Agency skimming too much???

**JoJoGabor** · 30 January 2012, 16:29

Maybe a little bit excessive at 26%, not unheard of

**mantisimo** · 30 January 2012, 16:34

It's just a few week gig but the client wants to extend so I'd have to negotiate. Would it be wise to bring up with the agency the fact that i've seen the clients contract?! I'd say 15-20% is resonable but jeez! 26%.

**TheFaQQer** · 30 January 2012, 16:37

Originally posted by JoJoGabor View Post

Maybe a little bit excessive at 26%, not unheard of

WHS.

Could be a good chance to renegotiate come renewal time, though, as there's plenty to squeeze there.

**TheFaQQer** · 30 January 2012, 16:39

Originally posted by mantisimo View Post

It's just a few week gig but the client wants to extend so I'd have to negotiate. Would it be wise to bring up with the agency the fact that i've seen the clients contract?! I'd say 15-20% is resonable but jeez! 26%.

Don't mention it until you need to.

Give them enough rope to hang themselves - ask them to cut their rate (rather than them going back to the client), and if they refuse / lie, then that's the time to tell them that you know what they are charging.

**mantisimo** · 30 January 2012, 16:54

Originally posted by TheFaQQer View Post

Don't mention it until you need to.

Give them enough rope to hang themselves - ask them to cut their rate (rather than them going back to the client), and if they refuse / lie, then that's the time to tell them that you know what they are charging.

Cheers, that's good advice!

I'm glad it's just a short term contract. It was a bit of a low contract rate comparatively to my last contract. I figured for just a few weeks it would be fine, and it is an interesting contract. The agency made it sound like the client wouldn't go any higher! Arghhh! It's not the rate it's the agencies handling of it!

**malvolio** · 30 January 2012, 16:55

But always remember, it's teh agency what ot the business and you are getting a proportion of their income, not the other way round. That way you don't look stupid when you deman... nogotiate a raise.
And for a short gig at a moderate rate, of course their margin will be higher, it costs them the same to process the gig as a 12 month one would, and they have income and sales targets to meet.

If you get an extension, then you deserve more. If you maths are any good, you can work out exacltly how much you can press for, given the knowledge you have now.

HTH

**kaiser78** · 30 January 2012, 17:16

As long as you are happy with the rate you are getting don't worry about what the agency gets. As other posters and postings advise look to review rate at re-newal or see what else is around.

**d000hg** · 30 January 2012, 18:13

Simply asking for an increase from the agent is the first step... ask for £325 knowing they can afford it. Dropping the agent in it by telling the client how much the agency is taking is a rather dirty tactic, but possibly the most effective...

**Zippy** · 30 January 2012, 18:31

Originally posted by d000hg View Post

Simply asking for an increase from the agent is the first step... ask for £325 knowing they can afford it. Dropping the agent in it by telling the client how much the agency is taking is a rather dirty tactic, but possibly the most effective...

Accidentally leaving your invoice on your desk

Agency skimming too much???