Why did you get into contracting

[Sysman]

Not always, and when we do, it is often due mainly to costs being borne by the contractor rather than the client: the contractor then puts a lot of effort into minimising these costs, and profits from that. For example, if you employ me and send me away on business, I will want a decent hotel. If it's my money, I want a cheap hotel!

Plus the outrageous cost of fairly average quality meals in a hotel. Even as a permie I would seek out good quality pub grub instead.

Another one - company cars, when the tax system meant that you were a either a fool or had other overriding considerations to turn down the offer of a company car. I always thought it absurd to have a company car worth half or more of my mortgage, especially if you ended up with something you wouldn't have bought yourself. Gimme a pay rise instead so I can put it into a better house or pay the mortgage off early, please.

By the way I don't think there is much to be gained by discussing the exact term for our activity, and I note that most of us are called contractors now, but we were all called freelancers when I started over 30 years ago. I suspect that the term has fallen from use because it carries the implication that the person is responsible for his own work, and perhaps clients and agents do not like that idea.

Sounds about right to me.

[R6steve]

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ?

Close but no cigar.

Maybe ....
Auto news - journo?

Motor manufacturer?
Ford
GM
VW

Or maybe even a mild-mannered police station janitor

[Sysman]

Close but no cigar.

Maybe ....
Auto news - journo?

Motor manufacturer?
Ford
GM
VW

Or maybe even a mild-mannered police station janitor

LOL! R6

In "The beer in Wolfsburg is too fizzy" mode

[R6steve]

LOL! R6

In "The beer in Wolfsburg is too fizzy" mode

Or the best named car auto parts site in the world 'Carnoisseur'.

As a marketing genius myself I can see what a great name this really is.

[RichardCranium]

Or the best named car auto parts site in the world 'Carnoisseur'.

As a marketing genius myself I can see what a great name this really is.

Just the place for a white XR3i.

[R6steve]

Just the place for a white XR3i.

600w speaker system, a little too much for listening to BBC Radio 4, it make it sound like Evan Davis was shouting, who I was shocked to see is 47, I thought he was much younger, odd looking fellow, great presenter though.