Good Agencies, From the other point of view (Client)

[GB9]

A decent agent will make an appropriate amount of profit to ensure they can meet all obligations to their suppliers! No shame in that.

That's fair enough, but I am certainly aware of instances where a clienthas had a budget of, say £500 for a BA and were expecting good quality. In reality they were getting a £350 BA and the agency was taking £150. Now there is a fair argument that the client should have been on top of this themselves, but you would be amazed how naive some clients are when dealing with agencies.

[Wanderer]

So which agencies provide the most IR35 friendly approach/terms?

I'd love to know the answer to this too. I'm sure the like of PCG, Bauer and Cottrell, Qdos, et al know which agencies have the most reasonable contract/payment terms and any differences between the opt in/out status of contracts are. I guess that information is far to valuable to share....

[AnonAgent]

That's fair enough, but I am certainly aware of instances where a clienthas had a budget of, say £500 for a BA and were expecting good quality. In reality they were getting a £350 BA and the agency was taking £150. Now there is a fair argument that the client should have been on top of this themselves, but you would be amazed how naive some clients are when dealing with agencies.

Do clients not do interviews anymore?

For me, £500 = 400 and less than £500 I aim for £100 but will accept lower.

I never drop below £75 unless I cant help it and the % is still healthy.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

Do clients not do interviews anymore?

For me, £500 = 400 and less than £500 I aim for £100 but will accept lower.

I never drop below £75 unless I cant help it and the % is still healthy.

To many of the agencies thinks that £700 = £400, I suppose thats why they drive a Porche to work. Very difficult to take any work through agents when they always seems to find someone stupid enough to take the work under those circumstances.

[Andy Hallett]

To many of the agencies thinks that £700 = £400, I suppose thats why they drive a Porsche to work. Very difficult to take any work through agents when they always seems to find someone stupid enough to take the work under those circumstances.

First rule of taking the moral high ground is

Can't think of any deals we have done with a 57% margin.

[northernladuk]

I'd love to know the answer to this too. I'm sure the like of PCG, Bauer and Cottrell, Qdos, et al know which agencies have the most reasonable contract/payment terms and any differences between the opt in/out status of contracts are. I guess that information is far to valuable to share....

I don't see how this can even begin to be answered. Each has it's own procedures, legal teams, contracts etc. I can't see how any of the mentioned could collate an accurate picture and I am absolutely sure they would not be comfortable recommending anyone or putting a list out as that would leave them with some responsibility for any failures.

You pick an agency, look at it's terms and if you don't like it you pick another. If an agency has a gig and it's the only one then what does it matter, you don't have a choice.

Remember PCG have a list of accredited accountants and we have had posters on here that has had serious problems with a couple of them. Making a list does not negate the need for diligence with every application for a gig.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

First rule of taking the moral high ground is

Can't think of any deals we have done with a 57% margin.

That's what some of the specialist recruiters in my field are doing, they contact you about a role you know the end client is paying ~£700 for and they won't pay more than ~£450 for it. I suppose the only reason this can go on is stupid contractors and clueless end client.

Sorry about the spelling, but as a poor contractor I can't afford one of those posh cars.

[AnonAgent]

That's what some of the specialist recruiters in my field are doing, they contact you about a role you know the end client is paying ~£700 for and they won't pay more than ~£450 for it. I suppose the only reason this can go on is stupid contractors and clueless end client.

Sorry about the spelling, but as a poor contractor I can't afford one of those posh cars.

Yes but what if I went to the client and said "I can get you the same person for £600". Wouldnt that then mean I get the business? That is why I dont bother taking the mick on these margins.

[GB9]

Yes but what if I went to the client and said "I can get you the same person for £600". Wouldnt that then mean I get the business? That is why I dont bother taking the mick on these margins.

Big, well known agents I have worked through recently have had margins between 7.5% and 11%. However, the market is quiet at present so plenty of contractors working for low rates. This gives the agent the upper hand.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

Yes but what if I went to the client and said "I can get you the same person for £600". Wouldnt that then mean I get the business? That is why I dont bother taking the mick on these margins.

Yes that might work, but if the end client calls agency xyz and ask can you get me this, I give you 700 a day to find the right one. Agent is very unlikely going to get end client the best guy as he would cost in the region of 600 - he would get whoever do it for the cheapest, no matter if he actually is the best fit or not.