Was I being unreasonable querying the contract?

[SueEllen]

Was I being unreasonable in wanting a face to face interview and being unwilling to sign for 12 months straight off when the contract was advertised as 6 months? I'd welcome other views on this.

Half of the contracts I've had have been done via telephone interviews. It's quicker and cheaper for all concerned, and it's not a reflection on the company.

If you don't know the location of the role or worried about moving to a different location you shouldn't apply for the contract as there is never any guarantee what the interview process will be like.

[nomadd]

Edit :Just remembered when applying they specifed three locations to work from (IBM UK sites) which was a big help, but then realised how horrible the Washway road site was, horrid souless building.

Shiver me timbers! Only ever set foot in the Washway Road site once, in 1981. Christ I feel old. Mind you, I was a mere slip of a lad who didn't know what a computer or IBM was in those days...

To the OP: Don't sweat it. Move on. Forget about it. Had the exact same thing happen to me with PWC about 3 years ago (phone interview only, and they offered the role at the end of the call.) Turns out the contract was the most IR35 compliant pile of XXX I'd ever seen; and they expected no mere contractor to question it; ever. And they were not prepared to change a word of it; ever. So we went our separate ways. I ended up with something much better just a short while later anyhow.

[adubya]

IBM pretty much exclusively use Elan and you'll be lucky to escape the full term tie in contract. I know contractors who have declined renewals at IBM gigs because of the retention thing (that and being generally mucked about).

[strawberrysmoothie]

These things happen, as the others have said. Mark it down to experience and move on. It's not worth your time and energy -which would be better spent looking for another contract.

[MarillionFan]

Word of advice.

When accepting a contract verbally always use the words 'I would like to accept subject to contract'. This gives you a caveat that if there is something in the contract you do not like then you can back out or renegotiate some terms.

Keeps them on their toes.

[MarillionFan]

Half of the contracts I've had have been done via telephone interviews. It's quicker and cheaper for all concerned, and it's not a reflection on the company.

If you don't know the location of the role or worried about moving to a different location you shouldn't apply for the contract as there is never any guarantee what the interview process will be like.

I always prefer to go and see the site and meet the people. I've not accepted contracts I've been offered after meeting people face to face because frankly I didn't like them or the site.

[2BIT]

We don't know for sure if it is project based work, do we?

They could have atleast discussed with the OP and made their decision, that is reasonable. A contract is a two way thing. But, normally the stronger party (in this case, the client, in buyers market) tries to impose its own agenda on the weaker party.

nope just saying if it was then it makes sense...

[strawberrysmoothie]

Word of advice.

When accepting a contract verbally always use the words 'I would like to accept subject to contract'. This gives you a caveat that if there is something in the contract you do not like then you can back out or renegotiate some terms.

Keeps them on their toes.

I second that. And if your pimp queries why only you'll accept 'subject to contract...' just say 'it's standard business practice for both parties entering into a professional agreement...'