Screwed over by new contract

[kal]

Yep, did that in as fair and professional way I could. Clientco contacted me directly so I explained what had happened, apologised I couldn't take the contract, and let them know when I'm next available. They seemed happy with that and have noted my availability.

nice

[psychocandy]

This is what annoys me about the contracting industry, and gives it a bad rep - we are paid a significant PREMIUM to have the flexibility end clients want in their resourcing. It isn't about 'bending over and taking it', it is about being wised up to the fact that things can change rapidly. If this is happening 'too often sometimes' then a suggestion would be evaluating the type of client you're working with.

Disagree. Yes we are paid 'more' but not significantly more sometimes IMHO.

Self-employed plumbers are paid more. Try booking one for a weeks work fitting a new bathroom then cancelling it at 5pm on Friday before. Can guarantee they wont be pleased. Will be the last time they do work for you possibly.

Yes its business but its also all about integrity and fairness. Yes things change etc but surely everyone should treat everyone else as they expect to be treated i.e as fair as possible. Sometimes with some clients it seems to be stuff them they're just a contractor.

Saying that though I've had one or two really good clients. Up front, honest, let you know whats happening asap etc. Also, one or two who will lie and tell you one thing then do another by the next day.

[psychocandy]

...this works the other way around; you secure a contract, client drags heels/paperwork/delayed start/whatever, and you pursue and secure an alternative option in the meantime, which leave both the agent and client aggrieved. Yes, like everyone says, it's part of contracting, but sometimes it can swing the other way too.

True but in this case client/agent feel aggrieved. Happens to contractor - suck it up thats the way it works.

[d000hg]

Disagree. Yes we are paid 'more' but not significantly more sometimes IMHO.

Maybe you're not...

[SpontaneousOrder]

Self-employed plumbers are paid more.

No plumber I've ever used. But even so - you're signing a contract for 6 months at a time. The plumber is doing the odd few days of work here and there. He should charge a premium for that, in the same way that you pay a cleaner significantly more than minimum wage otherwise it's not worth their time for only a couple of hours.


But anyway...

Try booking one for a weeks work fitting a new bathroom then cancelling it at 5pm on Friday before. Can guarantee they wont be pleased. Will be the last time they do work for you possibly.
.

Perhaps there's the solution to your aggrievement. You have a choice, after all.

[jmo21]

Self-employed plumbers are paid more. Try booking one for a weeks work fitting a new bathroom then cancelling it at 5pm on Friday before. Can guarantee they wont be pleased. Will be the last time they do work for you possibly.

Maybe it makes more sense to compare yourself to a real IT service provider.

They might be quietly annoyed the client pulls the plug, and the pre-sales guy might be losing his commission, but they understand it is business and will thank them and say let us know when you need us again and we will be happy to come back and discuss.

[speling bee]

Maybe it makes more sense to compare yourself to a real IT service provider.

They might be quietly annoyed the client pulls the plug, and the pre-sales guy might be losing his commission, but they understand it is business and will thank them and say let us know when you need us again and we will be happy to come back and discuss.

Very sensible post. Thank you. And I dare say the pre-sales guy won't be popping down the dole office to sign on, but will instead vigorously pursue the next opportunity.

[northernladuk]

Maybe it makes more sense to compare yourself to a real IT service provider.

They might be quietly annoyed the client pulls the plug, and the pre-sales guy might be losing his commission, but they understand it is business and will thank them and say let us know when you need us again and we will be happy to come back and discuss.

+1 to this and many many other posts on here. Non of them from PC though.

Just going on off on a slight tangent here but I do strongly thing a contractor makes his own bed in many situations and will get treated to suit.

I've worked at clients, current one included where there is a little club of contractors that stick together at lunch and the like and just sit there moaning about the clients all the time. They too expect this and expect that but happy to slate their client the minute there isn't a permie in earshot. Because of their attitude they are kept at arms length from the client and not privvy to a lot of conversations about them as well. Believe me, the client knows who is a moaning contractor and who is a business partner (for want of a better word). No clients want to deal with the moaning contractors because they know they can't get it right whatever the do so the clients treat them badly. The guys that they can do business get treated much better with more openess and fairness because the client knows they can do honest business with them and won't get slated for it.

However much this bunch thinks they are putting a professional face on the client will know. If they had a professional attitude, not just an act they would get treated a lot better IMO. If they actually understood the clients drivers and situation they may not get quite so upset when the axed falls and cry foul all the time. Disgruntled employees moan about employers, not contractors.

[TheFaQQer]

[northernladuk]

And I thought I was the grumpy kill joy round here!!