hourly rate beware?

[northernladuk]

No, not really. The only person providing any value for the client is the contractor, therefore any money payed by the client belongs to the contractor. The agency does not provide value, they are just an overhead and so their proportion of the take needs to be reduced as far as possible.

Boo2

What a load of rubbish...really... Agent doesn't provide value to the client? Not even worth trying to argue with that attitude.

[moggy]

No, not really. The only person providing any value for the client is the contractor, therefore any money payed by the client belongs to the contractor. The agency does not provide value, they are just an overhead and so their proportion of the take needs to be reduced as far as possible.

Boo2

Who is your contract with?

[d000hg]

The only question that is relevant is 'are you happy with the rate that the agent put you forward for?'.

You'd make a great permie. "A raise? I was happy on £22k last year so why would I not be happy now?"

[MyUserName]

You'd make a great permie. "A raise? I was happy on £22k last year so why would I not be happy now?"

Because the cost of living has gone up?
Because your my employer and I have expectations of a career path which includes pay increments?
etc.

However as a contractor I negotiate a rate I am happy with - how much money other suppliers receive is not my concern.

[Ninja1980]

What a load of rubbish...really... Agent doesn't provide value to the client? Not even worth trying to argue with that attitude.

How is this rubbish? This is spot on.

From first hand experience, if you cut the agent out of the equation you can negotiate for a much higher rate. If the client is willing to pay X and the agent pays Y then you end up with X - Y. If there is no agent you can (potentially) negotiate X.

[northernladuk]

How is this rubbish? This is spot on.

From first hand experience, if you cut the agent out of the equation you can negotiate for a much higher rate. If the client is willing to pay X and the agent pays Y then you end up with X - Y. If there is no agent you can (potentially) negotiate X.

The agency's value isn't to you... it's the client... the agent works for the client. Jesus Christ.

[moggy]

How is this rubbish? This is spot on.

From first hand experience, if you cut the agent out of the equation you can negotiate for a much higher rate. If the client is willing to pay X and the agent pays Y then you end up with X - Y. If there is no agent you can (potentially) negotiate X.

The point being made was not one of cutting the agent out and going direct, but one of seeing the agent as more of an overhead.

[Ninja1980]

The point being made was not one of cutting the agent out and going direct, but one of seeing the agent as more of an overhead.

That's one and the same thing. The agent is (potentially) an overhead for both parties. Either the client is paying too much or the contractor is receiving too little (or both). I.e. unnecessary overhead.

[MyUserName]

That's one and the same thing. The agent is (potentially) an overhead for both parties. Either the client is paying too much or the contractor is receiving too little (or both). I.e. unnecessary overhead.

*massages temples*

The agencies perform a role which takes time and expertise (networking etc). If the client did not employ the agent then they would have to perform these tasks in house, it is cheaper and easier for them to use an agent - otherwise they would perform these tasks in house.

If the contractor feels they are receiving too little then negotiate for a higher rate - what other expenses the client has is nothing to do with the contractor. If they are able to go direct then they *might* get a better rate but they also might get some extra issues.

If you do not want to use an agent then don't but if you think that there is a massive cost saving to be made for every company that uses and agency which only you have spotted then you must be mad!

[kevpuk]

I have to agree with what others have said before....
I know what rate ClientCo pays Agency, and would love to have some of their 'slice'....but I quote a daily rate I was happy with and got it so - in all fairness - I am happy. Now, come extension time, I will be looking to squeeze a little more from the Agency slice in an ideal world, but if I have nothing else to peak my interest then why would I not still be happy with a rate that I have chosen to charge