Decling contract after signing the paper work

[psychocandy]

If I was the client and it cost me money I would do my best to recover that money, I would seriously consider small claims court.

My understanding is that if you do, indeed, bail on a contract then, theoretically, you're liable for direct costs incurred to get replacement etc.

Bit difficult to quantify IMHO in any case. So contractor fails to turn up on monday, client phones agency and says send 2nd choice on tuesday. Hassle admitedly but not sure if there's a direct cost.

Can't see clients even bothering with this...

[psychocandy]

NLUK is right - breach of contract is a legal issue - whether or not the client/agency sues will be dependent on how p*****d off they are and how many times they have had a contractor drop them in the cart at the last minute

Yes, true enough it is. But are clients really going to be bothered? Pissed off most definitely but they ain't going get a whole deal of recompense in any case unless they have undeniable proof of any losses incurred. Pissed off and being let down doesn't equal compensation in the courts unfortunately.

Not saying its right thing to do but I'd be interested to hear any stories of any clients/agents who have ever sued in that situation.

On the other hand, we hear of contractors on here being let down the day before showing up on site. What's the advice most people give? Move on - you're wasting your time if you try to sue...

Of course, surely MOO comes into this as well. So what you've signed a contract to provide services for x months. But, surely MOO gives you the right to decline to offer you're services anyway? No need to breach contract just decline to turn up ever.

[northernladuk]

NLUK, seriously, who's going to sue? It's not worth the effort.

To the OP, if its a one off - do it .

If not, then tell the other client co that you want to go but need to give notice, and give notice

Or finally, just honor your word and stay with the first one .

My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

Very true but I will be ****ed if I am going to give someone unprofessional advice and tell them it is ok to mess clients about and don't take contracts seriously. You are right, he might get away with it as I said but that is no reason to condone what he is doing and not make the point about his situation. Giving people the impression that this is a good thing to do is not right. Get away with it he might, thinking it is ok is wrong.

Nothing wrong with playing devils advocate in these situations IMO. You know it is what I do

[SecureTheNet]

Thanks everything for your time and responding me quickly.

Firstly it's not about money or higher rate contract @for the ones who raised this point. I have turned down another slightly better rated contract to accept the first one. Honestly, otherwise I would not have come here to take your advise.

The new contract is a lead role in IB and earlier one is just a design role in Telco. My career would progress in the new one better but my professional ethics raising many questions. Thus I thought to ask you guys and understand the scenario better.

I think I understand what I need to do. I would see what first agency has to say. I have not met first client face to face thus there is no direct relationship with them yet. But they know me from a different route.

I really appreciate your time and advice.

[rambaugh]

Thanks for your response. As long as there is no legal issues for dishonouring the contract, I can progress with the new one. I think, there is none as I have not started the new one yet!

Bottom line is there is a element of risk involved with your decision both legally and from a business relationship perspective. Only you can measure the risks and decide if they are worth taking. My guess is that most people in your shoes and faced with this situation would likely just look out for number 1.

[JamJarST]

Thanks everything for your time and responding me quickly.

Firstly it's not about money or higher rate contract @for the ones who raised this point. I have turned down another slightly better rated contract to accept the first one. Honestly, otherwise I would not have come here to take your advise.

The new contract is a lead role in IB and earlier one is just a design role in Telco. My career would progress in the new one better but my professional ethics raising many questions. Thus I thought to ask you guys and understand the scenario better.

I think I understand what I need to do. I would see what first agency has to say. I have not met first client face to face thus there is no direct relationship with them yet. But they know me from a different route.

I really appreciate your time and advice.

Have you spoken to the end client at all or has this all been "via" the agent? If you haven't spoken to the client, my gut says there is no contract coming yet and the agent is stringing you along on the off chance it does materialise.

[the_rangdo]

I'm in the 'made a decision and stick with it' camp.

Leaving current client co after 27 months, accepted another contract much closer to home (9 miles vs 45 miles) starting 1st Oct; current client co took far too long getting extensions sorted out so I'm effectively flouncing

Now getting contacted about other juicy roles that not only pay a lot better but also sound more interesting. However I've committed to the local one, at worst it'll be 3 months and time to move on, but with large integration projects going on there may also be opportunities.

If I sack new client off now I'll ruin any chances for the forseeable future, especially as it was a previous colleague that recommended me so I bypassed the recruitment process. That's one less favour I'd have to call on.

[rambaugh]

I'm in the 'made a decision and stick with it' camp.

Leaving current client co after 27 months, accepted another contract much closer to home (9 miles vs 45 miles) starting 1st Oct; current client co took far too long getting extensions sorted out so I'm effectively flouncing

Now getting contacted about other juicy roles that not only pay a lot better but also sound more interesting. However I've committed to the local one, at worst it'll be 3 months and time to move on, but with large integration projects going on there may also be opportunities.

If I sack new client off now I'll ruin any chances for the forseeable future, especially as it was a previous colleague that recommended me so I bypassed the recruitment process. That's one less favour I'd have to call on.

I'm sitting on the fence with this. But in some ways when you consider the business world is really quiet small and someone always knows someone else. The last thing you want is a reputation as being someone who is not reliable and/or untrusted.

If you're in for the long term then a good reputation and references is paramount and worth much more than a few extra pounds a day.

[the_rangdo]

I'm sitting on the fence with this. But in some ways when you consider the business world is really quiet small and someone always knows someone else. The last thing you want is a reputation as being someone who is not reliable and/or untrusted.

If you're in for the long term then a good reputation and references is paramount and worth much more than a few extra pounds a day.

Added to which, for me personally I want to be able to commute rather than stay away wherever possible (managed it for 21 years so far) so that obviously limits my catchment area.

So I want to keep everyone sweet - reputation is everything. New client is one of the very few remaining I've not been to before so it's worth a look-see.

Current client is disappointed I'm leaving but I've burnt no bridges and leaving on friendly terms so it wouldn't be an issue returning at some point. And I've no intention of burning bridges before I've even crossed them either

[SecureTheNet]

Have you spoken to the end client at all or has this all been "via" the agent? If you haven't spoken to the client, my gut says there is no contract coming yet and the agent is stringing you along on the off chance it does materialise.

Yes. I have spoken to end client over the phone but not face to face. Contract exists as I have signed the contract. Agency is just not that involved apart from working as the middle man. I understand what you are sayings as I am not new to contracting but I am new to this scenario. End client did not feel like meeting me as they knew me as I am working for their competitor.