Confusion!!

[ParryBrookes]

You guru guys... please help me..

Yesterday I had an interview with a nice company thru X agency X has agreed on rate £225.. I got the feedback and agency told me that I am on top of the pile and likely get selected.. well thats not issue..

Today in the morning Y agency called me for the same role and offering £300 per day.. He says if I send him an email that I want to go ahead with him then he can turn the tables for me..

Ideally, of course, I would like to go ahead with Y... but practically is it possible?

[Durbs]

I'd leave it for the time being, then if you actually get offered the role through pimp X bring up the fact you'll do it but for the 300 offered elsewhere. If you start doing that beforehand they may talk you down to the client and push contractor Z on them instead as that guy is happy with less and they know they'll get a bigger cut from him.

If the client has actually offered the role to you, it puts you in a better position to negotiate as the agent will be more reluctant at that stage to mess the client about and want to just close the deal.

[Scotchpie]

WHS! Agency X would be more willing to reduce their margin to keep you once you have been chosen by the client.

[ParryBrookes]

Yeah.. I think its probably best to keep quiet until client selects my profile..
But I am definitely going to bargain on rates..

as told by agency, client going to evaluate 2 more candidates today... fingers crossed.. lets see..

[The Agents View]

ask for margin transparency - if the client has selected you at £225 + about 20%, then dont argue. If it's £225 + 50% wipe the floor with the agent - they're stitching you, and your client up.

It is HIGHLY unprofessional for agent Y to suggest that they put you in and get you a higher rate - they know the rules - but it has at least alerted you to possible foul play.

With my Rose tinted glasses on, I would like to think that agent X has made you competitive on price and that his/her judgement has led to your selection, but I can be just as cynical of other agencies myself.

TAV

[ParryBrookes]

man... this forum is a real help.. all replies have given me different perspectives to look at this situation.. thanks all..

[BrowneIssue]

It is HIGHLY unprofessional for agent Y to suggest that they put you in and get you a higher rate - they know the rules

I do love a nice fantasy story.

[NotAllThere]

Where's the fantasy? The vast majority of agents are unprofessional.

[BlasterBates]

You only need to agree the rate when you´ve been offered the role. If you are really sure that you could 300, then just tell the agent, that you have an offer on the table of 300, and unless he can match it you´ll take the other role, regardless of what you may have agreed before, but that you´d prefer to take his role. Then take it from there. The mention of an alternative role means he won´t bug you with a half an hour speech.

[Liability]

You only need to agree the rate when you´ve been offered the role. If you are really sure that you could 300, then just tell the agent, that you have an offer on the table of 300, and unless he can match it you´ll take the other role, regardless of what you may have agreed before, but that you´d prefer to take his role. Then take it from there. The mention of an alternative role means he won´t bug you with a half an hour speech.

be prepared to walk is what BB is saying in this case.