I was approached by an agency for a contract with a new start up consultancy. The technology I am working is fairly new in the UK market, and hence the rates are quite good. After the initial telephonic interview and a face to face, and some hard negotiation from both the parties (Agency and me), the deal was not finalised. I was ready to take a 10% cut for a long term contract. But the agency was not ready to be flexible on their part of the cut. Then I was approached by another agency for another client and went on to accept another role.
Now after about 6 months, I am looking for a new role, and thought I should approach the client and inform them about my availability. Did it, and the end client insisted that I should come through the agency as they were the ones who initiated the contact some time ago. I told the end client, that last time the deal fell apart because of the rate, and I am not sure, if the agency is going to be flexible this time as well, but if you insist, we can inform the agency.
The client asked me to do the same, and so I informed the agency about my recent circumstances. The agent first of all accused me of under-cutting them, and I laughed at this. Now, during the discussion of the rate, the agent has started on substantially lower rate than earlier. I believe this is not going to go anywhere.
The end client is quite a good name to have on my CV, but I dont fancy taking more than 10% cut just for the sake of the name. I have now told the agent that I am not ready for negotiating the rate below my current rate. It is clear case of take it or leave it. The agent has told me that he will speak to the client about my rate, and come back. I am sure this is not going anywhere, and I am now ready to just forget about this role.
At the end of the day whose loss is it?
The agency lost easy revenue just for being thick. I lost a decent gig. The end client lost a good developer (as admitted by their PM last time during the i'view).
Who is the bigger loser?
</rant>
Now after about 6 months, I am looking for a new role, and thought I should approach the client and inform them about my availability. Did it, and the end client insisted that I should come through the agency as they were the ones who initiated the contact some time ago. I told the end client, that last time the deal fell apart because of the rate, and I am not sure, if the agency is going to be flexible this time as well, but if you insist, we can inform the agency.
The client asked me to do the same, and so I informed the agency about my recent circumstances. The agent first of all accused me of under-cutting them, and I laughed at this. Now, during the discussion of the rate, the agent has started on substantially lower rate than earlier. I believe this is not going to go anywhere.
The end client is quite a good name to have on my CV, but I dont fancy taking more than 10% cut just for the sake of the name. I have now told the agent that I am not ready for negotiating the rate below my current rate. It is clear case of take it or leave it. The agent has told me that he will speak to the client about my rate, and come back. I am sure this is not going anywhere, and I am now ready to just forget about this role.
At the end of the day whose loss is it?
The agency lost easy revenue just for being thick. I lost a decent gig. The end client lost a good developer (as admitted by their PM last time during the i'view).
Who is the bigger loser?
</rant>
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