Useless fliping Agents

[pzz76077]

They are pulling a fast one. If they are big and can screw say £20 per week out of say 5000 contractors it will make a big difference to their profits.

I love agents and dont know why you would want to do them out of a few quid after all of the thousands you have made out of the deal. What do you want blood??

PZZ

[s2budd]

Request confirmation in an email that they no longer want to represent you and then speak to the end client about going direct or advice that that your expenses are higher for this contract than you initially thought and that you would like to renegotiate the contract with a £20 per day increase.
Just play the same game that they are.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

They are pulling a fast one. If they are big and can screw say £20 per week out of say 5000 contractors it will make a big difference to their profits.

I agee with DA, I would also go further, if they can get enough contractors to take this "cut" then profits will be up against the inevitable losses to the business through a) lack of recruitment activity and b) contracts coming to a natural end and not being able to replace those losses with the normal "when it was good" business.

Anyhow, no help for the OP, the logistics of the agency are fairly obvious. So, what can the OP do? Argue that you agreed an original rate and that you will not budge and will consider (and not actually budge) on rate upon any renewal.

My favourite would be that you are willing to move contract to another agency (check your contract for this). Basically my agency or DA (bless him) would be able to factor your Ltd Co and provide you with a contract between your Ltd Co and either DA's agency or mine and then another (agreeable) contract between DA's agency or mine and the client. That means we pay your Ltd Co on receipt of invoice and timesheets and the invoice the client. Your Ltd Co will not have to take the cut and we can offer a more cost affective percentage charge than your current agent. We nominally charge 4%. Your client will love that and you won't have to take a daft cut because your agency are (clearly) struggling.


Food for thought, PM me or DA if you want to go further (sorry DA, I assume like me your agency will be able to offer a payroll service if needed?)

[TykeMerc]

Why waste a fiver when I can wait until they break the contract and legitimately disappear off into the sunset

Indeed, they've effectively given you a ready made exit strategy while being able to stay in the contract with the client.
If Mr Client insists on an Agency being involved then you won't have any problems finding one that will be happy to take a minimal cut for a free in to the client.

[d000hg]

It's amazing they actually told you "we're not making a profit from you". Is this them trying to be honest with you? If so it sounds like it's not something they're practiced at...

[thelace]

Indeed, they've effectively given you a ready made exit strategy while being able to stay in the contract with the client.
If Mr Client insists on an Agency being involved then you won't have any problems finding one that will be happy to take a minimal cut for a free in to the client.

Mr Client is already hacked off with them and would be happy to see the back of them, continual phone calls when he's busy....

It's amazing they actually told you "we're not making a profit from you". Is this them trying to be honest with you? If so it sounds like it's not something they're practiced at...

They're not smarter than the average bear are they?

[Evil Hangover]

Dealing with agents is like going to the dentist.

Always painful, and to be avoided if at all possible. Some are good at their job. Some are just plain s****

[PM-Junkie]

Dealing with agents is like going to the dentist.

Always painful, and to be avoided if at all possible. Some are good at their job. Some are just plain s****

I actually have a problem with that, because my dentist is an absolute babe. Talk about conflicting emotions!!

[RichardCranium]

I phone about PerfectGig for the THIRD time:

"Hello can I speak to Knobhead please?

"What's it about?"

"A project management role in Yorkshire."

"Just putting you through..."

"Oh, god, not another one. Tell him I'm at lunch. No, tell him I've gone home, no, a client site. That's it."

"Sorry, he's..."

"... on a client site? Yes, I know. You missed the mute button. Tell him I'll advertise the role through someone else, as he's too busy."

"But..."

<click>

[EddieNambulous]

Yes, I know. You missed the mute button.

Priceless.