Offered a contract but need advice on rate differences....

[Spooner]

Had an interview yesterday with a client which went very well indeed. Discussed the role at length and then moved onto the rate. Client asked if £xxx a day was OK. The pimp gave me a figure of £30 a day below what the client said before I went for the interview. I mentioned this to the Client and he looked a little surprised (not as surprised as me ! )

Question is what do I do this morning? I know the client really wants me as my skillset covers exactly his criteria and wants me to start Friday. I've never been in this situation before.

Advice please.....

[ladymuck]

Well, it's up to the client what they want to pay you so when you talk to the agent, tell them the rate that they offered and say you will accept on that basis.

[Fred Bloggs]

I suspect your end client has exposed a scam by the agency. I think this is more common than you think. On more than one occaision I have seen some shady moves by agencies. I suspect that the agency is telling the client you're getting x+30 a day but really only paying you x. That way he gets his margin AND an extra 30 a day from placing you. The other scenario I've seen is when the agency insists that the client at the very last minute has dropped the rate by 2 an hour. I have always refused the cut and a cut has never been imposed.

[VectraMan]

Sounds like you're in a very good position. Tell the agent you'll accept at the rate offered, and then if he then goes back and tries to get more out of the client the client is going to know what he's up to.

[ratewhore]

I can't say I've been in this position myself. I only discuss rates with the agent, never the client. When I am happy with the rate at which I am to be put forward then we move to interview. (Although this has already been done to death on these boards).

Personally, I would tell the agent what rate I would accept for the role and then let them have any further discussions with the client...

[PAH]

Is it viewed as a big no-no to broach the subject of the rate with the client during the interview?

I know this is an area where the agency usually exploits the situation given the chance, but why would the client not want to discuss the rate they're offering?

Is it just IT where it's all cloak and dagger, or do other agents (such as those in football) also follow this method of operation? We know estate agents have to declare their fees up front, so why should IT agents be any different? It would certainly cut down on the lying cheating greedy scum operating out there.

[Sausage Surprise]

I suspect your end client has exposed a scam by the agency. I think this is more common than you think. On more than one occaision I have seen some shady moves by agencies. I suspect that the agency is telling the client you're getting x+30 a day but really only paying you x. That way he gets his margin AND an extra 30 a day from placing you. The other scenario I've seen is when the agency insists that the client at the very last minute has dropped the rate by 2 an hour. I have always refused the cut and a cut has never been imposed.

Twats at ELAN tried that one on me - £20 a day cut

[Sausage Surprise]

I can't say I've been in this position myself. I only discuss rates with the agent, never the client. When I am happy with the rate at which I am to be put forward then we move to interview. (Although this has already been done to death on these boards).

Personally, I would tell the agent what rate I would accept for the role and then let them have any further discussions with the client...

Which is what I do, but the agent still tried the change of rate at last minute scam.

[PAH]

Which is what I do, but the agent still tried the change of rate at last minute scam.

Agents: Scum of the earth.

Why not call up the client, pretending to be the agent, just to clarify the rate, then you know what the agent is up to? Don't for a second believe the agent wouldn't do this if the boot was on the other foot.

[ratewhore]

Which is what I do, but the agent still tried the change of rate at last minute scam.

Well put yourself in control of the situation then. If you know what rate you will accept and the agent agrees initially then tries to lower it, tell them to poke it (dependent on how important landing the gig is to you).