in contracting.

We know how agents work and we also know that you have nothing until you are sitting at the agents desk. PC had a verbal agreement only from the agent. We all know that is only worth the paper it's written on. Say yes and carry on with the expectation this will fall through and it becomes a slightly frustrating part of contracting and nothing more.

99% of contractors they would have taken the verbal offer in their stride and carried on. It's only PC who's inability to tie his shoelaces without asking for help that has made this non issue in to an issue. Like I said at the beginning, there is nothing in this thread of any worth anyway. It's just PC tolling about his situation rather than it actually being a question that needed an answer.