high agents cut

[The Agents View]

Awesome.

At least I know that if I ever come across you for something I'm working on, it'll be easier to get you bought into me. See - these little scrotes might be a pain in the neck to you, but to us, they are the easiest competition going

[rb621]

My agency I've found out is taking just over 30%. I'm not surprised, they all try and get as much as possible. We all do. That's the game. Personally I'm not sure they do enough work but companies seem to continually use them and are happy to pay when they could hire us direct for less. I do wonder what HR departments for sometimes.

stacks, you can certainly negotiate the agent's cut but what TAV says is about right in my experience. Agencies will go lower, my current one is a preferred supplier at <10% but then they didn't get me the position (found it direct, but client insist on engaging through an agent) so it's money for nothing really. You have a stronger case for taking a bit of the agents margin if you've been onsite for (say) 6 months and you are getting a 6 month extension and they are taking a big cut.

I've had clients tell the agency that they were taking a margin cut and the agency phones me up crowing that they've "negotiated me a payrise". Yes, it's a filthy dirty business but you can't let it get to you or you will just upset yourself. Concentrate on what you are good at, keep an eye out for stupid agency tricks and use it as a negotiating point when you can.