Push for a higher rate

[Keldin]

Just for a change of pace I thought we could get a discussion going about rates.

I was approached by an agency about an urgent role and asked for my rate. Having gotten tired of the game where you respond and they immediately tell you the client is offering 20% less than that would you accept that etc. I asked what was on offer. I was told the client is looking to the agency to tell them what the rate should be so they're happy to go for my normal rate as its a win-win as the more I get the more they get.

Subsequently get told the max is a little less than what I was asking but we've set up the interview etc by then so I carry on and go to the interview.
Now the thing that's bugging me is that in every single conversation and email I have had with the agency they have brought up (quite forcefully sometimes) the fact that I should not discuss the rate with the client. And I do mean every conversation and they've even tried to get me to commit to accepting verbally before an offer is even made. I've been trying to be as non-commital as possible about a blanket acceptance of x rate but now I'm thinking they're protesting a little too much. If the client was relying on them to set the rate according to what's available out there surely they shouldn't be so worried about it and they are being extremely heavy handed.
I did very well in the interview and am currently waiting on an offer. There should be some others coming in today or tomorrow as well.
Does anyone else get suspicious when agents get carried away about keeping money discussions away from the client.

K

[Murder1]

I may be totally over-simplifying it but if you end up getting the rate you're happy with then does it matter what the client pays the pimp?

[Keldin]

But t hats just it. The rate was 'dropped' from what I'm looking for on my way to the interview. Subsequently the attitude of the agency is making me think they're pulling a fast one to pocket some extra dosh. If they hadn't been so rabid about not discussing rates then I might have left it and considered the job on the merits alone.
I'm just wondering what other people think when they get that kind of attitude from an agent.

K

[Bluebird]

If I'm happy with the rate take - how long is the gig for ?
You could always ask that a " rate review " is carried out within 3 months of the start date ?

[ChimpMaster]

Agree with Murder1 but hey if you're unhappy then go out and get another offer (or take a chance and be prepared to relinquish the contract).

It would bug me too - but at the end of the day all you have to do is say to the agent that I want more or I'm not going to take the contract. Once you have the offer from the client, the agency will not want to lose the deal.

Having said that though, I've learned to state my price early on in the process, to the point of actually having priced myself out of contracts in some cases. But I know I wouldn't have been happy settling for less, so I'm OK with that.

[Murder1]

I've not had it happen to me to be totally honest.

If the rate drop/cut is significant enough and you feel there's plenty more options elsewhere then I'd stand my ground for the rate I asked for.

Although saying that on here and actually doing it are two totally different animals.

[Keldin]

I have a couple of otehr things coming in that should match this lowered rate and be just as good in terms of length and location etc.
The one thing I am wondering about is that I don't think teh client has a fixed price (at least from what I could gauge in the interview) and I did well enough that I'm sure they would offer higher than they were initially planning on (I'm very good in interviews - last permie interview got me a 15k over the max offer). I'm also sure that any increase would not be passed on to me.

May have to just see if I can get the client to accidentally drop the figure to me.

K

[NotAllThere]

..
Now the thing that's bugging me is that in every single conversation and email I have had with the agency they have brought up (quite forcefully sometimes) the fact that I should not discuss the rate with the client. And I do mean every conversation ...

If you've not signed an NDA, what's to stop you discussing rates with the client?

[Keldin]

If you've not signed an NDA, what's to stop you discussing rates with the client?

Very true. For my own peaces of mind I think I will have to do just that.

K

[rootsnall]

I may be totally over-simplifying it but if you end up getting the rate you're happy with then does it matter what the client pays the pimp?

Yes, if the agency are on a big margin and you end up at the client longer term it will lead to problems. Often it is a naive client who is paying over the odds but they often wise up and it is then you who has to handle things on site.

If you are worried about the agency margin then ask them what it is, if they won't tell you say you want an email stating it is say 20% or less. Again if they won't do that you know they are are on an OTT margin. It has worked for me in the past. Be prepared to walk if the agent won't play ball.