When an end client only works with a small list of agencies

[masonryan]

So now you have a dose of reality and are having to stand on your own two feet like the rest of us you are messing it up royally you mean?

how am I messing it up please, do explain

[northernladuk]

how am I messing it up please, do explain

By looking like such a wet behind the ears disguised permie the agent doesn't have to increase your rate and worse than that is putting stupid terms in their contracts.

Tell them to shove it. You will do the extension for 10-15% more minimum, they can shove their clause up their asses and when they are ready to stop treating you like a dick ring back with their new offer and revised contract.

Man up for christs sake.

[masonryan]

By looking like such a wet behind the ears disguised permie the agent doesn't have to increase your rate and worse than that is putting stupid terms in their contracts.

Tell them to shove it. You will do the extension for 10-15% more minimum, they can shove their clause up their asses and when they are ready to stop treating you like a dick ring back with their new offer and revised contract.

Man up for christs sake.

Thank you. This is the reassurance I was seeking.

[rambaugh]

No I haven't got it the wrong way round, that's what I'm saying - it's clear that the agent is representing the client and not me in the discussions. My points have not been passed to end client.

Well your solution is simple then. Do your own sales and marketing activities and find your own end clients. That way you negotiate directly and get all your points across.

[masonryan]

Well your solution is simple then. Do your own sales and marketing activities and find your own end clients. That way you negotiate directly and get all your points across.

I actually did in this case. But the end-client insisted an agency was required for 'paperwork'. More likely, the agency is there to bully you to accept a crappy extension when the time comes.

[eek]

I actually did in this case. But the end-client insisted an agency was required for 'paperwork'. More likely, the agency is there to bully you to accept a crappy extension when the time comes.

No the agency is there because the company isn't set up to deal with contractors so they offload it to a third party. Few companies wish to deal with contractors directly (they are fed scare stories by agencies to get work) and those that do are often late payers (there is usually a reason why companies wish to watch the pennies).

[NCOTBAC]

I actually did in this case. But the end-client insisted an agency was required for 'paperwork'. More likely, the agency is there to bully you to accept a crappy extension when the time comes.

How can you be a contractor and not understand the very basics of how we work? I would guess you are calling the clients liars as well as the agents now?

The client doesn't care what happens between you and the agent. He pays the agent the same whatever the agent is paying you. The weak link is you not negotiating a very good deal.

[TheFaQQer]

No the agency is there because the company isn't set up to deal with contractors so they offload it to a third party. Few companies wish to deal with contractors directly (they are fed scare stories by agencies to get work) and those that do are often late payers (there is usually a reason why companies wish to watch the pennies).

For some reason, many clients believe that having an agency in the mix protects them from tax liabilities and you claiming to be an employee.

[TheFaQQer]

I actually did in this case. But the end-client insisted an agency was required for 'paperwork'. More likely, the agency is there to bully you to accept a crappy extension when the time comes.

I don't see how you can be bullied to do anything that you don't want to do.

You work for yourself, you decide whether to accept the contract or not. There is nothing more to it than that.

[aussielong]

No, it isn't strange and you've got it completely the wrong way around.

Agencies don't represent you - they represent the client - you represent the agent, they are your customer, the client is the agent's customer.

How the client chooses their agents is really none of your business.

Interesting. I thought agencies represent both you and the client. They do a sales job on both sides. Can you elaborate?