Agency commission

**Liability** · 7 November 2008, 02:33

I thought my posts were bad!

**bennyhedgehog** · 7 November 2008, 07:11

Originally posted by Liability View Post

I thought my posts were bad!

... going by that one they are (meow)... What is bad about it? Length, content, spelling... Heaven forbid grammar?

Anything to say?

**d000hg** · 7 November 2008, 07:38

The agent will get as much from the client as possible.
You will get as much from the agent as possible.
Maybe the agent smelled your desperation, this is just capitalism in action.

**Lewis** · 7 November 2008, 08:57

Originally posted by bennyhedgehog View Post

Hi...

new to forum, I sought out a forum precisely to try to find out what other contractors thoughts and exepriences are in relation to this.

I cannot go into too much detail... but suffice to say started a new contract recently at a well below my "usual rate" purely in fear of not having something to see me through Xmas and into the New Year.

Once in the position I noticed a few bits and pieces with the contract itself (organisationally) weren't 100% as usual, there is usually something or other but this one seemed to have lots of "oddness"... I've got over 10 years as a contractor, so like to think I've come across most things at one time or another.

Anyway... after a bit of creeping around (not the best way to endear yourself at the beginning of a new contract) I have found out the Agent had originally set themselves up for 44% commission of the client's fee. I have, in the past, baulked at what I thought was quite a high one of 13%... apparently in the past this particular agent has in fact gone even higher (50% and beyond?)... so, anyone else come across this sort of "shyster" (only word I can think for it)? I also think there could well be a "back-hander" involved somewhere along the line, but not entirely sure where. Anyone come across similar. The Agency involved, who I simply cannot name at the moment - but who knows in future, is the largest advertiser on the largest "Jobsite" in the country... so very worrying!?

All turned out ok in the end and getting soemthing more like my usual rate with no actual rate increase to the client. Cheers for your thoughts.

Exactly the same thing happened to me after the dot com bubble burst . Was persuaded to take a low rate as market was bad. Told verbally agency cut was 10%. Turns out agency was just creaming a massive amount. It came out by chance and client was furious. I got a call from agent saying "well done, good work, they want to increase your rate and back date it to the start of the contract" ... little f&&cker. As it happens I left a month later anyway and got back to my usual rate. I now ask in writing for the agency cut and will walk if I think it is too high - and I don't subscribe to any of that "agency cut is none of your business" rubbish.

**stillooking** · 7 November 2008, 09:27

the agency margin is v.high, but what's the point of mentioning it on the board if you don't name the agent?

**engfran** · 7 November 2008, 10:03

I've just asked my agent to take out a clause in a pre-interview agreement that states:

if they arrange an interview and I don't attend, I owe them 2000 Euros (don't like that one, but can accept).

AND

if I attend and interview and they offer me the role BUT I turn it down I owe them 2000 Euros.

**bennyhedgehog** · 7 November 2008, 10:33

Originally posted by stillooking View Post

the agency margin is v.high, but what's the point of mentioning it on the board if you don't name the agent?

I'd love to name and shame them, but not everything is entirely sorted as yet and I am trying to be careful - this is anew forum to me, I don't know who is on here.

**TheFaQQer** · 7 November 2008, 14:21

Originally posted by engfran View Post

I've just asked my agent to take out a clause in a pre-interview agreement that states:

if they arrange an interview and I don't attend, I owe them 2000 Euros (don't like that one, but can accept).

AND

if I attend and interview and they offer me the role BUT I turn it down I owe them 2000 Euros.

I hope you got "If I attend an interview, and I'm completely unsuitable for the role but have been put forward for it anyway, they owe you 5000 Euros" included.

**TheFaQQer** · 7 November 2008, 14:23

Originally posted by d000hg View Post

The agent will get as much from the client as possible.
You will get as much from the agent as possible.
Maybe the agent smelled your desperation, this is just capitalism in action.

WHS.

I only accept a rate that I am happy with - after that, I don't care what the agent is taking. The problem here is that the OP took a rate that he wasn't happy with, and relied on the agent not making the most of it.

Agency commission