Agencies I would recommend working through.

[BolshieBastard]

The problem for some of us is we don't get the chance to choose anyway. If a role comes up when you're on the bench (or approaching that stage) you take it, unless you have doubts about the financial viability of the agency concerned.

Agree with this although its not just when you're benched either.

I got a call to go back to a client where I'd spent over 3 years on site. Unfortunately, since I left they'd signed a sole supplier agreement with Adecco \ Comp P. If I wanted to go back to a very good client I had to use them. Hence why I had the contract reviewed and changes negotiated by the reviewer.

Otherwise, I wouldnt touch Adecco \ Comp P.

[Grasser73]

No problems with any of the following:

Matchtech
Arc IT
ARM

The first 2 were happy to make changes to the contract after having it reviewed. Haven't needed to try with ARM.
All 3 will pay weekly and did so promptly. The only differences were Matchtech operate self-billing (no invoice required) whereas the others require both an invoice and a signed timesheet before payment is made.

[Sausage Surprise]

Max 20
Timothy James
Fine Green Associates

Payments weekly and on time. Can't be faulted.
Max 20 even tell you what their margin is

[Spacecadet]

Computer Futures
Timesheets, Invoices and authorisation process all online, payments made on time
After the contract finished, they actually called me to chat about other relevant contracts at a decent rate (not just any old crap that happened to match)

[theroyale]

Allegis Group have been fine, invoice monday and payment received on the friday.
WA Consultants - monthly invoices, paid on the friday after invoice received.

I worked with WA earlier this year. The client ran into trouble (and eventually went under) - WA was very keen to pass everything on (unpaid invoices) to the contractors. All I was told by them was "we have to get our money from them first, then maybe you'll get yours." I'd be careful around these guys.

[ChrisPackit]

Good Agencies

I'd like to add a small agency to the list called Telstra Associates based in Windsor. Flexible on terms within the contract. If I submit an invoice before Friday lunch time, I get paid the same day by Faster Payments.

Only bad one I remember was NESCO or NES something else in Cheshire who, rather cheekily, tried to sue me after a public sector contract !!

Chris

[mavster07]

CooperBurns (part of ConnectGroup) are definitely the shame list. Very unprofessional.

Quantica are a bit of a novice outfit and could do with learning how to manage their client interactions somewhat....

B&M Europe are the worst I've found. poor payers, dropped the ball on a contract extension that resulted in someone else getting the gig. Amatuers.....someone named KG dropped that ball.

Steria Recruitment are a bunch of cowboys and know stuff all about contract law and the fact that selling you in for a role and then allowing the client to change the role is a change in contract. They just don't care....

Elan IT put out dodgy contracts to the point of being illegal. You're told to sign or else...hardly compelling in terms of creating a harmonious business relationship is it ?

Emperic are okay to deal with. Very fast payers and well organised...

AAP3 (Preferred IT) are excellent. Good payers, really communicative....

ClearwaterPS were okay for a while but started dropping the ball toward the end and had to be moved on......

[TestMangler]

+1 For Hays.

T/S Signed off Monday/Tuesday, cash in the bank Thursday.

Forgot an invoice one week and they phoned me to ask where it was !

[Aman]

Cipher Consultants: No agency has ever came close. The efforts they made to get me the gig were extraordinary.
Pathway: Good rate, paid on time
McPherson's: Proper contractor rates when I was a student (plus taxi from my door, flights, accommodation, meals etc all found).
Rullion: pro-active, paid on time, always sorted out payment if no one could sign timesheets. Pity it was the wrong division, C&P not telecom. I was desperate for work though.

Hays: Wouldn't touch with your bargepole.

[exsapuk]

Agents I recommend

Been contracting in SAP since 2002, had a v happy time with

Portland Resourcing - excellent screening, v good working relationship - really rate them
Chaseman Intl - good relationship with client, good at screening, good at getting you straight in, good working relationship
Lorien - good working relationship
People Co - all round solid

The others are much of a muchness (good at telling porkies) and not really worth a mention in my opinion so far