Agent stand-off over extension

[d000hg]

The agent might lose a tiny portion of their income the contractor makes them, who they can probably replace and tell the client it was the contractor's fault.

The contractor stands to lose 100% of their income and would have to find a new contract, just over a little rate rise.

So it's not really an equal footing, the agent is in the position of strength.

[jmo21]

The agent is being an arse, but PC should simply have told the end client sooner.

The client doesn't care about the specifics, but 'I have been unable to get a response from the agent so cannot sign the extension yet' should suffice.

[I just need to test it]

What about amending the copy of the contract to reflect the terms you want, signing it then mailing it to the agent?

That should flush him out.

Presumably the reduced notice period is IR35-related rather than a desperate yearning to leave?

[northernladuk]

What has reduced notice period got to do with IR35?

[tractor]

...

What about amending the copy of the contract to reflect the terms you want, signing it then mailing it to the agent?

That should flush him out.

Presumably the reduced notice period is IR35-related rather than a desperate yearning to leave?

Nothing to do with IR35, he needs it so he can leave more quickly when something better comes up....see other threads...

[psychocandy]

You've been contracting for 20 years and by the sounds of it, some of your rates have been half decent. Why are you still in a position where you have to bend over and take it from agents? I don't understand why you can't just hardball them to get it sorted.

I started contracting four years ago and I'm already in a position where agencies bend over for me. OK so what I do might be a little more specialised/niche, but it's not difficult to work a position where you call more of the shots.

You don't seem like the sort to blow your wedge on fine cocaine and high class hookers, so unless you're living in a ridiculously sized mansion with a wife with an expensive shoes habit and access to your credit card, I don't know why you're not in a position to tell the agent that you can't continue on existing terms, and warn the client that the paperwork hasn't been sorted yet so you might not be around on Monday.

LOL. Not contracting for the entire 20 years.

Yeh know what you mean though. Had a bad period before xmas on the bench then a low payer so not as flush as I was.

In terms of walking away, know what you mean. Unfortunately, for family reasons, Im restricted to where I travel to for work, so thats a problem. Sometimes I dont really want to lose a local gig.

[psychocandy]

So you agreed an extension with the client, but then you demanded the agency increase the rate and are surprised they haven't got back to you? The client doubtless agreed an extension on the basis of what they're already paying.

No I didnt agree. The agency informed me that the client wanted to extend. I informed the agency that I wished to negotiate terms. They ignored me, issued the same contract and have hid for last 3 weeks.

[psychocandy]

If i was the customer and a contractor pulls out of the extension 2 days before it supposed to start (while presumably left me under the impression that he is happy for his contract to be extended), and gives such a bogus excuse i would be offended to say the least. And not to the fact that the said contractor is leaving with little or no notice - this is part of the risk of hiring a contractor, but for the part that he thinks i'm so stupid to believe in his bull tulip reasons.

But I wont be pulling out of anything. I havent agreed it yet. I would have 3 weeks ago if the agency had spoken to me and we'd discussed things.

[eek]

You do know that agency is playing a game of chicken (knowing that you will just cave in)..

[psychocandy]

Anyway, thanks for all the advice. Still being ignored.

Did think about speaking to client but I don't think that's a goer. You just know when some are ok with this and some will just think - cant be arsed with all the hassle. This client is one such.

Apart from walking, agent knows I ain't got anything. I know hes playing a bit of a low risk game.

OK, so he ignores me and I keep turning up. Done deal.

There is some potential for grief if I do walk because the client thinks its sorted. So client gets on phone to agent. Agent makes up some crap about trying to get it sorted for weeks but contractor has been messing around and now has let everyone down. But dont worry I've got these CVs here, we'll get someone in there by the end of the week.

p.s. This is the same agency that tried to get me to agree in writing to a contract I hadnt seen at the beginning. Then accuse me of being stupid by delaying it a day. Complete bunch of shysters they are.