Agency Taking Large Percentage of Daily Rate

[speling bee]

You are getting f***ed over.
Anything over 20% is taking the piss, anything under 10% is excellent.
At next renewal - I would ask for enough to reduce this to 15%, I wouldnt try to justify or explain.
Then the games can begin...

5% here.

[kingcook]

Hi all,
Is it acceptable for an agency to take 36% of my daily rate

However you look at it, only getting a 64% cut is tulipe. I would be annoyed. My agent is giving me 80%/taking 20%. I'm a bit miffed by that but it's not the end of the world.

I bet there's something in your contract (and the upper tier one too) that states you cannot discuss rates amongst each other (whether that's legal or not is a different matter), so you can't (easily) just go straight to the agent and say, "I hear you're only giving my 64%".

[malvolio]

You are getting f***ed over.
Anything over 20% is taking the piss, anything under 10% is excellent.
At next renewal - I would ask for enough to reduce this to 15%, I wouldnt try to justify or explain.
Then the games can begin...

Don't agree with that. It depends on the OP's rate; if it's fairly low the agency still have a fixed cost to cover and the percentage is comparatively much higher. Also, if the agent is getting 36% more than day rate, his margin is actually around 30%.

And if the OP is on a market rate, why is he complaining? You want to set the rate, negotiate better or find your own business.

[mos]

5% here.

mine is taking only 8%

[dmo]

How does one go about finding out how much the agent / middleman is getting if noone is able/willing to disclose that information? Do you guys just through any hoops, or just ask and get the answers you're looking for?

[backlight]

How does one go about finding out how much the agent / middleman is getting if noone is able/willing to disclose that information? Do you guys just through any hoops, or just ask and get the answers you're looking for?

In the past as the PM on the project I've been able to find out they agency cut for myself and the team as I've seen/approved the agency invoices. It's possible I might have shared info with the people I built relationships with at the pub...

[mos]

How does one go about finding out how much the agent / middleman is getting if noone is able/willing to disclose that information? Do you guys just through any hoops, or just ask and get the answers you're looking for?

I found out twice thanks to an email attachment sent to me in error.... and one time when an agent went insolvent. I was really pissed when the cut was exorbitant.

[SueEllen]

How does one go about finding out how much the agent / middleman is getting if noone is able/willing to disclose that information? Do you guys just through any hoops, or just ask and get the answers you're looking for?

Sometimes the client will tell you in a pub conversation because they want to know what the agency cut is.

[AnonAgent]

Its only too much if you find out...

But the client is paying the agency to find them someone and payroll them. If they can take 80% and everyone is happy, then why not?

[kingcook]

Its only too much if you find out...

But the client is paying the agency to find them someone and payroll them. If they can take 80% and everyone is happy, then why not?

If your wife starts sleeping around, I take it you'd be happy (but obviously not if you found out)