Agency commission

[DimPrawn]

It's like cattle trying to cut out the slaughterhouses and go direct to the dinner table.

[Denny]

Don't get it, do you, Denny? The agencies currently own the market, not the contractors who are merely the saleable commodities. It might not be palatable, but it is the current reality. Live with it.

Never.

[oxtailsoup]

I always try and discuss rates direct with the client if its possible during a contract and discuss contract extensions. You often have a better insight into what is happening within the clients company (or particular project) than an agent does.

I've been on a contract before where the agent told me he was taking 15%. He told the client he was taking 15%. I was having a few drinks with the client when the subject came up and it turned out I was getting paid £60 and the client was paying £85 p/h. The client was not happy and refused to sign a contract renewal and instead took me on directly at £75 p/h. I was unsure because of the legal implications of going direct but the client had their legal team look into it and they contacted the agent and told them what they were doing. That was about 5 years ago and I stayed at the client for 3 years. So the agency lost out on about 2.5 years commission for being greedy and lying to us. And it was a big agency too.

On the other hand I have been with agents that have been brilliant, fair and efficient. They deserve their cut of the pie IMHO.