grr ...agents!

[Antman]

Debating whether to post this, Oh what the hell..

Renewal time, the end client is not paying out any rises across the board. But it's that same old story of a greedy contractor wants a bit of the agent's margin. For the extension the agency is only providing invoicing, however they are getting £135 per day on top of my rate (I know cos I'm the PM). So before you all jump in saying that I should have negotiated better, that was 6 months ago.

They only have 2 people at the client ($10Billion turnover) but due to our work they've got onto the PSL.

My argument with them was you're on the PSL due to my work and you haven't done anything to gain an extension. I just had a head banging against the wall type of conversation with the agent (first of all whining about being offended (jaysus grow a pair!), telling me about integrity but not wanting to reveal their rate, and then telling me about getting their rate down to £85 was not possible).

And another thing, they send me two copies of the contract extension but it hasn't been signed by their commercial manager !

The thing that pi55ed me off was the attitude of the agent, this whole "We've taken care of you". I don't begrudge them their rate (they're a business and they've done well from me) but not opening up a bit at renewal time well that's fine then but don't complain when I go and start bitching about them to get them taken off the PSL. I'm not vindinctive but the last phone conversation I was left with the feeling that I wasn't being listened to.

I'm opted-out and I've just given a presentation to the CIO about what I was doing and I think that there is definitely a repeat project for another country, for which I'll try and go direct and fixed-price.

[northernladuk]

I'm opted-out and I've just given a presentation to the CIO about what I was doing and I think that there is definitely a repeat project for another country, for which I'll try and go direct and fixed-price.

Didn't read all of it sorry, just picked up on this. Your handcuff probably won't allow this and if your agency are not being helpful it sounds like they won't hesitate to try and shaft you even if you find a way around it. Becareful not to ruffle too many feathers too early. Saying that, didn't spot your opt in/out status so might have gotten this wrong.

[kingcook]

telling me about integrity but not wanting to reveal their rate, and then telling me about getting their rate down to £85 was not possible).

Either like it or call their bluff is your 2 options.

I'm opted-out and I've just given a presentation to the CIO about what I was doing and I think that there is definitely a repeat project for another country, for which I'll try and go direct and fixed-price.

Hopefully the agency hasn't got some handcuff clause in their contract with you (HIGHLY likely that they HAVE).

[JamJarST]

I don't begrudge them their rate (they're a business and they've done well from me) but not opening up a bit at renewal time well that's fine then but don't complain when I go and start bitching about them to get them taken off the PSL. I'm not vindinctive but the last phone conversation I was left with the feeling that I wasn't being listened to.

Why do you think causing trouble for your client is the right way to go about this?

[Antman]

OK, bitching is not the correct term. I guess I would just tell the client what my rate is. They then have some more data to make a decision if they want to with respect to this agency. However the more I think about it, it probably wouldn't change anything.

bollocks!

[tractor]

...

Either like it or call their bluff is your 2 options.


Hopefully the agency hasn't got some handcuff clause in their contract with you (HIGHLY likely that they HAVE).

^This is the best advice you will get.

Least said, soonest mended. Tell the agent what rate you want then be prepared to leave. If you cannot do this then put up with it. Any other action will not do you any favours.

[Sausage Surprise]

The only way it works is if you threaten to walk.....AND MEAN IT!

[Wanderer]

the agency is only providing invoicing, however they are getting £135 per day on top of my rate (I know cos I'm the PM).

Wow, so they are taking ~ £2,500 a month for factoring your payments. I'd be wanting a slice of that too. They can easily drop their margin to £50/day after 6 months giving you a £85/day payrise.

And another thing, they send me two copies of the contract extension but it hasn't been signed by their commercial manager !

Oh yeah, they do that stupid trick all the time. If the contract extension gets canned at the 11th hour then they claim that no contract was ever formed between the two parties and refuse to pay you your contractual notice period. Send it back to them and ask them to sign it.

You've got to tell them that you aren't taking the extension unless they sort the rate out too. Tell them that if they can't sort it then you have a mate who runs an agency who can get someone in to replace you before your agency even know that you aren't extending. It's either cut their margin or get nothing.

The other threat is to tell the agency you will tell the client how much you are getting paid and get them on the case. Tell them that if you can't come to some arrangement then you are going to do that on the way out anyway so the client will know that the agency rapes contractors. Don't take any crap from the agency, shrinking violets get nowhere in business. Don't bother about offending them either, hell if they've taken that much margin for this long then they are pretty shameless so you've got to play hardball with these people.

I'm opted-out and I've just given a presentation to the CIO about what I was doing and I think that there is definitely a repeat project for another country, for which I'll try and go direct and fixed-price.

Good luck with trying to go direct. It's too bad that you opted out, because you are probably pretty much stuffed when it comes to handcuff clauses in the contract now, I'll bet they've tried to put a 12 month restraint of trade on you working with the same client again.

If you didn't opt out then the restraint is limited to 8 weeks so you could go and sit on a beach for 8 weeks then come back to the client, working through whatever agency you like - it's easy enough to find an agent to do the invoicing for a £50/day cut if you've already landed the contract and you are just handing them the business on a plate. Heck, they might even come in on less if it means getting on the PSL of a massive company...

[topper]

As I posted on another thread, I got offered an extension even though I still have 6 weeks of my original contract, good advice was to leave it to the last minute, but a) I got giddy b) the client wanted it sorted so they can arrange the work load etc.

After a few chats with the agents and them trying all the tricks in the book, I got a £25pd increase from their margin, without affecting the client................so it's do able............even for a newbie.

The best one is they "feel hurt and offended", they weren't offended taking £125pd a day though! Don't get sucked in, it's business, as mentioned, shrinking violets get nowhere, but you have to be prepared to walk, depends how valuable you are to the client.

They even tried "This has never happened before" What?!?!?! No contractor has asked for a rate hike at extension?? Give over!! LOL.

[blinko]

As I posted on another thread, I got offered an extension even though I still have 6 weeks of my original contract, good advice was to leave it to the last minute, but a) I got giddy b) the client wanted it sorted so they can arrange the work load etc.

After a few chats with the agents and them trying all the tricks in the book, I got a £25pd increase from their margin, without affecting the client................so it's do able............even for a newbie.

The best one is they "feel hurt and offended", they weren't offended taking £125pd a day though! Don't get sucked in, it's business, as mentioned, shrinking violets get nowhere, but you have to be prepared to walk, depends how valuable you are to the client.

They even tried "This has never happened before" What?!?!?! No contractor has asked for a rate hike at extension?? Give over!! LOL.

Well done buddy, play your cards as strongly as you can, because I can assure you the agency DO NOT GIVE A F**K about you or your problems.