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

[northernladuk]

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.

And that then is the clients fault for not negotiating a fixed margin...... Remember thought the client interviews the people and if they are not suitable they will go back to the agent. The client still sees the CV's and can make their own mind up. It isn't free reign for the agent to rip his client off... but does happen.

[Wanderer]

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.

Yeah, I've spoken to agencies who want to put me forward and asked for a copy of their standard contract. Sometimes they are quite happy to be upfront about this but others refuse saying that they will deal with that when and if I get a contract offer. Not very helpful and there isn't really much you can do as a contractor to combat this.

My point is that the PCG/QDOS et al must have seen lots of contracts and know who has good ones and who is a pain in the arse to deal with. It would help shake up the industry a bit and wake the agencies up to sorting out the bulltulip in their contracts.

It's unlikely to ever happen but we can dream I suppose...

[Andy Hallett]

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

The OP was about what was best for the client, the thread has turned into what is good for contractors!

[Wanderer]

The OP was about what was best for the client, the thread has turned into what is good for contractors!

What's good for contractors is also good for clients.

[Andy Hallett]

What's good for contractors is also good for clients.

£100pd and instant termination?

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

And that then is the clients fault for not negotiating a fixed margin...... Remember thought the client interviews the people and if they are not suitable they will go back to the agent. The client still sees the CV's and can make their own mind up. It isn't free reign for the agent to rip his client off... but does happen.

Problem is that the agent isnt forwarding your CV to client unless you are on of the cheapest for him - and yes I agree it is a client problem that they let agents rip them and us off.

[Wanderer]

£100pd and instant termination?

If there is a transparent relationship between the client - agency - contractor on equal terms and all parties are willing to do business on these terms then why not.

The problem arises when the agent has a 4 week notice in their contract with the client but none with the contractor. Then the client terminates the contractor forthwith and the agency dumps the contractor, keeping the 4 week notice money paid by the client.

Both the client and the contractor lose out, the agency is quids in though.

[AussieDigger]

Yeah, Empiri-C are a bit like that i heard...and a few others.