Changing Agencies

**Wanderer** · 7 February 2013, 14:02

Originally posted by WeHatePopulo View Post

The agency I am with has one over their 30 day payment period and have been unable to provide any excuse. Since 2e2 went bust the agency have been taken on by the client in order to keep the contractors on site.

They may be witholding payment until they get paid themselves. Did you opt out of the agency regulations?

Do a search for "dunning" on this forum and find lots of advice on chasing debt

**northernladuk** · 7 February 2013, 14:26

Sorry to be the doubter again but there is a lot of unqualified information with no detail in your post so don't know how we can help. No reasons for agent not paying, no time scales etc.

Are you just having a rant or is there something specific you can expand on we can try help you with? Don't go with an agency cause the are crap isn't really something we can digest. We need something solid.

**Anubis** · 7 February 2013, 16:52

I worked with Populo. The chain is like so

Client > 2e2 > Populo > Umbrella > Contractor

Cross out 2e2 since they've recently gone bust. Umbrella is a maybe.

I had exactly the same hassle from Populo and did not pay my final invoice after 30 days (as per contract agreement) - got very angry and they dodge the question, ignore phone calls, etc. I just call up their head office and ask to be put through to your contact. I agree with the OP 100% - avoid Populo, they are unprofessional. I phoned up Populo and conversation went like this...

Me: Hi, I haven't been paid within the last 30 days which the contract states - why have I not been paid?
Populo: Oh right. Ok..right. Erm...Who did you work for?
Me: I work for you. If you mean the end client it was XYZ and invoice was submitted last month - well over 30 days.
Populo: Oh ok. erm. I'll have to phone you back about it

Cue the constant phone calls cutting into voicemail after never getting back to me about it (as expected).

I did get paid eventually - I asked to be put through to someone very high up and they changed their tune. No apology, no reason why I didn't get paid (£14k outstanding!). I still have no idea why (probably lack of cash flow by the sounds of it), but it wasn't my problem and they broke their contract agreement of 30 days since invoice.

Call their head office and ask to speak to someone very high up - not some dolly in accounts tuliping it up.

Thankfully I have nothing to do with them ever again

**Taita** · 7 February 2013, 17:43

Originally posted by WeHatePopulo View Post

Guys

A question I hope you can assist with:

The agency I am with has one over their 30 day payment period and have been unable to provide any excuse. They are simply refusing to get back to me and I am wondering the best course of action.

You mayhave heard that POPULO were a supplier to 2e2. Since 2e2 went bust Populo have been taken on by the client in order to keep the contractors on site.

The service from POPULO is absolutely terrible (avoid them if you can...) but they have missed my invoice now and seem unable or unwilling to pay.

There is nothing in my contract that says that they will only pay me after funds are received from 2e2 so I am rightly chasing POPULO for the cash.

I will be seeking legal advice to recover the funds but have any of you guys ever been in this situation? Can you recommend a good debt recovery firm?

I also would like to change agencies as I now consider them in breach of contract so I need a new agency to bill through for my next invoice. Any recommendations?

My advice = STAY AWAY FROM POPULO if you can.

Don't know the company personally but because they are very small I would take urgent steps to secure my money including drawing the attention of the client to the problem as others in their workforce may be affected. Bear in mind they already have had one supplier cause problems by going bust!

**Unpaid** · 18 February 2013, 11:40

My invoice is now six weeks outstanding. When 2e2 went bust I emailled Populo's timesheet lady asking when I would get paid, she forwarded it to the Finance Director who never responded.

With all these claims against it, will Populo be around for much longer?

**Taita** · 19 February 2013, 17:37

Originally posted by Unpaid View Post

My invoice is now six weeks outstanding. When 2e2 went bust I emailled Populo's timesheet lady asking when I would get paid, she forwarded it to the Finance Director who never responded.

With all these claims against it, will Populo be around for much longer?

Keep the pressure up on Populo but also consider diplomatically expressing your concerns to the client (as a last resort) because they will be very unhappy if a second agency goes bust on them especially if they lose people/time as a result. I would normally be reluctant to involve the client but as they have recently had one bad experience they may appreciate a timely 'heads up'.

**SueEllen** · 19 February 2013, 17:46

I would tell the client manager NOW verbally that if the agency doesn't pay you within 2 weeks when 2 invoices will be due then unfortunately you cannot continue providing services to them.

Then if you don't get paid, two days before you threaten to down tools email the client manager and inform them that you haven't been paid so unfortunately in 2 days you won't be available to provide your services.

I have done something like this a couple of times and got paid that day.

EDIT: In the 2nd case I told the agency that I had told the client and had indicated to the client they may have cash flow problems. I never got paid late by the agency again.

Changing Agencies