How to say NO to a contract?

[BolshieBastard]

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry, I should have mentioned this before.

Wednesday - I replied to the interviewer 'thanking him for offering me the role and looking forward to start on Monday'. No contracts signed yet.

Thursday morning (Today) - I get confirmation for other role.

I know this is business and clients won't think twice to show you the door If they don't need you.

I want to say NO without coming across as opportunistic/clever/unprofessional/silly having said YES before (in the email).

Each project reminds me how small my contracting world is and frankly I don't want to burn bridges(though I don't see any for now)!

Thanks.

I agree its important not to burn bridges but, once you have been offered the role in the interview then had it withdrawn for no reason or, been offered the role post interview then had that withdrawn, you really wont give a **** about letting the client down! Seriously!

[Wanderer]

I know verbal acceptance has legal stand but given the urgency/nature of their project (I'am assuming) they are unlikely to come after me. Frankly, I want to say sorry for having wasted their time.

If you have two definate contract offers then don't feel bad about dropping one job because another one came up - people get messed about all the time and it cuts both ways as BolshieBastard says...

But remenber that if you don't have a written contract then you have nothing at all. "A hand in the bush is better than a bird in the hand" is what I always say.

[cojak]

If you have two definate contract offers then don't feel bad about dropping one job because another one came up - people get messed about all the time and it cuts both ways as BolshieBastard says...

But remenber that if you don't have a written contract then you have nothing at all. "A hand in the bush is better than a bird in the hand" is what I always say.

Yep, as far as I'm concerned my verbal acceptance of an offer is "Subject to the Terms and Conditions being OK, accept".

Then, if you get the contract and it ends up being a pile of poo, you can still get changes made to it or not formally accepting.

[Joe Bloque]

Bloshie, wanderer, cojak. Can't agree more with what you say. Broke the news to agent yesterday, told him the truth, he seemed not too bothered. About to fire off apologies to client for wasting their time. If someone treats you well, you would not want to mess with them, feeling bit sick doing all this. I hope they would understand. I know my decision is right for me (it better be!)

Thanks for all the views.

[Scrag Meister]

Heres hoping role 2 comes through.

GL