Direct v Agency

[SimonMac]

I have always gone through an agency until this gig where I am direct, and touch wood have never had a problem either way but reading the threads about unsigned time sheets etc has gotten me thinking about what would happen if the worse came to pass.

When through an agency there is a reasonable level of protection that if you have a signed time sheet and are opted in (I think I got this the right way round but correct me if wrong) they must pay you. I assume the protection offered when direct is no more than any other B2B contract?

[NotAllThere]

You assume correctly.

[northernladuk]

The downside is agents can be arses. What they should pay you and what they do as you have seen on the boards can be a whole different affair and despite this level of protection you can end up fighting tooth and nail for it.

As long as the client is a reasonably sized outfit I would hazard a guess you would have less payment problems in the long run. Couple of late payments maybe but not the hassle that an agent and introduce. It would be good if someone with long term direct to clients contracts can confirm.

[SimonMac]

The downside is agents can be arses. What they should pay you and what they do as you have seen on the boards can be a whole different affair and despite this level of protection you can end up fighting tooth and nail for it.

As long as the client is a reasonably sized outfit I would hazard a guess you would have less payment problems in the long run. Couple of late payments maybe but not the hassle that an agent and introduce. It would be good if someone with long term direct to clients contracts can confirm.

It was more a hypothetical what if, I am direct now, today was my first "pay day" so got me thinking what if. Major down side with direct is longer payment terms

[northernladuk]

It was more a hypothetical what if, I am direct now, today was my first "pay day" so got me thinking what if. Major down side with direct is longer payment terms

Again this is true but again I would guess even though it is longer you will have less hassle in the long run.

SimonMac LTD must have couple of 100K float so can swallow the first payment time

[SimonMac]

Again this is true but again I would guess even though it is longer you will have less hassle in the long run.

SimonMac LTD must have couple of 100K float so can swallow the first payment time

SimonMac Ltd always has enough to cover me for 6 months not any where near 100k (unless it was lira) as SimonMac the person had a tulip load of debt which the first 18 months of contracting has cleared up

[nomadd]

It was more a hypothetical what if, I am direct now, today was my first "pay day" so got me thinking what if. Major down side with direct is longer payment terms

TBH, in my entire contracting career, I've only ever worked direct for one client. Mind you, that was for 4.5 years.

They were a big company who paid on a one month in arrears basis. Fortunately I never had any problems with them.

But, as you say, it's always a risk. And many on here have had to accept 60/90/120 day payment terms on direct contracts.

[NickNick]

It was more a hypothetical what if, I am direct now, today was my first "pay day" so got me thinking what if. Major down side with direct is longer payment terms

I've only been direct the once in the last ten years and it was the most pleasurable billing experience I've ever had. Never late, alwys well communicated. Just a shame that the client (a charity) was such an awkward place to work in terms of location. Not far enough to overnight but just a bit too far for a daily commute.

[SimonMac]

I've only been direct the once in the last ten years and it was the most pleasurable billing experience I've ever had. Never late, alwys well communicated. Just a shame that the client (a charity) was such an awkward place to work in terms of location. Not far enough to overnight but just a bit too far for a daily commute.

As long as they pay on time all other factors don't really matter

[BolshieBastard]

I have always gone through an agency until this gig where I am direct, and touch wood have never had a problem either way but reading the threads about unsigned time sheets etc has gotten me thinking about what would happen if the worse came to pass.

When through an agency there is a reasonable level of protection that if you have a signed time sheet and are opted in (I think I got this the right way round but correct me if wrong) they must pay you. I assume the protection offered when direct is no more than any other B2B contract?

Yes, this is a real world option where companies can and do stretch their payment terms to you if they so desire. However, if they are late, you do have some options available to you but, you have to do the leg work yourself.