How to deal with pimp games..???

[Darren_Test]

Yes preferred or sole supplier agencies have better bargaining power, which is why you always try to find out if they are such so you know what you are up against (good way to tell this before you even apply is to see if any other agencys offering role, if they are I never drop my rate)

Basically it's a game of bluffing, agent knows more than you because he knows the clients position, but he does not know how low you are willing to go before you will decide it is not worth it (hence why you NEVER give a direct answer to "What is your lowest rate"). But on flip side, you do know your minimum and need to be willing to walk away if agent is not willing to match your price

Good example, Role was advertised at a certain rate, applied and interviewed for the position. Agency came back offering original rate minus 15%, but after seeing what role entailed I was not to hot on it and was going to walk away, especially as had another offer on the table, but client was eager to hire me.

After much back and forth got 30% more than initial max rate advertised with 2 days a week working from home

On the other hand, another time refused to budge on rate and client/agency withdrew the offer

It basically is like a game of poker, and he who bluffs the best without pushing the others to far wins

So Wise..:-)

Big trouble is in analysing where to push where to bow..Some times agency/client have multiple choices & if you push too much & end up loosing the role altogether...

Some cases you might be the "HOT choice" but may accept agency cut with out knowing that...

Well.......this is the real poker...Not even knowing own strength..not just opponent's ..

[Pogle]

I've never accepted a cut after interview. I've never lost a job by refusing the cut.

Lucky you, I've lost 2 in the last 12 months.

[herman_g]

My first UK assignment started that way.

After the interview, the agent informed me at the last minute the rate just went down 40 per day. I told him no problem, I will accept that if he puts it in writing.

Once onsite, comparison of notes with other contractors proved it all to be inaccurate and he also, apparently, exceeded the maximum agreed margin an agent could make at the client.

I called him on it. He "looked into it", promptly adjusted the rate, plus paid the difference to the first day of billing ( first time that happened ).

I asked him what he drank ( whiskey ) and bought him a very good bottle next time I was abroad.

The mutual respect gained by this exchange has made this agent, to this day, the closest to a friend that an agent can possibly get ( well, you know what I mean ).

[tim123]

Guys,

ISecond Case
Agreed a rate with agency & had excellent interview with client. Surely will be on top of the list based on interview. Now here too agency want to lower agreed rate after the interview apparently " due to mkt conditions" suddenly..! And want to reduce rate..!! Surely this is agency game & trying to milk maximum out of the contract.
thoughts please..

If an agent comes back to me with the "you need to reduce your rate to win the contract" line, I always make it clear to the agent that I will only do this if I personally have confirmation from the client that it is him seeing this reduction.

tim

[zamzummim]

Good idea Tim, how do you put that across to the agent diplomatically without pissing him/her off? Believe it or not I prefer to have a good relation with my agent, after all potentially I may be dealing with him/her for years!

[blacjac]

Good idea Tim, how do you put that across to the agent diplomatically without pissing him/her off? Believe it or not I prefer to have a good relation with my agent, after all potentially I may be dealing with him/her for years!

I wouldn't bother trying to sugar coat it. If the agent is ripping me off, I want them to know that I know about it.

There are enough bad agents around that if you happen to have an honest one, he won't mind being asked this question.